It’s never too late to travel

I love traveling.

Since I was a child, watching travel shows, I dreamed of being like the man or woman narrating their experiences in the places they visited. The world has always fascinated me—diverse cultures, climates, volcanoes, plants, animals.

Every time I find myself in a new place, I want to absorb everything I see, feel, and hear. I want to blend into the surroundings as much as possible.

I inherited this passion from my beloved grandmother, who, as much as life allowed, traveled through a good part of Europe and the United States, but… she never visited Asia.

When I started traveling a few years ago, she was one of the few family members genuinely interested in my journeys. She eagerly looked at photos, asked questions, and fully supported my passion.

Once, in 2020, she called me with a question and a proposition—would I take her to Bali (my favorite place on Earth)? With tears in my eyes, I immediately said yes. I would do it with immense pleasure.

I thought, “What an adventure!” I could live out a once-in-a-lifetime experience, get to know my grandmother as a woman, and fulfill her dream of traveling to an exotic country.

At the time, my grandmother was 86 years old.

I slowly started planning how to organize everything, what we’d need, and how to prepare her for such a long flight and high temperatures.

Initially, I thought about Bali, but the flight is long, arduous, and challenging. Instead, I found a convenient flight to Thailand—six hours on one plane, a layover, and another six hours. I thought it would be better for her.

I had never been to Thailand before, so I was excited about discovering a new place.

I sent my grandmother to the doctor to make sure her health and the medications she was taking would allow her to endure a long flight and tropical climate.

We were ready to go.

Tickets were bought, my grandmother was prepared, and I was beyond excited. I created a “traveler’s checklist” for her—what to pack and, more importantly, what not to pack (the latter is always harder since packing is truly an art).

Meanwhile, COVID-19 was creeping closer from China. Italy was closing its borders, and doubts and fears arose within the family about whether we should travel.

However, after analyzing everything, I decided—we’re going!

Equipped with masks (already scarce then) and liters of hand sanitizer, we set out to conquer Thailand.

We didn’t have a plan. I rarely plan trips in advance. I choose a destination, book accommodation for no more than two days, and let the rest unfold naturally.

In my experience, meeting locals and fellow travelers and exchanging stories is the best “guidebook” I’ve ever had. This trip was no different. Phuket had never been on my “dream destinations” list, but that’s where our plane landed.

We arrived safely. My grandmother praised the airplane food, washed down with sparkling wine. She listened to my reminders about wearing masks and sanitizing her hands. She marveled at everything and was a bit nervous, especially at first. I’m sure the thought “What have I gotten myself into?” crossed her mind, but she didn’t back out.

She had told me before the trip, “Worst case, Agusia, you’ll go alone, and I’ll stay here,” but I didn’t let that happen.

Our first accommodation was pleasant and close to the airport, as I thought that would be best for her. Phuket is a large island spanning 542 km². I couldn’t imagine dragging her around for hours in a car, especially since we arrived in the evening.

The next morning, her awe at the palm trees and lush vegetation surrounding the hotel was priceless. I knew this was the most beautiful gift I could give her—unforgettable memories. That morning, I was certain I had made the right, albeit risky, decision given the times.

We stayed there for two days to rest and adjust to the time change. My grandmother was amazed by everything. She’s not only a travel lover but also an enthusiast of flora and fauna.

Walking on the beach, she found her first coconut shell. She picked it up, saying she’d always dreamed of trying coconut water (we fulfilled that dream the next day).

A photo I took of the palms visible from our room, at her request, remains her favorite to this day.

For me, the start was challenging. Used to sleepless nights, constant changes in transportation, noise, hustle, and a faster pace—not to mention being much younger than my grandmother—I had to slow down and adapt.

After two days, we moved to Phuket’s most popular town, Patong.

Patong and the island itself didn’t impress me much—overly commercialized and crowded. So I decided to look for a quieter island where we could go. I knew this trip would differ significantly from my usual travel style, which involves frequent location changes. I realized that constantly moving was exhausting for my grandmother.

I chose Koh Lanta.

I arranged ferry tickets, booked accommodation, and ensured we’d be picked up from the port. Early the next morning, we set off on two ferries to Koh Lanta.

The ferry rides were tough for her—long, hot, noisy, with steep stairs and a rushed transfer due to delays. Thankfully, we always found a seat for her.

One of the ferry crew members, a kind Thai man, was touched by our story. He devoted 100% of his attention to my grandmother—fanning her and ensuring she disembarked first. We were both deeply moved by his gesture.

By this time, COVID-19 was rampant in Europe. I started thinking about how to keep her as safe as possible.

We finally reached Koh Lanta. The streets were quiet, peaceful—a perfect spot.

Our bamboo hut with air conditioning was a godsend for her. We decided to stay on Koh Lanta for the remainder of our trip.

Every day, we laughed, talked, and I got to know her as a woman, not just my grandmother.

She sampled mango shakes, exotic fruits, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. One day, she told me about seeing ground-nesting bees she’d once watched on TV. It hit me that the world she admired on screen had become her reality.

By the end of our trip, she felt rejuvenated and was reluctant to return. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

Traveling with her was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s never too late to travel, and my grandmother is my hero. ❤️