April 14th, 2026
After 82 days, today is my last day in the Philippines!
What started on January 15th in Tokyo, Japan has come to an end. I feel like I have been gone forever, yet it feels like it flew by at the same time.
It is going to be a long day is the only thing I am positive about now!
1.5 hours – Cebu to Manilla
3.5 hours – Manilla to Taipei, Taiwan
11 hours – Taipei to Phoenix, AZ
I leave at 3:30 AM Cebu time and arrive at 3:00 PM Phoenix time.
Door to door, that is ~30 hours of travel time with16 hours in the air!
April 3rd, 2026
Less than two weeks left in Cebu, Philippines until I head back home to Arizona on April 15th.
I haven’t updated this “Where is NAD?” blog in over a month—which, for me, is pretty incredible.
And honestly, that tells me everything.
It means I settled into a routine and I am content.
For a while, I didn’t even realize it… until everything shut down for Holy Week and it hit me—I had been living the same awesome day on repeat.
And to be honest, it was a pretty good routine for me:
Working out in condo gym
Coffee with the EXPATs from all over the world
Walk one of the malls and grab lunch
Weekly vitaility treatments that you can read about by CLICKING HERE.
Happy hour at TGIF/Social/Mango
Meeting amazing new people.
I would sub in some things on some days and other things on other days and just going with the flow of living life in Cebu. You can ready by “Life in Cebu” blog by CLICKING HERE.
Not a bad life for someone that cannot settle down!
But if I’m being honest, routine and I have a complicated relationship.
Give me too much of it… and I start to feel it.
Perfect timing too.
Still, I’m genuinely excited to head back to Arizona—and my little casita in Rocky Point, Mexico.
My sister is coming to visit the day after I get back. We’ve got Toronto Blue Jays baseball on deck and Edmonton Oilers playoff hockey.
That’s a pretty great welcome home.
And the best part?
I still have trips to Bantayan and Siquijor Islands planned before I leave.
Also, this isn’t a goodbye, it is see you again soon! 👋🏻
Before I know it, I’ll be right back in Cebu on August 19th, 2026, for a month… ready to do it all over again—just a little differently next time from my lessons learned.
LFG Oilers and Blue Jays!!
March 5th, 2026
After seven unforgettable weeks in Cebu, Philippines, I’m getting ready to sign one last month-long lease that will carry me through April 7th. It’s hard to believe this chapter is already winding down. From there, I’ll have one final week to soak it all in before making my way back to Arizona on April 15th.
Thankfully, this isn’t a farewell — it’s just an intermission. I’m already booked for four months in 2027! 🌴✈️
Looks like The Philippines isn’t done with me yet… and honestly, I’m perfectly okay with that.
I’ve just returned from an incredible four-day road trip to the breathtaking island of Siargao — a slice of paradise filled with palm-lined roads, turquoise waters, and that laid-back island rhythm you wish you could bottle up and take home. You can read all about the adventure by clicking HERE. 
February 22nd, 2026
It’s been a month in Cebu, Philippines—and somehow it feels like I’ve been here way longer than that. Hard to believe I left Tokyo on January 23. The original plan was to return to Japan for a full month since I only spent a week there…
Fast forward, and instead I’ve settled into EXPAT life in the Philippines. I extended my lease until April 15th—and then went a step further and locked in a four-month lease for next year.
You can read why I extended my lease by CLICKING HERE.
Safe to say, plans changed but, for the better!
Philippines… did we just become best friends?
February 6th, 2026
Two weeks in Cebu, Philippines and all is well! Starting to Island hop which makes the Philippines amazing! 
January 23rd, 2026
Eight days into a month-and-a-half-long adventure in Japan, and plans are already changing.
A buddy is leaving Cebu, Philippines, ten days early, so I’m sliding into his place—for free. I stayed in this exact condo back in 2024 and absolutely loved the area, so this felt less like a detour and more like fate tapping me on the shoulder.
I might come back to Japan and finish this trip.
I might set up shop in Cebu until the end of April.
There’s no real point in locking anything in—history suggests I get bored everywhere eventually.
What I do know with 100% certainty:
I just had seven glorious spa days in a row at my Tokyo Airbnb,
I’m leaving freezing and relatively expensive Japan.
This is what’s waiting for me in the Cebu area for pennies on the dollar.
(Quarters on the dollar just doesn’t sound right but, you get it!)
Some people will never be happy.
Some people will always try to find it.
I know which one I am, today! 
January 15/16, 2026
After two-plus weeks in Rocky Point, Mexico, I was done feeling like crap to start 2026, and very aware that the beach beers can’t fix everything—especially when your brain is the problem. Loco Gringo!! 
The original plan was to head back to Canada. Sensible. Responsible. Family.
That wasn’t enough to shake me out of the funk, so instead, I bailed on paid flights and pulled in my trip to Japan.
Fast forward two days: I’m sipping a Starbucks in Tokyo, 10K steps already logged, surrounded by smiles, neon, and efficiency as I have never experienced in my life—and I feel alive again.
Sometimes all it takes is changing the channel for me.
Life moves fast. If you’re not paying attention, you might miss it while waiting for the “right time.”
We’ve trained ourselves to postpone happiness.
Once I finish this.
Once I save more.
Once I retire.
Then I’ll live.
Why not now? So here I am two weeks early!
Sushi.
Ramen.
Sake.
Japanese BBQ.
But first…
Starbucks Coffee, Tokyo roast. 
January 7th, 2026
It has been a quiet start to 2026 here in Rocky Point, Mexico.
A new year brings reflection and planning, and that is pretty much all I have done besides beach beers and tacos.
It is time to hit the gym and eat better, starting tomorrow-ish!
In the meantime …
The tortilla soup and burrito are from Compadres Restaurante in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point).
This town is full of imitations—but this place is the real deal.
Mexican-run.
No shortcuts.
No tourist fluff.
Just honest, classic food done right—and honestly, as good as it gets. 
After dinner, head over to Zay’s Western Bar & Grill to catch the game—or grab the mic and sing a tune.
Because let’s be honest…
Travelers really are the champions of the world. 
December 31, 2025
Another year gone! What in the actual FUCK!?
I had the amazing maids prepare my AZ Airbnb for my grateful guests and headed back to Rocky Point.
Next up:
Canada on January 15th (weather permitting)
Japan on January 30th!
Happy New Year: 
www.NorthAmericanDarrell.com and his trusty assistant ChatGPT!
December 26–30, 2025
After thirty-nine days away and two Airbnb guests rotating through while I was gone, I finally made it home to AZ.
The weather is absolutely beautiful. 
Just enough time to hit my favorite local spots, reset, and prep the condo for the next four months. That will cover the rest of the snowbird season, with two more amazing repeat guests already lined up.
This season worked out better than I probably expected.
And yet… I can still find a reason to worry.
Some habits travel with you no matter how many miles you log, as something always needs to be planned, perfectly!
I leave on November 30th to spend New Year’s Eve in Rocky Point: tequila in one hand, taco in the other, resolutions postponed indefinitely. Life is very bueno, mis amigos.
I regret nothing until New Year’s Day!
¡Salud! 
December 17–18, 2025
The Long Way Home
After almost 40 hours of travel, I finally made it home to Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco)—coming all the way from Hanoi.
Here’s how it unfolded:
11:00 AM – Grab (Uber equivalent) to Noi Bai International Airport
3:45 PM – Flight from Hanoi → Guangzhou 
4-hour layover
13-hour flight from Guangzhou → Los Angeles
3-hour layover
1-hour flight from Los Angeles → Phoenix
(I planned to take the bus… but flying won this round)
6-hour layover
4-hour shuttle to Rocky Point
They say the journey is more important than the destination…
After this one?
Yeah. No kidding.
Still—The tacos and corona hits different after crossing half the planet.
December 7, 2025
I wrapped up my road trip through Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia, ending it in Bali—and Bali turned out to be exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
After months of movement and big cities, I found a sense of stillness during my five days there, especially once I got away from the more crowded areas. Quiet mornings, slower days, and space to breathe made all the difference.
I finally understand why Aussies practically invade Bali. It’s beautiful, relaxed, and incredibly affordable, with a quality of life that punches way above its price point.
This was just a short stay, but it left a lasting impression. I’ll absolutely be back—next time for much longer.
December 3rd, 2025
After two weeks in Hanoi, I was ready for a breather. I booked a quick side trip to Kuala Lumpur for a few days and officially dropped another pin—this time in Malaysia. 📍
One of the best decisions was hopping on the double-decker city tour bus, which made it easy to get oriented and take in the scale of the city. Kuala Lumpur’s architecture really stands out—modern skyscrapers sitting right alongside historic buildings, with the skyline anchored by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
It was a short stop, but a perfect reset: less chaos, great views, and just enough time to appreciate how diverse and visually impressive the city really is.
December 3rd, 2025
After two weeks in Hanoi, I was ready for a breather. I booked a quick side trip to Kuala Lumpur for a few days and officially dropped another pin—this time in Malaysia. 📍
One of the best decisions was hopping on the double-decker city tour bus, which made it easy to get oriented and take in the scale of the city. Kuala Lumpur’s architecture really stands out—modern skyscrapers sitting right alongside historic buildings, with the skyline anchored by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
It was a short stop, but a perfect reset: less chaos, great views, and just enough time to appreciate how diverse and visually impressive the city really is.
November 9th, 2025
I checked in my first guest of the snowbird season and then headed back to my pad in Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco). Another season officially underway.
With that taken care of, my focus shifted to what’s next.
I’m now gearing up for my next EPIC adventure—heading to Hanoi on November 17th. Knowing there’s income coming in while I’m on the road makes these kinds of trips far more sustainable. That extra cash generated from Airbnb goes a long way when you travel often and travel far.
This balance—owning a base, hosting snowbirds, and staying mobile—is exactly what makes the lifestyle work for me.
Welcome to Arizona.
The Rocky Point Rally always attracts thousands of motorcycles from all over North America, and it was already in full swing when I arrived in Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco).
It’s one of those events that’s amazing and annoying at the exact same time. The energy is wild, the bikes are incredible, and the noise… relentless. I was honestly glad I only caught the tail end of the final day, which was more than enough.
This was my second year in a row experiencing the absolute madness, and that was plenty to remind me why people love it—and why I don’t need to see the whole thing from start to finish.
Here are a few shots of the yearly visitors and their souped-up bikes. Love it or hate it, the Rocky Point Rally definitely makes an impression on how you see bikers!
It’s been a year since I started blogging, and the 2024 Rocky Point Rally was one of the very first posts I put out. Looking back at it now, it’s wild to see how much has changed—and how much has stayed the same.
I’ve come a long way since that first post, but I know there’s still a long way to go. And honestly, that’s part of the appeal to keep on blogging.
You can read last year’s blog by clicking HERE!
November 1st, 2025
After two and a half weeks at my pad in Mexico, I headed home to Mesa just in time for Game 7 of the World Series.
I needed a change of scenery after watching the Toronto Blue Jays blow a chance to close it out in Game 6. And then… history repeated itself. Game 7 didn’t go our way either. That said, it was still an incredible showing against the best team in baseball.
Credit where it’s due—congrats to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Well earned.
Now it’s time to switch gears and prep my Airbnb for snowbird season. One chapter closes, another opens.
And as always—big travel plans coming soon.
Exactly two weeks after getting home from a month-long European adventure, I was already restless. Jet lag was winning, the gym was losing, and motivation was nowhere to be found.
The obvious solution? A quick reset at my place in Rocky Point, Mexico. That move never fails. Instant relaxation, deep sleep, system reboot.
Night one: watched a Blue Jays game and slept 12 hours.
Night two: Oilers game, followed by another 10 hours.
Add in a $15 haircut and hot shave, and suddenly life made sense again.
LFG Jays. LFG Oilers. And LFG daily trips to ProFitness to get fully back on track. 💪
September 29th/30th, 2025
Home sweet home! Mesa, AZ 
Planes, trains, and automobiles—home edition.
Train from Paris to London.
Flight from London to Los Angeles.
Rental car from LA to Mesa.
eBike home after dropping the rental… because why not?
All just in time for playoff baseball and the start of the NHL season.
LFG Jays. LFG Oilers. 🚀🏒⚾️
September 28th, 2025
Later that day—and officially over the snobs in France—I hopped on the train from Paris to London to spend my final day there.
September 28th, 2025
I lasted less than one day in Paris. I have never met such rude people in my whole life than the French! No, I don’t “Parlez-vous français ?” Most people will not help you unless you speak French. I say most because I did meet a few nice people there but not enough to keep me around more than 12 hours.
Peace out!! 
September 27th, 2025
Not sure anyone actually reads these updates, but they’ll be helpful if I bump my head. 😂
After missing two connections, I somehow ended up on a first-class high-speed train to Paris. Total accident. Absolute treat.
September 26th, 2025
After going back and forth, I decided it was time to leave Italy. I booked the final two legs of my trip and head to Belgium tomorrow via Munich.
It’s a 12-hour train ride, so I may stop along the way—depending entirely on how I’m feeling.
September 23rd, 2025
After a 12-hour travel day winding through Switzerland, I finally arrived in Venice, Italy. I missed Venice on my last trip to Italy, so this time I made it a priority—and it was absolutely worth it.
I found an amazing hostel for $20 a night and plan to enjoy a couple of days soaking it all in one seltzer at a time.
September 22, 2025
Traversing the Swiss Alps including the famous Bernia Express!
September 20th, 2025
Just when I thought Prague had locked down the title of favorite city, Munich showed up—and camping for Oktoberfest absolutely kicked the door in.
Are you fucking kidding me?!
Sleeping in a tent, waking up to beer songs, lederhosen before breakfast, massive tents, endless laughs, and a nonstop parade of good times. It wasn’t just Oktoberfest—it was Oktoberfest in pro mode, and it was glorious.
September 18th, 2025
My first full day in Prague was absolutely amazing.
From wandering the Old Town to crossing Charles Bridge and taking in the layers of history everywhere you turn, Prague makes it easy to slow down and just soak it all in. The city feels lived-in, beautiful without trying too hard, and effortlessly walkable—one of those places that pulls you in right away.
A perfect first impression, and the start of what I already knew was going to be a great stay.
September 17th, 2025
My time in Poland has come to an end. I spent almost a week here, with a quick side trip to Iceland mixed in, which made the stretch feel even more memorable.
I really enjoyed my time in Poland. The familiarity of the Ukrainian language, the food, and—most of all—the people made it feel comfortable and welcoming in a way I didn’t fully expect. It’s one of those places that quietly grows on you the longer you stay.
Now the trip is building toward what I’ve been looking forward to most.
Next up: crossing the Swiss Alps and then heading straight into the madness of Oktoberfest in Munich.
But first—just a quick stop in Prague.
September 13th, 2025
Back in Warsaw, Poland! After a whirlwind trip to Iceland, I wanted to spend a few more days relaxing. Next up, the Czech Republic.
September 11th, 2025
What an EPIC 48-hour road trip to Reykjavík, Iceland!
This was one of those fast, intense trips where you pack in as much scenery as humanly possible and run purely on adrenaline and awe. Endless open roads, dramatic landscapes, unpredictable weather, and that unmistakable Icelandic feeling that you’re driving through another planet.
Short trip. Spent most of it in the hot springs.
Big impressions on the lava flowing and,
absolutely worth every mile.
I spent my last day and the budget for these days at the famous Blue Lagoon hot springs.
Entry included one facemask; I went with white! LMAO! 
September 8th, 2025
What a full week!! 4 planes, 2 buses, and 1 train!
Phoenix-Los Angeles-London-Faro-Portimão-Lagos-Porto, Portugal-Warsaw, Poland!
I am looking forward to spending a few days enjoying Old Town Warsaw as it looks amazing!
My next adventure is Reykjavik, Iceland, on September 11th!
September 4th, 2025
Holy Cow! I made it to Faro, Portugal, after a ~24-hour journey.
30-minute Uber PHX airport
1.5-hour flight to LA
8 fucking hour layover
10-hour flight to London
2-hour layover
3-hour flight to Faro
I took a few needed naps to address some serious jet lag! I toured old town Faro for a day, and took a 2-hour bus to the beach in Portimão and Lagos the next day at crack ass AM in the morning!
September 1st, 2025
The start of my most EPIC adventure yet!
Crisscrossing Europe by airplane and train on Standby for a month!!
Armed with an all-you-can-fly pass with Wizz Air and a EuroRail pass, the possibilities are endless!
I leave Phoenix on September 1st and arrive in London the morning of Sept 2nd.
My first all-you-can-fly flight choice was to Faro, Portugal, leaving that afternoon!
I will take the train North to Lisbon and Porto from there is the plan!
I hope to visit 7-10 new countries during September! 🛃
Taco Tuesday, April 19, 2025!
After just over two weeks at my pad in Rocky Point, Mexico, it is time to head home to Arizona!
I may as well have driven the shuttle!
I did everything I set my mind to during my visit, including eating well, going to the gym, and avoiding alcohol (for the most part). I did overdo it the last night, but that was well deserved, and I paid the price.
NO MAS Mexico until October!
I also had a very productive two weeks working on my website and my YouTube channel.
My site is ready for September 2025, where I will use my Wizz Airline pass and Europass train pass to blog while I crisscross Europe.
If I go crazy, will you still call me Superman!? 
August 1st, 2025! Puerto Penasco, Mexico, casa!
After spending the last week of May, June, and July home in Mesa, I headed back to Mi Casa in Rocky Point, Mexico, for a couple of weeks of beach time.
Four-hour shuttle from home, who doesn’t love the beach?
My goal was to spend the Summer taking better care of myself at home in Mesa.
LifeTime Fitness Gym/Spa almost every day after getting home from Mexico, the last week of May!
I have been going to LTF for over 15 years on and off. I love it there! 🕺
I also took a break from drinking alcoholic beer! This was during the NHL playoffs, too! 
It was a day-to-day calendar challenge; kicking its ass for 70+ days!
Check out the blog on how I did it HERE!
I pulled my cardio equipment out of storage and used it religiously every day for over 60 minutes before heading to the gym/spa. I would do intervals on the bike for 30 minutes and row for another 30 minutes.
(Rowing is the absolute best cardio as it works your entire body head to toe).✅
The biggest reason I swore off beer was due to my last trip to Mexico, Oilers playoff hockey shitshow that lasted a month straight. I needed to slow down and lose some weight, and had a plan headed back to AZ! I knew coming back to Mexico would be a challenge, so I put together a game plan to hopefully help. It was no secret that what I was doing in Arizona would also work in Mexico, so I am doing my best to incorporate it here, too.
I brought 24 yummy non-alcoholic IPAs from AZ!
I joined the best gym in town for the time I will spend here for a couple of dollars a day!
I ordered Tecate Zero last night with dinner, with some Clamato. Yummy, so I bought some too for the fridge!
My first favorite stop, Zays, served up Heineken Zero and my favorite beach sport, Tecate 0.0 Cheladas for the win!
I know there will be beer mixed in in the next couple of weeks, but if I stick to the plan, that is ok!
Out of the gates, looking good! Like golf, it’s all in the follow-through, but I suck at golf!! LOL
This will be a great character test, as there is not a lot to do in Rocky Point other than drink, eat, and go to the beach!
I will also leave for Europe in a month to traverse the Country for a month by plane and train, knocking off bucket lists.
I will also attend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, the last week of September 2025, where real beer will go down! LOL
Late May, 2025
After almost five months away from home, I made it back to my amazing condo in Mesa, AZ! Every time I get home, I am reminded of how lucky I am to live in AZ and this this complex. If you’d like to check it out, you can click on the link below.
My next flight is not booked until September!
🚫Mind the GAP!!🚫
It has also been a great reset from my travels getting back into a routine and getting back to the gym or as I like to call it “The Spa”. They have everything needed to work out and relax. Steam, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, inside pool, outside pool and lounge chairs to sit outside just like a five-star resort.
I have been going to LifeTime Fitness for over twenty years on and off, starting in Georgia in 2003ish when I moved there.
I remember them building one near my office in Alpharetta, GA, and selling memberships out of a trailer. I am pretty sure they were $49.99 a month back in 2005ish.
Today, I pay $99 a month and am able to put the membership on hold when I travel for $15 a month. If I were to cancel, the rate for new members is currently $179 in AZ and $199 in GA, which is crazy.
I am going to have to be pretty broke to cancel “The Spa”. LOL
It is also a great time to be home and watch the Oilers!
Previous blog from the first week in April, 2025.
I was home in Mesa, Arizona, for exactly two weeks before I bolted for my pad in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico.
– My nephew booked my condo in AZ for a week.
– A friend needed a place to stay for a week and a half.
– I got a nine-day reservation on Airbnb, which is odd for this late season.
It is times like these that I am so thankful for my pad here in Mexico. It is only four hours away, and I keep my truck here for times like these when my condo is unavailable to me.
It has been great hanging out at the beach and coming home to the NHL playoffs.
LFG Oilers!!
Previous blog from the first week in April, 2025.
I made it home to Mesa, AZ, on the evening of April 7th!
How is this for my last week of travel (blogs hyperlinked)?
My flight home from Rome to Los Angeles was 12 hours, followed by an hour flight to Phoenix.
It is time to enjoy the HOT Arizona and Mexico Summer and learn to edit!
Previous blog from March 2025
After spending 70 days in Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore), I will then leave Asia for the last time this trip on March 21st. It was an amazing experience living like a local in each country. I would rate them in this order:
1. Cambodia (Super cheap and a large EXPAT community with easy access to Vietnam and Thailand).
2. Vietnam (Although it was not as inexpensive as Cambodia, $2K goes a long way each month)
3. Thailand (It is a super nice Country with amazing beach,s but it has become saturated with tourists and expensive)
4. Singapore (I only spent a few days in Singapore and do not need to return other than the airport, too expensive!).
I will start my European leg in Athens, Greece, and plan to crisscross Europe using my Wizz all-you-can-fly pass for three weeks. I have a flight from Rome, Italy, heading home to Arizona on April 7th. I cut the European trip three weeks short as I am ready to go home. You might want to check out this pass in the link above, as it is a spectacular adventure!!
That will total 84 days of travel this time around, which was fun and exhausting at the same time.
I visited these Countries the first time I used my pass earlier this year: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and the United Emirates. Starting next week, I hope to expand this list by four to seven Countries.
I am currently touring Athens, Greece, and I have booked my first two flights on my pass.
Headed off to London for a pint and some fish and chips on an eight-hour layover. I will be back at the airport and off to amazing Istanbul, Turkey for 20 Euro/USD!
It is a seven-hour flight, so I can catch up on my sleep in the air, which is how it should be done.
The standby flight options are endless, including Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East:
