Imagine exploring the streets of Shanghai, stopping to buy soup and dumplings from a roadside stand one day, and, weeks later, camping out on a sheet of ice, surrounded by penguins in Antarctica.
That’s just one leg on Erica and Matt Chua’s round-the-world adventure that came to an end just two years ago. The couple, who lived in Plymouth before embarking on their journey in 2010, was profiled in Plymouth Magazine in September 2011. They traveled nonstop until 2013, visiting 38 countries and all seven continents.
After mulling over joining the Peace Corps, the then-28-year-olds thought differently. Within four months’ time, they quit their jobs, sold their cars, bought one-way tickets to Vietnam and didn’t look back.
“It was an incredible journey and one that has changed us forever,” says Erica.
About every four days, the Chuas were in a different city, discovering new places and cultures; they traveled by plane, foot, train and ship.
They backpacked through every climate, took in breathtaking views in Nepal, rode in the luggage rack of a packed train in India, had their ATM cards expire in Hong Kong, listened to singer Shakira nonstop in Bogota and visited 42 of the Angkor Kingdom Temples.
They weren’t simply seeing the sights and doing the “touristy” things; they tried to immerse themselves in the unique culture of each place they landed.
“The reality of going to a country where two-thirds of the population doesn’t have a toilet‒ if you don’t see that, you didn’t really see the country,” Erica says, using India’s (lack of) plumbing system as a specific example.
The pair spent the longest time in India and China, at six and five months, respectively.
“They are so large and so different from north to south,” says Erica. “Shanghai and Beiijing are so different; Shanghai is like New York City on steroids.”
To camp in Antarctica (Matt says the penguins aren’t shy), they traveled three days by ship, leaving from South America and navigating through huge swells created by the convergence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, known as Drake’s Passage.
While they did occasionally get homesick, the couple was able to spend Christmas in Singapore with members of Matt’s family. Plus, they connected with other adventurers everywhere they went.
“There was no shortage of fellow travelers,” Matt says, adding they came into contact with travelers from around the world, including Minnesotans in Ecuador, Brazil and Turkey.
“Minnesotans were widely over-represented,” Matt jokes.
They even met a Minnesotan from their hometown on that ship to Antarctica. She took the couple’s camera home to their parents.
“People love meeting travelers…we have lifelong friends from this trip,” Erica says.
They experienced memorable hospitality in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia.
“They were so friendly, you’d ask for directions and they’d let you in,” Erica recalls.
One of these invitations led to the hosts’ preparing a five-course meal for their guests; another led to tea at a monastery. And even in the more perilous spots, such as Egypt’s Tahrir Sqaure, the center of the 2011 riots, Erica walked around without a headscarf and locals gave her guidance about areas to avoid.
‘The world is not such a scary a place; people want to help,” she says. “That was such a takeaway from the trip.”
“People are curious about you,” adds Matt. “People do like Americans. It’s inspirational. The U.S. is still a dream.”
Traveling is still a dream to Matt and Erica, who have now settled in Minneapolis.
One destination they’re eager to visit is Uganda, to tour the habitats of gorillas.
“The more you see, the more you realize there is to see,” Matt says.
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Travel Tips from Matt and Erica
Thinking about planning a trip? Not sure where you want to go? Here’s what Matt and Erica have to say:
- Best food: China. “I had a positive food experience,” said Erica. “I ate anything that came out.”
- Bank/ATM to use: Charles Schwab. They have ATMs worldwide, with no transaction fees. “I highly recommend them,” Matt said.
- Pack light: The Chuas abide by this well- known rule: Items like toiletries can be purchased anywhere.
- Comfort level: “Know what comfort level you want and how much it costs and where to find those things,” Erica recommends. Also, wear comfy shoes and be “on the same page with your travel partner.”
- Not so cold and barren: Antartica, “It’s gorgeous, the colors that come out of the ice,” Matt says. “It was like winter here.” But not quite as cold. “Minnesota is as cold as it gets.”
- Hot, hot, hot: Phillipines, Indonesida, Singapore. “Most places were really hot,” Erica says.
- Transportation: Use public transportation like trains over taxis. Taxis aren’t as safe, as you don’t have control where the driver takes you.
- Languages: English is spoken almost everywhere. Matt and Erica had no trouble conversing anywhere they went.
