French Family Takes Break to Travel The World

Most people would be unwilling to sell up everything they have worked for so they could embark on some wild adventure, but for one French couple currently in Laos it was something they had to do.

Mr Jean-Philippe and Ms Anne-Gaelle Guicheney Mahler, both 37, and their four children, three daughters Margaux, 9, Victoire, 7 and Capucine, 7, and son Marin, 3, just arrived in Laos last week.

In France, Jean-Philippe said most people’s lives are defined by ‘sleeping, working and eating’, and he himself worked around 10-12 hours per day.

He said that while he earned good money, he was not happy, because he did not have enough time to spend with his family, leaving his wife to take care of the children.

Jean-Philippe said his wife found it difficult being almost the sole carer of the four children, so he decided to stop work and think of some way to bring the family closer together.

The couple decided they would travel around the world, with kids in tow, but there was one glaring problem – a lack of funds.

So, in order to achieve their dream, Jean-Philippe and Anne-Gaelle decided to sell almost all their belongings, including their apartment and car.

They used the money they made to buy a motorhome and have been travelling around since 2011 under the theme ‘Break Around The World’.

Jean-Philippe said his family’s travels are scheduled to end in 2013, by which time he hopes to have visited over 30 countries.

Already, the family has passed through Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Thailand and Cambodia, among other countries.

The family has had many wonderful experiences on their trip, having had a unique chance to taste the cultures, traditions, foods and lifestyles of each destination.

Their motorhome sleeps 7-8 people and has a kitchenette containing cooking equipment. Each sleeping berth is either fixed or converts from another part of the motorhome’s interior.

A separate washroom with a flush toilet, shower and basin is also housed in the motorhome.

In addition, the cab area has a driver and passenger seat that swivel to become part of the living space.

Jean-Philippe said the reason the family decided to take off in their motorhome was because he and his wife wanted their children to experience the great outdoors and unknown worlds.

Along the way the family usually cooks their own meals but they also like to sample any food they see for sale.

“We like to eat salad, meat, chicken and sandwiches – many types of food really,” Jean-Philippe said.

He said the family is currently enjoying a wonderful time in Laos, and hope to spend a month here before moving on to another country.

They have been captivated by Laos’ beautiful scenery, including the lush greenery, waterfalls and caves, and have also enjoyed learning about the country’s rich culture at temples and monuments.

They have already visited many places in both the south and north, including the provinces of Khammuan, Champassak, Savannakhet, Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Phongsaly, as well as the capital.

Jean-Philippe said he likes Laos very much, finding it to be a very peaceful country filled with friendly people, despite his family often running into communication barriers.

When asked about his children’s education, he said he and his wife are not concerned. Every day, their children spend three hours in the morning undertaking distance learning, sending their homework back to their teachers in France.

“Travelling around the world will also help our children gain invaluable experience and knowledge that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Source - laovoices