On a three-year epic journey, a single mother travels around 22 countries with her son

Chelsea Ruby, now 28 years old, was 20 years old when she discovered she was pregnant.

When Chelsea’s family told her that she had ruined her life and would never be able to do the things she wanted, she decided to prove them wrong.

How? By realizing her dream of traveling around the world with her son by her side every step of the way.

Reginald’s mother booked the duo’s one-way flight to Thailand in 2015, when he was only two years old.

Since then, the duo has visited 22 countries and are having a great time.

‘I got pregnant unexpectedly,’ Chelsea explained.

‘I had broken up with Reginald’s father to go to Zante for season, and while there, I fainted and found out I was 10 weeks pregnant.’

‘I then flew home and stayed with his father for a year and a half, but I realized we just weren’t compatible; instead, we had a good friendship.’

‘I decided I wanted to take him traveling, so I sold everything I had and flew to Thailand when he was two, and we spent three years traveling around the world together.’

‘We went to the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Miami, Florida, and then spent seven weeks in Europe driving down the entire coast of southern Europe – from Spain to Italy, it was breathtaking.’

‘We’ve been to 22 countries together, and he’s only seven.’

‘I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it when everyone said I was too young and it was too dangerous.’

‘I’d rather die with elephants than cross a road in London on my way to work every day.’ Because there are risks in everything you do, why not make the most of your life?’

Chelsea had to make some significant sacrifices in order to make this lifestyle work.

She sold everything she owned to fund the trip, which meant that when the family returned to the UK, they had to stay in a hotel.

‘But I didn’t mind because I had two years of memories and life is so short,’ the mother explained.

‘In his seven years, I’ve learned more than most people learn in 70 years.’

To save money, the adventurers stayed in hostels from Monday to Friday and then ‘lived like kings and queens’ on weekends.

‘I worked so hard to afford it, and I want people to understand that if I can do it, anyone can,’ Chelsea explained.

‘We were in Thailand for just under seven weeks and the total cost of flights, accommodation, and spending money was only £1,500.’

‘If you want it, you have to work for it; you have to make these temporary sacrifices, but you get the memories.’

Chelsea now divides her time between London and Marbella, where she works as a celebrity makeup artist.

Chelsea chose to home-school her son until he was six years old after she and Reginald returned from their trip, but he has since joined traditional schooling.

‘Reginald was already progressing so independently, I didn’t want him to be corrupted by school,’ the mother explained.

‘If I had my way, he wouldn’t be in school at all; instead, I believe he needs to be shown life experiences such as traveling, dealing with debt, and credit ratings.’

Chelsea hopes that by sharing her story, she will inspire other parents to take the risk and live the life they truly desire.

She hopes Reginald will inherit her love of travel as well.

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