I have dreamed of traveling to far-off distant lands for many years. It's one of those things I wish I did in my 20s– before marriage and kids. For whatever reason, seeing the world wasn't on my radar until my mid-twenties when my husband's best friend, who had recently graduated from his Master's program, decided to spend a year backpacking alone through Asia. There was something about those post cards we received from him that were so intriguing to me: reading his handwritten words that described his experiences, noting the colours and lines of the exotic stamp, and as strange as it sounds, I would even smell the postcards to see if I could catch a faint scent of what these places smelled like. It was Sean's journey that planted "one day" in my mind.
Of all the post cards we received it was the one from Thailand that planted the biggest seed... he called it "paradise". Sean wrote about sleeping on the beach in the most beautiful, rustic accommodations. He claimed to have found the best shrimp he had ever tasted (I LOVE shrimp!) and how there was nothing better than eating a fresh mango. What he couldn't get over was how ridiculously inexpensive everything was. I was sold. I knew that "one day" I would visit Thailand.
During Sean's year away I distinctly remember having a conversation with a family friend around a campfire about my intentions to travel. Her response was "you better do it before kids". I remember looking directly at her and saying, "no, my kids will come with me". She just smiled at me with a look in her eye that assured me it wouldn't happen.
Here we are, nearly 15 years later and we're finally making the trek and guess what? My kids are coming with me. Yes, this is going to be a family adventure. It took a year of my husband and I researching online, talking to people, reading travel guides, learning to speak Thai*, saving money and now we're ready for an experience of a lifetime.
This will be a trip we have put together– no travel agents, no resorts. We anticipate great memories to come out of it and would love for you to tag along. Some of you may have noticed the new "Family Adventure" tab at the top of this page. We'll be posting frequent updates here along with photos (and maybe footage) for you to follow us along on this special journey, which begins December 5th.
Life... is... good.
*We have a feeling no one is going to understand us when we speak it.
About Me
- Chantelle Diachina
- Canada
- With a B.Ed., M.Ed., and over 10 years of classroom teaching experience, Chantelle has been privileged to observe the fruits of many living philosophies. By continually striving to live the best life possible, Chantelle has been able to overcome many personal challenges in life and enjoys helping others do the same. In 2001, Chantelle stepped into her first yoga class and has been amazed at the ways it has transformed her life. In 2007 she studied under Shri Yogi Hari of the Sivananda lineage and became a certified yoga teacher. She has since earned the E-RYT designation from Yoga Alliance and continues to study under various Indian Master Yogis. In October 2013 launched Prana Yoga & Wellness, offering private/corporate yoga and stress management workshops based on Eastern wisdom. Chantelle frequently appears as a guest speaker and is involved with various community projects and local non-profit organizations. Dedicated to walking her talk, Chantelle is not afraid to do the necessary work to remain happily married and be a healthy role model for her two young daughters.
