Why You Should Sell It All And Travel The World

Sell It All And Travel The World


Santorini, Greece

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

I have made the decision to follow my wanderlust and travel. I am planning on heading out next year to explore all that this amazing world has to offer.

It will be budget travel at its best. I will have to work along the way and I embrace the thought of doing this.


A lot of people think that doing something like this is a really cool idea. And of course a lot of people cannot get their head around why a person would want to leave a relatively secure life to travel the world.


Glacier National Park



I find that a lot of us do the same thing every day. We are indeed creatures of habit. Travel has the wonderful ability to open our eyes. It shows us different places and different people and different cultures. Travel has the ability to make you a well-rounded person.


Antelope Canyon, USA


I am interested in learning who I am as a person. I am 45 and I am still learning about myself. Taking off to explore and travel the world will help me learn more about me. Yes there will be challenges. That is the point. How will I handle these challenges? Will I crumple? What am I made of?


Summit Bridge, Langkawi


Despite the fact that I am by nature an introvert, I do want to meet people and hear their stories. Traveling can create meaningful relationships through shared experiences. These people will give you a new perspective on things. Who knows who you may meet and what you may learn?



 Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland


Like I said, life becomes habit and thus it can become a bit routine shall we say. Maybe you are up for a bit of an adventure. How about ziplining over the jungle canopy in Peru, successfully navigating the alleyways of Marrakech, the speedboat ride in New Zealand, or a Jeep trip with the grazing animals in Tanzania to get you feeling what being an active human being is like (again).


      Baatara Gorge Waterfall


Think of the stories you will be able to tell. I plan to write down everything that happens. I want to look back on my life and say, "I did that." Heading out to travel provides one with the opportunity to create your own life on your own terms.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

Machu Piccu



I am a huge history person. I love learning about the world and its people. I think the best way to keep learning is to actually travel and find out about a place first hand. What I see on a news story is probably very skewed. The school of travel is the best teacher.


      Petra, Jordan



I also want to just prove that I can do this. Both to myself and to others. I want to challenge myself. There should be more to life than working all the damn time just to pay for stuff we don't really need.

I have had this desire to wander, to explore, to learn for as long as I can remember and everything I have done in my life has led me to this point.

I have this amazing opportunity to travel the world and see as much as possible before I die.

That is exactly what I am going to do.

Want to join me?

Be sure to check out How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter for great budget travel tips.

Please comment and please share this post of Facebook, Twitter and all other social media. Thank you.



"Quit your job. Travel. Die happy."

Top Travel Destinations I would Love To Visit

I must travel. I just will not deny this fact. I am 45 so by most accounts my life is more than half over. I refuse to live the next half not traveling.

I am giving into my wanderlust, selling all of my stuff, and leaving to travel the earth.

So what are some travel destinations that I want to travel to? The better question is, where do I NOT want to go? I want to see as many places as possible.

Here are some of the top travel destinations I would love to visit.

Colombia

The Czech Republic

 

 

Cambodia

 

 

 Greece

 

 

Ecuador

 

This is a very small sample of the travel destinations I would love to visit when I head out on my travels next year.

Have you been to any of these amazing places? Where HAVE you traveled?

Please share your travel thoughts in the comments.


"Quit your job. Travel. Die happy"

Let's Travel To Cambodia

As I have written, I am planning on giving into my wanderlust and traveling the world.

But where to go?

Cambodia has really grabbed my attention. Damn near everything I have read about travel to Cambodia is positive. Certainly a person has to have their wits about them no matter where they travel in the world.

So what are some of the reasons a person would travel to Cambodia?

The People

The people of Cambodia are kind and industrious, generous, hospitable and open-minded, and an estimated 93 percent of Cambodians practice Theravada Buddhism. While the poverty rate halved from 2004 and 2011, Cambodia is still a very poor country.

"Despite impressive reduction in poverty, these hard won gains are fragile. Many people who have escaped poverty are still at high risk of falling back into poverty,” said Neak Samsen, Poverty Analyst of the World Bank in Cambodia and the co-author of the Poverty Assessment Report. Visit Cambodia and listen to people's stories. Don't travel to this beautiful country without getting to know those who live there.




                        Cambodia Phnom Penh crowded street on market day



                                                   Always smiling and curious children

The History

Cambodia has a very recent painful history, and learning about it isn't only responsible, it's a way to help the country, and indeed the world, move on. Almost two million people died from starvation, disease, torture and execution under the Khmer Rouge, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979.


                                                                   Khmer Rouge



                                                              Cambodian genocide victims

The Beaches

Turn your attention to the less-traveled beaches of Cambodia. Visitors say islands like Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are what Thailand used to be like 20 years ago.


                                                    Beautiful Beaches of Cambodia


                                                                 Beautiful Cambodia



                                                                Cambodia beaches

The Temples

Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever built. The massive temple is simply breathtaking. While Angkor Wat is certainly the most iconic temple in Cambodia, you don't just go to see Angkor Wat. 


                                                                          Angkor Wat



                                                               Bayon temple Cambodia

The Food

Rice is a staple, served at pretty much every meal. It may come alone, fried into a cake or with curries, stews and freshwater fish. Beef and pork are commonly served with rice or noodles, typically with herbs and some kind of curry.


 
                 Cambodian cuisine

                                                               The food of Cambodia

The Markets

Like in most city markets you will find everything you could ever want in the markets of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. They are an assault on the senses and experiencing them is one of the best and certainly one of the most riveting ways to get a sense of daily life.


                                                               Market in Phnom Penh




                                         Russian Market of Phnom Penh



Have you traveled to or lived in Cambodia? Is it on your list of places to visit?



"Quit your job. Travel. Die Happy."

This Travel Documentary Sums Up Why I want to Solo Travel

A Wonderful Solo Travel Documentary

Made In Iceland:

Made In Iceland-Klara Harding

Iceland is beautiful, we all know it. But perhaps no one can see through the beauty of it like Klara Harding probably did. Her proof is the self made short travel documentary, shot over a 25 day solo-hike in Iceland. It captures the magical mists of Icelandic landscapes, the glaciers, and for me the very essence of solo travel. The journey as you can imagine must have been tough, but the final result of it was a wonderful documentary, all shot on foot by herself. Why it’s important for this film to be on this list is because Karen did this without the help of any friends or family, with a Canon 550D and did not miss a single beautiful moment that was worth putting on film. Realizing that a car traveling at 70 kmph will reach the same destination as her in 1 hour, for what will take her 3 days to reach is not really a morale booster. But then, maybe that is the point of solo travel.


Her message: “Pack your stuff, buy that ticket and live, explore, discover! It’s always worth it!”



I agree.


Travel has the power to change you.

MADE IN ICELAND from Klara Harden on Vimeo.

"Sell your stuff. Travel. Die happy."

I Am Leaving In A Year. Now What? Planning For Solo Travel.

My Solo Trip Travel Planning

Big Sur, California

When you are planning on selling everything you own and heading out for a solo travel trip for the rest of your life it is easy to get a bit overwhelmed.

Being overwhelmed can lead to....doing nothing! In other words you don't know where to start.


In my case I have about a year until I plan to head out for my solo travel trip. a year sounds like a long time to plan and get organized.

It isn't.

So I had better get my act together in a number of different areas to get ready to travel the world.

How To Travel The World - Pre-Planning

Okay so here is what I need to do to get reading to travel the world.

Declutter

Even though I live a minimalist lifestyle, I still have a lot of stuff. I need to purge and declutter. Pretty much all of my stuff has to go. Maybe there is some stuff I can sell. The rest will be donated or given away. Hell, I will put it by the roadside with a "FREE" sign on it if need be.

Deciding what to take

Actually this will be easy enough. I did a solo backpacking trip through Europe for a summer with one tiny backpack. It was the best way to travel as I could use RyanAir for ridiculously cheap flights between countries and all I had to worry about was my one piece of carry on luggage. So I KNOW that I can travel with minimal items.

This backpack had all kinds of pockets and zippered compartments to easily keep track of smaller items. The best feature: it zippered open ALL THE WAY for easy access to anything you were looking for. This made repacking super easy as well. Don't spend hundreds on some big backpack. Get a cheap small pack.

 

Get a small cheap backpack

Packing Tip: Whatever you initially pack for a trip, cut it in half. And then cut it in half again. Trust me on this. It is the best thing you will do. I saw people in Europe trying to travel with two HUGE packs stuffed with gear. It would drive me nuts trying to both carry all of that and trying to keep track of it all.

Saving Money For Travel

The biggest reason(excuse) people use for not traveling is money. As in they feel that they cannot afford to travel. What they are probably meaning is that they cannot afford a luxury vacation.


There is a big difference between a luxury vacation at a 5 star resort and meaningful travel where you go off the beaten path. I choose the second of these options. This means that I will be traveling the world on a budget. I have signed up on Couchsurfing. I am also planning on working wherever I am in the world. That said, I will still be needing to save some serious money to make this trip happen. I want to save a minimum of 10000 dollars(Canadian) before I leave. I know that I can do this as I am a saver and I live very frugally. However, there are still ways I can make improvements in how I both spend and save my money.




So these are the areas that I am thinking about and concentrating on as I plan my solo travel trip around the world.


Do you have any suggestions about what else I should be doing at this point before leaving? Can you offer any advice about anything else in the post?

Leave a comment and let me know! :)

"Quit your job. Travel. Die happy"

Why Travel Makes You A Better Person

Does Travel Change You?

 

 

My parents think I am crazy for wanting to just leave everything and travel the world. It is just not something they can comprehend. As I wrote about in my first post, I just have this incredible wanderlust. They don't understand. They think I am irresponsible. I cannot explain it. It is just something I need to do.

There are few things in life that will impact you as much as traveling will. Something happens to us when we board a plane in one country and land in another—it’s almost as if our eyes open again for the first time.

1. You learn a lot about life. Real growth happens when you get the hell out of your comfort zone. There are so many things to learn

  2. You are never alone. You can make friends anywhere. Be the first to smile. Make an effort to join in their celebrations or simply ask them questions about their lives. This is all it takes

  3. You meet unforgettable people. When I solo backpacked through Europe for a summer I met people that I am still in touch with today. The memories that were made still make me laugh and smile.

  4. You learn to enjoy transient relationships You kind of realize that these friendships that you make may be short lived and that is okay. It forces you to make the most of each damn moment. Soak it all in.

5. You have to try new things. Whether you are staring at a menu realizing you have no idea what the items are, or jumping on a bus that you hope will get you somewhere familiar, travel is exciting. You have to do new things. It is all about getting yourself into situations and turning them into amazing experiences.


As someone who lives a minimalist lifestyle I have come to realize that life should be more about experiences and not stuff. Jesus we spend so much money on junk that clutters up our places. My backpacking adventure in Europe saw me with one tiny pack and just a few items. It was a great way to travel. I realized that I just did not need as much stuff at all. I want to experiences people and culture and nature. I want to try new things and just have some adventures.


Does anyone out there feel the same way?? Please comment and let me know.


See those share buttons down below. Please use them. Sharing is caring.



"Quit your job and travel"

Does Anyone Else Have Wanderlust?

googlec6055105c2ec1612.html

 #solotravel #backpacking #wanderlust

Surrendering to Wanderlust

In about a year(or so) I am planning on selling everything I own(almost) and embarking on a solo travel trip to...well I don't know yet. I am 45 years old and live with my soon-to-be-leaving 18 year old son in Nova Scotia, Canada. I substitute teach, have a small lawn care business and live a very minimalist lifestyle. I love travel and have done some but it has been a few years since I have a had a chance to do any. That is about to change.

Reasons I MUST Travel

To experience different cultures and see how people live in all different areas of the world.

To meet new people, to make friends, and to talk to people from all walks of life.

To live outside my comfort zone for once and have to deal with unfavourable situations.

I could get a job and work 9-5 for the rest of my life like everyone else, but I NEED to do something different! I want to experience the world through long-term solo travel rather than two weeks of vacation every year.

I want to travel HERE!

To try new and crazy foods!

To prove to myself that I can do it!  

To be able to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with nobody to have to please except myself.  

To improve my photography by capturing new and unfamiliar surroundings.

I don’t want to be lying on my death bed with regrets. I know if I don’t do this now, I’ll probably never do it, and it’ll end up being one of my biggest regrets. This world is so incredible and while I know I will only be able to scratch the surface in my lifetime, it’s better than seeing none at all.

 Some people are born with inherently nomadic spirits. Their drug of choice is adventure.
They find it difficult to stay in any particular place for an extended period of time.
It’s not that they’re afraid of settling down, they’re legitimately incapable of remaining static.

These perpetual wanderers are silently urged forward by the planet’s rotation, finding it impossible to rest until they have seen and heard it all.

For some, this is simply a product of youth and possessing an innate curiosity about the world. For others, it’s a fundamental aspect of their characters, and it might even be genetic. My parents are not like this really. They are almost the exact opposite: afraid to go anywhere.

This is not me.

Indeed, wanderlust, or the inexplicable desire to explore the world, is a very stubborn condition. The only viable form of treatment is to surrender to its symptoms.

 So I am going to surrender to my own Wanderlust. I am not a young man but I am not old either. My son is about to head off into the world on his own so I will finally have a chance to follow my heart. I was fortunate enough to backpack around Europe for a summer in 2009. My goodness how that changed me. Solo travel, staying in hostels, meeting all kinds of interesting people from around the world.

It was amazing.

 

Why Do Some of Us NEED to Travel

 

People who seem to have this innate desire to travel, true travelers, genuinely seek to understand and experience. They become so deeply immersed in a new place, they end up leaving parts of themselves there upon their departure.

True wanderers can’t help but fall in love with other cultures and peoples. In the process, however, home becomes an elusive notion. It ceases to be a place, and transforms into a feeling; it is in your heart and your soul.

Traveling opens your eyes to the fact that regardless of the disparities of our various cultures, the vast majority of humans simply desire to find happiness and peace in their own harmless way. I so want to have a connection with other people of the world. To experience other cultures. To see the world through their eyes. So this blog is going to be a chronicle of my travel preparations, travel planning and different ideas I have about solo travel and how to go about making this happen.


"Quit your job. Travel the world."