A world of family adventure(2)

With just thousands of yuan left in their pockets by the summer, they docked in Hong Kong, and decided to return home to relax and gather funds for their next adventure. But, they weren't well-received by their parents upon returning and wide media coverage of their journey has greatly divided the public.

While some have praised Zhai for the care-free and adventurous life he has brought his family, others have heavily criticized the family for their selfish ways, which they say are ignoring the developmental needs of their daughter.

The headmaster of his daughter's school said that "having her miss out on a proper education could cause her to drift from society as well as delay her studies - and her life," said Zhai.

But Zhai disagrees. "I've no plans to let my daughter sit the gaokao (national college entrance examination) or study abroad," he said. "I'm not forcing her to do what everyone else does - go to college, get a job, buy a house and get married.

"I just want her to learn to be independent and live a happy life on her own," he said.

Others, meanwhile, have suggested that Zhai and his family continue their travels, but by taking a more balanced approach, making room for both work and adventure - but Zhai said that's not what he wants.

"What I want is not to simply travel, but a real life," he said.

Adventure ahead

Since running low on funds, Zhai and his family have had to put their heads together to come up with fund-raising projects to support their worldly excursions. Their sailboat maintenance fees alone are expected to cost upwards of 100,000 yuan.

While the family has received sponsorship opportunities from commercial interests, the offers have all come attached to terms and conditions that Zhai said that he just could not accept in the end.

"Some demanded we change our boat's name, while others wanted to choose our route," he said. "What people don't understand is that we're not trying to commercialize our voyage; we just want a unique life of our own."

Zhai has since reached out to supporters online, charging 10 yuan for people to have their names placed on the family boat's canvas. So far, 4,300 supporters have bought spots for their names, while the family has managed come up with another 150,000 yuan, either from donations or side projects, such as delivering speeches or attending shows.

And while many have disapproved of Zhai's decisions, some have been truly moved by his new life. After reading Zhai's story, an overseas Chinese businessman in Malaysia was motivated to buy a boat for his wife and 6-year-old child to start their own trip, said Zhai.

Humbled that he has been able to make such an impact on people's lives, Zhai said that he's also grateful to have been able to get so much out of this experience.

"I no longer wonder if I will simply eat dumplings or noodles for the rest of my life," he said. "And I don't worry about our future anymore - we learn a lot of useful things when we travel, from practical repairs to artsy photography skills.

"Our choices and abilities decide what kind of life we lead - not our savings," he said.