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.
Adventures in Wonderland 
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
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Good luck to you too!
Answers on the way.
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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 🙂
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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 🙂
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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
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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
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I was quite moved. I also feel honoured. I love your site.
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Och.. you guys look so utterly lovely together. Wish you many, many more travels full of love and wonder!!
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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 ❤
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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
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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.
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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/
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You’re welcome, and thanks for your kind words.
I’m looking forward to exploring some of those blogs you’ve recommended.
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I love this! I can see so much love in these photos.
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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/
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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 🙂
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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
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I’m blessed … no more words 🙂
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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!
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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…..
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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
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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…”
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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..
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…
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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.
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He also reminds me of Georges Moustaki and Serge Reggiani, two favorites from a summer in France in the late 60s!
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Hi Dan, thanks for visiting. Not familiar with either of those singers – I’ll go look them up later.
Cheers
Alison
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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!!
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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! 🙂
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Thank you! Not meant to be humorous, but happy for you to be amused 🙂
Cheers
Alison
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Alison and Don, nice to know about you. Your own story and your blog posts are very inspiring.
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Thank you. I happy to hear you find it inspiring. Keep up your own travels – your journeys sound like fun.
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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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. ❤
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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
❤
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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. 🙂
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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
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Just launched our own nomadic life! In Vientiane via Vietnam and Seattle — any tips? 🙂
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Pack light! Home is an internal experience not an external place. Be present as much as possible. If you’re into hiking/being out in nature spend a few days in Vang Vieng. Plan ahead but don’t be too attached to your plans. Travel slow (we rushed thru some places and won’t do that again). Can’t think of anything else right now. You’ll discover as you go along. Oh I know – expect the best!
Thanks for the likes on the other posts 🙂
Good luck
Cheers
Alison
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You bet. I am going to unload some of these clothes through a donation service I just heard about in Bangkok. Getting ready for the next place, next story, next adventure. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
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Hi Alison, nice to meet you!
Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to spending a lot of time on your blog reading about your adventures. You inspire me. Your photos and stories are fantastic.
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Thanks Patricia. Thanks for following and for your support. I hope you enjoy the stories of our adventures.
Cheers
Alison
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You are such an inspiring couple! Have fun discovering the world then.
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Thank you so much.
You too!
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And thank you for all the ‘likes’! *That’s* inspiring!
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No big deal. Actually “likes” are not enough. Perhaps I should comment as well but it’s difficult to do so since almost everything has been said by other bloggers.
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Oh my.. I am so glad I just found this precious blog of yours, the two of you are such an inspiration! I’ve always regarded life as an incredible journey with so many things to discover and I’ve figured that so many people would love to do the same but they are too scared to let go of a “secure life”.. You give the best example that anything is possible! .. Such an enrichment!! Thank you, safe travels and lots of blessings!!
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Nice to meet you Daria. Thank you for your lovely words. It’s very encouraging. Yes live ‘is’ a journey and can be as interesting and adventurous as you care to make it. From your own blog I have no doubt that your own life will be full of adventure. You go girl!
Thanks for following our blog. I hope you enjoy the ongoing stories of our journey, both inner and outer.
Blessings
Alison
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I found your blog purely by chance (“chance” often being the best way to find things) and I so enjoyed your thoughts and words and photographs and journeys. I look forward to reading more as the winds carry you both to such wonderful places and insights. Thank you for sharing with us! Namaste!
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I agree that “chance” is the best way to find things. Thank you for your kind words. Hope you enjoy coming along on the the journey.
Namaste
Alison
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I enjoyed your story and resonate with your private bath/3star hotel policy! since mature travel rarely receives any PR i found solo mature travel has NO TRAVEL info coverage, so i started a blog for this: http;//www.maturesolotravel.com and i believe you have some great things to contribute!
if you ever wish to share info, short travel events or comments, just let me know!
lee laurino
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Hi Lee, nice to meet you. Your blog has loads of good info for solo mature travellers. Thought that piece about the single cost waiver for cruises really useful. Kudos for filling a need.
We’d love to contribute – just let us know if there’s anything in particular you’d like us to write about.
Thanks for visiting our blog and for following. I hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer.
Cheers
Alison
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Hi Alison and Don! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog. You are an inspiration–I hope to travel the world as much as the two of you when I’m older (and with my own special someone too)! Take care and I would love to read more of your adventures soon. 🙂
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Thanks Lisa,
It’s great to have you along on our journey,
Don and Alison
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Great to have discovered you. Cheryl and I are ramping up to travel more as we approach retirement, and you definitely show us how we can push the boundaries. I see you may be from our hometown – if you are ever back here, we also have a boomer/travel-related Meetup whose members would love to hear about your adventures.
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Hi Paul and Cheryl, nice to meet you, and thanks for the ‘like’.
Our hometown is Vancouver BC. We’ll actually be in town Aug30-Sep5 but are pretty booked at this point. Next time will probably be at the end of March next year. We’d love to talk to your group so let’s keep in touch.
Glad to hear we’re inspiring you as you move forward towards retirement.
Cheers
Alison
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Great. We’ll stay in touch so we can set something up closer to March. Meanwhile, we’ll try to get the sun back for your upcoming visit. Happy trails! Paul
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If this idea still works for March/April 2014, we’ll be thinking about that time frame by year end. If you’re interested, please email me a Paul “at” NoPensionWillTravel.com – Thanks!
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PS Thanks for following – hope you enjoy the stories of our adventures.
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To Alison and Don! Two people who are making their way through life, learning and loving! : ) My husband and I are working our way into it ourselves (we are 66 and 67). This year I am making arrangements to allow us to travel more than we have now been able to do. We DO travel, but on a very limited budget, and in small ways. Can’t wait to go farther and wider! I’ll check back and see how you are doing! God bless!
Kathleen & Raul
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Hi Kathleen and Raul, nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting our blog. I hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer. And I wish you much good luck with all your travel plans. It’s such an enlivening and enriching thing to do, even on a limited budget. Keep in touch.
Blessings
Alison
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I am looking forward to taking a bit of time and reading through your blog entries. My hubby and I are on a parallel course – just sold our home and about to embark on our world explorations with no planned end date. Feeling blessed, excited, curious, happy and free.
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Hi Joanne, nice to meet you. I had a quick look at your blog – Bulgaria, and Eastern Europe, is certainly on our list, maybe next (northern summer). How exciting that you’ve sold your home and are about to set out on your nomadic life. Where will you begin? After 2 years we are still feeling blessed, excited, curious, happy and free! It’s an amazing life, an amazing world!
Blessings
Alison
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PS Thanks for following. Hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer. We still shake ourselves realizing how lucky we are. I read a thing recently – you’re not thankful because you’re happy, you’re happy because you’re thankful. Everyday we are astonished, and full of gratitude by the life we’ve been given. Hope you enjoy following along as you embark on your own journey.
Alison
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