Hey there, adventurers! Welcome to Travel + Explore & Play with Sallee Jay!
I’m beyond excited to introduce this month’s featured blogger—someone I’ve been fangirling over for years! Meet Leah Hazley from @mrshazleyhomeandaway—one of my all-time favorite travel and lifestyle influencers. Her content is equal parts inspiring and entertaining, and trust me, you're going to love her!
This month, Leah is giving us a peek into her jaw-dropping 45-day, 6-country journey across Southeast Asia—with SIX kids in tow! 😲🌎 Yep, you read that right. Her family adventures are the stuff travel dreams are made of.
And get this—Leah’s recently launched a brand-new venture offering other families tips and tricks to take the leap into global travel. So after reading her amazing blog post, I hope you feel just as inspired as I do—and maybe even ready to reach out to her to start planning your own unforgettable adventure!
Let’s get exploring!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, my name is Leah. I am a full-time content creator, wife and mom of 3 girls! I love lots of things, most involve spending money, which I know my husband appreciates! Home decor, makeup, planning trips and I really love serving at my church. A fun fact about me is that my family lived in Portugal for one year!
What inspired your travels to these countries? Was there a specific reason for choosing this group of destinations?
Our kids had traveled through a lot of Europe, so we knew it was time to show them a continent they hadn’t seen much of yet. The countries that we chose specifically were just our biggest bucket list places in Asia.
When did you visit? Were there any notable seasonal or weather-related experiences during your travels?
We visited in the summer from early June to late July. The trip was a total of 45 days. It was HOT! We had heard from several different people that these countries would be unbearably hot during that time of year but for us to spend this amount of time traveling it had to be during the summer when our kids are out of school. Thankfully it didn’t rain as much as expected.
Destinations & Experiences
Which cities or regions did you visit in each country?
In India we visited the city of Delhi.
In Vietnam we went to the cities of Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh.
In Indonesia we went to Bali, the areas of Ubud and Nusa Dua. My husband and I snuck off to the Gili Islands just the two of us and it was beautiful.
In the Philippines, we visited El Nido, Puerto Princessa and Manilla.
In China, we went to the cities of Shanghai and Beijing.
And for our last country of South Korea, we visited just the city of Seoul.
Was there a moment or place that really stood out to you? What made it memorable?
Oooo, that's a hard question to answer. I think there were so many that it’s hard to just pick just one, but we really loved South Korea and Vietnam. We all had our different favorites for different reasons. The food in South Korea was so good, that was an easy favorite. Vietnam had so many different cultural adventures and experiences, especially dining so close to a moving train on train street.
What did you think about the cities you visited? Were there any that felt unique in comparison to the others?
The cities in China stood out for their incredible architecture and buildings. The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the history itself was so fascinating.
Did you try any famous tourist attractions? For example, visiting the Great Wall of China, the beaches in the Philippines, or cultural landmarks in South Korea? How did these experiences compare?
We absolutely did all the tourist attractions. We don’t often visit the same places more than once so we must hit the big attractions the first time, in case we don’t come back. We visited the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China, the gorgeous beaches in the Philippines, Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, and they were all just as spectacular as we expected. I love being able to give my girls experiences from their textbooks.
Were there any outdoor activities, landscapes, or natural sites that left a lasting impression on you?
The Great Wall of China was surreal. Having only walked a fraction of it, we learned that someone would have to walk for 18 months to even see it all. That fact was pretty mind blowing.
Culture & Local Life
What surprised you most about the cultures and daily life in these countries?
I think the most surprising part was the sheer amounts of people. I don’t think we’ve ever been to countries so populated before. The traffic was chaotic in some places and in others, it was controlled chaos.
Did you try any traditional foods or drinks in any of the countries? What were your favorites or least favorites?
We most definitely did! And in just about every country but the most memorable was the food in Seoul. The mung bean pancakes, knife cut noodles, the Korean corn dogs were incredible, but nothing beat the Korean fried chicken. Our least favorite might have been the Chinese cuisine. I think we are so use to the Chinese food in America that we just weren’t expecting how different it was going to be.
Can you share any memorable interactions with locals from any of the countries? Were there any cultural differences that stood out to you?
I think one of the most memorable moments was in China. A man sat next to us speaking in Chinese and asking us questions but of course none we could understand. He was clearly interested in our girl's hair, so we showed him a video on YouTube of a braider, and he seemed so enlightened. It was a really funny and memorable moment. There was a lot of attention in China that we had heard to expect but not to the extent that we experienced. There was lots of staring, picture taking and video recording. I made a reel about our experience, and it has been interesting watching the comments on Instagram.
How did the people in each country compare in terms of hospitality, attitude, or daily habits?
We experienced the most amazing customer service in the Philippines. Their hospitality went above and beyond. Everyone was kind but their kindness left a mark.
Practical Tips
How did you get around in each country? Was transportation easy to navigate, or were there any challenges?
We used lots of Ubers, buses and trains. We traveled with a big group, so the transportation was a little more complicated than with just our family. We had some private drivers in some cities that had big enough vehicles to accommodate all 10-12 of us. The Ubers in China were particularly difficult because of our family size. Four people was pretty much the max for any small vehicles.
How did you manage your travel budget? Was one country more affordable than the others? Any tips for someone traveling on a budget?
We traveled for a total of 45 days which increases the expenses of a trip on its own. A summer trip is our biggest of the year, so we budget more. I think for someone planning a trip on a budget, starting with the length of time is important. Airline prices can vary big time so comparing prices on websites like Kayak is a great place to start. But always go directly to the airline website to make sure you are getting the best deal. Traveling within a country or region is generally SO MUCH LESS expensive so visiting more than one place is doable.
Vietnam was for sure the most inexpensive place and China was the most expensive country of the trip.
Did you encounter any unexpected challenges during your trip?
The transportation situation in China was much harder and expensive than expected. We knew we’d get a lot of attention in China being a black family with small children, but we weren’t expecting to be culture shocked by their culture shock of seeing us!
Where did you stay in each country? Was there a particular accommodation that stood out?
We stayed in mostly Hyatt hotels because of our family discount so this saved us quite a bit on lodging. But there were a few locations that were pretty boutique and quite an experience. In El Nido, Philippines, we stayed in a glamping hotel called Nacpan Beach Glamping. It was most definitely memorable.
Reflections
What was the most meaningful or memorable part of your travels across these countries?
My oldest daughter hit her 30th country on this trip. It honestly is just incredible seeing the world through their eyes. There were so many memories made that it would be impossible to choose just one part.
Which country would you visit again, and why? Were there any places you’d like to return to or explore further?
I would love to visit the Philippines and China again. There is so much more to explore that we know we didn’t have time to.
What advice would you give someone planning to visit these countries for the first time?
Do not go in the summer! It was too hot, and it was monsoon season. I would suggest going to Klook for booking of excursions. If you have the time, it is a great idea to hit up a few of these countries because traveling in between the countries is less expensive. If you are planning to travel to China and native, there is a very good chance that people will be interested in photos of and with you. If you have a problem with attention, just think it over.
How did each country contribute to your overall experience and view of travel? Did any of them change your perspective on the world or yourself?
Each had a very different impact. We got to see two world wonders which of course left a long-lasting impression. I am grateful that our kids got to experience a part of the world they hadn’t been to yet. Our experience in China with all the attention was most memorable and something we know our kids will never forget. I have a lot of beautiful friends from this region so seeing and experiencing their cultures was extra special for me.
@mrshazleyhomeandaway
Need tips and tricks for your next international family getaway?? Email Leah at: mrshazleyhomeandaway@gmail.com or visit her website for giveaways and more!