The design
The design plan here seems to have worked itself out through the last few sections of this project. In my mind there are now a few points that have become clear.
Design points
- I will keep a focus on my diploma work by visiting permaculture centres, and maintaining occasional/regular power and internet connection
- I'll make the most of my available resources and begin my journey in Northern Thailand
- I''ll accept the offer of a first place to stay from some old friends
- The most practical and effective way to remain in contact with friends and family is through a photo sharing site and blog
- I will make plans to spend much needed time in wild, unspoilt natural places - national parks and remote areas of countryside
- I will change and adapt our travel plans in respect of both of our moods and wellbeing
- We will remain open to any positive opportunities that arise
- We'll maintain a balance between moving and staying still, resting, reflection and adventure.
- Whilst travelling I will be working on plans to develop future income streams to support my family
- To share this learning to the wider world I will create another website for travelling families
You can see some of my scribbling about these points below
a multi layered design
I have come to see that the design for this project will be in several parts. As this project was begun with the intention of planning a conscious design for our own journey across Asia and on-wards, I will create an open design plan of our travels. Expanding on this, and with an intention of holistic learning and growth I will be creating an on-line resource for travelling parents, where I can share my experiences and learning whilst also connecting with others in a similar situation. And after evaluating some of the challenges that I have noted along the way of our journey so far, I will be also creating an on-line photo album and blog of more personal stories for our family and friends, to remain connected whilst away from the UK.
Our open journey outline
Based on all of this that I have been through with this project, I have now a good idea of what to include in our journey.
And that's all I'm going to go with, some idea of these places but as for more planning I'd like to leave that open to see what happens. Right from the start I've thought to combine this trip with developing an income pathway for the future, and so now I am planning on my next project to be all about this, so I think that may lead me to other places once I am out there. And who knows what else may happen.
- Arriving into Chiang Mai I will be staying the first month with our friends and their family. They have children for Ohli to play with, which gives me some spare time and a base where I can study from.
- Panya, Punpun and Tacomepai permaculture centres. I have contacted them and am arranging visiting dates.
- Pai area - I know this to be very beautiful and quite remote in places. This could be a good place for a break from study/work and some nature time.
- Some beach time! I know the South of Thailand pretty well and there's a very nice area on one island which has many yoga centres I'd like to visit
- Khao Sok national park - this is in the South near the islands I'd like to go, I've never been but it's supposed to be a very wild and beautiful place.
And that's all I'm going to go with, some idea of these places but as for more planning I'd like to leave that open to see what happens. Right from the start I've thought to combine this trip with developing an income pathway for the future, and so now I am planning on my next project to be all about this, so I think that may lead me to other places once I am out there. And who knows what else may happen.
Making an on-line travel resource
So as one part of this design will be the creation of another website, I began by brainstorming what I wanted to include on this new site..
Mind map to explore what could be included on the new website as a part of this project
| nims_nomads_map.vue |
I thought this would also be a good opportunity to try out another web hosting site. I have been hearing some positive things about Wordpress, that it is simple to use (a necessary bonus!) and very adaptable. So I began investigating.
I then spent a good few hours getting frustrated, and so have chosen to take the easy route and stick with Weebly. I shall leave wordpress for another time, when I have more time and patience with my computer.
This will be a work in progress for some time, but you can find the site at www.littlenomads.weebly.com
Staying in touch with friends and family
Next I set about developing a blog and photo sharing site for friends and family. I spent ages looking for the best one and trying a few out. Many of them I didn't like as there was so much advertising on them, and I didn't think they looked very creative, nice to look at, or very easy to find your way around the site. This last point is important as it's meant to be mainly for family, and some maybe don't use computers quite so often. I settled for shutterfly in the end, as you can personalise it a lot, it's simple and very easy to use.
You can find that at wanderingbears.shutterfly.com
I then spent a good few hours getting frustrated, and so have chosen to take the easy route and stick with Weebly. I shall leave wordpress for another time, when I have more time and patience with my computer.
This will be a work in progress for some time, but you can find the site at www.littlenomads.weebly.com
Staying in touch with friends and family
Next I set about developing a blog and photo sharing site for friends and family. I spent ages looking for the best one and trying a few out. Many of them I didn't like as there was so much advertising on them, and I didn't think they looked very creative, nice to look at, or very easy to find your way around the site. This last point is important as it's meant to be mainly for family, and some maybe don't use computers quite so often. I settled for shutterfly in the end, as you can personalise it a lot, it's simple and very easy to use.
You can find that at wanderingbears.shutterfly.com
you can see how this all worked out next in the implementation section, here