Never say never again - Bangkok bittersweet and our way home

Bangkok again, after I said 'never again' in January - how did it happen? We canceled our flight on March 19th with Etihad via Abu Dhabi to take our journey home into our own hands. The waiting and uncertainty about how we would get home occupied our minds far too much, the thought mill was constantly running in the background, and we couldn't fully enjoy our beach week as a conclusion to our almost 6-month journey, we couldn't let go and just be happy. While searching for a return flight, there were many options—until there were none: Sold out - not available - sorry, too late - canceled. Flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Saigon, Taipei, Tokyo... 3000, 4000, 5000.... Euros per person, 24 hours, 28, 32, 34, 42, 48... Phew... Brain on, when is which flight, don't think long, does it fit? That's how it happened. Not in a rush, reasonably priced and timed? Book. Bangkok via Istanbul to Frankfurt, 20 hours of travel, it couldn't be better. Fortunately, we discovered a corner of Chinatown in January with nice restaurants on a quiet walking street, we knew we wanted to go there. Now we were also lucky to find a great, very quiet hotel.

Bangkok. We only do relaxed, beautiful things, deciding on a whim, a brief excursion to a tourist spot makes us turn around immediately due to the crowd and unfriendlyness and we retreat. Shopping malls, this time we can buy, we are at the end of our journey and have 30 kg of free luggage, a café visit here, a soup there, again to the 'Golden Mount' and look around, take a boat ride on the Klong, take a lunch break in our nice apartment, treat ourselves in the hotel café with delicious coffees, prepare for our journey home. That was Bangkok this time. Sweet, not bitter!

We come home filled with interesting experiences, eventful days, weeks, months. 8 countries, different in many ways, each has left an impression, there are stories, pictures, memories for each. We met wonderful people, some contacts we will keep for longer, some we may even visit. Some will slip down in the WhatsApp contacts, communication might fade, but they will remain in our memories as remarkable encounters.

Thank you to everyone who spent some hours with us:

Roland and Lina, for the uplifting conversations of our first days, during breakfast and in between, with interesting insights into Cambodia's land and people.

Heidi and Günther, for discovering the Saigoner's 'nightlife' in the rain.

Naveen, for your easy-going presence, your patient companionship and your joy of discovery in Hanoi.

Marianne and Morten, for introducing us to the world’s best Roti Honey Lemon and the fun we had at the night market and elsewhere in Luang Prabang.

Anni, Eline and Bernd, for letting us share in your family happiness in Nong Khiaw and the good tips for boat trips in Laos.

Mareike and Patrick, for the entertaining minibus ride from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang and the noted closeness to Bochum.

Raffaella and Lukas, for the interesting exchange in Vientiane about Germany and Switzerland and our social pedagogical work.

Franzi, Michael, Leo and Paul, for 'a little' Christmas Eve, for the always warm reunions in Amphawa and Singapore and the great ideas you have and live!

Anne and Arne, for sharing the wonderful Christmas boat trip on the Mekong to Thailand and the funny evening with 'hangover TukTuk ride' in Chiang Rai.

Sao and Gaetan, Iris and Pedro, for the slow and beautiful arrival in Thailand, Angels Chambre - literally - and the wonderful tip to go to Baanrak Amphawa!

Haddi and Jan, for the joint conclusion of the year and your courage to give up everything to travel for 3 years.

Bee and Nicha, for the generous hospitality in Baanrak Amphawa and the sigh of relief after Bangkok.

Urs, Liam and Michael, for the insights into Malaysia’s changes.

Urs, Jeanne and Peter, for the good 'Swiss/German/British evenings in Georgetown and Peter's wonderful photographs.

Daniel and Grace, for the unexpected evening in Georgetown and the interesting, personal stories.

Roslin - dear person, how wonderful to meet you again at Lake Toba after 34 years and to get to know your family.

Manoj, for the safe driving on our tour through Sri Lanka and the personal conversations.

Hannah and her husband, for waving at the drone and the great idea of traveling Sri Lanka with 'Tuk-Tuk Rental'.

Jasmin and Phillip, for the evenings in Kandy and Ella with endless conversation topics that even required the hotel manager’s permission to stay longer.

Eva and Horst, for waiting together, contemplating and crossing fingers for how we would get home and the lovely birthday evening.

We are going home today - it’s about time and we are looking forward to it. I’m a bit excited too :-)

Thank you all who accompanied me and us by reading the blog, for your encouraging comments and for sharing your feelings. Your great interest has given the writing of my 'travel diary' a special and personal touch.