SINGAPORE \u2013 In 2014, Daniel Ng and Gina Cheong backpacked for 10 months <\/b>through lesser-visited destinations including Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia and parts of Central Asia, spending $10,000 each on the whole trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The couple, both 38, regard the journey as one of the greatest adventures of their lives. They married in 2019 and are co-founders of video production company Aww Media.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat overland trip was life-changing. Despite the difficulties, we really enjoyed it and felt that there was a lot to learn from our experience,\u201d says Cheong.<\/p>\n
More than a decade later, they set off on their next great adventure \u2013 this time with their three children in tow. In December 2025, they embarked on an extended journey across the world with Ryden, six; Rylyn, four; and Ryla, two.<\/p>\n
Ng and Cheong had long dreamt of taking their children to explore some of the world\u2019s more remote destinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt like it was the right time. Now, they are not too young, such that it becomes too difficult to travel with all of them, but also not too old, such that they might not be so willing to travel with us,\u201d says Cheong.<\/p>\n
With Ryden due to <\/i><\/b>start primary school in January 2027, the couple felt this would likely be their last opportunity to do a long family trip. Unlike their backpacking days, however, travelling as a family of five requires a different budget.<\/p>\n
During their 2014 journey, where they camped, ate simply and travelled mostly overland, the couple each spent an average of about $40 a day.<\/p>\n
This time, they set aside about $150,000 for the trip, using savings they had accumulated over several years. The sum covers flights, accommodation, activities and day-to-day expenses.<\/p>\n
Cheong says: \u201cWe felt the money could always be earned back later, but this precious time with our children cannot be bought. They are only this young once.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The family\u2019s first stop was Dubai. From there, they travelled through the Middle East, Africa and North America, and <\/b>plan to spend a few months exploring South America on the final leg of their trip.<\/p>\n
Although they had mapped out a broad route, they left much of the itinerary open so they could work around their children\u2019s needs and travel at a comfortable pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the first month of their trip, the family visited the desert in Oman.<\/p>\n PHOTO: GINA CHEONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The prospect of spending a year on the road with three young kids was daunting, says Cheong, speaking to The Straits Times via a video call from Seattle.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe hadn\u2019t really experienced taking care of all three kids without the support we have at home. I was so nervous, I must have gone through the packing list a million times in my head,\u201d she adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n In Singapore, the family live in a four-room Housing Board flat and have a domestic helper. The couple also rely on Ng\u2019s parents for help with caregiving.<\/p>\n Preparation began almost a year before departure. From early 2025, the couple gradually introduced the idea of the trip to their children and extended family. They used family holidays to China, Malaysia and Australia as \u201ctrial runs\u201d to test how the children would cope with extended travel.<\/p>\n Knowing the trip would be physically demanding, both parents built up their strength and stamina.<\/p>\n Cheong signed up for a gym membership in May 2025 <\/i><\/b>and woke up at 5am every weekday to train for six months. Ng exercised at home while undergoing physiotherapy for an old knee injury.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was necessary because we had to carry our children and very heavy bags on this trip. And in case of any emergency or if we found ourselves in a dangerous situation, we needed to have the strength to handle all three kids and run to safety,\u201d Cheong says.<\/p>\n The couple also attended a first aid course and basic self-defence classes to better prepare for emergencies. Their children took trial self-defence classes as well, to build up their confidence.<\/p>\n Gina Cheong with her kids in Ghana. Gina and her husband Daniel had long dreamt of taking their children to explore some of the world\u2019s more remote destinations.<\/p>\n PHOTO: GINA CHEONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Now, roughly seven months into the journey, the family have travelled through 15 countries, including destinations like Morocco, Ethiopia, Jordan and Brazil.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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