Adventures in Wonderland

a pilgrimage of the heart

About us – Alison and Don

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Hello! We are Alison Armstrong and Don Read.

In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, we sold our car and apartment, sold or gave away all our things, and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and since then have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, Southeast Asia, Sweden, Mexico, South America, New Zealand, Cyprus, and more – it’s all in 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, competitive figure skating (as a fan), blogging, photography, writing, acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence. Don – the same except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.

To discover more go here to read an article we wrote for Retirement and Good Living and here to read an interview we did with Nomadic Matt.

Changes: in March 2017 we made the decision to stay in Vancouver for at least the next twelve months. After five years and eight months travelling the world without a home we knew we needed a time out. Travelling is stressful and Alison’s body felt pummelled, and we both needed to stop for a while. Then we found the apartment! The rent is about half the normal rent for such a place in Vancouver. It was too good a deal to pass up. So once again we have a home, and for the first time since the end of August 2011 we own a car and furniture. We will continue to travel though not in the way we did before.

Alison did a seven-week solo trip to Japan and China May/June 2018.

We both went to Paris, India, and Japan for 8 weeks in Feb/March 2019, and to India and Malaysia in Feb/March 2020.

We’re now both in our 70’s though it doesn’t seem to have slowed us down much. We’ll set off again as soon as Covid lets us.

678 thoughts on “About us – Alison and Don”

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  1. Hi, Nancy from Accessible Journeys here. I created a short bio / intro for your Hollyburn blog and include it here for your review:
    The adventurous seventy-somethings, Alison Armstrong and Don Read, ditched their home, car and belongings in 2011, setting out to discover the world, and themselves. Their travels have spanned Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Mexico and South America. In 2017 they took a rest, hunkering down in Vancouver, BC, with only sporadic travel stints before COVID-19 hit. While awaiting the easing of pandemic restrictions they did some exploring in their beautiful BC playground.

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        1. Hi Alison, I have been reading your blog for a couple years now, love the photos. I always write a journal when we travel, reminds us of places and people. Also take hundreds photos – thank heaven for digital cameras! Not sure how to go about writing a travel blog tho, we will be travelling in a couple months, would be interesting to start. Jean

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          1. Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog.
            The one thing I know for sure is that when I started I also didn’t know how to go about writing a travel blog; I learned by doing it.
            You can start one free of charge on WordPress. I found it easy enough to set it up, and I’m truly not very tech savvy. It’s all pretty user-friendly.
            When I’m stuck for what to write I just pretend that I’m writing a letter about my travels to friends and family. In a way I am, though I do more research for some posts than others.
            If you’re keeping a journal you’re already more ahead of the game than I was. I’m constantly regretting that I didn’t make more notes, or do more research.
            Do it. It’ll be fun!
            Alison

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            1. Hi Alison, thank you for getting back to me. I have never blogged before so don’t really know what to do, what is Word press please? Is it expensive? Is it like a subscription? Sorry but I am a complete beginner on blogging altho it would be great to do it as I really enjoy reading what other people are doing and where they travel to. Are you away now or in Vancouver? Jean

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              1. I’m currently in Canberra, Australia. WordPress.com is a blog hosting site. It’s free up to a certain amount (13 gigs I think it is, but that can last a long time with just writing and small photos.) It’s not a subscription, you just set up a blog. Google WordPress.com and it will give you all the instructions.
                Alison

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                1. Hi Alison, thank you for info on website. How is it for security, I mean if you are away from home is it ok to detail travels or is it better to wait till return to do the blog?

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  3. Hi
    I am Aubrey. I am the Outreach Specialist of Asiwo;
    I am writing today to see if you are open to a collaboration with us.
    I was looking around the internet for relevant and high-quality sites – and I found yours! Your writing style and your water activities posts are a great indication of awesome work together. What do you think?
    Please let me know if we can work something out! We’d be thrilled to whip an article or something for your site.
    Awaiting your response!
    Best
    Aubrey

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  5. I just dropped by to skim your blog, and will return when I have more dedicated time to spend. As a chronic-pain disabled house husband just past 60, all I can say from the little of your blog I’ve seen is, I wanna be you when I grow up! 🙂 Thanks for the like on Rarasaur’s blog, hope to chat more soon.

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    1. Hi John. Welcome, and thank you. I look forward to connecting more with you.
      (This may be a step too far, but I’m currently reading a book about chronic pain. On the off chance that it may help it’s The Way Out, by Alan Gordon. )
      Sincerely
      Alison

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      1. No worries, all steps relating to my headaches are welcome. My problem is that, while they seem to be migraines, there’s no physical faults detectable, plus they are completely asymptomatic of migraines (in plain English, they don’t behave like migraines_. I’ve been at the current cycle for over 25 years, stuck on pain, with only opiods helping., and the state I live in (Ohio or confusion, your choice 😉 ) has made getting opiods nearly impossible. My old doctor retired in December, and he’s the only one who worked with me. I’m still in search of a new one. 🙄

        And now that I’ve bored you to tears, thanks for the interest. I’ll stop by soon and check out more of your blog. Thanks!

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        2. Hi to John. Sorry to learn you suffer from headaches. I have had them for years, started off as migraines. Eventually some 20 years ago I got diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia, its rare, can be extremely painful when active, no painkillers work and treatment is either long term use of carbomezapine or similar, or surgical procedures, which do help for short while. Suggest you go to doctor and mention TN, there is good on line group too where you will get lots advice.

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          1. Thanks for the info! I’ll read up on TN, but I’m not sure it’s what I gave, as opiod painkillers do work for me. I will check, though, and if I ever do find a doc who doesn’t treat me like an addict, I will definitely bring it up. Again, thanks!

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            1. Hi John, no problem. Do hope you find a solution to the pain. Since having TN I have discovered so much about headaches I didn’t know existed. Maybe you have neurological facial pain. Have you had a scan? That would indicate any problems and aid treatment. I do understand your problem as spent years struggling with migraines and in those days there was not much in way of medication to help and the one available was ergotamine which made you feel absolutely terrible. There is a book called Headaches 47 ways to stop the pain by Charles inlander and Porter Shimer, it’s a People’s medical society book, my copy is quite old but there is probably an updated one available, it is an American book by the way so you should have no problem finding a copy maybe on Amazon. Good luck. Would be interested to learn how you get on.

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  6. Hi Don and Alison. Just wondering how you both are, specially if you, Don, have recovered.
    Time goes so fast, was going to write you about our cruise in March but not got round to it due to hubby fracturing two bones in his lower spine prior to trip, but still insisted on going, didn’t know at time what problem was, doc thought it muscle strain! Not one of our better trips!

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    1. I’m so sorry to hear your husband fractured his lower spine. That must have been very painful. It must have been really challenging on your cruise. I hope he’s recovered now.
      As for Don, he is very much improved, almost back to his usual self. We will be writing an update post very soon. Thank you so much for asking.
      Alison

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  7. Hello, I’m Melissa Dal Santo.
    I’m not sure this is the best place to write you, but I didn’t find an e-mail to contact you, sorry.
    I’m Italian and I’ve been reading your blog for quite a bit now, it’s really interesting.
    I’m not the only Italian that reads your blog, but there are also a lot of Italians who love travel blogs like yours but don’t understand English.
    So, I wanted to ask you if you would like to translate your website in Italian or even in French (I’m bilingual).
    I’m a professional translator and usually, I translate 1,000 words for 6$, but for the new clients, I translate the first 6,000 words for 3$ every 1,000 words.
    I am also joining my CV.
    Thank you,
    Melissa.

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    1. Thanks so much Melissa. I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. I’m sorry, but I must say no to your offer. Since the blog is not monetized, and I already pay WordPress for the space, I don’t wish to spend more on it.
      I wish you well in all your endeavours.
      Sincerely,
      Alison

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    1. Oh that is so lovely to hear. I’m glad you’ve been travelling along with us all these years. ❤️

      We also of course don’t know how much longer we have – I’m 73, Don’s 81, so much closer to the end than the beginning.

      We just must do our best to enjoy the time we have!
      Take care

      Alison 🤗

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