In our sixties, (Don’s now seventy!) with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our car and apartment, sold or gave away all our stuff, and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, etc. – you can see the blog archive. We will continue travelling until it’s time to stop – if that time ever comes. So far it suits us very well. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both “choose” our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the “mechanics” of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both.
Interests: Alison – in no particular order: travel, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Don – the same except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
Hi there – We just also nominated you for the Liebster Blog award. Have a look at my latest post and answer the 5 questions.
Good luck.
Baerbel and Johan
Good luck to you too!
Answers on the way.
You remind me of my aunt and uncle. They did they same thing except they set out to explore the more untouched parts of the U.S., not the world. Your choice to travel and the courage it took is inspiring. Keep enjoying life and the world!
here is my uncle’s blog: http://www.artfulrvadventures.com
If you’re interested :)
Thanks so much. And we in turn are inspired by people in their 80′s and 90′s who try sky diving and things like that. Life is so short, and so precious, we must live it to the fullest we can. Your journey sounds amazing too. Good for you for stepping into it. Bet you’re aunt and uncle were part of your inspiration. I look forward to reading their blog.
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When my responsibilities are done I would love to do likewise :-)
Yes! Go for it! You’ll know when the time’s right. If you’d asked only 6 months before if we thought we’d sell everything and become nomads we’d not have believed it. The suddenly there it was to do. No regrets so far.
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Wow! Absolutely fantastic. It sounds like a great life and we applaud you for living life to the fullest. Can’t wait to read more.
All the Best, Terri & James
Thank you so much. Looking forward to exploring your blog soon. In rural Vietnam ATM so v slow internet connection.
Blessings
Alison and Don
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Thank you, Alison. These are my thoughts about the great honor you have just bestowed upon and me and my site.
http://aapatawaran.com/2013/01/14/the-versatile-blogger-award/
A
Thank you so much for your kind words. I was quite moved. I also feel honoured. I love your site.
Och.. you guys look so utterly lovely together. Wish you many, many more travels full of love and wonder!!
Thank you so much.
I feel as if we’ve been graced, without doing anything in particular to earn or deserve it. So blessed.
May you be blessed also in many ways <3
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Wow you are very brave… my husband and I plan to do that in 2 years time (maybe), and you just us inspiration to do it even sooner than the original plan. Did you do a proper planning for all your trips? Can’t wait for the rest of your story
Well we admit it was a bit like jumping off a cliff. And it continues to be that way, but we wouldn’t change a thing.
When I read out loud the bit to Don about proper planning we both laughed out loud, as we’d just been discussing the joys, and woes, of travelling without proper planning. When we first set out we booked a flight to Italy, a return flight from Paris, a Eurail pass, and the first 3 weeks accommodation. Then we just filled in the next 6 weeks as we went along.
Then after a very busy month back in Canada we booked a flight to Chennai and a return flight from Sydney with the idea of 2 or 3 months in a small town in India, a month in Bali and some time in Australia. Only our accommodation in India was booked ahead of time, but nothing else was booked. And so it continues. Sometimes we research a bit and book ahead, and sometimes we book the day before. The most recent 6 weeks in India was very planned with all hotel, car and train bookings done ahead of time. This whole time we’re currently in SE Asia we’ve literally made it up as we go along. Today we booked a minivan to Van Vieng leaving tomorrow. We live and die by our computers and the internet. Most of the time it’s wonderful. Sometimes it’s scary. Just like ordinary life eh?
Thanks for visiting and following our blog. Hope you enjoy it.
Hi Alison and Don,
Thanks again for the lovely awards. We have officially passed the torch on to some more great bloggers. Here’s the link.
All the Best, Terri
http://gallivance.net/2013/01/29/awards-and-blogs-we-love/
You’re welcome, and thanks for your kind words.
I’m looking forward to exploring some of those blogs you’ve recommended.
I love this! I can see so much love in these photos.
Thanks Eric. Ah yes, there’s a lot of love. We’re very blessed.
The photo on our gravatar – we’d just had our heads buzzed that day, for the first time. It was exciting. And we’ve maintained it since then (about a year ago now). My sister was there to capture the moment. The photo above was taken in Bali.
Thanks for following. Hope you enjoy our stories of our travels.
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hi :) please pick up your awards at my page ^^ http://theeclecticeccentricshopaholic.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/about-damn-time/ xo, kz
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Ahoy, Alison! :) awards fer ye ‘n Don n’ an invitation to join me female band o’ pirates :) xo http://theeclecticeccentricshopaholic.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/a-pirate-moment-2/
I don’t remember exactly how I reached this page, but I feel glad that I’m here today to see your smiles and read the stories of your travel…. Loads of love and prayers for your future plans and travels :)
Hi rubberpal, nice to meet you, and thank you for your kind words. I hope you enjoy reading about our journey.
Loads of love and prayers for you too for all your life journeys :)
Be well
Alison
I’m blessed … no more words :)
Love your recent posts and photos on Vietnam and Cambodia. We were there not too long ago and these certainly bring back memories. So glad to have discovered your blog!
Thank you so much. More to come on Cambodia, then Laos and Myanmar. Really an amazing part of the world.
Welcome and thank you!
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Thanx for your feedback………I love your blog , more so for your bohemian spirit …….. it represents true freedom from everything superficial and requires a lot of guts…..
Thanks sv. We’re after a kind of freedom, that’s for sure. It’s not so much about freedom to do whatever we want, so much as it is about a true freedom, from attachment, from judgement, from self-created suffering, from limitation. I suppose it takes guts, but it feels more like we have no choice if we want to be truly honest and authentic. If you listen the path really is quite narrow.
Thanks for following
xoxox
Just felt like sending you a youtube clip on one of my favourite artists, a French singer who travels and writes about his journeys – here’s ‘Manila Hotel’ “I’m in Manila Hotel, facing the dustbins on dustbin road…”
Just this, in Brazil, sorry, just a real traveller – decided to translate the first part of his words, beneath the song, so you can get an idea of his writing..
http://youtu.be/VUp5M7F2e30
she had tarots tattooed
framed on her right shoulder
cut in two knife scars
she was born in Buenos Aires
mix of Indian and SS
on her right wrist she wore
l’embrança do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia
da Bahia, da Bahia
she left a bitter taste
of coconut and lime
she was waiting for me under the verandah
in Fortaleza
.
one dies sometimes for nothing
a tarantula, sadness,
a scorpion, an American
.
she worked in a hotel
restaurant, gasoline, brothel
fashion of Paris, and Winchester
she slipped her sidelong glance
on your shoulders and your cash…
Thanks for the translation, it helped. My French is not good enough these days. Musically I enjoyed the Manilla Hotel one best. I do see why he would be one of your faves – his gypsy life and from the translation I get the poetry in his lyrics. Reminds me of Leonard Cohen who I adore. A really special one from the memory banks – seeing kd laing live at the dress rehearsal of the Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony singing Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. So powerful.
Hey Alison! It looks like you and Don are enjoying the beautiful Laos right now! You guys are fearless and inspirational! I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award, which you can read about and accept here: http://thetraveluster.com/2013/05/02/versatile-blogger-award-celebrating-bloggers/
Keep on living the dream!!
I’ll say thank you here as well as on your own site. Can’t say enough thank yous for being honoured in this way.
We’re actually not in Laos. We’re in Mexico. The blog is 3 months behind and I’m trying madly to get it up to date. Eventually it will reflect where we actually are. I hope :)
And you too – keep on living the dream!
xoxox
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Humorous bio! I like it! :)
Thank you! Not meant to be humorous, but happy for you to be amused :)
Cheers
Alison
Alison and Don, nice to know about you. Your own story and your blog posts are very inspiring.
Thank you. I happy to hear you find it inspiring. Keep up your own travels – your journeys sound like fun.
Thanks for following Sunil – I hope you enjoy our journey!
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Thank you for visiting my blog. Gave me the chance to check out your amazing blog. What can I say…! It’s so great you are living this dream life.It is something my husband and I plan about 15 years from now (we will turn sixty in 12 years time).
I look forward to visiting your place in the sun more often. Happy travel!
Thank you so much mj. Yes we are living a dream life. We are very very blessed and full of gratitude every day.
I hope all your dreams come true!
Thank you for visiting
Namaste
Alison
You two are such beautiful people, inside and out. I feel so lucky to be able to share in these precious pieces of your journey.
As you said, Alison, I see so much of my husband and I in you both. You’re living the life we want to keep living. It’s inspirational to have such a fantastic mirror to peer into.
Love this -> acceptance of what is, as it is
That’s a keystone for us as well.
Much peace & love to you both!
Andrea
Thank you so much for these wonderful words of affirmation. It ‘s lovely to hear we’re inspiring, but I think you’re already on the right track :) as your piece about judging shows, and the understanding of acceptance. You’re so much more aware than we were at your age.
Peace and blessings
Alison
You two are very inspiring. So happy to find you here and I will surely follow your travels and the unfolding of your hearts, souls and soles. <3
Thank you so much. I’ve been reading your wonderful blog and return the follow with pleasure. Looking forward to reading of the unfolding of your journey.
Blessings
Alison
<3
I’m a new fan. Because of what I read. And you’ve been to Myanmar a place I left part of my heart in. :)
Hi Lidia. Nice to meet you. I’ve been looking around your blog and see you are quite a traveller too. I think you’ve been just about all over the world.
I think I left a part of my heart in Myanmar too. We had an amazing time there. Next few posts will be about Inle Lake which I think was just about our favourite place.
Thank you for visiting and liking. Always nice to have a new fan :)
Blessings
Alison