Close Menu
    South East Asia

    Back to Reality: What Happens After Long-Term Travel?



    Back to Reality: What Happens After Long-Term Travel?

    After nearly 200 days of traveling around Southeast Asia, I was tired. Travel fatigue? Maybe. But two weeks After spending nearly 200 days backpacking across Southeast Asia, I finally made the decision to come home. Why? Travel fatigue? Boredom? A desperate need for a proper bed and a decent cup of tea? Probably all of the above.

    In this vlog, I take you on a walk around Eastbourne Park in Darlington, reflecting on what it’s really like to return home after months of travel. From the reverse culture shock to the ridiculous cost of everything (seriously, £10 for a meal deal?!), I talk about how it feels to swap the chaos of Southeast Asia for the quiet streets of the UK.

    I also dive into a bit of local history, explaining why this area was built in 1851 for railway workers—back when you couldn’t vote unless you owned a house!

    And, of course, I share the real reason I came back—because my entire travel setup is falling apart. My camera? Dead. My watch? Broken. My headphones? Barely hanging on.

    So while I save up for new gear and my next adventure, I’ve taken up a familiar side job—doing deliveries on a pushbike. After a year off cycling, let’s just say… it’s not going well.

    If you’ve ever returned home after a long trip, let me know—how did you adjust? And if you see a guy struggling on a bike with a delivery bag, well… that’s probably me.

    I am an older backpacker travelling the world proving that backpacking is not just for the younger generation.

    If you would like to support my adventures: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/army057D

    Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olderbackpacker22

    If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment and subscribe to the channel.

    #LongTermTravel #BackpackingLife #ReverseCultureShock #TravelVlog #LifeAfterTravel

    40 Comments

    1. @philipbendall3256 on

      Love your comment” a proper bed and a decent cup of tea”, I have been a regular traveller to SE Aisa since 79. It all started when my mates in London were going to Sapin, I went for my summer holiday to Bangladesh then on the Bangkok. Since then I have worked in Belgium, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, now NZ is home. Always good to be home, but I am sure like me you will start thinking about the next trip.

    2. @LessPisssssssssssssed on

      Is that really normality because in watching your video I don’t even see any people anywhere. that is exactly what is not normal about the West anymore. People hide out all the time because they’re scared. that is exactly the life I don’t wanna live anymore. I wanna live somewhere where I see families in the street with their children.Where I see little kids outside playing and having fun. There is something extremely broken in America and in Europe.

    4. @LessPisssssssssssssed on

      Good luck to you either way,
      But please just remember that just because you are raised somewhere doesn’t necessarily mean that that is still your home . Because there is no part of America that feels like my home anymore. That America doesn’t exist anymore and from what I can see it doesn’t exist in Europe anymore either.

    5. @laurenwhitwell5368 on

      People’s definition of reality differs. If he’s happy coming home and spending time with his friends then let him. No one has the right to judge what other people are doing based on what they would do with their own life. If you’re that concerned about other people then I think you need a reality check yourself. The world is a different place now. Adapt or bugger off

    7. @no_professional12 on

      It's been cold recently, must be a shock to the system to come from that part of the world back to this!

      Some years ago I returned from 6 months travelling in SE Asia in mid-September (so the weather shock wasn't bad). However returning from an incredible 6 months of fun & adventure to unemployment, debt & living with family was something I wouldn't want to do again.

    9. @Edwin1952-u3b on

      Good to see you posting again! Remember that each day is unique, will not be lived ever again by any of us, so enjoy your days, and thanks for bringing us along with you too via your videos! Good Luck mate…

    10. @SilverfoxJB on

      I am glad to see you back home and the burden lifted. Recharge your self, replace the old tech and remember why you travel. Stay safe and wrap up warm!

    11. @TS-pq8km on

      Thanks for another wonderful video mate. I enjoyed googling Darlington and seeing where you were walking. I was particularly impressed with the building on the edge of the park. My search suggests it was a care home. (Was I right).
      A great cure for being at home is planning your next trip.
      Take good care of yourself

    15. @opagodaswirling9383 on

      Glad to see you on the air again , Stu. Hope Darlo works its magic on you and that the delivery job brings in funds. The pedaling should get you ready for future expeditions . Regards to Ritchie if you see him . Good health .

    17. @skippy6462 on

      Interested to know if you took a bus or train (combo) from Heathrow to Darlington? What websites or apps did you use? I'm planning my trip and weighing up time and costs etc btw I'm in Darlington so hope I see you around! I'll wave if I do 😊

    19. @marksanderson8827 on

      Didn't mention the weather Stu! Ha ha, dont get me wrong it is nice to get a lungful of cold fresh air when youve been over there, but doesnt take me long to miss that lovely warm air. Good luck with your delivering fella

    20. @VictorPeter on

      I hope you continue to show us around your neighbourhood & nearby town districts, less known to us in Southeast Asia. Show us where to go to for the most traditional Fsh&Chips in northeast of UK.

    32. @paulwilson2968 on

      I know where your coming from , I'm doing my usual get out of UK for winter trip , half way through 6 months , as I have being doing more or less for the past 20+ years 👍, yes it gets harder ,days when I have had enough ( it's not easy ) but their are days I would not swap for anything , if I stay in UK I become , comfortably num , , by the by I am based a few miles from yourself

    33. @c.s.mcleod7383 on

      I visited England/Scotland in August 1979. I thought I'd love to move there when I retired,if I only could afford it! It seemed a far more expensive country than Canada. It is so clean and civilized. I'm 70 now. I relocated in my retirement in the Philipinnes. It's affordable. I love the culture in England. Hopping a train and going to Lingfield for the horse races.

    34. @BuddhaL0rd on

      It's great to hear from you again Stu, grateful on reaching 4k subs, well earned.

      I'm looking forward to you posting stuff again, be good to see how you are readjusting to being back in old blighty 😊

    35. @Jimontherun on

      You are an idiot coming back to the UK, I've travelled SEA extensively and i must admit there's
      times when you get the urge to come home but home to what. migrant hotels ,uncontroable street crime, shlt weather, a government that doesn't have a clue,if you have sense get your arse out of the UK,you will thank me later.

    38. @theghostknife3214 on

      I am moving back to Darlo temporarily mate, after living in the US for the past 26 years. I plan on permanently moving to Spain in 2027. I can’t handle the English weather anymore, so hence why I am looking at Spain. I am flying to the UK in 2 weeks, to sort out the logistics of the move. 👍

    Leave A Reply