"Around the world" StephanB's Profile

The adventure of a lifetime!

Well, we did it! We sold almost everything we owned, quit our jobs, and embarked on a trip around the world. We don't know how long it will last, (to date, 5 years) or where it will take us, but as they say, it's the journey, not the destination that will define this adventure. Our trip started in Turkey, then down to South Africa and Mozambique, back up to England and Spain, then finishing up in Morocco. We came back to the states for a couple months to take care of some family matters and give our daughter Annika some down time. We then set off for S.E. Asia. We started in Thailand, and have visited Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and finally the Cook Islands for a little pampering after a long haul.
We just couldn't stop traveling. The more destinations we visit, the more we get entrenched in this lifestyle. We have just returned from our 9 month stint through South America. We visited Ecuador, Columbia, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina.

Maybe someday we'll know what we want to do when we grow up, but I hope it doesn't come at the expense of the happiness we have found. We have never been more connected, or felt as free as we do right now. We can't wait to hit the road again.
Everybody keeps asking us when, and where, we are going to settle down. I don't even know what the term "settle down" means to us anymore. We have had a tough time fitting in to the culture and lifestyle that we both grew up with. I believe that our past 5 years of travel have forever changed this aspect of our lives.
We currently live in Ubud, Bali. My daughter goes to a great little community school Pelangi that is a wonderful environment for my child. I am starting a villa project in the Ubud area this year, and my wife is pregnant with triplets! Wow! Life will really be an adventure now.

Turkey was amazing!

Annika makes new friends in the streets of Antalya

We take something with us from every country we visit. We got more than we bargained for with Turkey. This was our first country on our adventure, and it's still my favorite. It has everything. History, ruins, scenery, beaches, and best of all the people.

Spain

Spain has been my wife's favorite country so far. We liked everything about it. We both agree that we could be happy living here. The lifestyle, the cities, the art...Everything was our pace and style.

Morocco

My family meets a new friend in Essaouira

We only were in Morocco for a couple of weeks, but it made a lasting impression on us. There was an energy in the cities that was almost magical. I only wish we had planned more time to explore the outer edges.

Vietnam, what a trip!

Sitting down for break with the Hmong chicks.

Vietnam was a cooky and whacky place. Many ups and downs, but we enjoyed (almost) every minute of the ride. Many would argue this, but it still has kept it's unique flavor despite the influx of tourist over the past 10 years. If you can get past the little nuances, you can't help but fall for the place. We plan to go back and explore the southern half.

Cambodia

Despite all the devastating poverty, combined with what these people have endured over the past 30 years, it is amazing how genuinely friendly cambodians are. We were not just blown away by Angkor Wat, but the people had the same type of affect on us.

Canoe trip in Alaska.

Peace and quiet

No people for 7 days. The perfect trip.

Glacier national Park

Hike to a glacier in Montana

This beautiful hike up to a glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana is the most incredible place I have ever visited. I did this same hike when I was 12 years old with my family. My wife and I agreed that we both want our ashes scattered over the glacier at the end of this hike. (That's my will, your all witnesses) I have been to most of the national parks in the US, and Glacier is still my favorite. These early camping trips around the US and beautiful Canada gave us the bug for travel.

Intro Updated Feb 19, 2011
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SangAji Dec 5, 2012 at 8:11 PM

Wishing you the best on your birthday!
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Waalewiener Dec 5, 2012 at 7:04 AM

Happy Birthday Stephan
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RickinDutch Dec 5, 2011 at 3:29 PM

Happy Birthday Stephan!
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connectingrod Dec 5, 2011 at 2:32 AM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
WISH YOU MANY HAPPY RETURENS OF THE DAY
MAY ALL YOUR DREAM COMES TRUE THIS YEAR
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Waalewiener Dec 1, 2011 at 6:24 AM

Hi Stephan Happy Birthday early because we going away for a week without computer
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MalenaN Dec 5, 2010 at 12:17 AM

Happy Birthday Stephan! Have a wonderful day! What a great adventure for you and your family to have explored the world for 5 years!
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arinizy Mar 30, 2010 at 12:04 AM

It's nice you and your family like Ubud...!.. It's my second time to stay in Ubud this weekend ..!
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a2lopes Dec 5, 2009 at 12:17 PM

Happy birthday Stephan and many happy returns of the day. Greetings from Lisbon.
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sarahshm Dec 5, 2009 at 9:10 AM

Hi stephan ;) just saw today's ur bday like me ;) wanted to say happy birthday and wish u the best on ur bday. btw u have an interesting homepage ;)
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zanzooni Jun 27, 2009 at 6:30 PM

Awesome HP, and how lucky for you and your family to do what you are doing. I've thought about doing that myself. ~