Abandoned everyday lives for permanent voyage of discovery
At 55, life took a Turn for Shayne and his wife. They deciced to part ways with their material possessions – the house, cars, and a business they'd spent years building – and embarked on a wild adventure. With nothing but a few suitcases and a one-way ticket to Bali, they traded their old life for an endless journey.
This wasn't just a whimsical escape, but the culmination of years of dreaming, planning, and weighing their dreams against reality. A health scare and surviving the pandemic accelerated their plans. Suddenly, their "someday" became their "now or never."
The first step was selling Shayne's physiotherapy practice to one of his long-time employees. Selling the house on the first weekend it was listed only added to their excitement. They donated, sold, or gave away most of their possessions, leaving them with a surprising feeling of liberation.
With a monthly budget of around $3,000 (€2,500), they roamed over 193,000 kilometers through 15 countries, including Bali and Thailand. They eschewed opulence for affordable destinations, scouting out spots like Poland, the Czech Republic, and southern Italy where daily expenses can be as low as €30–50 per person.
Cleverly, they used budget accommodations (such as hostels, guesthouses, and affordable Airbnb rentals) to keep their monthly accommodation costs manageable. Often, they stayed in places where lodging was under €30 per night. They mastered the art of economical transport, favoring public transportation and the occasional budget airline, while steering clear of tourist-heavy areas where meals could be significantly more expensive.
Their itinerary included free outdoor activities like hiking, beach visits, and exploring cities on foot. They savored the simple pleasures of inexpensive street food and local casual eateries, strike a balance between comfort and frugality.
The couple admitted that their life wasn't always a picture of perfection. They faced minor illnesses, language barriers, SIM card issues, missed flights, and moments of homesickness. But each challenge only served to fuel their wanderlust, as they discovered that the best memories come from imperfect moments.
The hardest part wasn't leaving their old life behind, but saying goodbye to their close family with four daughters and nine grandchildren, all under seven years old. Despite being physically apart, they've found novel ways to connect. They share stories via FaceTime, exchange postcards and small gifts, and attend virtual dance performances and cheerleading competitions. Even their oldest granddaughter practices piano with them via video call. And when they reunite, each meeting is extra special.
In the end, they've learned that adventure, reinvention, and dreams have no age limit. Despite the uncertainties, they've shown that it's never too late to take the first step towards the life you truly want to live.
- Leaving behind the opulence of their old lifestyle, Shayne and his wife travel frugally, preferring budget accommodations and affordable destinations like Poland, the Czech Republic, and southern Italy.
- Trading their material possessions for an endless journey, their lifestyle of travel is not just an escape, but the culmination of years of dreaming, planning, and making the most of their "now or never."
