Travelling and a relationship!

So it's known that quite a large percentage of couples that travel together or take a gap year don't often survive to come back still a couple! this wasn't really a worry of ours we didn't really a think about  it like most Couples don't think about it until it happens. As we travelled and researched stuff for our trip we kept seeing these articles and stories on "how to survive in a relationship while travelling" etc etc it has made me and Luke reflect on our relationship and this trip.......

......When we left England we were so excited but also stressed and tired, getting used to being on the move all the time was hard, we wasn't arguing but there would be the occasional bicker about silly things like ....... having to much stuff in our bags and the weight of the bags, it was so tough carrying them in the heat and of course being tired! We were still getting used to travelling! 

We had worked so hard to be able to do this trip, working all hours, staying up late to research and book things we were so tired by the time we were to leave! and the weeks leading to it were so stressful .... making sure we had everything we needed, having our last jabs, getting our money together etc etc we were just knackered, I was so pleased I had the family around for help and support, my mum is a god send I don't know what we would of done without all her help! Especially when she helped us do the very stressful job of packing our bags ! It just seemed like it was never going to fit ! After a whole afternoon evening of trying to pack it we stopped at around midnight and decided to try Again in the morning! I needed her packing skills and her strictness to tell me to take stuff out ! My dad assisted aswell occasionally putting his opinion in here and there! We got there in the End! I can always count on my mum for everything she's an angel :)) 

Anyway .......so the first month travelling was very exciting for us, getting used to it all etc was a little difficult and that was probly the only time we really bickered :) not long after we got to asia we just got used to travelling, used to packing all the time used to being together and started working really well together :) we were less stressed and really enjoying being together :) we had new bags so didn't need to carry our bags we had ones on wheels that helped a lot! And have also got rid of loads of stuff ! And have a good system of managing our stuff! we now live out of one bag and the other stuff in the other bag is stuff we are not using at that time but will need somewhere along the line in our travels ! and it has worked really well:) we are currently staying in dorms which is a challenge in itself! Not only do you have to live with strangers but you have to put up with there shit everywhere! And we can't sleep together which we hate :( but we have not let it bother us to much and just concentrated on ourselves and having fun and it's working so far! 

We are now in Australia and we really don't know what the key is to staying together but here are our thoughts.......

- before you even leave you need to have agreed on a few activities that you both want to do and do the things you both want so it's even, and be understanding to what the other wants to do.

- spread the luggage evenly! It's hot and one person shouldn't be carrying everything!

- you need to be able to communicate and be able to understand if the other one is pissed off! And not argue about it! Remember it's hot and humid and your patience may not be what they usually are!

- both know what you are doing and when so that one person isn't always guiding the other.

- look after each other and care about each other.

- ENJOY YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER :))

These are just a few things we think you need to enjoy yourselves together! This is a time when you will really see and learn more about the other person and you either love it or hate it !

Luke really is good for me :) he is so calm and so patient with me and he encourages me to do things I may not other wise do, he brings out the best in me and I also encourage Luke to do things he may not do and he says "I make him feel like he doesn't need to worry" :) we bounce off each other very well and I think it works! This trip has definitely made our relationship stronger :) 

We went through a really stressful time to get on this trip and worked hard to get here and now we are here we couldn't be happier :) it's like we have fallen in love all over again :) and we are just really enjoying making these memories together :) we are getting on better then ever and it's making everyday fun and exciting, we are both just super excited about the future and being together, I am pleased we are able to get on so well and we don't know the answer to staying together I suppose if your ment to be your ment be!