Why I Fell in 💗 with the TROPICS 🌴 and moved to Cambodia, SE-Asia

As a small girl, I dreamed of becoming a world explorer. Just like Columbus but minus the killing and conquering! I dreamed of wild adventures involving massive ships, lush jungles, and wild animals. Growing up I always told everybody that I wasn't going to stay in Belgium!

I was born to see the world.

Going on a yearly holiday wasn't enough to settle the burning need to explore the world and live closer to nature.

Though Belgium is a beautiful place with all its medieval castles and ancient history. But to be honest, if you have seen one you have seen them all... * Dodging incoming objects from historicists and culture lovers... *

While that might be a little overexaggerated, the thing is you get used to seeing medieval things when you grow up in Europe. Not that I'm not interested or don't see the beauty in them... nature and people touch me more than cobblestone car-free streets and castles.

Also, Belgium is so small and characterized by gray buildings, gray streets, and gray weather. No colors, wildlife or an abundance of wild edibles growing everywhere. And most people have turned into egocentric individuals where only their job, life, house, car, kids, and thoughts matter... how far has it come when you show hatred toward other Belgians that happen to speak another language? Yes, tiny Belgium has 3 languages, French, Dutch, and German.

I didn't even know my own neighbors for god's sake. And that was not because I didn't try... believe me!

No, I wasn't (and still am not) ready for that type of lifestyle. Where did all the LOVE and FUN go?

I love the outdoors, I love animals, I love interacting with people, I love sharing and helping other people... and I just love making the world a better place. Even if that only means showing warm feelings toward my neighbors and feeding stray cats...

After a long struggle, many 1-month adventures to the corners of the world, and finding financial freedom, we finally packed our lives in 2 suitcases and set sail to SE-Asia in 2014.

The story about how we became location independent and are able to work from anywhere in the world isn't what I wanna talk about today! Let's leave that for another post, shall we?

Why did we pick Cambodia? Well, visas are incredibly easy to get, you just have to pay $280 a year and the issue is settled, no question asked! Furthermore, It lies smack in the middle of Asia, the perfect place to settle for some time while exploring Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Also, the Cambodian people are the warmest and most friendly people I have ever met... and maybe one of the biggest advantages... you can still LIVE A FREE, SIMPLIFIED LIFE HERE.

NO RULES, NO GOVERNEMT CONTROL!

Does it need any further explanation? I think you get the gist why we fell in love with SE-Asia, Cambodia in particular.

While it all may sound like a dream, which it is, not all that glitters is gold. Living here has some disadvantages too... but again let's keep that for another post.