Our two favorite adventurers, Kim Farrell and Mady Johnston, had a crazy idea last summer. They quit their respective jobs and hocked all their belongings to begin a devil-may-care journey around the world. The recap? 13 months, 10 countries, 56 flights, 40 boats, 6 bags and later—the adventure has come to an end (for now) and the girls are back in Kansas City jumping back into life as they once knew it. But this time, with a world of experience(s) in their back pocket.
We’re checking in with the girls one last time to hear the best of the best from their journey. Have any questions for the girls? Or just want to say hi and welcome them back to the real world? Kim and Mady will be at The Roasterie at 1204 W. 27th Street in Kansas City on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Currently in: Kansas City
Top five things you ate:
- Urap Urap (Indonesia)
- Green Curry (Thailand)
- Aloo Chat (India)
- Coconut Sambol (Sri Lanka)
- Bahn Mi (Vietnam)
Top five things you packed:
- Waterproof Reef Slides: we wore these cute multipurpose (and waterproof!) slides in the airport, going out to the beach and to all of our temple outings
- Lush Shampoo/Conditioner bars: sustainable and environmentally friendly shampoo and conditioner bars
- External battery: literally used this everyday
- Outlet converter: This one works in EVERY country around the world and has two USB inputs.
- Scarves: great for planes, pop of color, temple coverage and fun functional souvenir
Top experience in each country:
- Ha Giang Loop (Vietnam)
- Infinity Pool overlooking Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Diving with Whale Sharks (Philippines)
- Elephant Sanctuary (Thailand)
- New Year’s Eve in Sydney (Australia)
- Yoga school and Holi celebration (India)—honestly, it’s a toss-up both were epic
- Adam’s Peak Trek (Sri Lanka)
- Flores Island Hopping (Indonesia)
Top five pieces of advice:
- You don’t need to travel the world to find yourself. You have everything you need right now. Just allow yourself the time and space to do it. Fully acknowledging this is easier said than done.
- Invest in a good travel card and start racking up points! We recommend and swear by the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- Taking time for yourself shouldn’t be seen as selfish. It’s the best gift you can give yourself.
- Traveling can be as expensive or inexpensive as you make it.
- A slower pace of life doesn’t mean a boring life.
Final Wizard of Oz Tally: 108 (but likely more)
While we know Kansas City has a lot to offer, the majority of the world immediately affiliates us with one thing—The Wizard of Oz. We did our best to keep a real-time tracker of all the Dorothy, Toto, and tornado references made to us along the way, but—if we’re being honest—we definitely missed a few.
When someone asked where Kansas was, our favorite response was, “Oh, you may have heard of Kansas through The Wizard of Oz. It’s a well-known documentary about our hometown.”
Next up?
Mady: “I don’t think it will come as a shock to anyone when I say that Australia has stolen my heart. For so many reasons. I’ve wanted to try out living in Australia for a few years now, and with all my stuff in boxes, no home and no responsibilities in the US—there really is no better time than now.
I am going to Australia on a work holiday visa, meaning I can work and travel while leaving the country as many times as I want for up to a year. Lucky for me, I’m arriving in Sydney at the end of October which lines up with the beginning of beach weather and summer holidays. Did I plan that? Obviously.
Kim: “Time has come for me to swap out my swimsuits for jeans and a light jacket, Kansas City is calling me back home! My plan is to soak up the last few months of 2019 with friends, family and explore our city. Oh, and start looking for a J-O-B! I suppose that is important as well.
I’m going to miss chasing the sun with my partner in crime. Not to worry though her new moves already sounds like an Australian reunion will be coming in the near future!”
Continue following the girls and where they go next on Instagram via @aboutlastflight and @kimfarrell10.