2019 Trip: We’re Headed to Singapore & Thailand

We’re barely into 2018 and we’ve already got a 2019 trip on the books. We just booked a three week adventure through Singapore and Thailand!

I am really excited about this. I mentioned in a previous post about how a Thailand flight deal had come up. We decided to let that one go because the price and dates weren’t quite right. We thought we could do better for our big 2019 trip. But Thailand was still calling my name. I had done a bit of research and fell in love with the idea of visiting temples, bathing elephants and relaxing on the beach.

So when another Thailand flight deal popped up on YVRDeals, I was intrigued. This time the dates were better, the price was better, and it had an added bonus: Singapore. Was this our big 2019 trip? YES!

We ended up booking round trip flights for $477 CAD each. We fly from Vancouver to Singapore on January 22 and back from Bangkok to Vancouver on February 12. There’s also a stop in Tokyo both ways, so we get about 40 hours to explore Tokyo – which will be super fun!

I’m so stoked for this trip! I’ve been doing a lot of looking at flights lately. It’s kind of ridiculous, because we’re off to Phoenix this weekend, Ireland in a couples weeks and then Hawaii in June. So I’m certainly not lacking for trips or travel plans. But for some reason, I just really wanted to book something else! I love trip planning and taking advantage of great flight deals.

Here’s why I’m stoked: I have never been to Singapore or Thailand. So this will be two brand new countries for me. Colin has never been to Asia before so I know this trip is going to be such an experience for him. I’m exciting for everything we’re going to see, experience and eat. I know it’s going to be so beautiful, the food is going to be so delicious and the adventures are going to be amazing. I can’t wait to feast on Asian food for three weeks straight! And I’m so glad we’re going for a full three weeks, instead of trying to shove this trip into 10 or 14 days.

Why I’m slightly less than stoked (but still 99% stoked): It’s going to be hot. I’m not great in heat and humidity, and I know this trip will be a lot of that. But I think with lots of breaks, a slower pace of travel and hotel rooms with strong air conditioning, we can make it.

I’m also a little worried about money. Colin and I had declared this month No Money March. But less than a week in, here I am breaking that pact and spending all the money on travel. Colin and I have also reworked some of our financial responsibilities and I’m taking care of flights and travel stuff. So it’s an even bigger hit to put $954 on my credit card instead of just $477. Of course, it’s still a killer deal. In fact, regular price for one person would be closer to $954 so I know it’s a steal to get that fare for two.

And I’m also a tiny bit worried that I won’t be able to stop planning or looking at trips. In fact, I just signed up for Next Vacay to get even more flight alerts. What is wrong with me!?! Technically, our budget and Colin’s vacation days are all used up for 2018 and now into 2019. So really, we shouldn’t be planning any more trips. But I know that’s not realistic – at least not for me. I assume there won’t be any more huge trips, but I’m sure we’ll throw in a weekend or two away.

I feel kind of guilty about that because I know we’re trying to save money, pay off debts and be more responsible. But at the same time – travel is my thing. It’s my only splurge. I don’t buy nice clothes, drive a car or order take out every night. And when I do splurge on travel, it’s always a deal. I believe in paying for experiences. I think it’s okay to spend money on an adventure. And I’d pick travel over anything almost every day of the week.

So we’re off to Thailand and Singapore (and Japan for a hot second) in early 2019. Ah, I’m so excited! If you have any tips or suggestions for our big 2019 trip, please share away. We probably won’t be planning this one too much just yet but it’s always fun to dream about.

What do we need to see in Thailand/Singapore? And where are you headed in 2019?