Congratulations to Iden and best wishes for his new business located in "Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Wow. While the Elliott family has watched him grow up and is therefore at least somewhat prepared for this transition, looking at this information from the point of view of a 76 year old reader has my head spinning with the changes that have happened over the past 50 years or so. When I was Iden's age, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam was still Saigon and the center of a horrible war zone. While scars remain from that war among many people in my age group, it is comforting that that city and its people are living normal lives at peace and that a young American adult can decide to live and work there. I hope we hear from and about Iden as he takes this first step in a career.
Chris!!!, are you nuts!? Way braver than I am! lol We will miss Iden. Your input will be missed, but I'm sure Chris will keep it pertinent, interesting & more important, help for all us who read you every day.
Tom, let's just put it this way: I can't stop him. He's 18. I'm sending him out into the world with a graduate degree and a job, so I think he'll be fine. But I will definitely miss my boy.
I have been wondering all this time where your daughter has been.
Somehow I must have missed how you and your boys ended up on what I didn't even realize was an 'assignment.'
Please update us on your daughter and your plans for the immediate future.
I have been following you since 2008 when in desperation I contacted you because we were 'bumped from our Egypt Tour on December 31 - 7 days before our departure!'
Fortunately our problem was solved by the time you responded after the NEW YEARS holiday!
It is amazing what calling 'Company big-wigs' on their private phone numbers can do!
Haven't needed to follow your more constructive process since and have ended up enjoying many more trips with that same company - even back to Egypt again!
Have loved your podcasts, good luck to Iden and if I can only visit one city - I agree, London it is!
Hi Carol, my daughter is living with her mother in New York. Aren and I have a big project and that we are working on right now, and I can't wait to tell you more about it. It launches in early November.
Congratulations to Iden on his new adventure! As the mother of a 21-year-old, I know how hard to see them go, but wonderful at the same time. I have enjoyed your podcast, and loved your project - traveling the world with your sons. It sounded like a dream job. You are very fortunate to have had that time together. Good luck to you all, and I look forward to keep reading and listening to your great travel stories and advice, and hearing about Iden's Vietnam adventure!
Thank you, and good luck to you, too. I don't mind my boy going off and doing his own thing, but ... Vietnam? That's so far away. I'm afraid I won't see him for a long time.
Yes, it is a long way. I would have a hard time, too. Hopefully you can find ways to visit - maybe Asia will become your go-to region? Hang in there, as they say in Japan, "Gambatte, ne?"
Of course you are going to miss Iden! He has been part of your life since he was born 18? years ago. If you have been a loving, involved parent, it's hard to see your child off to college or other adventures. You are going to miss Iden very much, far more than he misses you, I'm sad to say. But that's okay, that's the way it was meant to be as your little chick now flies from the nest to test his own wings.
Iden has had such a fantastic education by traveling the world with you, you have prepared him well for just this flight from homebase.
You will miss your son very much but you will be so proud of all his successes, small and large. The blueness you feel now will pass as you enjoy watching Iden thrive and grow.
Wishing you, Iden and your entire family much love and happiness in this next chapter of your lives.
Well, that's what a parent is supposed to do. Raise your children to be independent and go out into the world and conquer it. But it's hard to see them sail away, to be so far from you.
Chin up, Chris. You and Aren will continue to have adventures and hopefully one coming soon will be to visit Iden in Ho Chi Minh City to admire the life he has put together there.
It's tough to be separated from children who have become so much part of your life. Perhaps it won't be for long.
Good luck, Iden! We wish you much success and happiness with your new adventure
Bittersweet goodbye and good luck. How will we hear about our remaining vagabonds' adventures now? We will miss you all and these personal insights - change is always hard but as Fred Rogers said: when you come to the end of something, you find that you're at the beginning of something else.
I know Joe! It is good to see he is still doing well. 15 years ago it was a watermelon! Enjoy the castle across the street from your hotel. At the left of the hotel across the street from the palace garden is Doshisha high school and college, school is for Japanese students with classes in English
A new chapter in the book of life for Iden! Wish him all the best in all the adventures & dreams ahead of him.Chris you are an amazing father. The life lessons you have gifted your children are priceless. They will no doubt make you very proud.
Apologies – brevity won’t be the case in this goodbye!
Your podcasts have been a highlight of each week. I’ve learned about new places to explore, and discovered new insights to places I’ve been. We’ve booked Qatar and Basel thanks to your podcasts. There’s always been a laugh or two with the boys’ comments, and how fun it is when you three end up laughing with each other.
Chris, it has been a joy to hear the stories and see the photos of the time you have spent traveling with Aren and Iden. Your pride and profound love for your boys has been evident in every podcast and photo. Becoming global citizens, accepting and adapting to diffierent cultures around the world, is perhaps one of the greatest gifts you have given your sons.
Iden, as you embark on your new chapter, Mitch and I wish you profound happiness and success. You have achieved so much and we know that you will surpass goals you haven’t even set yet. The world is waiting for you, Iden, be safe and travel well.
It is sad to say goodbye to Iden, both for you, the father, and for us, the Elliotites, who have traveled and grown with your boys. Please continue to let us travel along!
Sam, thanks so much to you and Mitch for being part of our adventure. We had such a great time seeing Mitch in Auckland. I couldn't get through your comment without getting a little teary-eyed. I'll be introducing our next project soon, and, with a little luck, Iden will also be a part of it.
Congratulations to Iden and best wishes for his new business located in "Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Wow. While the Elliott family has watched him grow up and is therefore at least somewhat prepared for this transition, looking at this information from the point of view of a 76 year old reader has my head spinning with the changes that have happened over the past 50 years or so. When I was Iden's age, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam was still Saigon and the center of a horrible war zone. While scars remain from that war among many people in my age group, it is comforting that that city and its people are living normal lives at peace and that a young American adult can decide to live and work there. I hope we hear from and about Iden as he takes this first step in a career.
Thanks, Linda. We'll keep you posted on Iden's whereabouts. I hope he'll be back to visit us soon.
Congratulations Iden (and the rest of you for supporting him)! May you find much success in your adventures along with happiness!
How cool that you got to share this fantastic trip with your boys and do this podcast with them.
From one dad of 2 boys to another - a time to be cherished!
safe travels and good luck to Iden on his new adventure.
Chiangmai Jon
Chiangai Jon, many thanks. It was great to meet you when we were in Thailand.
Chris!!!, are you nuts!? Way braver than I am! lol We will miss Iden. Your input will be missed, but I'm sure Chris will keep it pertinent, interesting & more important, help for all us who read you every day.
Tom, let's just put it this way: I can't stop him. He's 18. I'm sending him out into the world with a graduate degree and a job, so I think he'll be fine. But I will definitely miss my boy.
Best of everything to Iden. Please keep us updated on his life in Vietnam.
I will. Thank you.
Congratulations to Iden and good luck in your new venture.
Good luck, Iden, and stay safe.
I have been wondering all this time where your daughter has been.
Somehow I must have missed how you and your boys ended up on what I didn't even realize was an 'assignment.'
Please update us on your daughter and your plans for the immediate future.
I have been following you since 2008 when in desperation I contacted you because we were 'bumped from our Egypt Tour on December 31 - 7 days before our departure!'
Fortunately our problem was solved by the time you responded after the NEW YEARS holiday!
It is amazing what calling 'Company big-wigs' on their private phone numbers can do!
Haven't needed to follow your more constructive process since and have ended up enjoying many more trips with that same company - even back to Egypt again!
Have loved your podcasts, good luck to Iden and if I can only visit one city - I agree, London it is!
Hi Carol, my daughter is living with her mother in New York. Aren and I have a big project and that we are working on right now, and I can't wait to tell you more about it. It launches in early November.
I am having trouble posting a comment on the Oct 13 timeshare story.
I want to make sure you see this:
A VERY SIMILAR case is on today's (Sat Oct 14) TUG (Timeshare Users Group) website which I read just before reading this article.
The only difference seems to be where the purchased timeshare (Las Vegas vs Hawaii) is located - but same company, Hilton.
Very, very questionable that there are two almost identical cases posted a day apart?
Congratulations to Iden on his new adventure! As the mother of a 21-year-old, I know how hard to see them go, but wonderful at the same time. I have enjoyed your podcast, and loved your project - traveling the world with your sons. It sounded like a dream job. You are very fortunate to have had that time together. Good luck to you all, and I look forward to keep reading and listening to your great travel stories and advice, and hearing about Iden's Vietnam adventure!
Thank you, and good luck to you, too. I don't mind my boy going off and doing his own thing, but ... Vietnam? That's so far away. I'm afraid I won't see him for a long time.
Yes, it is a long way. I would have a hard time, too. Hopefully you can find ways to visit - maybe Asia will become your go-to region? Hang in there, as they say in Japan, "Gambatte, ne?"
Of course you are going to miss Iden! He has been part of your life since he was born 18? years ago. If you have been a loving, involved parent, it's hard to see your child off to college or other adventures. You are going to miss Iden very much, far more than he misses you, I'm sad to say. But that's okay, that's the way it was meant to be as your little chick now flies from the nest to test his own wings.
Iden has had such a fantastic education by traveling the world with you, you have prepared him well for just this flight from homebase.
You will miss your son very much but you will be so proud of all his successes, small and large. The blueness you feel now will pass as you enjoy watching Iden thrive and grow.
Wishing you, Iden and your entire family much love and happiness in this next chapter of your lives.
Thank you, Nancy.
Well, that's what a parent is supposed to do. Raise your children to be independent and go out into the world and conquer it. But it's hard to see them sail away, to be so far from you.
Chin up, Chris. You and Aren will continue to have adventures and hopefully one coming soon will be to visit Iden in Ho Chi Minh City to admire the life he has put together there.
It's tough to be separated from children who have become so much part of your life. Perhaps it won't be for long.
Good luck, Iden! We wish you much success and happiness with your new adventure
Nancy, thank you for your encouraging note. I'm feeling a little blue right now but I will be OK. I'm going to miss my son very much.
Congratulations Iden, and best wishes on your new venture! The articles on Japan brought back a lot of old memories for me.
Bittersweet goodbye and good luck. How will we hear about our remaining vagabonds' adventures now? We will miss you all and these personal insights - change is always hard but as Fred Rogers said: when you come to the end of something, you find that you're at the beginning of something else.
Cheers
I know Joe! It is good to see he is still doing well. 15 years ago it was a watermelon! Enjoy the castle across the street from your hotel. At the left of the hotel across the street from the palace garden is Doshisha high school and college, school is for Japanese students with classes in English
We'll check it out. Joe was great. What a terrific tour guide and a nice guy, too.
A new chapter in the book of life for Iden! Wish him all the best in all the adventures & dreams ahead of him.Chris you are an amazing father. The life lessons you have gifted your children are priceless. They will no doubt make you very proud.
Thank you. I'm sure Iden will do great!
Apologies – brevity won’t be the case in this goodbye!
Your podcasts have been a highlight of each week. I’ve learned about new places to explore, and discovered new insights to places I’ve been. We’ve booked Qatar and Basel thanks to your podcasts. There’s always been a laugh or two with the boys’ comments, and how fun it is when you three end up laughing with each other.
Chris, it has been a joy to hear the stories and see the photos of the time you have spent traveling with Aren and Iden. Your pride and profound love for your boys has been evident in every podcast and photo. Becoming global citizens, accepting and adapting to diffierent cultures around the world, is perhaps one of the greatest gifts you have given your sons.
Iden, as you embark on your new chapter, Mitch and I wish you profound happiness and success. You have achieved so much and we know that you will surpass goals you haven’t even set yet. The world is waiting for you, Iden, be safe and travel well.
It is sad to say goodbye to Iden, both for you, the father, and for us, the Elliotites, who have traveled and grown with your boys. Please continue to let us travel along!
Sam, thanks so much to you and Mitch for being part of our adventure. We had such a great time seeing Mitch in Auckland. I couldn't get through your comment without getting a little teary-eyed. I'll be introducing our next project soon, and, with a little luck, Iden will also be a part of it.