Where did you like it the most?

We are frequently asked this question since our return. However, we find it difficult to answer. In Nepal because of the gigantic mountain world? In Kyrgyzstan because of the unique horse culture? Or in Thailand, because the food there is simply unbeatable? We believe that we cannot break down the many experiences of this journey into a single "best". Therefore, we asked ourselves a few questions about our most beautiful memories and would like to present our answers in this final blog entry.

We don't want to withhold a few "curiosities" that we encountered. We always have a lot of fun when we discover something that brings a smile to our faces.

Which country surprised you the most?

Swenja: I was very positively surprised by Vietnam, as we had heard many stories from other travelers about unfriendly people and scams. Fortunately, we had very different experiences.

Matthias: Compared to other countries we visited, we only had a vague idea of Kyrgyzstan. It is usually the case that the less you expect, the more overwhelmed you are, and Kyrgyzstan blew us away. Here we found everything that appeals to us: magnificent mountain landscapes, in which very open-minded people live a fascinating life.

In which country was the culture most impressive?

Swenja: In my opinion, Nepal is culturally the furthest away from our culture in Germany. This is mainly due to the remoteness in which the people live. For many, the nearest bus stop is several days' walk away, and supplies are provided by mule or yak caravans. As a result, the standard of living is correspondingly low. Experiencing this for several months was very impressive for me.

Matthias: The sparse but not poor life in the high pastures of Kyrgyzstan was very fascinating. But the people in the Himalayas, characterized by spirituality and down-to-earthness, also captivated me.

What situations will you never forget?

Swenja:

· When a yak herder in Nepal invited us to his hut for fresh yogurt. We paid for the first yogurt, but later he didn't want us to leave anymore and refilled our cups over and over again.

· When a Georgian family had tears in their eyes when we left their guesthouse after a few days.

· When we slept like sardines with 10 Kyrgyz shepherds in a tiny yurt. (At that time, I vehemently denied that I would ever be able to laugh about it, but now I can.)

· The culture shock we had when a friend suddenly invited us to a small but very fine party in one of the best restaurants in Kyrgyzstan (with only holey shoes and stained clothes available).

· The bioluminescence during our midnight swim at our New Year's Eve party in Thailand.

Matthias: On the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, we hiked the Banks Trek. Overnight stays are in private farmhouses right by the sea. Penguins live in the bay around the buildings, and the farming couple is very committed to their protection. If interested, they take the overnight guests on tours through the area in camouflage suits and explain the nesting behavior of the penguins. The farmer explained, we guests stood in a circle and listened. Antonia was already able to walk at that time, but only if someone held her hand. However, while the farmer was talking, she suddenly stood up and waddled alone through the circle of people and a few meters further. Swenja, my mom, and I were ecstatic. All the others didn't even notice the actual highlight of the evening.

We also had another unforgettable moment in the first days of our journey. Like every day during our time in Kutaisi (Georgia), we walked along the road from our accommodation to the center. The road was being rebuilt, so there was no asphalt surface and the sewerage system was exposed in some places. As usual, we walked along the under construction road when suddenly, several meters behind us, there was a loud bang and a fountain of water shot out of the ground. The water flowed out of the burst pipe, flooding the surrounding road and the nearest house facade. We were just spared, but a few moments earlier, we would have been soaked.

What was the most exhausting thing about traveling for you?

Swenja: That we had almost no break from traveling. For over 10 months, we planned every day how to proceed. Every day, we had to make hundreds of decisions: Where to eat? What to eat? Where to stay and how long to stay there? Should we do laundry today or will there be a washing machine tomorrow? Should we take a taxi, a bus, or can we walk? Is the price reasonable, or do we have to negotiate? With such a long journey, you want to break away from everyday life at home, but eventually, even traveling becomes routine, and what makes travel interesting becomes exhausting.

Matthias: Traveling with so much luggage! Although we managed to only take the essentials with us and store the rest in a guesthouse or with friends. But when we had to continue traveling with the entire household goods, it was quite tedious.

Where would you go again?

Swenja: We only saw the northernmost tip of Vietnam, so I would also be interested in the south. And when Antonia is older, I would find a multi-day horse trekking tour in Kyrgyzstan appealing.

Matthias: Everywhere! But I will definitely travel to Nepal again.

Do you have any conclusions from the journey?

Swenja: I realized how similar people actually are. Whether they live in a yurt at 3,000 meters, in a bamboo hut on the beach, or in a house with a $5,000 bathroom. Everyone has their everyday life and wants to ensure that the family is fed and everyone is doing well. The majority of people are hospitable, open-minded, and helpful. Of course, you can also meet the wrong people, but this should not lead to too much mistrust of everyone else.

Matthias: If the child enjoys it and the parents don't overdo it, many things are possible. Always according to the motto: much is possible, nothing is necessary.