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?
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...
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.
Most Popular
Protecting Costa Rica’s Sea Turtles at Playa Tortuga
We were so lucky to be at Playa Tortuga in Costa Rica to witness the release of baby sea turtles, who were protected from poachers by a wonderful turtle conservation organization.
A Trip to the White Temple in Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle
During our two weeks in Chiang Mai it was suggested that we must not miss the Chiang Rai area. So we hired a guide and headed out for the full day of touring that he planned for us…
Read 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.
Unique Costa Rican Tour at El Toledo Coffee Farm
Discover the unique El Toledo Permaculture Coffee Farm and learn why the highly educational tour was one of the highlights of our visit to Atenas, Costa Rica.
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.
Protecting Costa Rica’s Sea Turtles at Playa Tortuga
We were so lucky to be at Playa Tortuga in Costa Rica to witness the release of baby sea turtles, who were protected from poachers by a wonderful turtle conservation organization.
Chronology of a House Sit: Living Your Life in a Foreign Country
Living our lives in a foreign country presents new challenges and opportunities for growing both personally and in our relationships. Meeting people and making new friends can be uncomfortable and exciting at the same time.
Five Travel Tips for Packing Light
Here are five of my favorite travel tips to lighten your load when on an extended trip, house sitting or just trying to get everything in your tiny roll-aboard:
Worldwide Travel Insurance and How to Choose It
Beginning an international travel adventure takes a lot of research. It can also be a little nerve wracking. Fortunately, there is a low cost way to receive some peace of mind…
Modern Nomads With Wheels
One of the things I love about being a modern nomad is that we have new experiences. Solving the little problems on the way keeps us busy, never bored.
Could House Sitting Be Your Key to Adventure Travel?
Can you imagine choosing to be homeless? In 2012, we made the decision to stop paying our mortgage and instead spend our money on travel and adventure. We are nomads with no permanent home. Here’s why we are loving it.
Becoming a Modern Nomad? How to Sell Your Stuff!
A great guide to the process of letting go of your belongings in preparation for a life of adventure and travel. Great tips for what and when to start the selling process and where to share the news of your sales.
Chihuly Glass Spectacle in the Desert Garden
For more than 70 years, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix Arizona has been teaching and inspiring visitors from the local community and around the world, providing research, exhibits and holding events designed to help us understand, protect and preserve the...
Eating Cheaply While Traveling is a Way of Life
A wonderful way to learn about a culture is through it’s food. But you need to leave the tourist traps and hotels behind…
First Steps to the House Sitter and Travel Lifestyle
So many people have asked about how we manage to travel, house sit and live such an easy lifestyle. One person even wrote that we must have tons of money in the bank. Not! Find out how…
Close Encounter with the Elephants at Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai Thailand
Stroking, feeding and bathing full grown Thai elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, is the experience of a lifetime. Join us as we learn about these magnificent creatures and the woman who has dedicated her life to saving them.
A Trip to the White Temple in Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle
During our two weeks in Chiang Mai it was suggested that we must not miss the Chiang Rai area. So we hired a guide and headed out for the full day of touring that he planned for us…
Visiting the Umbrella Factory in Borsang, Thailand
The entire village of Borsang, Thailand revolves around the making of umbrellas. We had seen umbrellas like these in import stores in America, but never understood how much time and effort goes into their assembly…
Three Things We Love About Bali Restaurants
We have a month to spend in Ubud, Bali and have found the city to be a culinary delight. There are dozens of warungs (small family cafes), as well as many larger, more commercial restaurants. We have discovered many wonderful eateries, both large and small. We are...
About Us
Laurie and Neil gave away or sold 99% of their possessions for a new life as international travelers. They share the secrets of how they turn limited resources into a life of unlimited fun and adventure. Read more
