Overnight it all changed. Through the lens of Coronavirus Hawaii is certainly safer than the U.K. right now. And yet a simple change of U.K. foreign office guidance effectively ended our adventure. Literally overnight it was clear that we had to leave the USA.

We’d been developing alternative plans for weeks as Coronavirus progressed and grew ever closer. Thoughts such as running away to Australia and New Zealand were curtailed due to their new immigration stance and so we were left with heading to Japan early or skipping Japan and China and hiding somewhere in Thailand.

In the end the risk of hitting mandatory quarantine in these places, or the treatment of those travelling from the US suddenly changing felt very risky. We have a friend working for BA and he was also helpful in letting us know just how much long haul travel was being grounded. Little did we know that a mere 24 hours later the U.K. foreign office would recommend against all but essential travel anywhere – thank goodness we were not at this point on a plane to Asia.

Suddenly we faced the real threat of our travel insurance being invalidated or worse still being locked in the same room as James for 2 weeks! We also couldn’t be certain we could get home if our family needed us and that was when suddenly 6am Hawaii time on a Monday morning we planned our escape.

In 40 hours we would land in Heathrow. Our family and friends we think were unsurprised and in parts happy we would be back. We were sad. We broke the news to James and he simply said “no, no, no”. Happily he was placated within seconds by being told he could see his old toys and then he wanted to know why he could not board the plane immediately.

One of the reasons why travelling as a family works for us is that we seem to do ok when things are tough. There was no hysteria, a factual discussion followed by packing – something we are now very good at. A final tight hug and kiss signalled the sad end of a fab adventure and early departure from our Hawaii Big Island holiday home. That was John and I – James was waiting to get on the plane already 😂.

We spent our last hours trekking down into the Kilauea Iki Crater and across the solidified lava lake formed as part of the 1959 eruption. Other worldly, relaxing and beautiful – a poignant way to end the adventure.

Cutting short our adventure means we miss so much – for now we won’t see Japan a big bucket list destination. China was much anticipated and James was really excited at the prospect of seeing elephants in the wild in Thailand. We also cut short our trip to Hawaii and we honestly don’t know if we will come this far round the world again. We saw such a tiny snippet of this beautiful unusual place. But, we are safe and well and can always travel again. Sometimes things are not meant to be.

The adventure was also so much more than a visit to a few cool places. It was family time to hang out together before school starts. Happily we have all survived close quarters with one another and frankly the family time piece of this adventure doesn’t end at Heathrow – neither of us have jobs to go to. We expect to be spending more time together in an even more unusual situation in the coming months!!

Both of us were also done with day to day routine and work and needed a break. For me it was also a chance to reflect after 20 years of working fast and hard. To figure out what next. Some of that thinking has been done, the trip gave space to unwind, get sleep and let the mind wander. There have been no lightening bolts for either of us but we are recharged with a clearer sense of what to focus on.

Going away with just one bag is also an eye opener. It reminds you of how little you need and simplifies life. I hope to remember this when we get home, but from our last big trip I remember how quickly that feeling disappears for me, unlike John who is a good influence in this space.

So what to do in the U.K.? We’ll take a couple of weeks to decompress, eat curry, stop eating trail mix, enjoy a couple of gin and tonics and find a new routine. We had hoped to see family and friends but this is already ruled out and instead we will focus on doing our bit to help the world get rid of this virus.

What’s clear, is that the world is experiencing something quite extraordinary and dreadful. I hope family, friends and loved ones fair well through this – we are sending good wishes to you all and will remain thankful that we had the opportunity to travel even if it didn’t work out quite a planned.

Until next time.
JJL x