TodayIsTheDay(TITD): How did this couple travel and live in 35 cities in two years?

One of my favourite days of the week, a fabulous FRIDAY morning, as always my husband emailed me a link to read/share the story. The title was ‘How did this couple travel and live in 35 cities in two years? http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/how-did-this-couple-travel-and-live-in-35-cities-in-two-years/story-e6frfqfr-1226798140969’ and it awakened me up and my travel instinct.

The story of the couple who has been travelling for 2 years around world is inspirational and motivating as we all know that breaking the ordinary life routine is very hard to most of us and pursuing the extra ordinary goal requires so much strength and braveness. While I was reading through the article, I could feel my heart was getting fuller and fuller by the memory of the excitements and pleasure from our last 4 and half months trip. The experience was absolutely wonderful and priceless, and unforgettable. I wanted to give the couple big claps and sincere respects.

As you know, my husband and I made a similar decision and travelled 14 countries and 27 cities for 4 and half months last year. Only 9 weeks have passed away since we came back from the trip but I feel like it is a long-gone history. While I was reading their amazing story, I thought about the differences between their journey and our one. I am neither jealous nor competitive. As Richard Branson mentioned that one of the best way to get a business idea is copying other’s successful business idea and making it better than theirs instead of trying to create one, I would like to learn more about the couple’s case and apply the learnings to my life and future plans to get better.

The couple has made a change and started travelling when they were younger than us. We can easily make plenty of excuses for the delay such as we both were from overseas, we had to find/create our nest in a new country, Australia, We had to waste so many years for additional studies in order to get permanent residence, It was not the right time, we didn’t have enough money and time, etc…. However, I guess, the fundamental reason was the fear of uncertainty. We were worried and afraid of the undefined changes and negative ‘what-if’ scenarios. After coming back from the dream journey, I have learnt that all the worries and fears were unnecessary and pointless. We could deal with anything that came into our way and manage it as good as we were at home. There is nothing to fear about new changes and things that could happen (may never happen). When you know clearly what you want to do, don’t hesitate or delay your incredibly valuable decisions. Time is the one of the most valuable assets in our life so do not waste it. I wish we could have done earlier but later is always better than never so I am very happy that we have lived our dream. Honestly, I think the older the harder to take an action for the dreams so remember ‘Today is the day’ for you.

Our travel has been ended. Imagining that they are still pursuing their dream and the couple’s colourful days around world makes me happily jealous. Frankly, 4 and half months of travel that involves packing, unpacking and moving every 3 to 4 days was challenging. We had a limited time (allowed by employers) so we had to make very tight plan in order to see as many places as possible. Visiting 14 countries and 27 cities was indescribably fantastic experience but the limited time was exhausting. I wish we had more time for each place to know and see more about. I think I was bit pressed by over enthusiasm when we were planning the trip. Anyway, the most important thing is we have made the journey safely and healthily and look forward to planning another new journey. Imagine that you are living your dream. Every day of your life will brighten and energise you. Remember that we all deserve to have the pleasure. All you have to do is ‘take action’.

“How much money have you spent?” “Must be a fortune…” When we were planning our trip and when I returned back from the trip, many people around me wondered/worried about our finances. Yes, money can be always a big issue or barrier for pursuing our dream especially for us, ordinary people. Honestly, we spent quite a bit of money for the long trip but it was not that extreme as other people would think. Before I left, I made a simple excel spreadsheet to compare the expenditures between when I stay in Sydney for 6 months and travel over the world for 6 months. Surprisingly, the difference was not too big. We travelled and lived frugally. As we didn’t need to show-off or prove anything to anyone, our life was simpler than living in Sydney. Simple life offers us much more freedom. What I want to say is don’t try to make an excuse on money for dealing your dream. As I have been always believed, how to spend is more important than how to earn. The couple’s case is even better as they make money while they are travelling. I really admire their working arrangement while they are travelling. The book (The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris) mentioned in their story inspired us as well but we still have not found the way. The couple’s case has awaken me to start trying to find the way. Wouldn’t it be great if you don’t have to worry about money and work while you are travelling?

My husband has already started talking about ‘Next’ trip. I am not sure exactly when we can and want to take a break for the next trip yet but I am sure that we will not miss any opportunity to widen our experiences. I was very happy to read/know about the couple who are challenging themselves to live how they want to live instead of how they have to live. Life is too precious to be wasted. I want to live how I want to live, too. How about you?

Here are some photos from the trip to share with you.