After five years of welcoming visitors and managing local tourism operations, Léa, a staff member at the Saint-Gaudens Tourist Office, is departing on September 12 for an extended backpacking journey across Southeast Asia, according to local reports. The trip combines a long-held ambition for independent travel with a cross-continental reunion.
The Journey and Route Across Asia
Léa’s travel itinerary begins in Dublin, where she will meet her childhood friend and travel companion, Niamh, according to regional coverage of the departure. From Ireland, the duo’s route takes them to South Korea for a three-week stay, followed by a month-long exploration of China.
Following their time in China, the travelers plan to cross the border on foot into Vietnam for a one-month stay, before continuing onward through Cambodia and Laos. The final leg of the Southeast Asian tour includes a month in Thailand, after which Léa will return to South Korea for a final month in the country.
Personal Motivations and Future Plans
The decision to undertake the extended trip stems from both a longstanding desire for international travel and a personal connection, as reported by local sources. During a previous stay in China, Léa met her partner, Réa, who is originally from South Africa and currently studies in South Korea.
Following the conclusion of their travels in Asia, the couple plans to relocate to France together. During her final month based in South Korea prior to the move, Léa intends to prepare job applications and CVs focused on continuing her career within the tourism sector.
Colleagues at the Saint-Gaudens Tourist Office marked her departure with a farewell gathering, celebrating her five-year tenure with the organization before her departure on the September journey.
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