Use a weekend as an escape from the ordinary and plan a mini-break this fall. A weekend getaway is the perfect remedy to fight routine and be refreshed through adventure. Just set one weekend aside in your busy life. It will be inexpensive, spontaneous and fun! The ideal fall adventure creates a balance of fun, while [...] [...more]
Rome has over 100 hostels and budget accommodations. With so many options it becomes difficult to select the right place to stay. In fact, many hostels in Rome require a minimum stay of at least 2 nights. The typical backpacker approach of, “I’ll stay one night, if I don’t like it, I can find another [...] [...more]
Everyone has heard of the Outback, seen the Crocodile Hunter, and knows the energetic phrase, “G’day mate!” What would it be like to explore Australia? To explore the massive island, the country, the continent of Australia. Justin and I only spent one week enjoying our sample of Australia. 4 days in Sydney 1 day in the Whitsunday [...] [...more]
On April 6th, Natalie and I returned to Detroit Michigan to encourage my father in his fight against cancer. After 3 difficult weeks, dad lost his battle with cancer and died on April 21st. This is a difficult and heartbreaking time for my entire family. Natalie and I were very encouraged by the outpouring of [...] [...more]
It’s true. We made our first backpacking mistake. Justin and I are beginning our budget travel adventure in Rome arriving on Wednesday, October 1st. Back in late March we sent a few emails to The Colors Hotel in Rome and made reservations for 3 nights. We booked two beds in a room with [...] [...more]
I am a technology enthusiast. An Internet connoisseur. A dedicated Apple convert. The internet and I, well, we grew up together and the idea of living a daily existence without easy access to the internet (via my Powerbook) is a little daunting. Worry not, I am going to meetings and will adjust to the experience [...] [...more]
In a previous post entitled, Our Brains Are Worth At Least $800, Natalie wrote about our Japanese Encephalitis (JE) dilemma. Well, after thinking about how expensive some locations are in the world (read: Europe, Australia, New Zealand,) we thought that spending a solid amount of time in South East Asia would be a good idea. [...] [...more]
In an American culture saturated with instant communication, living outside this web of connections can be both relieving and a little daunting. A part of me is relieved because I do not want people to be able to get in touch with me instantaneously (read: whenever they feel the urge). I like to talk to [...] [...more]
Imagine, if you will, the following scenario. You are spending your days blissfully content on the beautiful Indonesian island of North Sulawesi near the city of Manado. You stroll into the a local Internet cafe, intent on writing a message to your friends and family explaining the events that lead to you spending the last week [...] [...more]
Growing vegetables this summer is one of the many ways in which Justin and I have brainstormed to save money for backpacking. We are growing lots of vegetables! It is unclear to see how much money we will actually save at the grocery store in the next few months, but I know I’ve [...] [...more]
