Living amidst the scenery — this is the dream of many travelers. And for the elderly couple Zhang, this dream has become a reality. They saved up to buy a motorhome, turned their home into something on four wheels, and embarked on a spontaneous journey of two. Amidst breathtaking landscapes, they felt their hearts touched.
Spending $300,000 on a motorhome to travel in Southeast Asia saves over $20,000 in accommodation costs
Both members of the Zhang couple have just turned fifty this year. Their home is located in the Meijiang area, where a striking motorhome is parked right outside their door. Mr. Zhang told reporters that he bought this motorhome last summer for over $300,000. “Some might think it’s a big expense. We thought long and hard before finally making the decision. This one investment will significantly cut costs for the journeys ahead,” Mrs. Ma, his wife, said.
The Zhangs chose Southeast Asia as their first long-distance destination in the motorhome. From the end of November last year to early April this year, the couple spent over four months traveling through various streets and alleys in Southeast Asian countries. “We sleep in the vehicle every day. For food, aside from local specialties, we usually cook regular meals in the motorhome. Plus, we rarely drive on highways, so we hardly pay any tolls, and vehicle entry fees are very low. So our main expenses are fuel costs,” Mr. Zhang calculated for the reporters. Over those four months, the couple's total expenditure was around $3,500, covering 18,000 kilometers of driving. Thanks to numerous free refueling and recharging points along the way, water and electricity costs were almost negligible. They spent about $1,500 on fuel. And in those four months, they saved over $20,000 on accommodation and about half on dining, “Most importantly, the comfort of the trip wasn’t compromised — in fact, it became even more carefree,” summarized Mrs. Ma.
Road-tripping always offers a five-star experience
During the trip, aside from being captivated by the foreign scenery, interesting people and experiences made the Zhangs fall in love with motorhome travel. Mr. Zhang said he often enjoyed five-star treatment during this journey. “Once, while driving along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, we were simply looking for a place to park overnight. Unexpectedly, we ended up having the prime spot all to ourselves, backed by the Hilton and Sheraton hotels, enjoying the riverside night view. Without traveling by motorhome, this would have been completely out of the question.”
In Cambodia, the couple even nearly adopted a son. Mr. Zhang told reporters that while buying postcards, they met a 12-year-old local boy. The boy volunteered to help them buy local specialties at prices half of the market rate, and in return, the couple often let him rest in the vehicle and shared Chinese food with him. On the day before the couple’s departure, the boy actually took their hands and asked to become their godson. In Mr. Zhang’s words, that was the taste of human connection — happiness that welled up from the heart.