Time is flying, and it feels incredible that in less than nine months we will begin our new adventure! We’ve already made great strides over the past year, but the past few weeks have been especially productive and inspiring. Time to update you on our progress and the milestones we’ve reached.
1. Dreams and Plans in Murcia
During the Christmas vacations we stayed in our apartment in Murcia, Spain. What a wonderful place to take a break and get inspired! We enjoyed the nice weather, the beautiful surroundings and most of all, dreaming about our big trip. I love planning immensely, and Notion turned out to be the perfect tool. I worked out a comprehensive template that included everything we needed:
2. An E-reader for ultimate me-time
One of the items on my list was an e-reader. Reading is the ultimate form of relaxation for me, but three books in a backpack take up a lot of space. That’s why I gave myself a Kobo Clara e-reader as a gift for my birthday. It is one of the best purchases ever! I also discovered that you can borrow e-books for free through the library. Two birds with one stone: travel light and have an unlimited book collection at hand!
3. The first two months: Indonesia
The planning for the first two months is mostly complete. We are starting in Indonesia, a country that fascinates us immensely. We have worked out a list of accommodations, sightseeing and transportation options. In fact, the first night’s accommodation has already been booked! Although we have a clear schedule, we realize that unexpected things can always happen. Flexibility is key, especially with visa limits like in Indonesia, where you can only stay for 60 days.
4. Hunting for cheap airfare
We do plenty of scouring for cheap airfare. The nice thing is that we are flexible with dates, so we can really find the best deals in terms of price and travel time. It feels like a big puzzle, but every savings makes the trip even more fun.
5. Photo studio rented
Good news: my photography studio is partially rented out! This halves my fixed expenses during our absence. In addition, it provides some extra income leading up to the trip. It feels great to have this burden off my shoulders.
6. My E-book on Curaçao is ready
A big milestone: my e-book on Curaçao is finished! It is a comprehensive 200-page guide full of tips, inspiration and facts about this beautiful island. Right now friends and acquaintances are doing a final check, and then I can publish it. I am so curious to see how it will be received and if it will sell well.
7. Inspire through blog posts
In addition to the e-book, I enjoy writing blogs about Curaçao. My goal is to inspire people and get them excited about the island. Hopefully it will also encourage them to buy my e-book, because I am sure it will be a valuable guide for anyone who wants to travel to Curaçao.
8. Work and progress
I have been working at a school since November, and I am now fully settled in. It is nice to have colleagues again and to do work that I enjoy. The extra income is of course also very welcome, especially in view of our trip.
Just a little longer and then…
The next few months are all about final preparations. We are continuing to work down our list, continue to enjoy planning and keep counting down to the big moment. We can’t wait to take you along on our adventure and share our experiences with you. Thank you guys for following along on our journey, even though it is still in the preliminary stages right now. Do you have any tips or experiences you would like to share? Let us know in the comments!
Much love,
Joke, Bram & Noah
