Week Three: The Highs, the Lows & Everything In Between
Week three felt like the point where this whole trip stopped feeling like a holiday and started feeling like life. Not rushed. Not novel. Just lived. The days blurred together in the best way. A mix of exercise, breakfast, work, school, pool, scooters, meals, conversations, small moments, and somehow those simple repeats carried a lot of weight.
We shifted accommodation, settled into Le Forest, found new routines, new faces, and a slightly different energy. There was less “wow” and more “ahhh.” Less ticking boxes, more being.
The Highs
Settling into Le Forest
The new place landed well. Spacious, calm, green, and comfortable. The kids settled quickly, and it allowed Kia and I to find some space for ourselves.
Family movement becoming normal
Exercise stopped being a “thing we should do” and just became part of the day. Morning runs with other dads, skipping and band workouts with the kids, swims to cool down. It all felt natural rather than forced. That felt like a quiet win.
Social connections deepening
Conversations started going beyond surface level. Sharing tables at breakfast, chatting on vans, running with other parents, talking about life back home. The community aspect of this trip really came alive this week.
Kids thriving in freedom
The kids felt confident here. Making friends, navigating new spaces, playing independently, riding scooters, and just being kids. Watching that confidence grow without school bells or schedules was powerful.
The Lows
Heat and humidity
The constant sweat was real. Running felt harder, sleep was heavier, and energy sometimes dipped purely from the climate. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was relentless.
Work still pulling focus
Even in this slower rhythm, work still needed attention. Finding the balance between being present and being responsible was an ongoing juggle, not a crisis, just a quiet tension.
Minor aches and fatigue
Tired legs from running, Kia’s sore neck after yoga, the general wear-and-tear of active days in the heat. Nothing dramatic, but enough to remind us to listen to our bodies.
Standout Moments
Leaving Bambusa
That last morning hit harder than expected. It had become familiar, comfortable, almost home-like. Saying goodbye to staff and the space reminded us how quickly attachment forms when you slow down.Morning runs with others
Running in a group, chatting while moving through a completely foreign place, felt grounding. Familiar activity, unfamiliar setting, a perfect blend.Excursion day logistics
Vans, scooters, detours, long drives, conversations with families from all over the world. It was chaotic, tiring, and oddly bonding all at once.Rosie continuing the journey
Rosie in the freezer, Rosie hanging around the new accommodation. A small thing, but a big anchor for the kids. Continuity matters when everything else is changing.
Lessons Learnt
Routines for schoolwork
The more predictable our mornings became, the more relaxed the rest of the day felt. Exercise, breakfast, work/school. This needs a little work, but we are getting there.Community doesn’t need history
Shared tables, shared vans, shared experiences. You don’t need years to build connection, just openness and time together.Energy management matters more than productivity
Some days weren’t about doing more. They were about not overdoing it. The heat, travel, and constant stimulation demand respect.Kids don’t need constant structure to thrive
They need safety, connection, movement, and curiosity. Everything else seems to fall into place.
Reflection
Week three felt like a quiet confirmation that this was the right decision. Not because every day was amazing, but because the ordinary days felt good. The repetition, the slowness, the small moments. This is what we were chasing.
There was a sense of exhale this week. Less proving, less documenting, less planning. More presence. More trust. More confidence that we can live like this. Together, intentionally, imperfectly and that is okay.
Three weeks in, this is the new normal.