Hitching my hook to a star and going Walkabouts.

[dotpoom]

Arrived here 12 years ago to attend a meeting, my first time in Asia, loved it so much went home, sold my house and came back to live here three months later because I realized life was passing me by at home going from bed to work.. Bought 3 condos, lived in one and rented out the other two, that money I used to live on. Played the field for the next two years and got very tired of that way of life. Undecided what to do next,.... then I met my future partner around that time and we have been together ever since. After about two years together I sold the condo we were living in and bought a secondhand pick-up and a house for us to live in. We renovated the house so that it would be a place of relaxation and enjoyment for us both.

After another year we had settled into the house so we decided to spend some time traveling around and exploring Thailand. We would head off about every six weeks in a different direction each time to see "how the other half lived"...... we would stay away for about 7 days at a time, stopping and picnicking in the Salahs (Gazebos, bus shelters) along the way or cooking up on some deserted beach on the picnic cooker, having a coffee at a service station etc., I found each trip fascinating...the deeper we explored the country the more beautiful I found the land and the people. ....I (and even herself) began to get a bit depressed after each trip while we were returning home, we were wishing we could go on further and further instead of coming back to Pattaya, Jomtien and Bang Saray. Then one day I said to her...."What's stopping us from doing that"...I was wondering what her reaction would be as I know how much a house means to a Thai lady....... I said we could sell the house and use the money to travel around Thailand and maybe some neighboring countries for a couple of years or so and when we decide to come back we could stop renting the condo and live in it or see whatever happens. To be honest it had been on my mind since I realized that I will be 65 in a few months and with the same spirit that brought me to Thailand ...that same spirit is now telling me to "go for it" and make the best of the few years left to me while I am still in good health and able to do it and it's something I long to do. I did something similar about 30 years ago around Europe in an old estate car. I have a passion for life and want to see as much as I can afford to and when I do pass on I don't want to have any regrets about not having done what my heart desired.

The reason I am posting about it here is because this is the second step of my journey. My house is already on the market and that was the first step I took. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I'm almost certain others before me have done exactly the same thing.

[Lifeon]

Great post to read mate, all the best, I reckon I'll do the same one day

Sent from my SM-P605 using Tapatalk

[DLock]

From Pulp Fiction

Jules: Well, that's what I've been sitting here contemplating. First, I'm going to deliver this case to Marcellus, then, basically, I'm just going to walk the Earth.
Vincent: What'cha mean, "walk the earth"?
Jules: You know, like Caine in Kung <deleted>: walk from place to place, meet people, get into adventures.
Vincent: And how long do you intend to walk the earth?
Jules: Until God puts me where he wants me to be.
Vincent: And what if he don't do that?
Jules: If it takes forever, then I'll walk forever.
Vincent: So you decided to be a bum?

Good Luck on your adventures. I hope it's everything you expect and more...

[The stuttering parrot]

We'll done mate!

We only go around once so make the most of it.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

I wonder what your first wife back in Farang land thinks of your plan...

[Thongkorn]

I wonder what your first wife back in Farang land thinks of your plan...

Yep the first downer,

I am Jealous mate best of luck. I have dabbled a little in the same thing as you, just jumping on Buses and seeing where they go, I have met and seen some great people and places in Thailand. Lived in the Jungles in South Thailand for a while. I would do it again tomorrow, but i am happily married now. all i can say ,

have fun .

Edited March 31, 2014 by Thongkorn

[Seastallion]

When I reach your age, we just might do the same thing.....only difference would be I am never going to step off the property ladder and sell my house in NZ....too hard for my kids to get back onto the ladder.

Grey wanderers unite!

[JLCrab]

I was in Thailand almost 15 years ago when I ended up working with a Thai-based NGO under Royal Patronage totally by chance occurrences but predicated by past experience. I now have an NGO based in USA, federal government skill certification, and participate routinely in UN discussions and US court cases relating to disadvantage populations. All while/st sitting in my house in rural Isaan. On a daily basis I have hardly ever been busier doing things that I thoroughly enjoy.

So for me at least it's hard to imagine being in Thailand and have nothing better to do than to just pick-up-&-go

[cornishcarlos]

Much respect...

When I first started travelling 18yrs ago, so many of my friends back home said they wanted to do the same thing. I told them they could fly anywhere in the world (at that time) for $500. Most of them are still grumbling from the same bar stool they were sat on at the time we talked

I'll see you out there..

[dotpoom]

I'm over wheeled lads (and ladies and in betweens) at your support and good wishes for myself and "She who must be obeyed" on our up-coming adventure....and i mean that from the bottom of my heart. There's too many to mention by name but you know who you are. I used to have a friend many years ago who liked to go for walks and he was often want to say...."You know what the problem with people today is....they don't encourage each other enough". Funny how his words never left me. It was probably one of the nicest and greatest lesson I ever received. I also read somewhere...."The only limits we have in life are the one's we put on ourselves".

I will hopefully continue to comment on the OP's if I think I have something positive to contribute and be of support.

As the man said about our coming into this world "Don't bother taking off your coat, you won't be staying very long"....So, let's make the best of it and get as much as is humanly possible out of each and every moment....and in out travels we can still bring some light into a dark place when we find one........if we choose to.

Edited March 31, 2014 by dotpoom

[T_Dog]

Nice idea! Here is line from Viking's Wake:

"What if the spell of a place falls upon a youthful heart, and the bright horizon calls!

Many a thing will keep till the world's work is done, and youth is only a memory.

When the old enchanter came to my door, laden with dreams, I reached out with both hands. For I know that he would not be lured with the gold that I might offer later, when age had come upon me."

-- Viking's Wake, Richard J. MacCullaugh

[dotpoom]

Nice idea! Here is line from Viking's Wake:

"What if the spell of a place falls upon a youthful heart, and the bright horizon calls!

Many a thing will keep till the world's work is done, and youth is only a memory.

When the old enchanter came to my door, laden with dreams, I reached out with both hands. For I know that he would not be lured with the gold that I might offer later, when age had come upon me."

-- Viking's Wake, Richard J. MacCullaugh

Fantastic!

[sdanielmcev]

Good luck!

[stickylies]

nice one. except for all the condos, pattaya and the thai wife, i did all that when i was in my 30s and am still doing it. never regretted it. go with the flow. u only live once.

[weegee]

Great stuff dotpoom....good to see there are still a few with a positive outlook, and not sitting in a corner feeling sorry for themselves....

This post will go a long way to inspire others, to get up and get moving with whatever they wanted to do to make their life complete.

Good Luck in your travels.......

[devolad]

Have been away from the forum for about a month (or there about).

Have been starting new business and attempting to manage existing business. Toyed with the idea of staying away - was a bit over the way some members interacted with each other.

Signed in today - read the OP which I thought was pretty bloo*y inspiring - one of my Dad's favourite saying was " sleep when you're dead" - what he was saying is basically get off your back side and make sure you don't leave single stone unturned - don't die wondering. In my opinion the OP seems to be following this type of mantra - all the best OP - hope you have a blast.

Went on to read responses to the OP and was genuinely surprised - is great to see so many expressing encouragement and genuine good will.

[klauskunkel]

Adventure! Never ever too late!

[JSixpack]

What's wrong with just renting out your house and traveling?

[stickylies]

@OP: some weeks ago i met a single western guy, 82 years old (!!!) travelling thailand on a scooter and tent (!!!). he had been coming here for ages. had settled for many years but had bad experience (like so many). he left phuket and was now on the move, having the time of his life. everywhere he came he was helped by thai people (respect for the elder) and he told me he had never known thailand like this although he had been here for ages .... and no he was not out of his mind (senile/crazy).

[tsigane]

Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm sure you won't regret this decision. You can always buy another house and make it even better then the current one.

Safe travels!

[HeavyDrinker]

Good luck pal sounds like you've got it all figured.....

[8OA8]

Excellent post!

Have a great adventure and keep us updated, but don't spend too much time writing a blog for the no sayers.

Good luck.

[NoshowJones]

@OP: some weeks ago i met a single western guy, 82 years old (!!!) travelling thailand on a scooter and tent (!!!). he had been coming here for ages. had settled for many years but had bad experience (like so many). he left phuket and was now on the move, having the time of his life. everywhere he came he was helped by thai people (respect for the elder) and he told me he had never known thailand like this although he had been here for ages .... and no he was not out of his mind (senile/crazy).

That's great for the guy, I used to love camping back in Scotland, but sure here in Thailand you would get eaten my mossies and goodness knows what else. If it wasn't for the mossies I would have gone camping in Thailand years ago.

[geronimo]

A great post! I wish you all the best in your travels and for me, living your dream is the ONLY way to go!

[Gnasher328]

I wonder what your first wife back in Farang land thinks of your plan...

Living up to your name then!

[Mosha]

I wonder what your first wife back in Farang land thinks of your plan...

None of her damn business, if there is an ex wife.

[art vandelay]

1998 packed in my job in my mid thirties and travelled around the world for two and a half years. best thing i ever did. discovered a wonderful thing called 'freedom'.

[getthaied]

As I've heard many times in my life, "On your deathbed, it's not what you did that you regret, it's what you DIDN'T do". Keep us posted with your adventures, Dotpoom.

[dotpoom]

I don't know what to say......I wish I could express in words how much all your well wishes mean to me. I will say this though...if the journey makes me feel half as good as your support has done .....then it will be a great success.

"JSixpack"....I had thought about renting the house out as you suggested but it has been my experience that left to their own devices, a lot of people simply don't take care of other people's property the way they would their own and I certainly don't want the worry of what's happening with the house while I'm on my travels..... Anyway, I really think I need the money to do what I plan to do and as " tsigane" says, can get another if it is required but honestly, I take life as it comes with making as few plans as possible. Once heard it said...."Man makes plans and God laughs"

[4u2mad]

Lucky blighter! Go for it. Only wish I was going too