When we first started looking at our “World Drive”, it was important to consider why… Why do we want to do this?…What is our main intention?… digging deep into recognising that our dream was no longer a dream. It was a goal that we soon realised impacted our everyday considerations.
The decision to ‘go’ was perhaps the first and easiest step to take, but the ‘when’ and ‘how’ questions were much harder. Life commitments including; work, family responsibilities and personal health are all involved in the answers to these. But what we both realised was, …it will happen… planning took on a whole new direction.
Research by the sea always helps!
The ‘where’ was perhaps the next easiest…’THE WORLD’… but even that process to finalise the details needed time. Do we have a route? What do we want to see? What are the musts? Do we have time to explore? As soon as we realised that this was tied to the ‘when’ and the ‘how’, we knew we needed to narrow them both down, even if it was still a little vague, we needed something more specific.
The decision to start from Malaysia was made, as this was quite firmly based around my current employment, we decided that my position in Malaysia would be my last position of paid employment, retirement would be the transition step that would make this possible. Whether that would be 1, 2 or more years would be constantly questioned, but it was now a little easier as we were in more control about ‘where’. We could now work on a route and possible steps about ‘how’.
For almost 20 years I have dreamed about travelling the world on a motorbike, I blame Charlie Borman and Ewan McGregor for that, never lost the desire and wanted to see the wonderful hills, mountains, rivers and people of as many countries as possible… on a motorbike. A BMW 1250 GSA to be precise, again the Borman/McGregor legacy thing. Bought one while I was in Malaysia, the dream was beginning to materialise on my very own courtyard or at least on the rented courtyard I was using here in Malaysia.
As time went on, it became apparent that there were a few reasons why the bike might not be the best form of transport for this. Firstly there was a lot to carry for a two up around the world, possible, but the bike would be heavy and difficult to lift if dropped. Secondly Julia doesn’t have a motorbike license, she likes riding pillion, but thats it. Lastly a tent on the ground would likely be our most popular form of accommodation, Julia is a little claustrophobic so sticking her head out of tent on the floor might not be a wise idea in some countries.
Slowly but surely, the BMW changed to a truck camper, the ‘when’ became January 2025 and the route is now much clearer.
With more space comes more safety, Julia drives, the truck takes on more weight and the tent is pretty strong and way up off the ground. The dream is no longer a dream, the goal is almost upon us and the journey to get here has been worthwhile.
So I ask you, what dream do you have that you can turn into a goal that you know will happen?
