MOVING to SOUTH EAST ASIA (Trimaran time...)

Worst smell I’ve ever smelled - rotten egg. Hands down. It does NOT smell like gas. That’s a lie. It’s indescribable. 🤢

I loved this video.. I am exhausted just by watching how much you do as a family. I am also very impressed. I love and admire your youthful outlook on everything.. a very can do attitude. Bali looks beautiful and you all seem to adjust quickly wherever you land and you also try to take advantage of whatever a new place you land. Forget the wokeism and be the loving, giving, sharing people you have always have been!

Oh my I love Bali and I love Canggu, you are going to have so much time going back there! x

The suspense is killing me…want to see big boat!!!

Yeah I was just thinking chill. Life is short.

This is 100% cultural appropriation for all the thoughtful reasons that Raphaëlle Philipponnat and Tamzin Rollason and others listed above. Its about respect (as you mention in your video) but also about focusing on learning the stories and meanings behind cultural elements which isn't addressed in this video. Also what isn't mentioned are the inherent power dynamics, historical colonization, dominance, etc. You opening up this conversation and asking for feedback in this video is so important. So I would recommend removing the thumbnail, talking about that history in a meaningful way in future videos, elevating the voices and experiences of Balinese people, and supporting them financially. That said, I have been truly appalled by the responses of the majority of that group on here. I thought this Patreon was full of like-minded folks who love your work, appreciate the ocean, and have a spirit of learning. However, that is obviously not the case with ill-informed responses saying "This is fine" and bashing "woke culture." I have loved supporting your videos and your beautiful work and will continue to watch but will be no longer be supporting as a Patreon.

First of all, so effing awesome to meet you guys in Annapolis! Thank you for making that happen! When it comes to "cultural appropriation" and your question about "wokeism", here are my two cents.... In the context of US politics, I have been and remain a life-long liberal Democrat and I am now in my early 50s. What I see in the younger generations right now, what I see in what's happening in US universities, actually terrifies me. "Wokeism", as I see it, is here are all of the right answers... If you are not on board with the script then you are anathema. Liberalism, as I see it, is question everything, explore, have dialogues, try to get to a better understanding of whatever the topic might be and know that it's a process of understanding. "Wokeism" already has all of the answers so there's no point in debate. (#nodebate) If you are guilty of "cultural appropriation" then you are guilty. Period. Stop. That's not free thinking. If you appreciate the culture you are currently in and appreciate their style and want to embrace aspects of it, I think that's totally cool. And if anyone else is offended by that, those feelings are their problems, not yours! You guys are just awesome and I appreciate that you wanted to engage in a conversation about it! To me, that's a classicallty liberal, not a "woke" perspective. Just my two cents. And yet again, another fantastic episode. Always the highlight of my week and cheers you you both! :)

Just watching the newest vid on YouTube and saw the ask about the hats (figured I would answer here so I’m less likely to get lost in the comments) .. scrolling through most the comments it seems positive to keep the thumbnail … just keep in mind with any and all future post/vids/thumbs … “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.” - Abraham Lincoln Y’all have great respect for others and you have great gut instincts … if you ever feel something is questionable I’m am 100% confident you wouldn’t publish them. Keep being yourselves!

Regarding cultural appropriation: (1) People learn from other people and in doing so adopt the practices that work best. That’s how we’re wired, and that’s how we evolve as a species. 2) Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. (3) What are the rules? Where are the lines drawn? Are we not supposed to, for example, learn to speak other languages? Use medicines discovered by people from other parts of the world? (4) who exactly is the offended party, and who authorized them to be offended on behalf of others? Nobody. The wokesters are a cancer on society.

Hi Riley and Elayna

…. We know you are very respectful and will find the balance 🥰

Hi! This is Steph ❤️ I think you should ask the people there. In general I believe “cultural appropriation” being okay or insulting depends entirely on the people within the culture being copied. IF some are fine with it great!!! BUT if others are uncomfortable or hurt by it, I would not. This one is about them. (We thought you looked great 😊)

Darwin is appropriating my culture with that shirt. I bet he can't even name 3 tracks off Physical Graffiti. 😉 Good to meet y'all in East Port

This suspense is keeping me awake! I mean . . . when are we going be offereed pics of the Rapido? How about it's name . . . La Vagabonde III . . . that would be fine . . . maintains your brand. Merry

As far as the thumbnail, I don't have a problem, as long as something's not done with the intent of being mean. If that means I'm asleep, I'm okay with that too. Y'all know I'm a writer, but man, that cliff-hanger! We've been waiting three years, too!

When will we see the Trimaran -- what will her name be? If you're not part of Australia -- how will you manage healthcare? Will the boys be homeschooled part of the time? I can't wait for more underwater adventures -- I hope the ocean will be as incredible as it was in the Bahamas. I still watch the hour long vlog/video of the ocean and all the diving and swimming. Best wishes for your new adventures and keeping us along. Merry Christmas to Riley, Elayna and the boys.

Thumbnail looks great. I've enjoyed watching your adventures getting to Vietnam and your new trimaran. How long until she will be ready to sail? It will be good for all of you to get back to having a ship to sail and a home base.

Was that fresh wet paint on Lenny’s hand?

Celebrating a culture vs making light of a culture. I find celebrating a culture beautiful and I think you guys do that wherever you go.

I think there is a difference between cultural appropriation that disrespects or makes a joke of cultural traditions (such as wearing aboriginal ceremonial headpieces for halloween), and embracing a culture that you are actually experiencing (such as wearing the the hats in your thumbnail). In the traditional headpiece example the individual is neither part of or experiencing that culture, and disrespecting it by not using the headpiece in the ceremonial/sacred way it is meant to be (and maybe also acting like a drunken goose on Halloween). Whilst you guys are wearing a hat that is common to wear in the part of the world that you are actually in and experiencing. Plus according to wikipedia those hats were worn to protect from sun/rain. I personally don't find it offensive ... but I guess the best people to ask would be the people of Bali :) When it comes down to it, I think it's all about your motive, respect, and recognizing when it's acceptable to EMBRACE a new culture, and communicating with the people in that culture to see how they feel! Loved the episode!! Can't wait to see the new trimaran!

In terms of the hats - my understanding is that it's important where you purchased it/who you purchased it from and the reason for wearing it. For example, if you were randomly wearing those in the USA as a halloween costume and purchased from Amazon, not appropriate. But living in Bali and purchasing there is a totally different situation (much more appropriate, imo).

I think the thumbnail is cute! You're not being disrespectful to the culture, you're embracing it! Way to leave a cliff hanger btw! I can't wait for the next video! :)

I like the thumb nail! At a glance you can tell what part of the world you are enjoying! And a great pic of you all. The opening song was hilarious! Very clever wording and bless you all for surviving that long ass flight with the under 10 kids! Hugs and love y’all!

As someone who has lived here for 9 years, I know that as part of many rice field tours they share those farmers hats for the full experience. So I imagine there many photos with those hats. I think that it actually shows you are experiencing their culture. I think it all comes down to what you said Riley, Respect. The Balinese absolutely love when you join in their ceremonies and participate in their cultural ways and share it with people. They are very loving, caring and open culture - it's one of the reasons why I live here! Another awesome video thank you! I am excited for you to share more of Bali - I know some hidden gems so if you ever need any tips or tricks in the making Bali your base, I am happy to help! 😊

I think you have to ask people who are Indonesian and Vietnamese how they feel. I don’t think other people can say if they feel offended or not with any real legitimacy. I would imagine when you try to assimilate when you are in another country and partake in their clothing and customs and learn their language it would be seen as respectful. Asking Melle would be a good start maybe?

Wootz! I've spent a lot of time in Vietnam / Bali being based out of Singapore. After years of seeing your travels in west, so excited for you guys to be finally in our hood. Looking forward to all the Asia videos!!

On the thumbnail, for me it's Lenny's face over that T-shirt! 😂

Oh Elay I am so sorry you’ve had to live through another scare with Lenny (and so relieved he’s ok) and more recently stitches for Darwin. You are the best Mum ever, kiddos are just rough and tumble and they catch all the stuff as it comes along. …Riley, I think respect does matter. I also think how the people of-the-culture feel about what you’re up to matters, even more. AND entirely unrelated, so cruel! You have no idea how much I want to see your amazing new boat. Been haunting the Rápido website, scouring YT for Romanza videos, devoured the article you linked, and am always hoping you post photos. It’s gonna be a loooooong week, LOL. And, it’s possible that in the cargo hold, while you were flying, it was so darn cold at altitude, that the microscopic critters that would make your clothing stink, just couldn’t do very well.

The song was awesome! Brings back memories of the story my mother tells of flying home to the US from Okinawa back in 1975 after my father was discharged from the USAF. I turned 5 during the trip and was apparently an absolute terror during the flight. My mother was thankful for another serviceman who was somehow able to keep me occupied. I have no memory of the flight.

On Woke Culture: Teaching myself to function with mental illness I've come to the conclusion that feelings are not reality, only my unique interpretation of reality. If that is correct, the idea of obsessing over my feelings and asking others to cater to them seems unrealistic. If you don't wanna wear the cool looking hat send it to me. I will.

The thumbnail is fine. My passion is to travel and I’m always interested and fascinated in new cultures and will wear local clothing and makes me feel like I’m acknowledging and respecting the local culture. There’s always going to be a knob who gets offended, but that’s their problem and I just try to smile and move on. The woke brigade do my head in! Bali looks like the perfect spot for your new base, close enough for the rellies to pop over for a visit. I’m in Melbourne and hoping to do a reunion in Bali next June with our Peru Crew when we met Craig and Aimee for their Machu Picchu adventure earlier this year. Was bummed to not get a peek at the trimaran at the end of your vlog … the anticipation builds … Lenny’s face was priceless … and loved seeing Darwin in his Led Zepplin t shirt 👍🥰

I think it's respectful to wear the hats. Like the first poster, "do as the Romans do". Yeah. I like it! Soon enough you will be wearing a rice hat (coolie, sedge hat, What do they call them, now?) because you belong there, and you have learned the right to be as the Romans... "be!" :) By the way, I use the enter key a lot, especially on my ipad. I don't understand why the enter key posts the post, before I'm ready! Oh well. I use the enter key to start a new paragraph. So, what am I supposed to use, here on this platform? It also doesn't respect wordwrap! Anyhow, I don't find it disrespectful at all to wear the hat. I like that you are introducing the kids to so much new culture! Love it! But, will you go visit your family, also? How often, do you think? I like that the kids get to go "home" to see their clan. Then again, they can come visit you! What fun! You have inspired me to go to Bali instead of my other travel plans, next! It is beautiful! Oh! What were you slapping about? What insects?

I'm anti woke as is most people my age. (61) I find todays' generation has very very thin skin. And tries to accept all things that they believe to be "woke" even if the things that they are accepting are foolish or even bizarre and/or immoral. And yet they have little respect for the beliefs of their older generations. Some go so far to believe we are dinosaurs and our beliefs are caveman like, and we know nothing. And are just waiting for us to pass. I grew up to respect our elders and that they have much wisdom to pass on. I grew up in Arizona and when a tourist came and wore cowboy hats I would care less. I actually would think it was cool to imitate us. I am also of polish descent. (yes, my last name ends in ski. lol) And when I was growing up heard a lot of Polack jokes and they didn't bother me at all. My dad even told em all the time in social circles. For we believe that if you can't laugh at yourself, life is going to be way too serious. And life should be fun.

At 5:44, doesn't the man say "Welcome to Ramayana Suite Resort" rather than what the captions read: "Welcome to Mirana Sweet and Resort"? Btw, Ramayana is a hinduist story that has a cultural significance there in Bali.

OMG loved Lenny's look when he touched the Hull!! Priceless Cheers!

Great video!! I do think that the hats are not your best look. it is the thing that ignorant tourists wear. Glad you are questioning what is appropriate.

I believe an often overlooked aspect of trying to determine if something is appropriation versus appreciation is whether or not you are acknowledging the culture. I think your thumbnail is fine because you are acknowledging that the hats are Balinese cultural wear instead of trying to make a fashion statement out of them. For example, the reason Kim Kardashian gets in trouble for appropriation is because she profits off black culture and she doesn’t even acknowledge that those ideas are not her own.

The thumbnail is just fine:) I think it’s important to wear and learn about new/different cultures, it makes everyone more culturally diverse. If no one showed or talked about ones culture or someone else’s culture, life would be boring in my opinion.

Nothing wrong with the thumbnail. These hats are quite goods to protect from the heat and sun.

I'm so woke I'm watching this before the kiddo even gets up to go to school, and I'm having my coffee! Love Asia, can't wait to go back. What a mind opener. Bali and drinking water, want to talk about that? Limited resources on an island and a changing planet an issue in a warming world and gaining population, I think using local workers is even more awesome!! Good jorb. Show us Bali, but take those shoes off at the door my friend! Also, I think the only one looking happy about the hats is Elay, but on your "wokeness" are you in the country of origin and are you being respectful of the people you are visiting? Yes? Have a ball!

As someone of southeast Asian background who grew up in the US in the 90s and early 2000s, I feel like the line between cultural appropriation and just simply experiencing other cultures has gotten blurred, ironically by folks who aren’t the ones to be offended by it. Context is everything. For example, Gwen Stefani in the late 90s ran around wearing bindis claiming it was a fashion piece without any cultural background as to why and how they’re worn in India. It definitely stung to see the same girls who made fun of me for having ‘weird food’ for lunch running around wearing bindis and doing yoga and getting henna tattoos. However, I’ve seen women get yelled at by the woke mob for wearing saris…at an Indian wedding, where they were invited to! Or while traveling in India. Simply wearing the attire within the context that it’s appropriate is NOT cultural appropriation just because it’s not ‘your’ culture. Cultures are meant to be experienced and clothing is a huge part of that! On a separate note, I just had a baby boy and I find myself going back and rewatching the videos from when you first had Lenny on the boat and I also had so many issues with breastfeeding, it was so comforting to hear about your experience. I know you’re not interested in revisiting the vaga mum channel but if every now and then you wanted to do a video on parenting every now and then I’d love to see it!

Finally going to be seeing the TRIMARAAANNNN !! Love it!

In my opinion it's respectful and a compliment to adopt the culture. As the very old saying goes, When in Rome do as the Romans do. Beautiful place good choice😊⛵

Guys I reckon this is 100% cultural appropriation. The red flags for me are that you are benefiting - probably financially. You are not representing the bamboo hat in any meaningful context - ie they are hats traditionally worn by subsistence workers. Huge issue with colonisation, dominance and power as Westerners and especially Aussies in Bali. I think you need to ditch the hats - if for no other reason than the risk of being called out. Social media can be vicious and harsh over these types of things - which is kind of good because we are learning, but scary AF when you are at the receiving end. It can be super unfair and asymmetrical. I like to compare the social media savaging of Papercut Patterns in NZ and her Kochi Kimono pattern (google it mate) and the attempt by Kim Kardashian to trademark the word Kimono for a range of knickers. Also the wet clothes were not stinky because the hold in the plane is super cold. Love your work

I'm soo happy and excited for you guys 🤭🫶

My favorite part? Whoa……… ha ha ha. I can’t wait, your faces said it all. Or then again it might have been Lenny’s Zeppelin t-shirt.

Thumnail is just fine. When in Vietnam, wear a Vietnamese hat that's designed for the weather and climate. What should be wrong with that? I wouldn't worry about it. My wife owns a dirndl, but we are not from Bavaria. Same thing (and I don't give a sh**) ;-)

Hey guys super excited to see the new boat and this fabulous new adventure! I am a 21 year old Aussie female and I was in Bali last week and had an interesting conversation with a local bloke about tourists being respectful of Balinese culture as I was also interested in what was deemed respectful and disrespectful. He was very happy and proud to tell me about the local traditions and cultural practises and encouraged me to take on board a few of these mannerisms whilst I was in Bali! I think when your in new countries it would be more disrespectful to not use local customs and traditions. Anyhow long story short, I think the thumbnail is absolutely fine! And I think as long as your mindful and open to learning the Balinese ways then it’s not cultural appropriation it’s simply learning and engaging with the local ways! Anyway best of luck with everything and merry Christmas to you all!

Keep the thumbnail. Go to Canada, wear a tuque. US, wear a cowboy hat. Viet Nam, "non la". Looks great.

It's amazing you guys are choosing Bali. I've been living here since 2019 and it's definitely one of the best places for raising kids. I've lived in Ubud for half the time and then Canggu area. I'd suggest you go check out the north periphery of Canggu, neighbourhoods called Pererenan, Munggu, Seseh and Cemagi. They're still real close to the Canggu hub, but have more space to breath, rice fields, and the beach there is even more beautiful :) As for the thumbnail... The people who you "appropriate" cultural items from, actually really don't mind you dressing as them. See the video for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT2UH74ksJ4 This definitely be true in Bali. Try dressing in their ceremonial clothes and they'll smile at you and respect you more. The place that gets most concerned by "cultural appropriation" are universities in the US, so is the Woke movement. It's the home of Cancel Culture, "Privilege" and Collective Guilt. And the shame around cultural appropriation is just an extension of those ideologies. All of them based in post-modernism, which some its flawed theories include: - "logic is just a tool for oppression" - "the fundamental principle of contact between culture is oppressive by nature" - "your value as a human being depend on the group you belong to (rich, poor, races, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background etc.) and not your intrinsic value as a human being" - and last but not least, "rejecting the existence of objective truth (relativism); that all knowledge is relative" (Look up the movement Science Must Fall) I think cultural appropriation is PC bs... but that's just me ;) One book suggestion for Riley: - Gad Saad - The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense

I loved the episode, glad we’re almost there in seeing the trimaran, & you’re life in Vietnam while the trimaran is being finished off (but I did live all of the video’s since leave La Vagabond II) Looking forward to seeing more on your perspective of Bali, & interested in seeing the community you have found with like people .. I’ve always been put off of going to areas where it is full of people from my own culture who are looking for a cheap holiday & not necessarily for experiencing or respecting another culture. I’m sure you guys would have looked at what the Balinese see as appropriate behaviour in their culture & community, I’m not sure all Aussies do that when they visit Bali The thumb nail was fine, so long as you were going to use the hats & nit put them on as a novelty, or laugh for the photo. You’d fit in wearing them in Vietnam as well as Bali. I’ve found then I travelled around India by train, their Punjabi suits are great to wear in their climate, much cooler & more comfortable (I bought the simple cotton ones, not designer) … the locals seem to appreciate you wearing them as well, & I’d throw a woollen shawl around my shoulder if needing warmth … I never did wear a sari, except for 1 family I stayed with dressing me up in one, the women loved it & laughed with, me not at me, & visa versa …. I’m sure you will be fine, you respect other cultures & ways👍🤗

So excited about this era ☺️

I can understand why with the 'cost of living", the beauty of Bali, culturally the food you guys love, why y'all would want to live there 3 months a year! I want to see y'all on your new ,big Trimaran!

OMG, and you are not even going to give us a peek ... wait one more week.

Love the cliff hanger ending! LOL

Great video! Hope you love making Bali home base, so cool! Never been.

Love the Thumbnail!!!!

The look on Lenny's face when he saw the paint on his hand!😂

I'm so excited to explore a new corner of the globe with you guys!!!! S

La Vaga!!! I hate spell check! I love La Vagabond!

Seriously!!! I’m so anxious! Not worried about the thumbnail at all. I’m ready to move to Bali and I can’t wait to see La Vega III!

Congrats!

I think I am as excited as you guys to see La Vaga 3.

I thought Derrick had a great analogy... Would you feel awkward in a Disney resort wearing mouse ears? NOT. I thought the thumbnail was perfectly fine. Do appreciate your sensitivity, however. It will be interesting to see if you get any/many people weighing in on the Woke culture controversy. Cancel culture is a big part of progressive-ism/woke philosophy. I for one would not want to be banned from Patreon simply because someone took issue with something I might comment on. As always, really love your family and appreciate your amazing videos. Shame on you for the tease and not letting us see Vagabonde III, hehe.

Hi Riley, I think cultural appropriation is a very important but complex topic. I would say that it’s important to try to have the opinion of someone whose culture is being appropriated to see what they think about it. Second to that, it’s also useful to understand the power dynamics between the culture being appropriated and the culture appropriating. The nature of the historical relations between cultures, and whether there were some forms of colonialism present in the relation, are integral parts to the discussion. I would argue that you cannot discuss cultural appropriation in the same way when talking about a white European culturally appropriating a culture which has its own history of colonising and was not colonised by a European country, as you would about Vietnam for exemple, which was colonised by the French. Anyway, this doesn’t really give you an answer for your thumbnail but I hope it helps your reflections. Thank you for the video, cannot wait to see the new boat!

Oh my! And you didn't show it!

Hi Riley, I’m not particularly woke but I have some understanding of how cultural appropriation can cause issues. If there is no effort made to understand or learn about the culture (of the hat) then this could be seen as disrespectful. I found the cultural appropriation of the Native American War Bonnet explained the issue for me. The War Bonnet, which has been appropriated for kids toys, tacky costumes and so many other sad uses (drunk college kids at music festivals), has great significance among the tribes and is only worn by warriors - the feathers are awarded and relate to significant challenges and battles faced. They are worn only for special occasions and have the same significance as the medals worn on Anzac Day. Imagine what would happen if in Australia, uni students dressed up as Anzacs, stuck tacky medals on the chest and proceeded to get pissed at a music festival. To me it definitely relates to showing respect for the culture and the history of the people of that culture. That being said, I would love to hear Melly’s thoughts on tourists/westerners wearing the hats.

I guess my 1st question would be why did you wear the hats?

I just can’t wait to see the Trimaran. My Dragonfly is 30 feet and the Rapido is 60, but you will have at least 10 times the space🤩 It’s going to be fantastic 🥳❤️

Looks amazing. Hope you are all very well. Something for Lenny's croop cough is to go into the shower stall/ bathroom and turn the hot water on to create steam. Then have him breathe in the steam. It helps stop the coughing. Sending love from Maine. USA

Hi all, the thumbnail is fine. Yes, some people will dislike it, but they have their own problems. I love Lenny’s face at the end. Have fun, and thanks for bringing us along.

Didn’t think about it till you asked about the thumbnail. Hats look cute , probably not needed, but a background showing more Bali maybe :-)

Loved the whole build up to seeing your faces when you saw your new yacht 😊😊

Hi Guys!!! Another great video. :) Wondering if you have any Patreon live updates planned? Thank you for singing again Elayna! You are simply awesome! About the cultural appropriation question, I think if wearing local garb, especially that which is marketed specifically to tourists is done with respectful intentions, any unintended misstep can be easily forgiven. I think the thumbnail is fine as is. If you went to Disneyland and bought the mouse ears and took a picture would that be cultural appropriation? Not in my view. I think you are both legends as you are. Cheers!