Financially Independent, Retired Early(ish) at 57.

Wednesday W’s #108.

What’s top of my mind: Travel.

So… on Saturday morning I was scrolling on the laptop and I suddenly decided to stop shilly-shallying about booking a trip to Borneo, so I did it. It’s just under 5K and I get to see orangutans and pygmy elephants!

I get to see other things too, but they’re the ones I’m most excited about.

Where I’m going: Here’s the list.

1. Sept 2024 – 2 week Ghan Northern Territory Explorer trip from Adelaide to Darwin and all in between. Uluru, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge, Kakadu etc.

2. November 2024 – The Crazy Road Trip with Liga and Liga from Latvia. From Melbourne – Healesville Sanctuary – Grampians, Great Ocean Road – Adelaide – Port Augusta – Coober Pedy – Uluru. Then back to Melbourne driving solo.

3. December 2024 – a week in the Snowy Mountains.

4. February 2025 – Vietnam for 2 weeks.

5. March 2025 – Japan for two weeks.

6. April 2025 – Tanzania/Kenya and Zanzibar for 3 weeks. They had me at ‘Zanzibar.’

7. June 2025 – Borneo for 10 days. Orangutans, pygmy elephants etc.

8. September 2025. Iceland. This will be with Morgan from Antarctica as he tour guide.

9. September 2025 – Greenland cruise. Also with Morgan as the tour guide. I’m hoping for the Northern Lights on my birthday.

10. September 2025 – Scandinavia trip.

Then I think I’ll have a rest. I’m hosting Christmas in 2025 so December is off the table for holidays.

Where I’ve been: to see Evan27.

He and Jenna are flying out to London on Tuesday on the first leg of their Edinburgh Comedy Festival adventure. After that, they’re going to see Sicily and Malta. They’ll be gone for a couple of months.

When I went over there, I was also bringing an electric wok that Megan from my last holiday was looking to give away. Evan27 was there on his own, working from home, so we had a terrific visit. I love seeing the girls and having the couples together, but I love it when it’s just me and one of my children. It doesn’t happen often so I treasure those times when it happens.

What I’m reading: Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville.

I read a few “meh” reviews about this on Goodreads, but I decided to ignore them and dive straight in. I’m glad I did.

This novel is based on the author’s grandmother’s life. It was fascinating seeing how an intelligent, restless woman had to navigate around a world so patriarchal. It makes me so glad that I’m living in the here and now.

What I’m watching: Alone.

I first got into ‘Alone’ when the Australian version came out and I began watching the US ones when I was getting ready to go to Canada. I love them, and now that I’ve been to Alaska I’m enjoying seeing people struggling with that landscape.

For those who haven’t heard of it, it’s like ‘Survivor’ on steroids with no challenges, games or idols. They take 10 people out into the wilderness and drop them off individually. They take their own cameras and have to film themselves trying to survive in the Alaskan countryside. No camera crew – they’re totally by themselves, with only a satellite phone to contact the outside world if they want to tap out.

In Alaska, these people have bears, wolves, wolverines and moose to contend with. One woman had to be pulled out because she was in danger of losing toes due to frostbite. The last one gets the $500,000.

It’s crazy how these people survive… and also why they choose to give up.

I love it.

What I’m listening to: Jeff snoring.

I know, I know. I say that a lot. But I just got back 30 minutes ago, I had the ecstatic reunion with Jeffrey and Scout and now they’re both sound asleep on the couch with me after the agony of waiting for me to come home. These are happy snores, I’m sure.

What I’m eating: an easy dinner.

I’m simply going to put some chicken schnitzels and potatoes on a roasting pan and that, along with some steamed veggies in the thermomix, will be our meal.

What I’m planning: when my next ‘spend’ day will be.

I have to pay an instalment for Greenland within the next few days, so I’m trying to coordinate my spending so that I get a successful week on my ‘No Spend’ chart.

Yes, it’s still going and I find that it’s a fantastic way to curb my spending and make the things I buy far more intentional. For example, today I was driving back from Evan27’s place and I was STARVING. I was so tempted to pull into a Maccas and grab a quarter pounder and fries. But that would turn today into a ‘spend’ day and that wasn’t in my plans. I drove straight home and didn’t spend the $12 or so that would’ve been spent.

Who deserves a “thumbs-up”: ME!

For using the ‘no spend’ chart and also grabbing the opportunity I have for guilt-free travelling. At the end of 2026, I’ll have to rein myself in. I’ll have no free dog sitters anymore.

Evan27 and I were talking about how amazing it is that after pretty much 2 decades of us staying still and living like paupers (because we were!) we’re now jumping on planes and jetting off to have adventures at the drop of a hat.

Isn’t life wonderful?

What has made me smile: seeing these cockatoos on my walking group last week.

I don’t see cockies where I live, but they were happily living their lives in Dromana!

Dad joke of the day:

10 Comments

  1. Josie

    It is so important to enjoy travel while the body is willing :)) All your trips sound wonderful!

    • FrogdancerJones

      Thanks! I’m hoping to have a couple of years of crazy travel before I become more sedate.

  2. Maureen

    Wow, that’s a lot of travel! I’m making an effort to do most of my travel in winter cause it’s just awful here in NYS, and spring, summer, and fall are just too beautiful here. I’ a huge fan of Alone as well. I love watching them work so hard to survive while I’m comfy on my sofa with a snack.

  3. bethh

    So … on Alone – is it possible that someone is out for many many days as the last one? They aren’t updated when everyone else has quit? That sounds fascinating (even if they DO get pulled off at the end).

    What a lot of travel! I also realized I had no idea where Borneo is. It seems relatively convenient to you, though I guess it is still a long flight. I’ll learn a lot from your posts about it next year!

    • FrogdancerJones

      Yes, it’s in South East Asia, which is (relatively) close to us., as well as cheaper. Both reasons are why I’m going there 3 times next year.

  4. sandyg61

    How wonderful to see so many places and all will be so different.

  5. IM-PCP

    That is an amazing list of trips planned! My working-self is jealous, and also a little exhausted just thinking about all that travel.

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