About Us

About Us

We wanted to thank all the people that have helped make our journey possible.
Especially our family who have given us the strength and support to take our path.
All our family and friends who have helped connect us with a network overseas,
and those that we are meeting overseas! All our friends who will hopefully join us on
our adventures. Our employers for also being supportive with our Sabbatical!

Thank you all and anyone else we may be missing!

Sincerely,

Michael and Julia

Our Family

Some may call us unorthodox but for my family travel is considered our treasured
pastime. This spirit lives on from the days of both sides of my grandparents
shepherding my parents and their siblings around the country in the back of their cars
for work and good old family vacations. This sparked a sense of wonder and
excitement in my family for seeing and living in new places and cultures.
This tradition has been carried on down to my generation and now my wife Julia who
was learned to not only embrace but love the exploration. So with that we want to
share our stories and memories with you.

Thanks Michael and Julia!

TOURS WITH JOE

Life is about memories, not dreams-just do it!

This is the section about the many tales and adventures across the land of 6 continents,

stretching over 5 decades by one man and his dream that he made into a reality.

Coming soon, hear more about tips, top places, experiences, and future travels with Joe.
If you want to go let me know and will be there by the end of the year. Twice the trip , in half the
time, at a fraction of the cost .  

Scientifically:

   2 x Trip ( 1/2 Time ) x 1% Cost = Good Times

Joe

TREKS WITH VINCE

Get your steps in one UNESCO world heritage site at a time.

Follow an avid walker on the many exciting ways and places to get your steps in.
Starting from the mysterious mountains of Machu Pichu, along the banks of Lake Geneva, all the
way to the historic El Camino Trail. Vince has had the opportunity to hike in a variety of unique
places and has had participated in several race walking events. He enjoys walking in a various
Metroparks and other places all over the Toledo area.

​Vince

Things we loved and lessons we learned from around the world!

Things we loved and lessons we learned from around the world!

This is an ongoing post that will continue to be updated by country, providing a glimpse of some our favorite things from each place along with things we wish we knew before hand!

Updated as of Cambodia on 5/18/19.

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Top 3

• Watching the amazing acrobatic performance called ‘White Gold' at the Phare Circus in Siem Reap.
• Visiting the millennium-old Angkor Wat temples
• Surviving the Tuk Tuk rides (but really enjoying them:))

Tuk tuk rides

Lessons Learned

• In central Siem Reap, prices for food and drinks are at the US level ($10-$15 pp for lunch); walk a few blocks away for cheap and good food and drinks (this can be common in multiple countries tourist hotspots).

Vietnam

Water bus ride

Top 3

• Enjoying a spectacular sunset onboard of a local Ho Chi Minh waterbus
• Trying street food in Saigon.
• Indulging at local spas at a fraction of the cose compared to the US.

Saigon street food

Lessons Learned

• Jay-walking is the only way to cross streets, so put on a confident face and cross the street at a steady pace.
• Don’t fall for street scams, like coconut drink sellers who triple their prices; just politely decline.
• Would avoid Phu Quoc due to heavy construction and would return once all the infrastructure currently being built is fully developed in 2-3 years.

Malaysia – West Peninsular

Batu Caves

Top 3

• Climbing to the top of Batu Caves and visiting the world’s largest Bird Park.
• Shopping at the Malacca Jonker night market.
• Watching the death-defying Sepang Avani Fire Show.

Jonker Street

Lessons Learned

• It gets very hot during the day, so try to stay inside between 11 am and 3 pm (also reoccuring for other parts of Asia).

Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

Top 3

• Enjoying the breathtaking Gardens by the Bay (especially for the nightly light show), Marina Bay Hotel, and the Jewel (adjacent to the airport).
• Enjoying refreshing cold beer and live music in Clarke Quay.
• Exploring the ethnic neighborhoods of Chinatown and Little India.

Old Chinatown

Lessons Learned

• The Universal Harborfront area can be skipped, unless you are trying to go to the theme park itself.

Malaysia – Borneo

Bako National Park

Top 3

• Enjoying the exotic jungles in Mulu and Bako national parks, full of wildlife.
• Caving, specifically at Deer Cave where you can watch the world’s largest bat exodus.
• Swimming in the cool freshwater basin right outside of Clearwater Cave.

Deer Cave, Mulu National Park

Lessons Learned

• At the parks, food is expensive or difficult to come by, so stock up when possible.

Brunei

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Top 3

• Walking the quaint downtown (seeing virtually no tourists) during the day, almost like a fairytale.
• Learning their culture and history by visiting the Royal Regalia Museum and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
• Re-exploring the same downtown by night when everyone goes outside, and the town is lit up.

Brunei by night

Lessons learned

• No good public transportation, so you have to catch a taxi to most places.

The Philippines

Whale Shark Swimming

Top 3

• Enjoying all the sea activities they have to offer, including swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, reef diving, and kayaking.
• Mall-ing (a term used to describe the activities many people engage in when trying to escape hot weather at local malls).
• Mangoes and mango shakes every day all day with a little halo-halo mixed in.

Mall-ing

Lessons learned

• Heavy traffic especially in Cebu and Manila, adjust accordingly.
• Every meal is a feast, so be prepared to indulge.

Hong Kong/Macau

Lions Pavillion

Top 3

• Hiking to the Lions Pavillion and Victoria Peak in the morning.
• Enjoying a Symphony of Lights (nightly light show) at the Kowloon side harbor.
• Riding the top deck of the reasonably priced Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus for some history and views of both sides of the harbor.

HK Symphony of Lights Show

Lessons Learned

• Skip the south island of Macau, because the public transportation is poor, they don’t have change for large bills, and the north island is more cultural and vibrant.

Japan

Living Japanese style

Top 3

• Humbling visits of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
• Living like a local in a minka (a traditional Japanese home) in Mie Prefecture.
• Visiting the Kiyomizu-dera pagoda during sunset, time it with a meal and a awesome walk up the streets to the pagoda and temple.

Kiyomizu-dera Pagoda

Lessons Learned

• The buildings have low ceilings, so make sure to watch your head, this was the downside to being tall.
• There is good sake and bad sake, don't buy juice-box sake if you want to enjoy your sake.

Indonesia

Tegallalang rice terraces

Top 3

• Rice fields of Tegallalang are as picturesque as they come.
• Visiting local wood-crafting, silver, and fine arts districts outside of Denpasar.
• Relaxing at the InterContinental resort and enjoying all it had to offer, including a free photoshoot for guests.

IC beach life Bali

Lessons Learned

• Heavy traffic, especially around airport and Denpasar, adjust accordingly.
• Make sure you have appropriate medication to adjust to local cuisine (this will be reoccurring for Asia).
• During rainy season, be prepared for quick changes of weather (also reoccurring for most of Asia).

Greece

Greek food

Top 3

• Local foods like moussaka, lot of olives, and washing your meals down with souma.
• Driving through their gorgeous islands (Samos, Chios) to explore at your own pace.
• Visiting museums and historical sites to learn about the rich Greek history especially on Samos.

Driving the islands of Greece - Samos

Lessons learned

• Check flights or boats schedule between Turkey and Greece, because they may be limited, especially during off seasons.

Turkey

Ephesus

Top 3

• Tasting kumpir (loaded potato), doner kebab, and bakhlava in Istanbul.
• Visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s old city.
• Visiting Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary near Kusadasi.

Lessons Learned

• Check the schedule for the mosques and museums, because they may be closed on different days and/or undergo construction.
• Make sure not to fall for scams on the street as learning to say no can go along way. Be polite but assertive when talking to salespeople.

Bulgaria

Top 3

• Joining one of the free 365 Walking Tours for a quick history lesson on Sofia.
• Climbing to the top of the Vitosha Mountain, consider a cab driver for a cheap fare up the mountain.
• Tasting traditional Bulgarian food at ‘Under the Linden Trees’ restaurant.

Lessons learned

• Bar hopping can be hit or miss as we went on our own, also consider one of the cities bar hopping tours which may offer different variety.

Switzerland

Top 3

• Riding the mesmerizing Bernina Express Route through the magnificent Swiss Alps
• Enjoying a 5-course meal at a local farmer’s house/restaurant called Fajauner Koscht.
• Visiting the InterContinental Davos ski resort and spa (aka ‘The Golden Egg’).

Lessons learned

• Dinners are considered a favorite pastime, so they may take longer than you would expect in the U.S.; plan accordingly for a more relaxing and social meal.

Ireland

Top 3

• Riding on the top deck of the Dublin Hop On Hop Off bus, for a quick overview of Dublin.
• Trying Murphy’s Irish Red Beer at Reily’s Bar and chatting with the friendly locals.
• Tasting bacon and cabbage at Burxelles restaurant, even as vegetarians we could not resist.

Lessons Learned

• Hotel shuttle buses at the airport may be hard to find, make sure you know where they are at.
• If you are lost, ‘just ring anybody’ as everyone is super friendly, but consider knowing where you’re going as well.