We love to travel and explore foreign landscapes, discover new and interesting animals and plants, swim with exotic sea creatures and meet people who are different from us. Writing about our adventures and taking photographs is one of the ways we keep in touch with our family and growing circle of friends and fans.
There are lots of travel blogs that show you places you can go. We help you put yourself in the picture by sharing all the lessons we have learned from almost continuous travel. We reveal our secrets for affordable ways to travel more, stay longer and have experiences most tourists miss.


Visit the Joyful Journeying Photo Journal
What’s New Here?
Top Spring Break Destinations 2023 – Beach or Mountains?
Discover the best destinations for Spring Break 2023 from travel experts. Whether you’re looking for a beach vacation, city break, or outdoor adventure, there’s a destination for everyone to enjoy during their spring break in 2023.
Secrets to Surviving Long Haul Flights per Flight Attendant
Traveling by plane these days is never a "fun" experience. With the long lines at checkout and at security, flight delays, and the absence of healthful food options, flight days are always stressful. The time spent inflight itself in economy, can be tolerated if it...
Most Popular
Exotic Costa Rica Wildlife on Sierpe River Boat Tour
On a boat tour in the Sierpe River area of Costa Rica we were able to view and photograph many exotic Costa Rican animals and plants such as monkeys, herons, crocodiles, white ibis, wood rail, red-headed woodpecker, hawks, toucans, macaws and much more.
Sorry Americans, Your Cell Phone Is Useless Worldwide
While traveling, a cell phone should make it easy to stay in touch with family and friends, to contact local attractions for information and make reservations. But using one in foreign countries can be challenging.
Read More
Top Four Tropical Travel Essentials
Breezes blowing through the palm trees, the gentle roar of ocean waves on golden beaches, spectacular sunsets- it all sounds so idyllic. But the heat and humidity of the tropics can leave you sticky and stinky, and it is hard to sleep when your skin is sun burned and covered with mosquito bites.
Eating In and Dining Out in Costa Rica
Many of our readers know us as healthy, gourmet cooks, so, we thought it would be fun to share how we feed ourselves here in Costa Rica.
Great Tips On How To Get More Joy By Letting Go Of Stuff
Simplifying your life by letting go of physical things leaves more time and energy to pursue what matters most to you. Read these tips to have more joy by having less stuff.
Avoiding Jellyfish Stings While Snorkeling
Jellyfish are dangerous. Fortunately stings in Hawaii are preventable. Check the Oahu Hawaiian jellyfish calendar here. Prevent invisible jellyfish stings with Safe Sea Lotion.
Why We Stopped Searching For Paradise
Does paradise exist? As a traveler, can you visit a place, find that it has everything you could want and need and decide to move and spend the rest of your life there? Maybe so.
Sleeping Soundly Anywhere in the World
No matter how comfortable your travel accommodations are, noises make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep. Being tired is never fun, and is even more challenging for travelers. Learn how to sleep well wherever you are.
Sandwich Generation Travel Solutions
Travel, especially long term travel can seem impossible to Baby Boomers often called the sandwich generation. They are often caring for their aging parents and their older children. But there are ways to escape.
Ceviche Costa Rican Style
This recipe for Ceviche Costa Rica contains a surprising ingredient that we only discovered by accident. This Costa Rican Ceviche recipe is easy and delicious.
Why Long Term Travel is Not Just Seeing the Sights
We love traveling! But we are not the folks who want to visit every famous building, museum or wonder of the world. Currently, our highest priority is enjoying nature and the natural sites and meeting and getting to know the local people.
Ten Things to Know Before Traveling to Ubud
If you are looking for an untouched paradise on the edge of civilization, Ubud no longer qualifies. This also means Indonesian dishes, pizza, vegetarian, vegan and raw food restaurants are all available, it is easy to procure various means of transportation, and lodgings to fit most budgets can be booked online.
Is Travel to Japan Safe and Free From Radiation Exposure?
To this day, there are many people concerned about traveling to Tokyo and other parts of Japan because they fear radiation exposure from Japan’s nuclear disaster. Watch this video for the facts.
Feasting on Heavenly Ramen Noodles in Tokyo, Japan
A simple bowl of ramen noodle soup in Tokyo Japan can be a transcendent experience. Surprising fresh bamboo shoots, revered by the Japanese, are a delicacy not to be missed by the Tokyo visitor.
Visiting La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica
Discover why you must visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica with our complete guide with photos, waterfall gardens map and tips to make the most of your visit.
Eating in Mexico’s Beach Towns in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit
See what we discovered in the inviting beach towns of Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit Mexico-inexpensive groceries, delicious seafood, beautiful beaches and the MANY differences!
How To Get Free Coconut Water (Pipa) in Costa Rica
Coconut water (Pipa) is one of nature’s most nutritious, hydrating and healthful beverages. In Costa Rica, coconut trees grow everywhere, so Pipa is free if you know how to harvest it.
International Cole Slaw
This cole slaw recipe is simple and delicious. It can be made almost anywhere in the world and can be easily adapted to local ingredients and incomplete kitchens.
Is Playa del Carmen, Mexico Good for Budget Travelers?
Each year when we look for a long term travel destination to avoid the long, cold winters in the Northeast US, we consider a number of factors. We want an enjoyable adventure, comfort, beauty, access to amenities and more.
Best Value Travel Destinations
From South Pacific islands to ancient cities, this blog post by Lonely Planet is sure to awaken your yearn to travel. Written in 2014, it showcases the best value in travel destinations.