Life and Travel

Are Redlight Districts Becoming Mainstream Tourist Attractions?

mark wyld — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:00:32 +0000

Has the curtain been pulled back or do we live in a time where we are no longer shocked but engaged by what were once taboo areas of cities? We have just come back from Bangkok, a city known for redlight districts, strip bars and prostitutes.

Bangkok is a hot and steamy city normally, but once the sun goes down, people and couples head out for drinks and a bit of fun in many areas of Bangkok. One such area is Soi Cowboy near the Terminal 21 shopping centre at Asok.

Soi Cowboy is a street lined with neon strip clubs and bars serving overpriced alcohol and blasting loud music. It’s not overly long at around 150 meters, making it easy to check out. Standing out the front of these establishments you will find women of all shapes and sizes wearing near nothing to entice people to pay for a dance at the least and sometimes more.

Live music at the Penny Black Bar in Soi Cowboy

Like all people, these types of streets and areas hold a bit of mystery about them. There were young people, midlife couples and older men enjoying the goings-on at Soi Cowboy. Depending on your attitude, you can be shocked or you can embrace the experience a red light district brings and enjoy the people watching and a few drinks.

We spent a night in Soi Cowboy

This is the attitude that Bec and I landed on when we strolled into Soi Cowboy around 8 pm one hot Bangkok night. We took a seat at the Penny Black Asok Bar, grabbed a couple of cold drinks and sussed out the vibe of the place.

Along with the people, there were girls of all ages and sizes standing out the front of strip bars trying to entice customers to part with their money. Many people may have the image of redlight districts such as Soi Cowboy being a seedy place full of sleazy men looking for cheap thrills. In reality, it couldn’t be further from the truth.

What we saw in Soi Cowboy amazed us. No, I am not talking about the girls or ladyboys — and there were plenty of them. What I am talking about is the number of families we saw walking through Soi Cowboy. This wasn’t early evening, this was later between 9 and 10 pm when most kids would be home in bed. Having travelled with our kids for a long time it had me thinking — would I have walked our young kids through a red-light district?

All types of people walking through Soi Cowboy in Bangkok — does this make for an authentic local experience?

I know popular redlight districts like Amsterdam’s De Wallen, Hamburg’s Reeperbahn or P Burgos Street in Manila. It seems traditional red light districts are increasingly being marketed as must-see destinations and are considered tourist attractions. When doing some research for this article I read that plenty of people had been there with their parents as kids, and walked past the shop windows with girls in them. Amsterdam’s redlight district is known worldwide and has been famous for many years.

By no means am I here to judge what any other parents do as we are all different and have different attitudes about kids seeing ladies parade around in lingerie on the streets, or people smoking marijuana. I guess a lot of it comes down to our views and the societal views we were brought up in.

I know Europe and the Netherlands’ views on sex are more liberal than in many places, but in today’s age, the whole world’s view towards these types of things is becoming more liberal thanks to many things, including social media. There is a broader global shift in how society views these once-forbidden zones.

Yes, I do think redlight districts are becoming more mainstream. People are curious and sex sells, so when you put these things together, redlight districts are a money maker. One thing the more mainstream appeal brings is a safer and more visible area for the workers. If you choose to bring your kids along, that’s your choice, but I am one father who wouldn’t have wanted to have the discussions about what I had seen with my daughters when they were little.

We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples for over 26 years. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats — and for more from our Thailand travels, head to our Thailand guide.

What is Soi Cowboy in Bangkok?

Soi Cowboy is a short street in the Asok area of Bangkok, near Terminal 21 shopping centre. It is one of Bangkok’s most well-known red light districts, lined with neon-lit strip clubs and bars. It is around 150 metres long and easy to walk end to end. Despite its reputation, it attracts a wide range of visitors including tourists, couples and even families.

Is Soi Cowboy safe for tourists?

Yes — Soi Cowboy is generally safe for tourists. It is a busy, well-lit and well-trafficked area. The usual precautions apply — be aware of your belongings and avoid getting into situations you are uncomfortable with. As a couple we walked through and spent time there without any issues.

Can couples visit Soi Cowboy in Bangkok?

Absolutely. Soi Cowboy is not just for solo men — we visited as a couple and found it an interesting and entertaining area to spend an evening. Grab a drink at one of the bars, watch the people and take in the atmosphere. It is a side of Bangkok that many tourists visit out of curiosity.

What is the best bar in Soi Cowboy?

We spent our evening at the Penny Black Asok Bar which had live music and a good atmosphere. It is one of the more relaxed options on the street and a good place to sit, have a drink and watch the activity outside without feeling pressured.

Are red light districts becoming tourist attractions?

Increasingly yes. Areas like Soi Cowboy in Bangkok, De Wallen in Amsterdam and P Burgos Street in Manila are all marketed as must-see local experiences. The mainstream appeal has in many ways made these areas safer and more visible. Whether you visit is entirely a personal choice.

About Mark & Bec

We’re a midlife travel couple who’ve spent the last 26 years exploring 45+ countries together. We hunt down the best street food, find comfortable hotels without overspending, and share honest travel advice for couples in their 40s and 50s who still have a life at home. No fluff, no highlight reels — just the real story.

The reality of having a daughter who lives overseas

mark wyld — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 01:34:45 +0000

Willow, our daughter, bounded into the lounge room one evening announcing that when she finished high school she wanted to move overseas and be an aupair.

Bec and I looked at each other, thinking this was just another idea Willow had devised. It started with Italy being her preferred destination, but 12 months later we found ourselves at the International Departures Gate at Melbourne Airport.

Family photos in Willow’s new home city of Qingdao

Willow was heading to China to stay with a Qingdao family she had met through her boss, who owned the local Chinese restaurant in our hometown. For us as parents, the choice of China was not shocking. We felt that she would be safer in China than say Italy, which was her first choice.

She was moving straight out of home at age 18 and across the globe to the other side of the world. In reality, we should have expected this, as we had dragged her to over 40 countries by the age of 14 including China previously. Both her mother and I stood there with tears streaming down our faces at Melbourne Airport as our first child disappeared out of sight and into the big wide world beyond our control.

The days and weeks that followed were filled with a flurry of phone calls and internet messages where we needed constant reassurance from her that she was okay and everything was fine. After all, we let her move across the world to live with people we had never met or knew. This was where our fears lay, not in the fact that she was moving to China, it was more to do with who she was living with and working for.

They could have been anyone, and this played on our minds constantly, to the point where Bec was not sleeping well, staying awake with worry and anxiety about Willow’s life in China.

About 5 weeks in, we bit the bullet and booked tickets to China just to ease our minds. We arrived in China 9 weeks after Willow had left. We found Willow to be in a happy headspace, loving and living her best life.

Gary, Tia, Gracie and Willow

Most of all, we met her host family, Gary, Tia and their girl Gracie. We had previously talked to them on the phone but never in person. The first night there we went out to a restaurant to have dinner with them and both sets of their parents.

This put us at ease, knowing these people were family-oriented and throughout the meal, they all spewed forth tales of how much they liked Willow. Even though Gray and Tia’s parents don’t speak English and we do not speak Mandarin, there seems to be a bond and the way we connect has formed lifelong relationships with these people.

As I write this, we are on a plane having just left Qingdao for the second time in 6 months. Leaving Willow never gets easier; I think it was harder this time than last. I especially see the anguish and tears in Bec’s eyes when we have to leave. I know she feels the separation and the diminished part she plays in our daughter’s day-to-day life. But we leave knowing her Chome (China home) as we call it is a safe and happy place.

About Mark & Bec

Stop Travel Shaming: Why do we have be a Tourist or a Traveler

mark wyld — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 04:48:20 +0000

The traveller vs. tourist debate is always raised on social media. This so-called debate only ever appears on Facebook and Instagram, where viral travel quotes and graphics constantly compare the two types of travel against each other.

These posts typically portray travellers as adventurous people getting off the beaten track and immersing themselves in culture. In contrast, tourists are mocked as mere checklist enthusiasts snapping photos at famous landmarks.

Who is a traveller and who is a tourist?

Here’s a common description of these two types of travellers:

Travellers tend to prioritize slow, immersive experiences. They might spend hours chatting with locals, learning a few phrases in the native language, or wandering off the beaten path.
Tourists prefer structured trips. They stick to popular destinations and carefully planned itineraries. They aim to see as much as possible in a limited time.

Eating street food in Melbourne Australia

Visiting popular tourist spot Hvar in Croatia

I hate this distinction, I hate seeing it, and I honestly find it elitist and insulting to all people who travel. You only ever hear this from travellers who want to make themselves feel elite and superior, implying their way is the only “right” way to travel.

While slow, immersive travel has its merits, there are many factors that go into travel, such as time, money, responsibilities, and more. With unlimited time, you can be more immersive, with limited time, there’s nothing wrong with focusing on major sights.

Don’t fall into the trap of avoiding tourist sites just to feel like a “real traveller.” By doing this, you’re only trying to appease someone else’s opinion and not doing what you want to do.

If you don’t visit the major sites as a tourist or a traveller, you’re probably missing the point of why you travelled to this destination in the first place. It only becomes famous and well-known because there is an attraction or place there that people have visited and raved about.

It’s easy to be a travel snob and project our travel expectations onto others. Some people may like to just travel to a beach resort in Thailand and lie on the beach drinking cocktails. Others may want to go to Rome and explore the Colosseum and the Vatican. These two types of vacations are very different, but they are not wrong if that’s what you like doing.

The idea that travellers are “better” than tourists overlooks what makes travel special for all of us — the opportunity to step outside our normal routine and explore the world. The experience is yours alone and there is no need to define it or defend it to anyone.

But here’s the truth, whether you identify as a traveller, a tourist, or somewhere in between. Both types of travel will bring happiness and meaning to the people experiencing them.

For some context, I have been both a tourist and a traveller. I have spent 14 months non-stop on a journey in Asia and Europe, and taken short trips like a week in places like Bali and Berlin ticking off the top sites. I will continue to be both, adapting my travel style based on time and budget.

We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples for over 26 years. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats — and for more honest takes on travel, head to our Life & Travel section.

What is the difference between a tourist and a traveller?

The common distinction is that travellers seek slow, immersive experiences while tourists prefer structured trips hitting major sights. In reality most people are both depending on how much time and money they have. The distinction is largely meaningless and is mostly used by people who want to feel superior about their travel style.

Is it okay to be a tourist?

Absolutely. Visiting famous landmarks, following a planned itinerary and seeing the major sights is a perfectly valid way to travel. Places become popular because they are genuinely worth seeing. There is nothing wrong with going to Rome and visiting the Colosseum or going to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower.

Should you avoid tourist spots when travelling?

No — not unless you genuinely don’t want to see them. Skipping major attractions just to avoid being called a tourist is letting other people’s opinions dictate your holiday. See what you want to see and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

What is travel snobbery?

Travel snobbery is when experienced travellers look down on others for how they choose to travel — dismissing package tourists, people who visit popular attractions, or anyone who doesn’t travel the way they do. It’s elitist and unhelpful. Everyone travels differently based on their time, budget and interests.

How do you travel like a local?

Staying in residential neighbourhoods rather than tourist districts, eating at local restaurants rather than places aimed at tourists, using public transport, and spending more time in fewer places rather than rushing between sights all help you experience a destination more like a local. That said, there’s nothing wrong with mixing this approach with visiting the major attractions too.

About Mark & Bec

How my new podcast is way more than just content creation.

mark wyld — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:19:52 +0000

Every Monday night, I sit in my shed in Maffra, Australia, and have a chat with my friend who’s in his apartment in Munich, Germany – 16,268 kilometers away.

An old friend of mine, Anders Jensen from Munich, reached out and asked me if I would be interested in starting a podcast with him. I jumped at the chance because it had always been something I was interested in. We record these conversations as a podcast, but that’s almost become secondary to the experience.

How travel created the connection for this podcast

I first met Anders online sometime around 2016. He was in the family travel sphere along with his wife Alex and son Anton. We first touched base on Twitter, and then when we visited Germany in 2017 and 2019, we met up with Anders in Munich, Germany. We did some sightseeing, visited Christmas markets, and had dinner at his place.

Out to dinner with Anders and Alex in a Munich Beer Hall in 2017

Anders hails from Denmark. They only recently finished a family gap year of travelling around the world before settling in Munich. Anders has a long history with podcasts and does a science-based podcast in his native Danish language, which is very popular.

After chatting about this podcast for four or five weeks, we settled on the name Southern Summers and Northern Winters Podcast. The southern represents me here in Australia, and the northern represents Anders in Europe. Since we both have family travel histories, we thought this would be a great way to go. In reality, the podcast touches on family travel and travel in the broader space.

Every Monday evening, we record the podcasts. I am in the office in our shed and Anders is in his apartment in Munich. On the first podcast, we joked that there could not be too many places further apart than Munich and Maffra. In context, Maffra and Munich are 16,268 kilometers apart, and only in today’s age with the technology available can it seem like we are sitting in the same room.

Enjoying my weekly chats on Southern Summers Northern Winters

So far, we have recorded 2 podcasts with the plan of recording every week when we are both available. I have found our session chatting has become more than just recording a podcast; I have found them to be really enjoyable on a personal level. A lot of men suffer from not having a lot of social interactions, and I fall into that category.

No scripts are required for this podcast

Don’t get me wrong, I am not lonely, depressed, or any such thing, but just being able to chat about something you love such as travel has been a revelation to me. I look forward to our chats on Monday night and where they lead.

We do not have a set script. Instead, we have a loose topic and go from there with where the conversation leads. It is just 2 guys sitting around talking about something they both enjoy. If we were not separated by such distances, I could imagine us sitting around having a BBQ and a few beers discussing the same things. I have quickly realized the enjoyment I get from this regular social connection with my friend!

About Mark & Bec

Should I switch airplane seats for a family

mark wyld — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 01:08:51 +0000

In 2023, airlines collected over 181 billion dollars in extra fees from all us flyers. A large part of those fees came from having to pay for seat selection. These extra fees have pushed some families to take the change and not book seats to sit together.

The online war about giving up your allocated or paid seat on a plane so a family can sit together flares up all the time on the internet. It is like a simmering fire burning in the background. Now and then, someone adds a little more oxygen to the topic, and off it takes again.

I am a family traveller. Since our youngest daughter was a baby, my wife and I have traveled with our kids. We first journeyed to Europe with her as a 10-month-old and have since flown with two kids on over 100 different international flights around Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Do I really have to switch aeroplane seats so a family can sit together?

I have some strong opinions on this topic, as do many parents. Should kids on a plane be sitting next to strangers? No, they should not, especially young children. I understand if it’s the seat straight across from you only separated by the aisle, but your kids should not be sitting any further away than besides you, in front of you or behind you.

Would you let your kids go out with a stranger or even talk to a stranger at a shopping mall? My guess is no. So, why would you allow your child to sit next to a stranger unsupervised on a plane? This can become a problem for not only you as a parent but also the passenger your child is sitting next to. This passenger should not be responsible for your child. That’s your job to make sure your child has all it needs.

What about how sitting next to a stranger away from parents makes the child feel? It can bring up feelings of anxiety and being scared. In an ideal world, these sorts of scenarios would not be an issue, but they are in today’s age.

Is it rude not to switch airplane seats for a family? No families should plan better!

Two factors have created these problems, making money and saving money. Two people are at fault for your kids sitting next to strangers on a plane. The first is the airline. There is no way they should be sitting families apart on flights so they can make a few extra bucks from families who have to book seats.

That is just plain wrong in today’s society. The second person at fault is the parent. Stop being a tight arse and get the wallet out and pay for allocated seating so your kids can sit with you. What type of parent allows their kids to sit away from them in the plane?

Before paying for seat selection became a thing, we used to arrive at the airport three hours early just so we could ensure we had seats together. This is still a valid tactic today for families to try before flying.

But back then, they used to seat everyone on the booking together anyway. Now we always pay for seats together. It’s just part of the money you need to spend on a vacation, and it’s no different from other things, such as airport parking or travel insurance.

is it okay to ask someone to switch airplane seats on a plane?

I have to say this is not just unique to parents. I remember we were flying from Almaty Kazakhstan to Paris France when a lady asked our 9 year old daughter to move seats so she could sit next to her husband. My daughter felt pressured by this lady as she was sitting behind us until we as parents told the lady it wasn’t happening.

Would I or have I ever asked someone to switch seats so we could sit next to each other? No, I haven’t, and I never will. To be honest, I would consider the request impolite. What if I paid for my seat because that’s where I wanted to sit?

About Mark & Bec

Should you be staying in a hotel or Airbnb

mark wyld — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 04:43:08 +0000

The initial impression is what can separate your choice of a hotel or an Airbnb straight away. You arrive at your accommodation after a long day of travel. At a hotel, there’s a smiling concierge, a well-lit lobby and someone handing you a key card. At an Airbnb, you can be standing in a dark car park squinting at a lockbox code on your phone while trying to remember which entrance the host said to use.

Both are valid choices. Both have their moments.

We’ve used Airbnb sparingly over the last ten years of travel — our first time was in Rome back in 2015. But with hotel prices in Melbourne and most other cities going through the roof, we recently stayed in both within two weeks of each other. The Pullman Melbourne City Centre for two nights one weekend, and an Airbnb for three nights two weeks later. Same city, same trip purpose, very different experiences.

The view from our Airbnb in Melbourne

Hotel or Airbnb — which is better for couples?

Honestly there’s no clean winner. It depends on what you need from the stay. Here’s how the two compare based on our experience.

Pros of Airbnb

The cost is often cheaper than a comparable hotel, especially for longer stays. Most Airbnbs have cooking facilities so you can bring your own food and save on meals. Laundry is usually included — something hotels charge a fortune for. The space is generally bigger, with a proper lounge area where you can actually relax without sitting on the end of a bed. And if you search with the right filters, free parking is often included. We got a million-dollar view of the Melbourne skyline for a fraction of what a hotel with that view would have cost.

Cons of Airbnb

There’s no one on site if something goes wrong. Check-in instructions can be complicated — that lockbox in the dark scenario is real. Departure instructions can be excessive too. The Airbnb we stayed at in Melbourne required us to drop the key back to a small shop at the front of the building. The shop wasn’t open when we left, so we had to use the key to get the car out of secure parking and then one of us had to go back up to the apartment to leave the key behind. Not ideal when you’re trying to get on the road.

Pros of a hotel

24-hour reception means someone is always there. Check-in and check-out is straightforward. Food and drinks are available on site. If something’s wrong with your room you get an answer immediately. Rooms get made up daily. Most decent hotels have a bar, pool or gym. And if you use loyalty programs or cashback services it can work out cheaper than you’d expect.

The Pullman Melbourne City Centre was on Swanston Street in the heart of the food and shopping district with its own rooftop bar doing cocktails and wood-fired pizzas. The only downside was parking — we had to park a block away and walk back without luggage, which is a small thing but still annoying.

Our hotel room at Pullman City Centre in Melbourne

Cons of a hotel

Hotels are generally more expensive. Parking is almost never free. Some rooms are genuinely small for the money you’re paying.

So which do we prefer?

Location helps us make the decision more than anything else. Don’t stay somewhere cheap and inconvenient just to save a few dollars — you’ll spend that money and more getting back to where you actually want to be.

The longer the stay, the more an Airbnb makes sense. The homely feel, the kitchen, the laundry, the space — it all adds up over a week or two. For a night or two in a city where you’re out most of the time anyway, a hotel is easier and more convenient.

We’ll definitely be giving Airbnb more consideration going forward instead of defaulting to Booking.com for everything — we recently stayed in another in Melaka when we were in Malaysia. No accommodation is perfect. They all have pluses and negatives no matter where you are or what you pay.

We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples for over 26 years. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats.

Is Airbnb cheaper than a hotel?

Often yes — especially for longer stays or if you’re travelling as a couple or group. Airbnb pricing can be cheaper per night than a comparable hotel, and you’ll save on meals if you cook your own food. That said, cleaning fees and service charges can add up, so always check the total price before booking.

Is Airbnb or a hotel better for couples?

It depends on the length of stay and what you need. For a short city break where you’re out exploring most of the time, a hotel is more convenient — easy check-in, daily room service and food on site. For longer stays, an Airbnb wins on space, kitchen facilities, laundry and overall comfort.

What are the downsides of staying in an Airbnb?

The main downsides are the lack of on-site support if something goes wrong, complicated check-in instructions, and sometimes excessive departure requirements. You may also need to clean the apartment yourself if staying more than a few days. Always read the house rules carefully before booking.

Is it safe to stay in an Airbnb overseas?

Generally yes — Airbnb has a review system that makes it relatively easy to assess a property and host before booking. Stick to properties with a high number of reviews and a Superhost badge where possible. Read the reviews carefully and check the cancellation policy before you commit.

What should you look for when booking a hotel for couples?

Location is the most important factor — being central saves you time and money getting around. After that, look at room size, what’s included in the rate, parking availability and guest reviews. Loyalty programs can make hotels considerably cheaper if you travel regularly with the same brand.

About Mark & Bec

Things I love about planes and hate about flying

mark wyld — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 04:10:23 +0000

By my last count, we’ve flown with over 36 different airlines on 100-plus flights over the years. As I write this, I’m sitting aboard a Xiamen Air 787 Dreamliner somewhere between Melbourne and Xiamen, China.

Travelling by aeroplane still amazes me. The idea that you can board a plane on one side of the world and twelve hours later walk out of an airport terminal on the other side of the world still blows my mind. I can sit at the big glass windows in airport terminals for hours just watching planes land and take off.

Seeing an airline I’ve never seen before still gets me. The fact that something that big and heavy can just drop the hammer and lift off into the sky is, and always will be, mind-boggling to me.

If you live in Australia like we do, long-haul flying isn’t optional. We’re an island. There’s no train to hop on, no ferry to catch. You fly or you stay home.

My many different faces of flying

We’re also unlucky enough that Melbourne Airport, which is right at the bottom of Australia, is our nearest airport. It means we have to fly four-plus hours north just to clear the Australian continent before we even get out of the country.

You’d think with all that genuine love of planes, I’d enjoy flying. I don’t. Not even close. If there was another way to get there, I’d take it every day of the week. It’s not that I have a fear of flying or anything like that. It’s just that when I actually get on a plane, I’m reminded pretty quickly of all the reasons flying annoys me.

Things I hate about flying

You’re basically sitting in a metal cylinder that Boeing or Airbus built as cheaply as possible, crammed with as many seats as the airline could fit in. That’s the reality of long-haul flying in economy. Does that sound like a good time?

The tray table situation. They bring you a full meal — main, bread roll, fruit cup, drink — and then just leave it all sitting in front of you for what feels like an hour. Meanwhile you can’t move, can’t open your laptop, can’t do anything. I just want my tray cleared from in front of me faster. That’s all I’m asking.

The reclining seat. The person in front drops their seat back and suddenly your meal tray is in your chest. I know seats are designed to recline, but come on — they should only be used at night. I just wish people thought about the person behind them before they did it. And yes, people will ask you to switch airplane seats too, most likely families who don’t want to pay for seat allocations — another joy of economy travel.

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The aisle seat has its own problem. The moment you get comfortable, someone in your row needs the bathroom — most likely my wife Bec. You spend the next ten minutes doing that awkward half-stand shuffle while you wait for them to get back from the toilet. I am not sitting back down getting comfortable just to get up again when she comes back from the toilet.

Travelling as a couple has its own flying dynamic too. Bec falls asleep before we’ve even finished taxiing. Every time. I’m sitting next to her, wide awake, watching the flight map and calculating how many hours are left. She wakes up somewhere over Asia looking completely refreshed. I have no idea how she does it — if you’ve got a special technique for relaxing on a plane, I’m all ears.

Things I put up with on the plane

The older I get — and I’m in my early 50s now — the harder the long-haul flights get. Travel after 50 is brilliant in most ways, but the seats don’t get any bigger and the legs don’t get any more patient. The seat gets smaller, the legs get stiffer and the tolerance for all of the above gets shorter. That’s just the truth of midlife travel.

Things I love about flying

One thing I will say — I actually like aeroplane food. There, I said it. I love the little tray with everything in its own compartment, peeling back the foil, checking what the sweet treat is and so on. Probably not a popular opinion. i’m sticking with it.

At the end of the day, the thing that gets me on every flight is what’s waiting at the other end. New cities, new streets, new food — these are the travel experiences that make it all worth it for me. When you base your life around travel it wins every time over my desire to never get on a plane again. The two feelings will never be reconciled. I just keep flying.

In an ideal world, i’d love to do three or four hours, get off, spend a night somewhere, then fly again the next day. Slow travel all the way to the destination. No time pressure, no rushing. Maybe one day that happens. For now, there are plenty more flights ahead for us.

We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples for over 26 years. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats. And if any of this sounds familiar, head over to our Life & Travel section — it’s full of the honest stuff.

Does long haul flying get harder as you get older?

Yes, honestly. In your 50s the seats feel smaller, the legs stiffen up faster and things annoy you more easily — noise, reclined seats, crying babies. That doesn’t mean you stop flying, it just means you get smarter about it. Aisle seats, compression socks, and getting up to walk every couple of hours all help.

What are the best tips for long haul flying in economy?

Book your seat early and pick carefully — aisle if you move around a lot, window if you want to sleep. Bring a neck pillow, noise cancelling headphones if you have them, and wear comfortable clothes. Drink water regularly and avoid too much alcohol. Get up and walk every couple of hours. Accept that it’s going to be uncomfortable and do what you have to do to get through it.

How do you sleep on a long haul flight?

Some people — like Bec — can fall asleep before the plane has finished taxiing. Others, like me, just can’t switch off. If you struggle to sleep on planes, a sleep mask and earplugs help more than most things. I use an inflatable pillow that wedges between myself and the seat in front of me. Turn the movie off, close your eyes and take some deep breaths — that can also help. Melatonin tablets are worth looking into for very long haul flights.

Is long haul flying from Australia harder than from other countries?

In a word, yes. Australia is geographically isolated at the bottom of the world — there’s no such thing as a short international flight if you’re heading to Europe, Asia or the Americas from the southern states. You get used to it, but it never stops being a long day.

Should you recline your seat on a long haul flight?

This is one of the great debates of economy travel. Our take — if it’s a daytime flight, leave it upright. At night, when everyone is trying to sleep, then go ahead and recline. The basic rule is just to be aware of the person behind you before you drop the seat back without warning.

About Mark & Bec

Why don’t I talk about travel with just anyone?

mark wyld — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:44:29 +0000

For as long as i can remember, travel has made me nervous and excited in equal amounts. There is something to be said about the comfort of familiarity — knowing your surroundings, knowing what to expect from your day, knowing where everything is. Travel takes all of that away and replaces it with the unknown. And for a lot of people, including me, that can cause real real anxiety.

I’m sure this is why many people never travel at all. It’s easier to stay home and do what you do every day because that’s comfortable. That’s safe. I get it.

Getting ready to board our plane in Split, Croatia

How travel anxiety affects me

Over the years i’ve slowly gotten better at dealing with it. But even after visiting over 45 countries, the anxiety still creeps up on me before every single trip. Travel anxiety shows up differently for different people. For me it looks like this:

I pull the car over on the way to the airport to check if we’ve got the passports, knowing very well that the last thing I did before closing the door at home was check that they were in my bag.

Being at the airport a minimum of three hours before departure because, as you know, there could be a cyclone or a massive sinkhole on the way that could cause us to miss our flights.

I weigh my luggage every day for a week before departure to make sure an extra two kilos haven’t stowed away in my bag and put me over the weight limit.

Look, i know how that sounds. But i also know i’m not alone in this. Travel anxiety for midlife couples is more common than people admit — and the fact that you still get on the plane is what matters.

Things that actually help with travel anxiety

Technology has made travel a lot less stressful over the last decade or so. Here are some things that genuinely help us.

Before you book your hotel, put the address into Google Street View and look around. You can see what restaurants and shops are nearby, what the street looks like, whether it feels safe. It sounds simple but arriving somewhere that already looks familiar — even from a screen — makes a real difference to how you feel when you get there.

YouTube is an incredible resource for managing travel anxiety. Someone has almost certainly flown your airline, stayed in your hotel or visited your attraction and made a video about it. Watch it. It takes the unknown out of the equation.

Book your accommodation through reputable sites like Booking.com and guided tours through Viator. For flights, go direct through the airline rather than a third-party site.

Don’t be put off by people saying “why would you want to go there?” or “it’s not safe there.” There’s a fair chance these people have never been and have had their opinions formed by what someone else said. Make your own mind up.

If planning the trip itself triggers the anxiety, get someone else to do it. A travel agent gives a lot of people extra comfort and safety when booking. My wife has me book all our trips because she doesn’t want that stress. I actually like booking travel i include Bec in the decisions on accommodation and flight times and that shared process helps both of us feel more prepared. It can also help to talk about travel with people who get it.

Either way, don’t let your fears hold you hostage. There’s a big world out there and you should experience it. You can manage travel anxiety and still have an incredible trip. I know we do, and so can you.

We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples since our journey began 26 years ago. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats.

Is it normal to feel anxious about travelling?

Yes — completely normal. Even experienced travellers feel it. The anxiety usually comes from the unknown — not knowing what the destination is really like, whether the hotel is safe, or how to get around. The more you travel, the better you get at managing it, but it rarely disappears completely.

What are the best tips for dealing with travel anxiety?

A few things that genuinely help: look up your hotel on Google Street View before you go so the area feels familiar when you arrive, watch YouTube videos of your destination, airline or hotel so you know what to expect, book through reputable sites, and make sure you have travel insurance sorted before you leave. Preparation is the best cure for travel anxiety.

Does travel anxiety get better with experience?

Generally yes — the more you travel, the more you trust that things will work out. But even after visiting 45+ countries, the anxiety still shows up before every trip. The difference is you learn to recognise it and not let it stop you from going.

How can couples manage travel anxiety together?

Include each other in the planning process — even if one person does the actual booking, making decisions together about accommodation and flights helps both people feel prepared and in control. Talk about what you’re worried about. Often just saying it out loud makes it feel more manageable.

Is travel anxiety more common in midlife?

It can be. As you get older you often have more responsibilities, more to lose, and more awareness of what can go wrong. But midlife is also when a lot of people find travel becomes more meaningful — and the anxiety is worth pushing through.

About Mark & Bec

Conquering my Travel Anxiety and Embracing the Journey

mark wyld — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 00:54:47 +0000

For as long as i can remember, travel has made me nervous and excited in equal amounts. There is something to be said about the comfort of familiarity knowing your surroundings, knowing what to expect from your day, knowing where everything is. Travel takes all of that away and replaces it with the unknown. And for a lot of people, including me, that can cause real real anxiety.

I’m sure this is why many people never travel at all. It’s easier to stay home and do what you do every day because that’s comfortable. That’s safe. I get it.

Getting ready to board our plane in Split, Croatia

How travel anxiety affects me

I pull the car over on the way to the airport to check if we’ve got the passports, knowing very well that the last thing I did before closing the door at home was check that they were in my bag.

Being at the airport a minimum of three hours before departure because, as you know, there could be a cyclone or a massive sinkhole on the way that could cause us to miss our flights.

I weigh my luggage every day for a week before departure to make sure an extra two kilos haven’t stowed away in my bag and put me over the weight limit.

Things that actually help with travel anxiety

Technology has made travel a lot less stressful over the last decade or so. Here are some things that genuinely help us.

Before you book your hotel, put the address into Google Street View and look around. You can see what restaurants and shops are nearby, what the street looks like, whether it feels safe. It sounds simple but arriving somewhere that already looks familiar, even from a screen makes a real difference to how you feel when you get there.

Book your accommodation through reputable sites like Booking.com and guided tours through Viator. For flights, go direct through the airline rather than a third-party site.

We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples since our journey began 26 years ago. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats.

Is it normal to feel anxious about travelling?

What are the best tips for dealing with travel anxiety?

Does travel anxiety get better with experience?

How can couples manage travel anxiety together?

Is travel anxiety more common in midlife?

About Mark & Bec

Should older people like ourselves get motorbike licenses?

mark wyld — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 04:40:50 +0000

After riding our own scooter for a few months on our learner’s permit we had one last training session with Doug and then booked in for our licence test. To get our licences we had to do the full motorbike test — not just scooters, actual motorbikes — even though we’ll only ever ride scooters in Asia.

For years i have always dreamed of riding a scooter in Asia. Weaving through traffic in Ho Chi Minh City or finding beaches in Bali that the tourists can’t reach. It would just add another element to exploring these destinations. While that is my dream, Bec is on the fence.

We’ve been watching people on scooters in Asia for as long as we’ve been travelling there. It looks incredible. It also looks terrifying. And for a long time, the terrifying part won. Mainly because you see so many travellers starting GoFundMe pages when they have accidents that their travel insurance does not cover.

We don’t have any motorbike riding experience. We don’t have motorbike licences. We don’t have a motorbike. We don’t want to kill ourselves or anyone else. And are we just too old — i’m 51, Bec is mid-40s?

Are we too old to get motorbike licences?

Age and experience are the main concerns to be honest. Bec is a really cautious driver in a car and tackling the traffic in Asia on a scooter is just a whole different level. I’m all guns firing — keen as mustard as we say here in Australia. I genuinely cannot wait.

We also live in Maffra, a small country town where it’s considered a traffic jam if you have to wait at a roundabout for more than two cars. I have driven through European cities — Berlin, Amsterdam, Warsaw — even though Bec would say i’m not the best driver. She’s not entirely wrong.

How to get a motorbike licence in Australia

So we decided to do something about it and booked ourselves into a motorcycle licence course. We weren’t sure what to expect — whether it would be intense, hard or all of the above. Our instructor Doug made it pretty easy for everyone. Not too intense, simple and easy to follow. We learned the basics, did some riding on a tarmac — stopping, starting, changing gears, weaving through cones. Nothing crazy but enough to get us out on the road on a learner’s permit.

The whole thing from go to woe takes about three months and costs around $1,000 AUD. Yes, a grand to get a motorbike licence in Australia. It’s a lot but we think it’s worth it for what it opens up when we travel.

We also bought ourselves a Honda SCV 100. It’s about 15 years old and if you’ve got hurricane winds behind you it might crack 90 kilometres an hour. But it’s enough for us to get the feel and road skills we need. I’ve been riding it to work most days when the weather allows and i must say, i love it. It’s so much fun.

Getting in some practice on the Honda SCV 100 in Maffra before we head to Asia.

Passing the motorbike licence test

We had to ride from the training facility into the closest town and follow a route set out by the instructor. It generally included busy streets with stop signs and give way signs. He checked whether we were using our blinkers and whether we were positioned correctly on the road.

I am glad to say we both passed our test and are now holders of motorbike licences. This takes away a lot of the anxiety surrounding whether you are covered by travel insurance overseas when riding a scooter. Even though it is always good to check your travel insurance policy terms and conditions before you go.

Street Eats & Window Seats
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Our first ride in Asia — Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Our next destination is Thailand and we’re going to do a soft launch on the island of Koh Yao Noi. It’s an island that isn’t overly busy and will be a good place to take to the roads of Asia for the first time as midlife travellers on scooters.

We’ve booked a stay at Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow which rents scooters directly to guests staying at the hotel — which makes it even easier to get out and explore the island at our own pace. Koh Yao Noi is the perfect place to ease into riding in Asia. The traffic is light, the roads are quiet compared to the mainland, and the scenery makes every ride worth it.

And if you’re heading to Thailand and need an international driving licence to ride legally, sort that out before you leave home.

Age is no barrier in the end. Have confidence in yourself and go out and try something new, just like us. If you see us in Asia cruising around on scooters, give us a wave.

How much does a motorbike licence cost in Australia?

Getting a motorbike licence in Australia costs around $1,000 AUD from start to finish. This includes the learner rider course, any additional training sessions and the licence test fee. The process takes approximately three months from your first course to passing the final test.

How long does it take to get a motorbike licence in Australia?

The process takes approximately three months. You start with a one-day learner rider course, then ride on your learner’s permit for a minimum period, before completing a final training session and sitting the on-road licence test.

Can I ride a scooter in Thailand without a licence?

Technically you need a valid licence to ride a scooter legally in Thailand. Many travellers ride without one, but doing so puts your travel insurance cover at serious risk. Most travel insurance policies will not cover accidents that occur while riding a scooter without a valid motorcycle licence. We got our full Australian motorbike licences specifically to make sure we were covered.

Does travel insurance cover scooter accidents?

It depends entirely on your policy and whether you hold a valid licence. Most travel insurance policies exclude scooter accidents if you don’t hold a motorcycle licence in your home country. Always read the terms and conditions of your policy before riding a scooter overseas — and get your licence first.

Is Koh Yao Noi good for riding scooters?

Yes — Koh Yao Noi is one of the best places in Thailand to ride a scooter for the first time in Asia. The traffic is light, the roads are manageable and the island is quiet compared to places like Phuket or Koh Samui. It’s a great soft launch destination for first-time riders in Asia. Some accommodation on the island, including Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow, rents scooters directly to guests.

Are we too old to get a motorbike licence?

Not at all. We got our motorbike licences in our late 40s and early 50s and found the process very manageable. The learner course is designed for all experience levels and ages. As long as you’re physically able to ride and pass the test requirements, age is no barrier.

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