So, from Toronto to Lisbon to Munich to Bangkok to Chang Mai to Singapore to Perth to Sydney to Cairns to Bali to Bangkok to Ao Nang then back to Bangkok to Munich to Lisbon to Toronto - we flew 

 (circumference ≈ 40,075 km)! 🌍✈️

We just got back and already found ourselves at a Thai restaurant—because apparently, jet lag is no match for a good Khao Soi!

We made it back - Did everything survive our trip?

A saga of zippers, straps, screwdrivers, and one dearly departed sunhat

They say travel light, and we really tried. 

 has been our mantra—and honestly, it’s worked out… most of the time.

But of course, no journey is complete without a few “luggage adventures.” Here’s how our gear fared through heat, humidity, and airport conveyor belts.

Rob snapped a D-clip on his backpack (classic). Fortunately, Kim had insisted on keeping a spare clip 

—a small but mighty victory for Team Prepared. Backpack saved, marriage intact.

One of our trusty travel adapters burned out.

Gone but not forgotten. (…and no, it didn’t take down a hotel circuit.)

Some creative adaptor hacks had to be done in order for our devices to stay alive.

One of our bags decided the “open/close” handle mechanism was optional. Rob, in full MacGyver mode, bought a mini screwdriver kit and fixed it!

…Kind of. It now stays permanently closed. We dragged it with a shoulder strap and hoped for the best.

The screwdrivers? Confiscated in Bali. (Apparently “toolkit” raises red flags.)

…and didn’t make it onto the plane home.

We don’t talk about it. Still too soon.

Despite a couple hiccups (one airline’s 

 was just rude, and one flight made us check our bags), going carry-on only has been a game changer. No lost luggage, limited waiting at carousels—just grab and go.

Rob now believes he can survive any hot destination with just a backpack.

He might not be wrong, Speedos don't take up much room.

We brought too many charging cables, when we needed two battery packs. In non-English speaking countries, Google Translate is worth its 

 weight in gold—especially when your power bank is the only thing standing between you and “please leave me alone” in Indonesian.

 about where you go—it’s also about what breaks, what gets fixed, and what quietly disappears into the airport void. But honestly, we wouldn’t change a thing (except maybe the hat situation).

Top 10 Thai Dishes We Kept Coming Back To

(AKA: How We Ate Our Way Through Thailand)

Our time in Thailand could easily be measured in bowls, plates, and spice levels. While we sampled a huge variety of dishes—everything from street-side snacks to Michelin-recognized masterpieces—some favourites just kept calling us back.

Stir-fried water spinach with garlic, chilies, and fermented soybean paste—simple, spicy, and addictive. Kim declared one version her 

Southern Thai, rich, and fragrant. Sometimes served with actual crab claws, other times with soft shell crab—either way, we ordered this whenever we could.

Kim’s go-to comfort dish. Choo Chee curry, with its thicker, coconut-rich red curry sauce, brought crispy fish filets or whole fish to life. A standout in both home-style joints and refined restaurants.

Stir-Fried Chili (Pad Prik or with Nam Pla variants)

Rob’s spicy craving fix. Whether it was chicken, pork, or seafood, this dish always brought the heat—and often a side of rice and respect from the waitstaff.

Creamier, sweeter, and milder than some of its cousins—but no less flavourful. We had this with everything from chicken to crispy pork belly, and never once regretted it.

Light, zingy, and perfect in the Thai heat. Steamed sea bass with lime, garlic, chili, and lemongrass. It became a fixture of our “eat healthy” days (balanced by fried snacks later).

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