the thing with computer games is they let you do stuff you cant do in real life - or at least versions of things where you get the fun bits without the reality.
if you are absolutely minted, sure you can maybe drive a Ferrari around Brands hatch at break neck speeds to the point where you may actually stack it......... but for most people that is a pipe dream.... but stick on my vr goggles, fire up my racing rig and i get a little taste of it, but without risking life, limb or a bancrupting bill at the end.
also since having a child (he is 7 now) luxury scuba holidays and all inclusive 5* accomadation in exotic islands is totally off the table. my parter and I were fortunate enough to have the money to have the luxury hols or to have a kid, but not both (and besides our lad does not even like the beach so would be wasted)
so now we have the child we dont get to live the adventure life style any more. not that i am griping, it was our choice and how blessed we were to even have a taste of it! for 10 years or so.
Unfortunately we don’t have kids - a lot of pain, money and emotions over 10+ years in that side story. You’re lucky and although stressful and hardwork the flipside is worse.
we’re not extravagant either - we only replaced the sofa this year after the old one started falling to bits, same with the cars etc.. same TV since 2009 and I didn’t watch TV for 3 years before I started going out with the Mrs!
In the past I mixed international business development with pleasure so made the most out of it, even if that did have some odd experiences:
* landed in the military coup in the Philippines part way through a week long trip from dubai, qatar, manila, hongkong and back to heathrow.
* had a female security officer cop a feel hand down the front during a search (I was stood on a box at tokyo airport and the mates were cheering and laughing at me).
* flew over the north of india - stunning views. Pune has awesome food.
* casabalanca on business but being taken around off the beaten path - turned a corner only to be face to face with a cow. Great evening in the chill of the Atlantic air coming in to the restaurant table from the beach.
* hawaii big island is just stunning. You get the feeling a little of the bibe with maderia but still big island laid back pace - submarine, helicopter around the island, drove mustang to visit places, massive waterfalls etc.
* japan i’d like to walk some of the trails away from the cities.
* snowboarding in bigwhite canada on fresh powder and off piste in europe.
* getting lost and walking around the south of NY manhattan island.. long walk but better experience than simply Ting it. Finding all the french restaurants etc - the wife is french and so we end up getting better attention.
* driving norschliefe, and walking back from the pub along the NS track during the night.
