Our Story Family Eitan Journey Gallery Sumatra Europe Vietnam Cambodia Videos Follow Us
THAILAND
Beyond the Rat Race Chris, Helen & Eitan's Leap of Faith

Beyond the
Rat Race

England → Thailand · January 2027

We're a family from England trading the 9-to-5 grind, the mortgage treadmill and grey skies for a new life in Thailand — and we're bringing you along for every honest, messy, wonderful step.

Scroll

The Ashley-Davies departure

Friday, 15th January 2027 · England → Thailand

Days
·
Hours
·
Minutes
·
Seconds
Months
Weeks
Journey planned
Progress to departure —%
Decision made · Apr 2026 Departure · 15 Jan 2027
Who we are

A family done with doing what they're told

We're Chris, Helen, and Eitan — a family from England who got tired of the same old story: work harder, earn more, spend it all on things that don't really matter. Life felt like a hamster wheel with very good branding.

Our son Eitan is 11 years old and autistic — a brilliant, curious boy who sees the world differently and beautifully. The UK school system, the rat race, the endless grey January mornings — none of it was built for him. And honestly, we weren't sure it was built for us either.

So we decided to leave. Over the next 12 months, we're planning, saving, selling up and making our way to Thailand — with every step documented here for you to follow. The highs, the lows, the moments where we question everything.

We're not influencers. We're not selling a dream. We're just a family who said "enough" — and meant it.

See our 12-month plan
📸 Instagram 📺 YouTube
Meet the adventurers

Chris, Helen & Eitan

Chris Ashley">

Chris Ashley

Dad · The Planner

Fed up with the rat race and determined to show his family a bigger, freer life. The one with spreadsheets for every scenario and a dream he absolutely refuses to let go of.

Helen Davies

Helen Davies

Mum · The Heart of It All

The warmth, the wisdom, and the voice of reason in this family. Equal parts terrified and thrilled — and absolutely ready to write a brand new chapter.

Eitan Ashley

Eitan Ashley

Son · The Star of the Show

11 years old, autistic, and the whole reason this adventure exists. Eitan sees the world in a way most of us can only dream of — and Thailand is just the beginning for him.

Eitan's World

Autism, adventure
and a one-way ticket

Eitan is 11 years old, autistic, and the whole reason this journey exists. This is his corner of the site — a place to share what we've learned, what we're planning, and what life with Eitan truly looks like.

"He doesn't need to be fixed. He needs a world big enough for who he already is."

— Chris & Helen
Who Eitan is

Seeing the world differently

We don't talk about autism as a list of challenges. Eitan has a brilliant, specific, wonderful mind — and these are just some of the things that make him extraordinary.

🔍

Remarkable focus

When something captures Eitan's interest, his depth of knowledge and concentration go far beyond what most adults manage.

💚

Deep honesty

Eitan says what he means and means what he says. In a world full of noise, that clarity is a genuine gift.

💡

Pattern thinking

He spots connections and patterns that others miss entirely — a way of seeing the world that we find endlessly fascinating.

Genuine joy

When Eitan loves something, he loves it completely and without self-consciousness. His enthusiasm is pure and totally contagious.

Our thinking

Why Thailand for an autistic child?

We didn't pick Thailand at random. We've spent months researching what it could offer Eitan specifically — here's what convinced us.

1

Pace of life

Life in Thailand moves at a gentler pace. Less sensory overwhelm, less rushing, more space to breathe. That matters enormously for Eitan.

2

Cultural warmth toward children

Thai culture is genuinely warm and patient. Eitan's differences are far less likely to be met with impatience or judgment than in the UK.

3

International schools

Several schools in Chiang Mai and Bangkok have strong SEN programmes — some specifically experienced with autism.

4

Expat autism community

There's a well-established network of expat families with autistic children in Thailand. We won't be navigating this alone.

5

Outdoor freedom

Warm weather, nature, and open space have been shown to benefit autistic children significantly. Thailand has all of this in abundance.

6

A fresh start

Eitan arrives in Thailand as himself — curious, bright, and free from the labels that can follow a child through an English school system.

Our preparation

What we're doing to get ready

Moving abroad with an autistic child takes real planning. Here's our honest checklist — updated as we go, so other families can follow the same path.

Done

Research international schools in Chiang Mai & Bangkok

We've identified schools with documented SEN programmes and made initial contact with two in Chiang Mai.

In progress

Connect with other autism families already in Thailand

We've joined several Facebook groups and are arranging video calls with families who've already made the move.

In progress

Obtain Eitan's formal documentation & EHCP summary

International schools will need copies of Eitan's Education, Health and Care Plan. We're getting certified copies prepared.

To do

Visit schools in person before committing

We plan a recce trip to Thailand before the full move — meeting Eitan's prospective school in person is non-negotiable for us.

To do

Research Thai therapists & support services

Finding OT, speech therapy and other support Eitan currently accesses — ensuring continuity of care in Thailand.

To do

Prepare Eitan with visual stories & travel practice

Social stories, Google Street View walks and practice airport runs will help Eitan feel safe about what's coming.

You're not alone

For other families like ours

If you're a family with an autistic child thinking about a similar move — or already abroad and want to connect — this site is for you too.

School guides

Everything we learn about SEN-friendly schools in Thailand, shared openly

Honest updates

The hard days and the brilliant ones — no highlight reel, just the truth

Family connections

A space to connect families making this same leap

Eitan's voice

As we go, Eitan will share his own experiences in his own words

The honest bit

We don't have all the answers

We want to be clear about something: we're not experts. We're parents who love their son and are doing the best research they can. Some of this will go brilliantly. Some of it won't.

We're not selling a dream. We're documenting a real family, making a real decision, for real reasons — and that includes all the moments where we're scared, unsure, or getting it wrong.

"Every family with an autistic child knows that the world wasn't built with your kid in mind. We decided to go find the part of it that fits him better."

If you're on a similar path, or you just want to follow along and cheer us on, we'd love to have you here.

The plan

The Road to Thailand

From the moment we decided, to a 3-month Bangkok trial, to making it permanent — here's the road we're walking.

📍
Now · April–May 2026

The Decision is Made

Chris and Helen have said it out loud. The family is going. The research marathon has begun, this website is live, and there's no turning back now.

In progress
📦
Months 2–4 · June–August 2026

Sell, Declutter, Downsize

The house, the car, the stuff. Everything that doesn't fit in a suitcase gets sold, donated, or let go of — and we'll document every cathartic moment of it.

🏫
Months 4–6 · August–October 2026

Planning for Eitan

Finding the right school in Thailand, connecting with the expat autism community, and making absolutely sure Eitan has everything he needs to thrive.

✈️
Months 7–8 · November 2026

Recce Trip to Thailand

A scouting trip to visit schools, find a home base, and let Eitan experience Thailand before the big move. This trip is non-negotiable.

🌏
Months 9–11 · November–December 2026

Visas, Finances & Final Prep

Navigating Thai visas, sorting remote income, tying up every last loose end in England, and saying our goodbyes properly.

🥳
January 2027 · Bangkok Trial

Bangkok — The 3-Month Trial

We fly to Bangkok in January 2027 for 3 months to properly test how life works for our family before making the permanent move later that year. Schools, routines, community — we're doing this properly.

🏡
Mid–Late 2027 · The Permanent Move

Thailand — For Good

Armed with 3 months of real experience, we make it permanent. A home, a school, a community. The rat race is officially behind us.

🌺

Free Resource

Thailand Move Planner — Autism Family Guide

We built this tool to help families like ours plan a move to Thailand with an autistic child. Checklists, resources, Thai phrases, an emergency card and more — all in one place.

Open the Planner →
Our Adventures

Sahara Desert — Tunisia · March 2026

From the ancient Roman amphitheatre at El Jem, through palm oases and dusty desert villages, across golden dunes by camel and 4x4, to the original Star Wars film sets of Tatooine — and ending with a Sahara sunset that stopped us all in our tracks.

This is what life beyond the rat race looks like. Tunisia, March 2026.

Arriving over Tunisia

Arriving over Tunisia

The Mediterranean coast from the air as we fly in ✈️

El Jem Amphitheatre

El Jem Amphitheatre

Africa's answer to the Colosseum — 3rd century Roman history 🏟️

Inside El Jem

Inside El Jem

Ancient corridors unchanged for nearly 2,000 years 🏛️

Eitan at El Jem

Eitan at El Jem

That smile says it all — Eitan loving every second 😁

Tunisian Desert

Tunisian Desert

The dramatic landscape as we head south toward the Sahara 🏔️

Palm Oasis by Cart

Palm Oasis by Cart

Riding through a lush palm oasis by horse-drawn cart 🌴

Village Life

Village Life

Through a desert village — a world away from England 🐎

Desert Convoy

Desert Convoy

Our convoy of 4x4s lined up at the edge of the dunes 🚙

Into the Sahara

Into the Sahara

Tearing across the Sahara — dunes as far as the eye can see 🏜️

Dune Bashing

Dune Bashing

Heart-in-mouth dune bashing — Eitan absolutely loved it 🎢

Endless Dunes

Endless Dunes

The vast, silent beauty of the Sahara from camelback 🌊

Camel Caravan

Camel Caravan

Our caravan framed through the decorated cart canopy 🐪

The Camel Trek

The Camel Trek

The whole family on camelback across the golden dunes 🐫

New Friends

New Friends

Getting up very close and personal with a Sahara camel 😄

Eitan on Tatooine!

Eitan on Tatooine!

Eitan at the original Star Wars film set — the actual Tatooine ⭐

Star Wars & Camels

Star Wars & Camels

Camels at the Star Wars set — like stepping into the films 🎬

The Tatooine Set

The Tatooine Set

The iconic domed buildings used in the original Star Wars 🏛️

Golden Hour at the Set

Golden Hour at the Set

The Tatooine set glowing in the desert sun 🌞

Sahara Sunset

Sahara Sunset

The most breathtaking sunset — reflected in the salt lake 🌅

Helen at Golden Hour

Helen at Golden Hour

Helen in the Sahara at golden hour — one for the memory box 💛

El Jem Amphitheatre

El Jem Amphitheatre

Africa's answer to the Colosseum glowing in the morning sun 🏟️

Tunisian Doorway

Tunisian Doorway

An ornate green door — the colour and detail is extraordinary 🟢

Our Hotel in Tunisia

Our Hotel in Tunisia

The view from our balcony — palm trees, pool and the Mediterranean 🌊

Hover over photos to see captions · More adventures to come

Our Adventures

Sumatra & Bali — June 2023

Into the rainforest of Sumatra to trek for wild orangutans, spot elephants and cross jungle rivers — then out to the beaches and colour of Bali. One of the most extraordinary trips we've ever taken as a family.

June 2023 · Bukit Lawang · Mount Sinabung · Bali

Sunset from the Plane

Sunset from the Plane

A jaw-dropping sunset from the plane window — heading to adventure 🌅

Mount Sinabung, Sumatra

Mount Sinabung, Sumatra

The dramatic Sinabung volcano rising above the Sumatran jungle 🌋

Sinabung Village

Sinabung Village

The abandoned village at the foot of the volcano 🌋

Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang

The Bohorok River at Bukit Lawang — gateway to the jungle 🏞️

Wild Monkeys

Wild Monkeys

Wild monkeys spotted deep in the Sumatran rainforest 🐒

Wild Orangutan

Wild Orangutan

A wild Sumatran orangutan high in the jungle canopy 🦧

Orangutan & Baby

Orangutan & Baby

A mother orangutan and her baby in the wild — utterly breathtaking 🦧

Orangutan in the Wild

Orangutan in the Wild

A wild Sumatran orangutan in her natural habitat 🦧

Peace in the Jungle

Peace in the Jungle

Helen soaking up the stillness of a Sumatran jungle river 🌿

Chris River Crossing

Chris River Crossing

Chris wading through a crystal-clear Sumatran river 🏞️

Eitan in the Jungle

Eitan in the Jungle

Eitan playing Nintendo in a jungle café — living his best life 🎮

Wild Elephants!

Wild Elephants!

Wild Sumatran elephants — mother and baby in the jungle 🐘

Eitan Meets an Elephant

Eitan Meets an Elephant

Eitan face to face with a wild elephant — pure magic 🐘

Eitan & Baby Elephant

Eitan & Baby Elephant

Eitan's reaction to the baby elephants says absolutely everything 🐘

Eitan in Bali

Eitan in Bali

That smile — Eitan totally at home in Bali ☀️

Bali Coastline

Bali Coastline

Traditional outrigger boats on the calm Bali sea 🚤

Bali Beach

Bali Beach

Eitan on a beautiful Bali beach at golden hour 🏖️

Helen & Eitan in Bali

Helen & Eitan in Bali

Helen and Eitan at a colourful Bali beach bar 🌺

Bali Nights

Bali Nights

Eitan by the pool at our Bali hotel — Switch in hand of course 🌙

Family on the Beach

Family on the Beach

Helen and Eitan strolling along the Bali shoreline 🌊

Eitan in Bali

Eitan in Bali

Eitan with a banana leaf hat — the happiest boy in Bali 😄

Bali Sunset

Bali Sunset

A perfect Bali sunset over the fishing boats 🌅

Eitan & the Volcano

Eitan & the Volcano

Eitan laughing in front of a volcano — this is the life 🌋

Hover over photos to see captions · More adventures to come

Our Adventures

Vietnam — November 2018

From the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City to the misty karsts of Ha Long Bay, the jungle treehouses of Ninh Binh and the white sand beaches of Phu Quoc — Vietnam hit us like a freight train. Beautiful, raw and utterly unforgettable.

November 2018 · Ho Chi Minh City · Ninh Binh · Ha Long Bay · Phu Quoc

Beach Hut View, Phu Quoc

Beach Hut View, Phu Quoc

Helen chilling in the beach hut with a cold beer and a view that does all the talking 🍺

Sunset, Phu Quoc

Sunset, Phu Quoc

A perfect island sunset from our private beach on Phu Quoc 🌅

Boat Trip, Phu Quoc

Boat Trip, Phu Quoc

Chris and Eitan on a traditional wooden boat as the golden hour hits 🚢

Eitan at the Beach Hut

Eitan at the Beach Hut

Eitan doing his best impression of someone who lives here permanently 🌴

Eitan Exploring

Eitan Exploring

The little explorer checking out every corner of our jungle beach hut 🌿

Sunset Room, Phu Quoc

Sunset Room, Phu Quoc

Helen and Eitan watching the sunset from our beachfront room — life is good 🌊

Family Dinner, Vietnam

Family Dinner, Vietnam

A family selfie over dinner — Eitan pulling the strong man pose 💪

Ha Long Bay Sunset

Ha Long Bay Sunset

A jaw-dropping golden sunset over the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay 🌅

Ha Long Bay Panorama

Ha Long Bay Panorama

Looking out over the vast fleet of cruise junks moored among the karsts 🗺️

Ha Long Bay Dawn

Ha Long Bay Dawn

The moody pre-dawn light silhouetting hundreds of limestone islands 🌫️

Junk Boat Deck, Ha Long Bay

Junk Boat Deck, Ha Long Bay

Cruising Ha Long Bay from the deck of our junk boat 🚢

Street Kids, Hanoi

Street Kids, Hanoi

Eitan making an instant friend on the streets of Hanoi at night 🤝

Pet Pigs, Ninh Binh

Pet Pigs, Ninh Binh

The resort pigs — living their absolute best life 🐷

Treehouse Room, Ninh Binh

Treehouse Room, Ninh Binh

Our incredible treehouse room in Ninh Binh — waking up in the jungle 🌳

War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

Eitan at the War Remnants Museum — history up close and personal 🪖

Sunrise over Vietnam

Sunrise over Vietnam

Taking off into a Vietnamese sunrise — the adventure begins ✈️

Ocean View Bath, Phu Quoc

Ocean View Bath, Phu Quoc

A freestanding bath with a private pool and sea view — not a bad place to wash up 🛁

Beachfront Villa, Phu Quoc

Beachfront Villa, Phu Quoc

Helen and Eitan unwinding in our beachfront villa as the sun goes down 🌊

Open-Air Beach Hut

Open-Air Beach Hut

Waking up to this — Eitan playing on the deck as the sea glitters beyond 🌴

Departing Heathrow

Departing Heathrow

Eitan at Heathrow — ready for the adventure to begin ✈️

Our Adventures

Cambodia — July 2017

From the golden spires of Phnom Penh's Royal Palace to the jungle-swallowed ruins of Angkor Wat — Cambodia left us speechless. Ancient civilisations, sacred temples and a culture that has survived everything.

July 2017 · Phnom Penh · Siem Reap · Angkor Wat

Royal Palace Stupas, Phnom Penh

Royal Palace Stupas, Phnom Penh

Ornate white stupas at the Royal Palace complex — Khmer architecture at its finest 🏛️

Silver Pagoda & Angkor Wat Model

Silver Pagoda & Angkor Wat Model

The stunning Silver Pagoda with a scale model of Angkor Wat in the foreground 🛕

Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor

Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor

Ancient jungle temple where massive tree roots engulf the stone ruins of Angkor 🌿

Apsara Dancers, Siem Reap

Apsara Dancers, Siem Reap

A mesmerising performance of traditional Apsara dance in golden costume 💃

Vishnu Statue, Angkor Wat

Vishnu Statue, Angkor Wat

The sacred multi-armed Vishnu statue draped in gold robes inside Angkor Wat 🙏

Dressed as Apsara Dancers

Dressed as Apsara Dancers

Silly fun at the airport — when in Cambodia, become an Apsara dancer! 😄

Golden Pavilion, Phnom Penh

Golden Pavilion, Phnom Penh

A stunning golden Khmer pavilion in the city park — Phnom Penh surprises at every turn 🏛️

Tuk-Tuk Ride, Phnom Penh

Tuk-Tuk Ride, Phnom Penh

Eitan and Chris cruising the streets of Phnom Penh by tuk-tuk — the only way to travel 🛺

Eitan Napping, Siem Reap

Eitan Napping, Siem Reap

Temple life is exhausting — Eitan out cold at a Siem Reap restaurant 😴

Hotel Downtime

Hotel Downtime

Crisps and cartoons — every adventurer needs a rest day 🍿

Beach Bungalows, Koh Rong

Beach Bungalows, Koh Rong

Our beachfront bungalow on Koh Rong island — paradise found 🏖️

Kids on Koh Rong

Kids on Koh Rong

Eitan making friends and bouncing around on Koh Rong island 🐴

Eitan on Koh Rong

Eitan on Koh Rong

Afternoon drinks with an island view — Eitan living his best life 🥤

Koh Rong Beach at Dusk

Koh Rong Beach at Dusk

The quiet beauty of Koh Rong beach as the day winds down ⛵

Fishing Boat, Tonlé Sap Lake

Fishing Boat, Tonlé Sap Lake

A traditional fishing boat drifts across the vast Tonlé Sap lake 🎣

Exploring Angkor Wat

Exploring Angkor Wat

Eitan charging through the ancient corridors of Angkor Wat — teddy in tow 🏃

Temple Doorway, Angkor

Temple Doorway, Angkor

Eitan standing proud in an ancient carved doorway at Angkor 🚪

Ta Prohm Ruins

Ta Prohm Ruins

Wandering the jungle ruins of Ta Prohm with little legs keeping up just fine 🌿

Helen & Eitan, Siem Reap Hotel

Helen & Eitan, Siem Reap Hotel

Helen and Eitan at the beautiful hotel in Siem Reap — a moment of calm 😊

Airport Adventure, Hong Kong

Airport Adventure, Hong Kong

Plane-spotting during a Hong Kong stopover — the adventure begins! ✈️

Our Adventures

Greece, Turkey, Spain, Yorkshire & Scotland

From the turquoise waters of the Aegean to Turkish sunsets, Barcelona by night and the timeless Yorkshire Dales — adventures closer to home that remind us why we love to explore.

🇹🇷

Turkey — November 2024

From all-inclusive bliss in Antalya to fiery Mediterranean sunsets — Turkey delivered everything we hoped for and more.

November 2024 · Antalya · Turkish Riviera

Flying Over the Alps

Flying Over the Alps

Somewhere above Europe on the easyJet to Turkey - the mountains below were jaw-dropping

Buffet Life, Antalya

Buffet Life, Antalya

Eitan filling his plate at the all-inclusive buffet - cucumber and carrot, naturally

Sunset Over the Resort

Sunset Over the Resort

A stunning sunset over the resort rooftops and palm trees - views from up high

Eitan on the Beach at Sunrise

Eitan on the Beach at Sunrise

Eitan on the beach at sunrise in his red hoodie - calm sea, golden sky

Turkish Sunset

Turkish Sunset

Palm trees silhouetted against a glowing Mediterranean sunset - pure magic

Purple Dusk, Turkey

Purple Dusk, Turkey

The most incredible purple and orange dusk over the Turkish coast

Beach Sunset, Antalya

Beach Sunset, Antalya

The Antalya beach at golden hour - lifeguard tower, empty sun loungers and a perfect sunset

🇬🇷

Greece — October 2025

Rhodes was a revelation — crystal clear Aegean water, dramatic clifftop sunrises, and beaches so beautiful they barely felt real.

October 2025 · Rhodes · Lindos

Beach Day, Rhodes

Beach Day, Rhodes

Eitan in his element on a sun-drenched beach in Rhodes

Blue Terrace, Rhodes

Blue Terrace, Rhodes

Eitan on a blue terrace overlooking the sparkling Aegean and rocky cliffs

Eitan on the Blue Terrace, Rhodes

Eitan on the Blue Terrace, Rhodes

Eitan soaking up the view from a blue and white terrace - Aegean on one side, mountains on the other

Walking Down to the Beach

Walking Down to the Beach

Helen and Eitan heading down to the beach, mountains and turquoise sea ahead

Lindos Bay

Lindos Bay

Swimming in the perfect waters below the clifftops of Lindos

Eitan Taking it All In

Eitan Taking it All In

Eitan sitting quietly on the rocks, gazing out across the Aegean

Beach Bar, Rhodes

Beach Bar, Rhodes

A gorgeous thatched beach bar overlooking the harbour - lunch with a view

Sunrise on the Rocks

Sunrise on the Rocks

Eitan giving a thumbs up at 6:30am on the clifftops for the sunrise

Clifftop Sunset, Rhodes

Clifftop Sunset, Rhodes

Helen and Eitan on the clifftop rocks watching the sun sink into the Aegean

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Scotland — May 2024

Loch Ness, ancient standing stones, the extraordinary beaches of the Outer Hebrides and sunsets that go on forever — Scotland blew us away completely.

May 2024 · Loch Ness · Isle of Harris · Isle of Lewis · Ullapool

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

The ruins of Urquhart Castle perched above the misty waters of Loch Ness

Eitan at Urquhart Castle

Eitan at Urquhart Castle

Eitan in full Pokemon hat mode at Urquhart Castle - Loch Ness stretching out behind him

Ferry to the Outer Hebrides

Ferry to the Outer Hebrides

On the ferry deck crossing to the Outer Hebrides - Scottish flag flying, calm sea ahead

Luskentyre Beach, Harris

Luskentyre Beach, Harris

The extraordinary white sand and turquoise water of Luskentyre Beach - Scotland at its most jaw-dropping

Callanish Standing Stones, Lewis

Callanish Standing Stones, Lewis

The ancient Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis - 5000 years old and still spine-tingling

Rock Climbing, Scottish Coast

Rock Climbing, Scottish Coast

Eitan popping up over a boulder on the Scottish coast - pure joy

Scottish Highlands View

Scottish Highlands View

Rolling green hills, a ruined tower and the loch shimmering below - classic Scottish scenery

Sunset over Ullapool

Sunset over Ullapool

A blazing orange sunset over the rooftops and harbour of Ullapool - unforgettable

Eitan and His New Sheep

Eitan and His New Sheep

Eitan with his new woolly friend - a pink sheep souvenir from the Outer Hebrides

🏔️

Yorkshire — November 2025

Our home county never fails to deliver. Golden light over the Dales, dry stone walls, sheep and that big wild sky.

November 2025 · Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire Dales at Sunset

Yorkshire Dales at Sunset

Rolling green hills, grazing sheep and a golden Yorkshire sunset

Dales Walk

Dales Walk

A perfect afternoon walk through the wild open moorland of the Dales

Stone Walls and Moorland

Stone Walls and Moorland

The timeless Yorkshire landscape - dry stone walls stretching to the horizon

Golden Hour, Yorkshire

Golden Hour, Yorkshire

The Dales bathed in golden November light - honestly stunning

Moorland Panorama

Moorland Panorama

Looking out across the vast open moors - big skies, bigger views

Dales Farmland

Dales Farmland

Ancient field patterns carved into the hillside - Yorkshire at its finest

🇪🇸

Spain — November & December 2025

Barcelona on a crisp winter break — Gaudi, the waterfront, Las Ramblas and a ferris wheel at golden hour. The city is something else.

November–December 2025 · Barcelona

easyJet to Barcelona

easyJet to Barcelona

The easyJet wing above the clouds - Barcelona bound

Checking into Barcelona

Checking into Barcelona

Eitan inspecting the hotel room - three beds, high ceilings and a city view

Eitan at Dinner, Barcelona

Eitan at Dinner, Barcelona

Eitan in full form at dinner - Coke in hand, huge grin

Barcelona at Night

Barcelona at Night

The view from our hotel balcony - Barcelona glittering below at night

Port Vell Promenade

Port Vell Promenade

The Port Vell promenade on a December afternoon - palms, ferris wheel and blue sky

Barceloneta Beach

Barceloneta Beach

Barceloneta beach in December - golden sand, calm sea and the W Hotel behind

Stranger Things Happy Meal, Barcelona

Stranger Things Happy Meal, Barcelona

Eitan discovers a Stranger Things Happy Meal at a Barcelona McDonald's - absolute scenes

Evening Walk, Barcelona

Evening Walk, Barcelona

Chris and Eitan out for an evening walk - palm trees, blue dusk and a no smoking sign

Ferris Wheel at Sunset

Ferris Wheel at Sunset

The Port Vell ferris wheel lit up against a burning orange sunset - stunning shot

Follow along

Our Video Journal

Real, honest updates from the Ashley-Davies family — no filters, no highlight reel. Just us, figuring it out.

Episode 1Why We're Really Leaving
🎬Coming Soon
Episode 2Telling the Family
🎬Coming Soon
Episode 3Eitan's Take on Thailand
🎬Coming Soon
Episode 4The Big Declutter Begins
🎬Coming Soon
Episode 5Researching Schools in Thailand
🎬Coming Soon
Episode 6Our Recce Trip to Chiang Mai

New episodes added throughout the journey · Subscribe below to be notified

Stay connected

Don't miss a moment

Get honest updates from Chris, Helen and Eitan delivered straight to your inbox. No spam — just the real story of a family chasing freedom.

Beyond the Rat Race - Chris, Helen and Eitan
👁️ 0 adventurers have visited this page