SE Asia: The Journey That Changed Me

I'm back from Southeast Asia after a month away.

 

Usually, by the end of a trip, I'm ready to come home, return to my routines, and dive back into work. This time was different. As my flight home approached, I realized I wasn't quite ready to leave. Returning to everyday life felt harder than usual because something inside me had shifted.

 

I didn't want to come back as the version of myself that was always pushing, producing, and over-functioning. I wanted to bring home the lessons, perspectives, and feelings that this journey gave me.

 

Before I left, I set an intention for this trip.

 

It wasn't about checking destinations off a list or lounging poolside with a drink in hand although we certainly enjoyed some beautiful moments of rest along the way. My goal was deeper. I wanted to reconnect with myself. I wanted my mind, body, and spirit to feel renewed.

 

I wanted to eat nourishing foods, experience new flavors, spend meaningful time with my family, laugh often, avoid unnecessary drama, and create memories that would last a lifetime. My mom had dreamed of taking this family trip for years, and I wanted it to be everything she hoped it would be.

 

For the final leg of my journey, I traveled solo to Bali. There, I hoped to find clarity, reflect on what was working in my life, and identify what needed to change.

 

Each destination left me with a lesson that I now carry home with me and I wanted to share.  

 

     

North Vietnam: Trust

 

Visiting North Vietnam was especially meaningful because it was the hometown of my grandparents.

 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was watching my mom. I've never seen her so comfortable, confident, and connected. She spoke easily with strangers, laughed often, and seemed completely at home. 

 

 

The faces, accents, and mannerisms reminded me so much of my grandparents that at times it felt as if they were traveling with us.

 

The lesson I took away from North Vietnam was trust.  

 

Again and again, we encountered people who extended trust before we had earned it.

A taxi driver picked us up from the Hanoi airport. When we asked if he could drive us again later in the trip, he simply said, "Don't worry, pay me later."

 

At Mua Cave, another driver helped us purchase tickets and navigate the area. When we offered to pay immediately, he smiled and said, "Enjoy first. Pay me later."

At a temple in Ninh Binh, a woman selling lotus flowers offered us the same kindness.

 

 

These experiences made me reflect on how often we operate from skepticism. We wait for people to prove themselves before offering trust, and when they inevitably make mistakes, we're disappointed.

 

I'm not suggesting we ignore common sense. But I do wonder what would happen if we approached life a little more open-hearted. What if we offered people the benefit of the doubt more often?

 

The people we met reminded me that trust can be a gift—and sometimes it invites the best out of others.

 

The landscapes of Ninh Binh, Sapa, and Hanoi were breathtaking, but it was the people who left the deepest impression. 

 

South Vietnam: Love

 

The last time I visited Saigon was ten years ago, and I was amazed by how much it has grown.

 

The energy is vibrant, fast-paced, and constantly moving. And the food? Incredible. Some of my favorite meals from the entire trip were in Vietnam.

 

But the greatest gift wasn't the food.

 

It was LOVE.

 

We spent time with relatives from both sides of my family. Some I had met only once before. Others I was meeting for the very first time.

 

Yet from the moment we arrived, we were welcomed as if we had never been apart.

 

They opened their homes to us. They prepared meal after meal. They shared stories, laughter, and gifts. Despite language barriers, they patiently helped us communicate and never made us feel inadequate for not speaking Vietnamese fluently.

 

We may not come from a culture known for constant hugs, but when we embraced before saying goodbye, it felt meaningful.

 

The experience reminded me that love doesn't always require years of history. Sometimes it shows up through generosity, patience, hospitality, and making someone feel like they belong.

 

   

 

 

Thailand: Boundaries and Structure

 

Thailand impressed me in a way I wasn't expecting.

 

In places where there could easily be chaos, I noticed systems that created order.

At the airport, instead of being overwhelmed by dozens of competing taxi drivers, travelers simply received a ticket from a machine that assigned them to a taxi. Simple. Efficient. Clear.

 

I also appreciated the environmental fees collected at some islands to help preserve and maintain these beautiful places.

 

The lesson I took away was the importance of boundaries and structure.

 

Many of us think boundaries are restrictive, but healthy boundaries create freedom. They create clarity. They allow people and systems to function smoothly.

 

The best experiences often happen when there is a balance between openness and structure.

 

Thailand reminded me that organization isn't about control. It's about creating space for things to thrive.

 

Bali: Kindness

 

Bali holds a special place in my heart.

After my mom and sister returned home, I stayed behind for a solo adventure and reunited with my Bali family—people I met two years ago whose warmth and kindness immediately drew me in.

 

When I told them I would come back someday, I meant it.

 

This visit reminded me why.

 

They spent hours in traffic picking me up from the airport. They welcomed me into their home. A meal was waiting when I arrived. I spent my days playing with their young daughters, laughing, talking, and feeling completely at ease.

 

   

 

It didn't feel like visiting.  It felt like coming home.

 

Throughout Bali, I experienced small acts of kindness that left a lasting impact.

 

One evening, my phone battery was nearly dead, and I needed transportation back to my hotel. A waiter couldn't find a charger, so he used his own phone to arrange a ride for me.

Another day, I met a waitress whose joyful energy brightened my afternoon. After returning to the restaurant the next day, she surprised me with a small gift—a kind keychain and a slice of Oreo cake.

 

These weren't grand gestures.

 

They were simple reminders that kindness matters.

 

And often, it's the smallest acts that stay with us the longest.

 

 

What I Brought Home

 

I've been fortunate to travel to many places throughout my life.  What this trip reminded me is that while destinations may capture our attention, it's people who capture our hearts.  The mountains, beaches, temples, and cities were beautiful.

 

But the trust, love, structure, and kindness I experienced along the way are what I'll remember most.  Those lessons are coming home with me.

 

And, as always, inspiration has a way of finding its way into the kitchen.

 

Each destination sparked ideas for a limited-edition Yummmm!Bar flavor inspired by the tastes and memories I experienced throughout the journey.

 

I can't wait to share them with you.