Where have all the Perpetual Travellers gone?

[Billy]

WanderALot

I really admire people like MJ who can move some place for a long period of time. I think we would like to keep our home base and travel for 3 months at a time (get an apartment, live like a local etc). Doing volunteer work, going to an language immersion school or teaching English seems interesting. Anyone do this kind of travel?

Traveling and living locally is an efficient way of seeing the world. You will get more bang for the buck since you will be approaching it as your lifestyle, not as a vacation.

Vacationing is a different mental framework and usually the trips are shorter term. We almost never go anywhere for less than a month at a time, so we get better pricing on housing, we have the choice of cooking at ‘home,’ and since we are not pressed for time, we use local transportation instead of renting a car to zip around. We get to know the locals and volunteer in local projects.

Billy and I have been living this ‘Global Resident’ lifestyle since 1991 and it has proven to be very rewarding.

DangerMouse

I would love if those who travel would take the time to drop in and update us on their latest travels and share some pictures to remind us all of what is out there in the big world we exist in.

We just spent a year in Asia, 6 months in Mexico and the last 6 months in the States. Here’s an outstanding photo essay on Chihuly Glass in the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.


Enjoy the photos and travel stories!

Akaisha
Author, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement
　

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

We looked at toyhaulers before we bought our present RV. We'll look again b4 we upgrade.

Most of the THs are made for weekend use. In the mud or desert, it seems Lots of beds, but sparse living areas. One we looked at had a fridge in the back area, with a tap ready for a keg of beer. The hauler area in most are 10-12 feet long, and as wide as the RV. That is mostly wasted space once you get your toy unloaded. It could easily be a 1/3 of your living space.............

Not to mention most toy haulers seems to have decor right out of the X Games. You are sacrificing a lot for the toys. For things like mountain bikes and skies, they can probably fit in the basement.

 

[kramer]

PT Update

I feel bad about not posting here more often -- I have tried to fill this post with some pearls of wisdom. During the last year, I lived in Thailand for 8 months, traveled around the Philippines for 1 month, returned to the USA for 6 weeks, and have been living in Medellin, Colombia for 6 weeks. It has been the best year of my life.

Maybe there is a PT community in Chiang Mai because I have met some of the other PTs there: Billy, Akaisha, MJ, Paul and Vicki Terrhorst.

I learned beginning Thai in Thailand with the equivalent of about 2 months of language school (spent first month in a Bangkok language school). I love day to day life in Chiang Mai, especially on my 125 cc motorbike, which I rent for about $70 per month. I lived in a hotel there although if/when I return I will probably live in a condo. I have some Thai friends but really most of my friends in Thailand are other expats (as opposed to Philippines and Colombia).

I have many friends in the Philippines after two 1 month visits in the last 2 years and am considering spending more time there in the future. In fact, there really is no place quite like it and there are lots of negatives and positives. But at least I know what they are now -- I feel like it takes 2 extended trips to a place to really get to know it.

I spent most of my 6 weeks in the USA assiduously helping my extended family. They had saved up some projects for me and I planned my return to the USA in time to help my mom move and repair her home.

Living in Medellin, Colombia has been great. I live in an upscale condo here, my room is huge (180 square feet overlooking a park, with extended cable TV, Wi-Fi), great neighborhood (possibly the best neighborhood I have lived in in my life), walking distance to everything, etc. All my roommates are Colombian and we get maid service and laundry included. I am paying just under $300 per month. There were actually a lot of decent places for about $300 per month with all of the above and meals included 6 days per week, but I went for the nicest place.

The weather here is about the best of the world, daily range of about 64 to 84 degrees most of the year.

I have been taking lots of Spanish and dance lessons. My Spanish is advanced and my dancing is still not-so-good. I unexpectedly have a beautiful, well educated girlfriend here. My life is too busy here, really (example: tomorrow 2 hour Spanish class including exam, 2 hour dance class, meeting with a couple who have invited my girlfriend and I over to their house, going to a cool club later in the evening for some dancing . . . the place with the dancing midget, ha ha). So I am going to drop my Spanish lessons and focus on reading Spanish novels, and memorizing everything I have been taught over the last 6 weeks. I expect to reach some lower rung of fluency in the next couple of months. I am also training for a marathon/race next month.

One thing I learned is that it is pretty hard to make local friends, beyond a very basic relationship, if you don't speak the same language. As a result, my life and type of friends (all locals) in Colombia are totally different than Thailand. (this is the big negative about Thailand, the difficulty of the language and the lack of English speakers)

Thailand is definitely the cheapest of Phils, Thailand, and Colombia and it is safer, too. Colombia is the most expensive and the least safe. But all these places are a lot cheaper than the USA. And transportation is so much easier and more efficient, not having to have a car.

Kramer

 

[Disappointed]

Here is a map of our 2008 travels. You can also see 2007 and 2006. Click on the pins and it will give you date and location. If you zoom in on satellite view, you might even be able to see the RV park!

Audrey & John's Travel Maps

Audrey

Audrey: Three years, no California What is wrong with my state?

mP

 

[audreyh1]

Audrey: Three years, no California What is wrong with my state?

mP

Does "Northern California" not count? Trinidad, Susanville, and Crescent City ARE in California! LOL! OK, unless you actually click on the "pins" the exact locations of our stops is probably not clear, but you can also zoom in to see.

We spent a month in the Trinidad area in 2008. It was awesome! We had so much fun up there that we never made it further south. Some other year.

Audrey

 

[Martha]

Does "Northern California" not count? Trinidad, Susanville, and Crescent City ARE in California! LOL! OK, unless you actually click on the "pins" the exact locations of our stops is probably not clear, but you can also zoom in to see.

We spent a month in the Trinidad area in 2008. It was awesome! We had so much fun up there that we never made it further south. Some other year.

Audrey

I see that you regularly stop in Bensten Palm Village. I spent a month and half there last winter. What a wonderful home base for birding, and the state park is fabulous!

I suggest the "circle tour" around Lake Superior. It is a wonderful trip.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I suggest the "circle tour" around Lake Superior. It is a wonderful trip.

I second the Circle Tour suggestion. DW and I did it on our Goldwing. Rossport is one stop that stuck in my mind -- it's all about the railroad which runs right through the town, so be prepared for the noise, in a quaint sort of way. Lots of wildlife, Mackinaw and Sault St Marie at the eastern turn.

 

[DougViages]

My DW and I are now "semi-retired" (Working 20 -30 hours per week each), and want to travel more like the PT's we read about here. We are Palace Resorts members, and will spend 3 -4 weeks a year at one of these resorts in the future. We are also setting up two+ weeks in Chile in Feb/March of 2010. Next trip after Chile will be our first to Asia. Recommendations are welcome.

 

[kramer]

One of the keys to being a perpetual traveler is low overhead. Since I don't maintain a house or apartment in any country when I am not there, my overhead is extremely low.

My mail forwarder in a no-income-tax state costs around $150 per year when all expenses are considered ($12.50/month). Every other fixed expense that I have I would have whether I was a PT or not. These expenses are high deductible HSA-eligible health insurance ($130/month), Skype virtual number and ability to call any phone from my Skype account ($5/month), various internet costs for unlimited picture storage and email ($4/month).

I own about 7 boxes of stuff and a bike. When my mom was building a new storage on her property, I just paid for part of it in exchange for lifetime storage rights.

Kramer

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

I unexpectedly have a beautiful, well educated girlfriend here.

kramer,

You need to PM haha about Colombian GFs. He wrote about it here long ago but it may be hard to find.

Seriously, man.

 

[W2R]

I live in an upscale condo here, my room is huge (180 square feet overlooking a park, with extended cable TV, Wi-Fi), great neighborhood (possibly the best neighborhood I have lived in in my life), walking distance to everything, etc. All my roommates are Colombian and we get maid service and laundry included. I am paying just under $300 per month.

I just noticed this. 180 square feet is huge?? I guess I live in a mansion!

 

[kramer]

kramer,

You need to PM haha about Colombian GFs. He wrote about it here long ago but it may be hard to find.

Seriously, man.

I have been in touch a bit with HaHa. I am going with the girlfriend's family tomorrow to the rich uncle's finca (vacation home) in the countryside, located about 30 minutes outside of the city.

Kramer

 

[dixonge]

I have been in touch a bit with HaHa. I am going with the girlfriend's family tomorrow to the rich uncle's finca (vacation home) in the countryside, located about 30 minutes outside of the city.

Kramer

So how did he get rich?

 

[audreyh1]

I see that you regularly stop in Bensten Palm Village. I spent a month and half there last winter. What a wonderful home base for birding, and the state park is fabulous!

I suggest the "circle tour" around Lake Superior. It is a wonderful trip.

So how did we miss you? We were there from late Oct till just before Thanksgiving 2008, and then again for a week-and-half mid March this year.

We will be there again this November! We stop there in late fall because it is the peak of the butterfly season and DH goes crazy with the photography. A lot of famous butterfly gurus and photographers are there for the same reason so he also enjoys the company. Lots of unusual Mexican species seem to appear, blown in by the south winds? All these gurus get excited when something really rare shows up. He'll be out 8 hours a day sometimes chasing butterflies - gosh like a real job! We usually stay at least a month and he is still not ready to leave!

The native landscaping at Bensten Palm Village means a lot of butterflies right at the RV sites, and the State Park has an awesome butterfly garden and 1/2 mile down the road is the NABA International Butterfly Garden. The weather in Nov is very nice - tropical, balmy, but not too hot and not too windy!, and awesome sunsets. And few "winter texans" have arrived, so there are lots of open RV sites!

So - you see why we are repeat customers!!!! LOL!

Audrey

P.S. Thanks for the tip about Lake Superior. There are some other things we want to do in the general area. One of these years!

 

[DangerMouse]

Just want to say thanks for all those who took the time to update on the life as travellers.

I do have a couple of questions for you all.

1. Do any of you blog where I can follow your adventures?

2. Financially has your travelling cost more or less than you had budgeted?

3. Can you see yourself doing this for years to come or do you expect at some time in the future settling down to suburban life?

 

[Billy]

Kramer:

One thing I learned is that it is pretty hard to make local friends, beyond a very basic relationship, if you don't speak the same language. As a result, my life and type of friends (all locals) in Colombia are totally different than Thailand. (this is the big negative about Thailand, the difficulty of the language and the lack of English speakers)

HI Kramer!

Great to hear from you! I’m sure I owe you an email - somewhere in my inbox…

I have to agree with you here on this point. We’ve been going to Thailand since 1999 and even after all this time, most of our relationships with the Thai are filled with pleasantries and sign language. Sure Billy and I both speak some Thai, but not at your level.

There are many subtleties that are missed and downright basics too, when language still presents a barrier.

OTOH, our Spanish is much better and we have more Latin local friends in Mexico than our number ever was in Thailand. It’s easier to go from Mexican state to Mexican state and make friends or get settled. The culture is more similar as well, so there are fewer faux pas all the way around.

Thailand is definitely the cheapest of Phils, Thailand, and Colombia and it is safer, too. Colombia is the most expensive and the least safe. But all these places are a lot cheaper than the USA. And transportation is so much easier and more efficient, not having to have a car.

Not needing to have a car is a big plus. We don’t drive in any of the foreign countries we visit, choosing to hire a driver or take public transport. The stress and cost are both less than in the States.
　
DougViages

Next trip after Chile will be our first to Asia. Recommendations are welcome.

Asia is exotic on many levels - food, culture, language, religion, approach to life, etc. It’s such a ‘Wow’ when we go there.

We’ve spent most of our time in Thailand but have also enjoyed Vietnam, China and Laos as well. If you can get out into the smaller villages, you will be transported to a different time.
Depending on how long you will be overseas, you might also want to visit Australia or New Zealand.
　
Kramer

One of the keys to being a perpetual traveler is low overhead. Since I don't maintain a house or apartment in any country when I am not there, my overhead is extremely low.

Kramer, that’s an excellent point and a very basic building block to making global living workable.

Best,

Akaisha
Author, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement

 

[Billy]

Dangermouse

Just want to say thanks for all those who took the time to update on the life as travellers. I do have a couple of questions for you all.
1. Do any of you blog where I can follow your adventures?

Our responses crossed each other when we were posting.

You can follow our adventures and take advantage of our Global Lifestyle Wisdom by going to Retire Early Lifestyle. Be sure to take a look at our Preferred Links Pages for a comprehensive list of websites that will help you, inform you, and entertain you on your journey to early retirement.

2. Financially has your travelling cost more or less than you had budgeted?

We don’t really budget, but to date, we still spend well under $30k net annually. We could probably do it for less, and we certainly could do it for more!

3. Can you see yourself doing this for years to come or do you expect at some time in the future settling down to suburban life?

Billy and I have been living this Global Resident Lifestyle since 1991. We see ourselves continuing this approach to life and living until we can no longer physically do it. We have groups of good friends in many places around the world, so each place feels like home. We will often stay a year at a time in a location so it’s not necessarily hectic and chaotic. We have the best of both worlds (traveling and staying put.)

Best,

Akaisha
Author, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement

 

[Martha]

So how did we miss you? We were there from late Oct till just before Thanksgiving 2008, and then again for a week-and-half mid March this year.

We will be there again this November! We stop there in late fall because it is the peak of the butterfly season and DH goes crazy with the photography. A lot of famous butterfly gurus and photographers are there for the same reason so he also enjoys the company. Lots of unusual Mexican species seem to appear, blown in by the south winds? All these gurus get excited when something really rare shows up. He'll be out 8 hours a day sometimes chasing butterflies - gosh like a real job! We usually stay at least a month and he is still not ready to leave!

The native landscaping at Bensten Palm Village means a lot of butterflies right at the RV sites, and the State Park has an awesome butterfly garden and 1/2 mile down the road is the NABA International Butterfly Garden. The weather in Nov is very nice - tropical, balmy, but not too hot and not too windy!, and awesome sunsets. And few "winter texans" have arrived, so there are lots of open RV sites!

So - you see why we are repeat customers!!!! LOL!

Audrey

P.S. Thanks for the tip about Lake Superior. There are some other things we want to do in the general area. One of these years!

Funny. I was there most of March. I was up near the front entrance with the Lazy Daze, the only one I ever saw around there. I guess neither of us posted about it on here! November sounds wonderful there. I too enjoy the butterfly park.

 

[audreyh1]

Funny. I was there most of March. I was up near the front entrance with the Lazy Daze, the only one I ever saw around there. I guess neither of us posted about it on here! November sounds wonderful there. I too enjoy the butterfly park.

Wow - so sorry we missed you! We were in the 500 circle from 3/10 to 3/22. We walked or cycled into the park almost every morning and/or evening. A few mornings we went in really early to try to catch the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. So if you ran into a couple looking for that it might have been us! John is tall and usually has a camera belt around his waist and some type of leggings. We both usually wear long-sleeved nylon shirts and nylon pants plus "Tilly" hats. We talked to some folks birding there and staying at the same park but didn't catch any names.

After Bentsen we went to Brownsville for a week and South Padre Island where we ended up staying 2.5 weeks at a small county park on the beach. It was awesome.

Don't feel bad! When we were staying near XXXXX CA at XXXXXXXX RV Park for a whole month, we were only about 1/2 mile from TromboneAl's house, and had absolutely no idea! We found that out several months later.

Audrey

 

[Nords]

Don't feel bad! When we were staying near [poster edit] CA at [poster edit] RV Park for a whole month, we were only about 1/2 mile from TromboneAl's house, and had absolutely no idea! We found that out several months later.

Whoops, Al, once this word gets out, there goes the neighborhood...

 

[REWahoo]

Whoops, Al, once this word gets out, there goes the neighborhood...

Yep.

Al, you can't blame this one on me.

 

[Martha]

Wow - so sorry we missed you! We were in the 500 circle from 3/10 to 3/22. We walked or cycled into the park almost every morning and/or evening. A few mornings we went in really early to try to catch the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. So if you ran into a couple looking for that it might have been us! John is tall and usually has a camera belt around his waist and some type of leggings. We both usually wear long-sleeved nylon shirts and nylon pants plus "Tilly" hats. We talked to some folks birding there and staying at the same park but didn't catch any names.

After Bentsen we went to Brownsville for a week and South Padre Island where we ended up staying 2.5 weeks at a small county park on the beach. It was awesome.



Audrey

Hey, half the people were wearing nylon shirts and pants and Tilly hats, me included I did get to see the Pygmy owl, pointed out by a volunteer. Now I am not remembering his name, but he was a retired school teacher and did the butterfly and dragonfly walks. A couple of times I went out in the early evening with a woman named Barbara Jean to listen to the owls and the nightjars.

After Bentsen I went up to Mustang Island. Lots of warblers and buntings coming through up there, it helped my education tremendously.

 

[audreyh1]

Sorry Al - didn't mean to spill the beans!

Audrey

 

[HFWR]

You didn't think that tromboning in the distance was unusual?

 

[kramer]

Originally Posted by kramer
I have been in touch a bit with HaHa. I am going with the girlfriend's family tomorrow to the rich uncle's finca (vacation home) in the countryside, located about 30 minutes outside of the city.

Kramer


So how did he get rich?

Good question. He is a hitman (sicario) but I have heard he does ex-boyfriends for free as a favor to the family No, he owns a successful tire refabrication business. They take the old tires from trucks and put them through about a 15 step process to refurbish them. Then they resell the tires for about $250, as opposed to what the new ones sell for, about $550 (I am using a specific example that was explained to me).

I don't even know if this sort of extensive tire refurbishing is done in developed countries? I am figuring it is only possible in developing countries because labor is cheap (it is a labor intensive process) and safety standards are lower in developing countries.

Kramer