Travelling During Covid-19 (Part 2)

The title of this piece is slightly misleading, considering we have had to make and act on the decision to return home to Australia. Travelling in Thailand, a country still operating in the realm of 'business as usual' (at the time) and returning home to a country getting closer and closer to lockdown has been an interesting adjustment. Especially now that the two weeks of self isolation have finished and yet there is not much that we are allowed to do outside of our home. It's crazy to think that we were freely roaming streets, visiting tourist sites and socialising at bars with fellow travellers not long ago, even though the numbers of foreigners slowly dwindled as many others made the same decision. Here is how we came to the decision, enjoyed our last few days abroad, endured our journey home and how our future plans stand (the best we can predict).

The Decision

For so long, Covid-19 seemed so distant, until borders around us started closing, foreigners were being turned away from entry points and flights between countries cancelled. Then it happened, the DFAT's warning to 'reconsider' any non-essential travel had escalated, 'urging' all Australians to return home for there was uncertainty in the availability to return to Australia at a later date as the effects of Covid-19 intensified.

So, we began to question, was it possible to wait it out in Thailand and resume our trip when this was all over? At this point, there were more confirmed cases in Australia than there were in Thailand, and continuing to travel Thailand was possible as lockdowns and shutdowns were not enforced...yet. Unfortunately, there was just too much unpredictability in our circumstance, such as what type of healthcare would we be entitled to if we were to fall ill? How would we receive food and necessities in Thailand if the country did go into lockdown? Was there a possibility of getting home if our situation turned dire? How would we cope if Marshall Law came into effect as it has been introduced in Thailand before? With a little bit of further convincing from family members and friends concerned for our well-being back home, we finally made the decision to return.

Enjoying What Time we Had Left

The night the decision was made, we went to a rooftop bar in Chiang Mai to drown our sorrows and enjoy what time we had left. It was here we had met some fellow travellers from the UK. Their struggle was finding flights out of Thailand back to England as the UK was about a month ahead of Australia in terms of restrictions and flight availability as a result of the virus. After exchanging 'what was meant to be' travel stories, we enjoyed a night of carefree drinking knowing the end of our travels were near.

The last 5 days of our journey, we went on tours trying to support the tourism industry as best we could, enjoying beautiful shows, markets and landmarks. Tourist sites were beautifully serene with hardly any tourists present. It was so easy to take a seamless photo that looked like you were the only one there. Although it was wonderful as a tourist, it was evident that the tourism industry was already suffering. More than half the stalls and shops seemed to have shut down in largely tourist areas and our tour to Chiang Rai of 6 people was known to usually be a convoy of up to 4 vans at capacity with 12 people per vehicle. That tour company was to close the following day. It was a very jammed pack 5 days as we enjoyed to the fullest what time we had left.

The Journey Home

Every day we were making sure our flight hadn't been cancelled. We had seen several cancellations prior to our designated flight and the thought grew ever more daunting as many airlines had stopped operating commercially on international routes. Eventually the day arrived and when we boarded the plane a massive sense of disappointment and yet relief had rushed over me. As much as I was sad that this marked the end of what was meant to be a 9 month trip, the thought of being at home and surrounded by familiarity during these unstable times was comforting. Not only that, but it was the most comfortable I have ever been on an international flight in economy. I had had 3 seats to myself due to the flight being so empty, meaning I had a perfect bed to sleep off the anxiety that I harboured about what the future held.

After a long, restful flight and landing back in Australia, we were handed forms exiting the plane explaining our isolation terms and conditions. We would sign a legal document, binding us to stay in our residence for 14 days straight. The isolation itself was hard. The first thing I wanted to do was go and visit friends and family, and before our isolation even finished, yet another list of rules and regulations were laid down. After isolation, all I was allowed to do was get my hair done, grocery shop and do some exercise outside of the house. Not quite what I expected a trip exploring the world for 9 months would come to.

Future Plans

It had taken me some time to come to terms with the situation and what my future looked like. I had come back home with the hopes of resuming travel in Europe by June. When I conveyed these plans, many people's responses were "that's not going to happen" or sarcastically, "good luck with that". I seriously thought that everyone was just being ridiculously pessimistic, and that it would be possible, but soon doubt crept in and eventually reality.

It had taken me over a year to plan this life experience. I quit my job, sold my car and sent-out to put my life's savings into this amazing opportunity. It was something so highly anticipated that i was clearly blinded by optimism and unrealistic goals when things turned sour. With hardly any job opportunities in my field, I know the next few months are going to be a struggle, just as it is for many others. I will continue to write about my wonderful experiences abroad, although short lived, and when all is well, hopefully resume my life long dream of travelling the world.

I wish everyone well-being during these hard times.