Why I’m Ending My Backpacking Adventure Early - Time for a Break!
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- After 195 days of non-stop backpacking, I’ve made a last-minute decision-I’m heading back to England. This wasn’t planned, and I’m still figuring out if I’ll regret it, but after months on the road, travel fatigue has hit hard. In this video, I take you through my final journey from Thailand to the UK, flying via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific.
Along the way, I share why I’m taking a break, the realities of long-term travel, and what I’m looking forward to most-like a proper rest, normality, and home comforts. But don’t worry, this isn’t the end! I’ll be using this time to reset, work on my channel, and plan future adventures.
🚆 Journey Details:
Starting point: Pak Chong, Thailand
Transport: Bus to Bangkok, metro to Suvarnabhumi Airport
Flight route: Bangkok → Hong Kong → London Heathrow
Airline: Cathay Pacific
✈️ What’s Next?
I’ll be in the UK for 2-3 months, taking a break and catching up on projects. I’ll still be making videos-just with a different focus while I’m back home.
Let me know in the comments-have you ever felt travel burnout? Would you have kept going, or taken a break like me?
I am an older backpacker travelling the world proving that backpacking is not just for the younger generation.
If you would like to support my adventures: www.buymeacoff...
Follow me on Instagram: / olderbackpacker22
If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment and subscribe to the channel.
#TravelFatigue #BackpackingLife #LongTermTravel #DigitalNomad #ThailandToUK #TravelBreak
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Hello Stu.... good on you my friend. Enjoy your well deserved rest.
It's been a great journey and I ( like many other people ) have enjoyed immensely following your footsteps.
I like your philosophy on losing your hat - definitely was a "sign".
Hope your back on the travel radar soon and REALLY HOPE to run into you in Asia somewhere. I am flying to Tokyo soon and then travelling through Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and a few other places. My shout if we meet. All the best Stu .... Keith from Adelaide😎🇦🇺
To the guy that asked what the point of your channel was, suggesting that because of your age you should be doing something ‘proper’ with your - bollocks to him mate. Do what you want to do, this is the first video I have ever seen of yours and I’m gutted you’re going home. If it’s because of travel fatigue then of course that’s fair enough. But never let someone judge you for being you. Rest easy soldier, I hope you get back out exploring soon🏆
Seconded.
Thanks for your comment mate. Over the last year, I’ve had a few ‘idiots’ telling me I’m too old and I should go home. I’ve always ignored them! I’ve been thinking about heading home for a few weeks and was planning on coming back when uk was warmer! But as always, I made a snap decision and so far… it’s been good to come back! Except for the weather!! lol
@@olderbackpacker Ive subbed because i heard on another channel about the dick heads mate. travelling can be hard, ive had amazing experiences and also awful ones. Dont let it get you down mate. chin up and get back at
You have been an inspiration to me. I am in my mid 60s and also try to travel on a very tight budget. I loved that the little things gave you so much joy...goes to show that you don't have to spend a fortune to appreciate different countries. All the best and hopefully I will see you on the road somewhere. Take care
Thank you and I’ve always said that you’re never too old to travel the world. I have met so many backpackers that are so much older than me, I should call myself the ‘not-so-old backpacker’ :)
I’m sorry to see you stop but you did well. Thanks for letting us come along on your adventure, enjoy your rest.😀
Can't wait for your next adventure. Thanks for making a safe decision.
I worried about the next leg, a lot.
Just be happy and safe.
🙂
Oh man. I’ve gotten used to watching your latest upload when I get home from work. You’re a real inspiration to get out there and explore!
I’m only back for a couple of months and I’ll be back out!
No stress , enjoy your time. Hope to see u soon. What an adventure u hade, I will be waiting 👍
Thanks mate! I’ll be back soon! :)
The hat was definitely a sign mate. Go home, rest, recoup and you'll be planning your next adventure in no time. Take care mate.
I’m missing my hat already lol. I’ve been on so many bike taxis with it on and it’s never moved! So I guess it was a sign 😂😂
Will miss your travels Stu. All the best and no your not to old to travel
Cheers mate. I will be back out soon :)
Welcome home Stu! Rest up and hope to see you out there again soon 🌎
Thank you! I’ll be back out soon!
I've enjoyed watching your journey. Thanks Stu!
Thanks mate :)
Dude! You rock...haters gonna hate. I am a 65 yro woman backpacking solo in Southeast Asia. I am a slow traveler and that grinds on you but your itineraries are insane!! What a badass!!! I've been in Thailand for 3 months and am heading to Malaysia next week. I'm bummed our paths didn't cross when you were in PKK, would have been cool to toss back a few! Be Well, Safe Travels...
You never know where I’ll be back out to next! But cheers for the awesome comment! 🙂
Good luck in Malaysia!
Well Stu you have got home again. Have a good rest and enjoy being home.
It’s definitely a bit different waking up and realising I don’t have to check out!! Lol
Spend the time thinking about how you want to travel.
2 years ago I thought I was going to travel the world very much like you. My small trip to Ecuador taught me that I need a home base.
It's taking me a couple of years, but I realized that the proper home base for me is in Kuching (well, it shares latitude with Quito.)
Whether that place is back home in England or someplace that you've really loved, find it.
The value of being an older traveler is the wisdom of making decisions differently as you learn.
I say this having just figured it out between the ages of 57 and 59.
There is a way you can do this too, you just need to refine your processes.
An example, if you stayed near KL you could buy the Asia airlines 400 US Dollars pass per year and fly to every asean Nation you wanted to. Now you may not like flying but it illustrates the point.
Kuala Lumpur, singapore, Kuching, I'll have sufficient the geography of The Straits of Malacca and straight to Singapore.
That's what works for me what you need to do is figure out what works for you to take the burden off your back literally.
That's a lot of weight to carry physically in addition to the burden of travel.
You can still do this. If you want to do so. It's not just what you're doing, it's how also you're doing it that is so important.
Rest up, think, make some decisions, just please keep us informed.
Thanks for sharing so much. Thank you for confirming my feelings about Kuching. You made a difference.
Thanks for your comment and your support through my journey mate. I will be taking what you have said and doing some thinking! :)
Really enjoy your YT channel. Get your rest. Enjoy being back home. Hope you start travelling again !
Thanks mate. I’m enjoying my rest after only one day!! lol
Welcome home Stu. Ignore the haters. I’m 59 and was in Singapore the week before you arrived. You’re never too old to travel. I’ll miss your videos as I enjoyed seeing the places I may not get to visit myself. Enjoy the rest and hopefully see you back soon. I’ll still be here.
I just want to say a big thank you to you too for your support. I will be back soon!
Take care and enjoy your well earned break Stu. I've watched you for a long time now and your budget travels are an inspiration for others. As for the comment of Being to old, on a budget and whats the point of the channel - Its exactly that being "older, Travelling cost effectively and enjoying the people and places on this planet" Cant wait to see you refreshed and back out there. If we cross paths one day the beers are on me. Cheers
Thank you mate. I may be old on the outside but still a curious youth inside! That is what keeps me going :)
I’ll hold you to that beer! Lol
Just found you channel and only watched a few of your posts.
It is clear you are a absolute legend and a role model for aspiring middle aged long term travellers (such as myself).
Shame about the comments from some of the youth though they will learn about real life soon enough.........
Welcome home mate.
Completely understand the need to recharge the batteries and the wallet.
Slow travel is my mantra these days. Four nights minimum at one place.
A great series of videos made better by the "realism" of your presentation style.
Thanks mate. Recharging my batteries is exactly what I’m doing! 🙂
I have enjoyed your channel, and am happy for you that you decided to come home. It is your channel, you must always do what you feel is right for your own wellbeing. No channel will appeal to everyone, those who shop in the Channel airport shops won't appreciate your achievements in the same way that us council estate budget folk do! 😉
😂😂😂 I’m definitely council estate! I’m taking time to chill and enjoy my own bed 🙂
We enjoyed your journey. Your style of traveling is exhausting, the fact that you did it for so long is a feat at any age, Take time to relax. Just an idea here, with all your traveling experience in off the beaten path gems, you might want to make some videos at a country level and itineraries, tips, etc. before your next adventure. Cheers and stay well!
Thank you mate and i will be doing some videos back in UK, once my camera is fixed! Lol
I've been following your travels from somewhere in Indonesia. All the best for the future.
The future will be travelling again… soon! Thanks for your support :)
I get what you mean, when you just want to rest and take a break completely understand. Don’t listen to these people you’re living your best life. I had a great time meeting you in Dalot, Nha Trang and Hoi An last year!! Ollie from London.
Mate! Blast from the recent past! Hope you’re well mate? I’m only taking a short break! :)
Welcome home.❤
I know that feeling one day you wake up and say 🤔 " I'm going home, I need my bed " 😅 🎉
Thanks. It’s nice to wake up in my own bed without thinking what time I have to check out :)
Ah man i just found your channel, ill watch them from the start now. Yeah its a hard slog living like that. Brilliant but hard. All the best lad
I’ll be back out soon and there’s plenty in the back catalogue to watch :) just ignore the very early vlogs when I was still learning lol
This is a real shame. I've just found you and I was excited to see someone around my age backpacking. Once I'm done with my caring role this is what I want to do. I'm not sure now I can do it
I’m only back for a couple of months then I’ll be back out.
Of course you can do it. Book a flight, land, start backpacking :)
Do what is best for you. But I would not pay any attention to stupid comments like you mentioned in this video. Probably some loser that can’t find his way of the couch. You are an adventurer, you should very proud of yourself. I salute you. Go home and take care. Good luck.
I usually do like the comments from the keyboard warriors out there, as I usually picture them sat at home, with their takeaways every night complaining about the world! I guess I was tired!! But it’s a reset for me :)
Take your rest
Stu loved watching your travels, keep being you One Life, wish i could do it, x love u x
You need to come and join me one day! :)
awesome videos , really enjoyed them !
Thank you :)
take a break mate. From land to sea you travel most part of SEA, cheers! Rest & recharge.
Thanks for the comment and for all your support over the last few months mate. Rest is definitely needed :)
Really enjoyed the journey and the adventure back to the UK. Ignore the haters and stay positive. Maybe u are abit burned out and really need a break for 2 months back in UK to charge the batteries for future travels. All the best and thanks for all the travel vlogs in SE Asia
Cheers mate :)
spur of the moment decision! I'll follow you back to the UK- let us watch you there...
I’ll be taking a RUclips break for a couple of weeks and I’ll do a update video then :)
I was in Saigon last week after 3 months in Thailand. I still had another month of rooms and flights booked thru till March. Im 66. Been traveling since retiring 2021. Ive been having diarreah issues. I just up and decided to cancel my next 4 weeks in Vietnam. Was able to get super cheap flight home. Aisle seat and no one sitting next to me. Im tired. Needed to go back to Canada and get rested. Im lying in bed. Its -5 and snowing outside
Sometimes your brain and body tells you it’s time! But -5? Wow! UK was only -1 when I landed lol
enjoy your good rest back in britain :)
Cheers mate and thanks for your support :)
Just told Eddie your coming home..he’s excited..time for a beer or ten Stewie babes 👌..better go and turf out all the backpackers out your hostel..ahm! Home I mean 😉…thought I’d get you a few quid while you were gone 🤣 see you soon brother 😎
I’ll definitely be up for one or 2 beers!
My home was a lot tidier when I came back, let the backpackers back in! lol
Im 50 next month ..ive travelled for the last 30 years on and off..but the last 18 months like you full time.. you do get flat ..but once home that urge hits again..ill never live a normal life..enjoy your break..but dont unpack that bag.. im looking forward to more vids from you.
Welcome home g x
Cheers mate :) see you soon!
Hopefully I see you about the town mate, have to follow your gut mate and if it feels right it usually is pal
I’ll be back out on my bike doing deliveries again soon, so you’ll see me out. Just need to adjust to the weather again lol
@olderbackpacker it's awful weather atm mate, can only get better from now on hopefully pal
I’ll wait until it gets warmer then!! Lol
I should be back in the UK around March/April time. Hopefully, I can catch you while working sometime in Darlo. I was surprised you were travelling so long. I got lonely/homesick after less than 3 months.
March/april time is when I’ll be headed back out!! lol
@olderbackpacker ah, well, I will get more deliveries then.
welcome back
Cheers mate :)
Have enjoyed all your videos, especially your Indonesian adventures. Inspiring and brilliant to watch! Next time I see you in Darlington, will say hello 😊
Thank you. I’ll be out in Darlington once I’ve got used to the cold :)
Dont worry i think you will be back,
once asia get under your skin hard to quit it😊
Will miss you ,i didnt log into every blog but like to check in to see how your doing every couple of days,
I hope you will lets us know how your getting on
Take care
and don't forget to update us ❤
Thank you for your support. A daily vlog is probably too much to follow! I think I might bring it down a bit when I return!
WELCOME HOME !
Thank you :)
Oh, Stuart, my first reaction when seeing your title was WHAT but then I remembered... thinking back a few videos ago, , Stu is still not 100% happy within so i was not fully surprised..
You have definitely done the right thing for you, 8 months is a long time for anyone travelling. You've done a great job keeping us all entertained, and I, for one, have looked forward to watching your journey, usually binge watching episodes when I've got time to catch up.
Don't let these haters get to you. One thing I've found watching travelling
Videos is there us always a certain amount of armchair / keyboard warriors lining up to hand our crap, just because they can.
Have a long break. Bug, don't be a total stranger, I'm sure us followers would like to know how you are doing, mate.
Paul.
Thank you for your support Paul. You’re right that I should listen to the keyboard warriors! But you’re right, I was getting tired, and I guess I was missing a bit of normality!
I will be back in a couple of months! :)
be careful of mental health after going back. Many who travel a lot face sudden boredom when they go back to home base
I have got so much to do coming back! I’ll be okay :)
You are a hero to me. I love the fact that you dropped all concerns and travelled the world. You can't care about comments from idiots with keyboards who are scared of adventure so they take their frustrations out on people who do things. If your going back for traveller fatigue then great. If it is because of that comment then shame on you. You are stronger than that idiot.
Nice attempt. I think if you stayed about a week or two in each country, you'd have a better chance of completing your trip, just my opinion. Take care and have a nice break.
2 weeks in each country would have been too quick!
You've been fighting the travel burnout for a while now. Go home put your feet up for a week and just do some normal stuff. Then get back into the delivery work, being on a bike will blow all the travel cobwebs away. Then in 3 or 4 weeks you will start to feel the urge to hit the road again.
STOP!!!
Give yourself another month/6 weeks before you even think about jumping on a plane.
Its not just the travel that's got you, its the constant grind to get content out, the worry of moving from place to place while trying to work out the bus/train time tables etc.
I keep remembering that one of the hostels ( think it was KL) offered you a place to stay for a few weeks?? Not sure how it was structured but that could have been a good recharge place before things got so bad..my 2 cents worth.
And as for what that poster said about you being middle aged and doing it on a shoestring. Fu..er heck yeah they were jealous. I'm jealous as all fuk myself. But I'd rather sit here and support with views than let the green eyed monster try and bring you done. And yes im middle aged and looking forward to solo travelling some time soon.
Anyhows take care of yourself, recharge and we'll all be here waiting for the next instalment from when you start again.
I agree with your comment.
Thanks for your comment mate and some very good advice! I’m definitely going to be back for more than 3/4 weeks! My brain needs it :)
By now, naturally, you require a pause; the necessity of finding a place to stay diminishes the thrills of travelling and consenting to plans is a full-time occupation.
You have experienced more extensive travel than many vloggers will ever have the opportunity to do.
To enhance your audience, organise any further adventures with a little more and focus on what you enjoy most, like beaches, cafés, and so forth.
A pause was definitely needed! And thank you for your comment :)
You have looked tired last few vlogs, get rested and you will be back. Perhaps dont put pressure on yourself to put videos out so often. Take care, see you on your next travels
I felt tired but didn’t want to admit it!!
I enjoyed your video,s all the best see you on the road one day 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🙏🙏
Thanks and you’ll definitely see me out soon :)
Enjoy ya break can be abit rough putting up with hostels etc. Maybe have a few more days in the same place. Middle aged man doing what most would dream of 🌎 🛺✅️
Totally agree! I’ll admit some of the hostels were a lot better than the cheap hotels I stayed in!
I follow your channel because I am interested to see your off the beaten path places and the land route you will be taking back to England without hopping on a flight. I thought that was kind of interesting. Maybe you can come back and continue the journey later.
I’m definitely going back out! 🙂
Man been there seen it done it..if your not feeling it time to go home ..I did four and a half months around the world when I was much younger and got burnt out..back packing takes it's toll especially staying in dorm rooms with colourful people ! Go home regroup get some more cash and get back on the road when you feel the vibe and it won't be long before Thailand calls you back..as it's done to me for over 30 years.
It helps that Thailand has cheaper flights :) lol
I'm desperate to go the other way & get out there! Hope you've re-acclimated back to the cold UK by now?
Should you choose to hopefully you'll continue with your channel, although I appreciate it must be a lot of work to record, edit & publish each video. Don't listen to the trolls, imo there's not many things more pathetic than those who attack others online. You do you, your content is great 👍
Take care buddy. I hope that a-hole asking what the point of your channel was, was not the reason to abandon your trip. It’s F all to do with others, these are your memories, your journey. The fact not everyone wants to watch is on them not you. I for one will miss your vlogs. Maybe it’s time to follow my journey for now on my channel.
Thanks mate! Your support has been amazing, and it’s a shame that I didn’t get to meet up on the journey!
You know I’ve subscribed to your channel and I’ll be following you instead :)
@ Take care my friend, I will keep an eye on your UK videos. I have a lot of catching up to do. For now I have 9 more days in Chiang Mai so not time to watch much.
How’s the weather! Uk is too cold :/
@@olderbackpacker it’s perfect, not a drop of rain since we arrived and the temperature starts around 16 and builds to 30. Unlike Malaysia which starts and ends around 30. So much easier to walk around in. I am putting out a video today that features you and the troll. I hope you approve.
Not sure how long you will last back in Europe. Bloody freezing!! Spent Xmas and New year in the Philippines, typical English weather, absolutely pissed down with rain every day until the day of my departure. Still hot though. Flew with cathay pacific as well, Hong-Kong airport at 11pm is a waste of time, only a McDonald's open,not my favourite. Found the smoking area near gate 10,upstairs in the garden. 1duty free shop, £22 for 200, only good thing about the place . 13 hours to Zurich, not a bad flight though, plenty of food available. Back to Manila on the 19th of February. Meeting a few mates who got a fantastic price flight from Heathrow. £450 each return. China Southern? Enjoy Darlington and the lousy weather and i will look out for you on RUclips.
I’m glad I was only in Hong Kong airport for a couple of hours, it wasn’t catch on Singapore airport!
Glad to see you’re back out soon! Hopefully it will be dryer? lol
Video is very clear, may i know recording using what?
That's a long time Stu!
Not really! First backpacking adventure was for a year and a half! I was truly shattered after that one!
I remember when I was travelling I come home after a bad day and regret it ever since... the UK is a mess and it's harder for me to just pack up and go now 😢
It’s a decision that has been brewing up for a couple of weeks! But I’ll be back out soon :)
Will you do some filming in the UK ,
I will be, but just need to take a break to chill :)
mate, iv enjoyed watching you cruising around, doing your vlogs. stuff what that muppet said. obviously if you need the rest go home. but yeah. enjoyed the vids
Thanks for your comment. I’m looking forward to the rest!
For me its 1860 days if im not mistaken. come back soon.
5 years??? Wow! That’s amazing!
Geez, don’t let a friggin peanut from the peanut gallery get you down. Have a break, decide what you want to do, then do it.
Wise words mate! 2 months of UK, then back off :)
Well? How is gloomy old England? Have you left your bed yet? I'm 62 and bounced around Indonesia a few years back. I think I stayed in my bed for 2 days when I got home
don't worry about stupid people commenting, more comments = more engagement = better for youtube algorithm. it's refreshing to see older people backpacking, who said it's young kids thing. i think you don't realise how inspiring your videos can be. do your thing, be the channel of older dude traveling on a budget. world is full of miserable people who never had a chance to do what they like. have a rest and go back traveling ✈
Wise words! Thank you mate :)
Are you going to restart the overland journey later in the year Stu?
Definitely! :)
what the point of your channel, cheeky git. You are an inspiration. I hope you keep the channel going and travel again...
Thank you, I’ll definitely be back out in a couple of months!
Annoying, I just discovered you - never the less - have a good break sir.
Got plenty of older videos to watch before I come back out! It won’t be too long :)
My apologies if my comment is too long. I am 69 and soon i will soend the rest of the year criss crossing Asia. I know its hard work and often lonely. It takes stamina, courage and luck. You have the added pressure of filming and editing. I just received my five year visa for Thailand and most applicants are RUclipsrs. I decided not to continue my channel because the pressure is relentless. More than this it neans experiencing a place through a lens and considering the desires if the subscribers rather than just enjoying the locale for yourself. Its great if you have a refuge and there is no shame in returning and recharging. Its a smart move. No place is paradise either to live ir even visit. The world is a complex place with many layers and happiness is a gift.. it is not found ir even earned. I admire your desire to share your travels. Enjoy home.
Thank you for your comment. I always try not to do my videos for the desires of the subscribers, always for myself. You should restart your channel up again, for you :)
Do what you feel you need to do mate bollocks to what anyone thinks.........
So true! Think I should of waited until UK was warmer lol
@olderbackpacker not to worry, have a restbite and a recoup, then decide from there, yup it defo miserable here, enjoy your recharge
@@olderbackpacker looking forward to you getting back at the, old off the tourist path
When does spring start??? 😂😂
@@olderbackpacker july 29th not long
I dont think you will come back to Travelling!! Its a Frugal Excistence Not for everybody,all you meet are people worse off than you or running away from something Safe at Home! Best of Luck !!
I will be back out! I’ve travelled off and on for 10 years and coming home is a reset button for me to get my juices going again :)
Look on the bright side, unlike The Hutchinson after The People Republic, you won't be asked various embarrassing questions.
😂😂😂
schoolboy error. Baggin it after two weeks of discomfort and some armchair warrior talking about things they are too scarred to even attempt.
I’ll admit it’s been in my head for about 2 months!