Our Why

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

When we first left for Asia, with the original plan of living in Krabi, Thailand for one year, there were a lot of friends and family supporting our decision. They encouraged us to travel now, while we are young and free, not bound by a house, mortgage or children. We were really happy to hear their reactions.

But there were also those who were not at all supportive. They kept reminding us of responsibilities at home, our families, of the dangers that were awaiting us in foreign lands, and of all the horrible things like poverty etc. we were going to see.

Fortunately, the latter were in minority. While they made us feel guilty at times, wondering if we were being selfish with our plans, their pessimism couldn’t silence the voices of those who were positively encouraging us to “go and see”.

From giant suitcases to small carry-ons

Down-sizing

Now, exactly one year later, we both are soo incredibly glad that we followed through and went on this life-changing adventure together. Things didn’t all go to plan, fortunately. After living in Krabi for 8 months we got restless. We had met and read about many long-term travelers and figured, what we did in one place – Krabi – we could do anywhere.

We down-sized radically to one carry-on suitcase each and have been all over SE Asia ever since. A new world has opened to us. It is not things and possessions that make us happy, but new experiences and constant learning.

We didn’t start out traveling with a fortune saved up. We also didn’t inherit great wealth, and no one is sponsoring our trips. No – we actually work while on the road. Working online gives us location-independence which to us is worth much more than earning a big salary while spending most of our waking hours in an office. Often we work in cafes with WiFi – way more pleasant and inspiring than a cubicle.

Konrad at his laptop in Starbucks

Working at Starbucks in Chiang Mai, Thailand

We consider ourselves very blessed and now – after one year of travel adventures under our belt (and many more to come) – we want to start sharing what we have learnt along the way.

We hope to help other travelers with information about places we have visited, share stories about lessons we have learnt – be it funny, insightful, or ‘don’t do as we did’ – and most of all we have a vision of inspiring people who are still on the edge.

For those, still debating whether they should go travel or not, or those that are dreaming of world traveling but think it is impossible for them, we want to be the encouraging voices that we are so grateful for. We wish to inspire and show the possibilities.

Of course, traveling is not always a walk in the park. Very often it is not, but the lessons learnt along the way, the experiences made and the insights gained are truly priceless! Maturity, learning to take responsibility, ripping up of well-thought-out plans, improvising, letting go, consideration – just to name a few.

 

4 thoughts on “Our Why

  1. Loved reading about your journeys. It’s amazing how many “fears” people have for us travelling over seas. So many people ask me why I don’t freak out when Dann travels to the Sudan. I often chuckle, he is in God’s hands whether here in the “supposed” safe America or in the Sudan. Thank you so much sharing.

  2. Ciao i m not young . I am 56 old And my dream for when I retire, i wish stay in Thailand with my wife, 5 or 6 months. Spend winter We have already been several times in Thai, for short periods, 2 or 3 weeks. We never traveled on tour, no big hotels, but always alone on a low budget. I ask your idea, about can cost for month to live in Thai, Two persons a normal life without excesses, but pleasant.
    Thanks
    Danilo

  3. I love this! My boyfriend and I are planning to move to Australia next year for a few months and we are so excited to explore new places! I hope you keep traveling as much as you can and I look forward to reading more of your blog (and cooking blog).

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