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My YouTube channel @NorthAmericanDarrell

by CountriesInternet travel search tipsMy AirbnbSlow travelTravel bucket listTravels Stories

I have had a YouTube channel since 2011 as a viewer only. When I started this Blog in January 2025, I had one subscriber and one video with no views.  I started to post all of the videos I had saved from my devices over the years and added new videos during my travels. 

My channel has started to grow:  

    • 850+ videos

    • 100+ subscribers

    • 50+ posts and growing daily

    •  ~35K views, which blows my mind!

Growing my YouTube has been just as fun as working on this blog. I will often embed YouTube videos into my posts to share my experiences. I have separated the videos by Country to make them easier to browse.

Please consider giving me a follow and a thumbs up by clicking this link: Darrell – YouTube

Here is a cheat sheet to get a glimpse of my YouTube channel:

Click to subscribe to @NorthAmericanDarrell’s YouTube channel

Click to view a list of all the 850+ videos on the channel

Click to view a list of all the short videos on the channel

Click to view the fast-growing posts on the channel.

Click to view the playlist of all the videos broken down by Country.

Click to view the featured videos on @NorthAmericanDarrell YouTube channel

Here are the current featured videos and shorts that are often updated by the YouTube algorithm:

Please take the time to become a subscriber and ring that bell to see if I can grow my channel even more.

Darrell – YouTube    <— clickity click

https://www.youtube.com/@northamericandarrell <— clickity click

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Rocky Point – Taco Tuesday, Wednesday …

by Rocky Point

Celebrated taco Tuesday with fish tacos, followed up by hard-shell chicken tacos!

Just when you think life could not get any better when the Edmonton Oilers are on a run …

Humpday happens!

Fresh tortillas, beans, salsa, and the best breakfast burritos in town!  LFG Oilers!!

Wing Wednesday hits are different when you are at the beach on that glorious Humpday!

The Edmonton Oilers knock out Vegas and are headed to the Western Conference final!

A City that never sleeps? 

Goodnight Vegas!!

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Visiting Mi casita in Mexico!

by All you can flyRocky PointWizz - AYCF!

It was a weird two weeks back home in AZ, to say the least.

I left on January 12th, 2025, which seems like a different world when you’re a dual citizen and love Canada, America, and Mexico. I am still the same person, but it felt different.

It was time to head to Mexico for a few weeks to shake off the international rust with some good old home-cooked meals, beach beers, and visit my Mexican Familia.  

I took the shuttle from Phoenix for $55, and it dropped me off down the street from my casa, which is perfect. It takes me about four hours to drive door to door from my condo in Mesa. The shuttle leaves from West Phoenix and takes about the same time.  The USA van takes you to the border, and you walk across, and the Mexican van is waiting. It works out perfectly!

I keep my truck here as it is only $175 a year to insure and inexpensive to maintain. It is a 2003 F-150 I bought off the showroom floor, so I don’t want to let it go. Any major issues will be the end in the United States. My mechanic here is a tenth of the price, so it is a good place to try to keep it on the road. I only drive it around town, which should keep it going for a long time.

When I arrived, my landlord greeted me with a high five and let me know that they deep deep-cleaned my room. It felt so good to open that door after almost four months of being away. I have everything I need here to live a simple life. Comfy bed, beer fridge, grill, office, and a 55″ TV all for $150 a month. That is why I have zero issues keeping it empty most of the year. It is here when my AZ Airbnb is rented or when I want to just get away. 

I always have a couple of first stops to see local faces and grab some of my favorites when I come to town. The prices are about half of what I would pay in the United States or Canada which makes it take even better.

I had my favorite chicken enchiladas with green sauce (pollo enchiladas verde).

I know what you’re thinking, yes, I demolished it all in one sitting!  I also had the best sleep in months, as it is such a comfortable situation here. 

Lower prices, oceanfront beers, playoff hockey, and everyone always has a great time!

The Oilers played horribly but the $3 cervezas and 2 for-1 wings made up for it! 👌One of the most famous restaurants in Rocky Point is Pollo Lucas (Lucas Chicken).  It is a short ten-minute walk from my pad, and it is amazing.

You can order 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or the whole chicken and eat it or take it to go.

Each order comes with onions and lettuce, with the awesome homemade salsa and tortillas.

I get the 1/4 chicken for 65 pesos, which is $2.32 for the best lunch ever! The half chicken is 120 Pesos which can feed two people easily for $5 and the 3/4 and whole chicken can feed larger families.

Friday nights are surf and turn night at my local watering hole down the street.

The prices cannot be beat as that was $32 USD and absolutely amazing with a draft beer and hockey.

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Naples, Italy – Pompeii Museum

by Italy

Look for the cost, accommodation, and how to get there cheap at the bottom of this blog!

I am the first to admit that I knew very little about the history of Greece and Italy until my visit in the spring of 2025. Due to rain, I did not make it to the actual city, so this post will be dedicated to the Pompeii Museum in Naples, Italy.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article is about the ancient city of Pompei. For the Classical Roman leader, see Pompey. For the Roman family, see Pompeia gens. For the Pacific Island, see Pohnpei.

Largely preserved under the ash, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried, as well as insight into ancient urban planning. It was a wealthy town of 10,000 to 20,000 residents at the time it was destroyed. It hosted many fine public buildings and luxurious private houses with lavish decorations, furnishings and artworks, which were the main attractions for early excavators; subsequent excavations have found hundreds of private homes and businesses reflecting various architectural styles and social classes, as well as numerous public buildings. Organic remains, including wooden objects and human bodies, were interred in the ash; their eventual decay allowed archaeologists to create Moulds of figures in their final moments of life. The numerous graffiti carved on outside walls and inside rooms provide a wealth of examples of the largely lost Vulgar Latin spoken colloquially at the time, contrasting with the formal language of classical writers.

Following its destruction, Pompeii remained largely undisturbed until its rediscovery in the late 16th century. Major excavations did not begin until the mid-18th century, which marked the emergence of modern archeology; initial efforts to unearth the city were haphazard or marred by looting, resulting in many items or sites being damaged or destroyed. By 1960, most of Pompeii had been uncovered but left in decay; further major excavations were banned or limited to targeted, prioritized areas. Since 2018, these efforts have led to new discoveries in some previously unexplored areas of the city.

Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to its status as “the only archaeological site in the world that provides a complete picture of an ancient Roman city. 

It is among the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, with approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.

Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 CE. The volcanic debris covered the city, burying it beneath a blanket of ash and pumice.

Following its destruction, Pompeii remained largely undisturbed until its rediscovery in the late 16th century. Major excavations did not begin until the mid-18th century, which marked the emergence of modern archeology;[5] initial efforts to unearth the city were haphazard or marred by looting, resulting in many items or sites being damaged or destroyed.[6] By 1960, most of Pompeii had been uncovered but left in decay;[7] further major excavations were banned or limited to targeted, prioritized areas. 

Since 2018, these efforts have led to discoveries in some previously unexplored areas of the city.

Less than ten years ago, which is what made this museum so fascinating to me. Here is the entrance:

I must have taken over a hundred pictures and videos, as everywhere you looked was incredible. 

Here are some favorite pictures, a nd you can find all of the pictures here:

One of the most incredible things about Pompeii is that they are still discovering new things as they continue to roll back time, excavating the site.  

The ruins at Pompeii were first discovered late in the 16th century by the architect Domenico Fontana. Herculaneum was discovered in 1709, and systematic excavation began there in 1738. Work did not begin at Pompeii until 1748, and in 176,3 an inscription (“Rei publicae Pompeianorum”) was found that identified the site as Pompeii. The work at these towns in the mid-18th century marked the start of the modern science of archaeology.

Here is a recent article I found that explains they are still discovering ruins:

Archaeologists make a breakthrough as life-size sculptures are discovered in a Pompeii tomb

Archaeologists make a breakthrough as life-size sculptures are discovered in a Pompeii tomb

Visitors to the site of Pompeii, the ancient Roman town buried (and so preserved for thousands of years) by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, don’t often think to look beyond the city walls. And it’s easy to understand why: there’s plenty on offer within this monumentally well-preserved town, from jewel-like wall paintings of myths and legends like Helen of Troy, to the majestic amphitheatre and sumptuously stuccoed baths.

But step outside the gates for a moment, and you’re in a very different – yet no less important – world.

For the ancient Romans, the roads and paths leading into and out of cities were crucial: not just for getting places, but as a very real kind of “memory lane”. Tombs lined these ancient byways – some simply bearing inscriptions to the memories of loved ones lost, others, more grand, accommodating space for friends and family to feast in remembrance of the dead.

Some of the tombs even address the passerby directly, as if their occupant could speak again, and pass on what they’ve learned. Take one Pompeian example, set up by the freedman Publius Vesonius Phileros, which opens with ineffable politeness: “Stranger, wait a while if it’s no trouble, and learn what not to do.”

Going into Pompeii, and leaving it, was about being reminded of ways of living and ways of dying – as well as an invitation to tip your hat to those who trod the path before you, and to learn from their example.

Click the link to read the entire article.

During my travels, I try to balance the cheap, thrifty and going for it while trying to remain on budget. It normally makes me feel like I missed out when leaving a new City/Country.

Rain or Shine, I will visit Pompeii as I missed out. I will share some sweet dance moves too! 🕺

How to get to Italy, cheap: I recommend flying Norse Airlines from Los Angeles to Rome for $220. You can get to Los Angeles cheaply from anywhere in Canada and the United States using Google Travel. Consider staying in LA a day or two, doubling up your vacation, and save a ton of money.  It is a quick ~$13 train ride from Rome to Naples. Keep in mind that the high-speed train can be very expensive, so check out the milk run to see the countryside.

Where I stayed: Hopestel Secret Garden  It was a great hostel in a historic building in the city center.  I paid $28 euro / $30 USD a night which is spectacular for Naples City center.  There are also studio rooms that can be rented for about $125 which is also a steal in the area.

The best local beer and meal: PIZZA!  It was a no-brainer since Napoli is where pizza was invented. I tried several different variations and washed it down with a local Ichnusa unfiltered brewski, which hit the spot every time.

Would I return? 100% YES! I missed the most important historical area due to rain, Pompeii.

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Rome, Italy – Second visit to Vatican City!

by Italy

Look for the cost, accommodation, and how to get there cheap at the bottom of this blog!

I spent the last day of my recent travels in Rome, Italy. I had already been to the location tourist traps, but felt it was essential to revisit the Colosseum and Vatican City. Ironically, the Vatican Museum and Sixteenth Chapel are closed on Sunday. Unbeknownst to me, I was in for a bigger treat that day!

Here is a video of St Peter’s Basilica from the outside, walking inside, and I took it earlier in the week:

It was just a good feeling knowing that I was there the same day that the Pope was well enough to make an appearance.  Holy week was approaching soon, I am sure they were testing his strength and endurance for a very busy week. Unfortunately, I read that he had to cut his speech short due to lack of breath.

As I walked around Vatican City, there was a massive crowd lined up to enter St Peter’s Basilica.

How to get to Italy, cheap: I recommend flying Norse Airlines from Los Angeles to Rome for ~$220. You can get to Los Angeles cheaply from anywhere in Canada and the United States using Google Travel. Consider staying in LA a day or two, doubling up your vacation and save a ton of money.

Where I stayed: I stayed at the Freedom Traveler, which provided a single bed for 40 euros a night.  A hotel can cost over $150, so consider renting a studio in this hostel under $100 for a good night’s sleep on the cheap. I stayed here twice, once before and once after my trip to Barcelona. The staff were awesome, ensuring I got my pick of beds/rooms based on availability.

The best local beer and meal: PIZZA! Suprise suprise, but there were so many corner stores selling freshly made pizza so walking past them was almost impossible for me.  Vino/wine is so much more popular than beer in Italy.  I would walk into a pizza joint with 10 taps, and they were all Vino!  

This was my favorite, around the corner from Vatican City:

I picked three, as you can see in the top left! So yummy and the best I had in Italy!!

Would I return? Not to Rome – Once I spent a day at the Vatican and Colosseum, I was ready to move on and booked my trip to Barcelona to break up the week I had planned to stay. There are plenty of other cities you can visit to stay in Italy (Venice, Sicily, Milan, Capri, Amalfi coast, etc.), but the last-minute train tickets were over $200.  If you want to stay in one Country, book your train tickets early as they can be 5X as much last minute, just like plane tickets.

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Real Madrid and Barcelona FC stadiums!

by BarcelonaMadridSpain

The first week of April 2025 would be my last week on this adventure. I left on January 12th, and it was time to return to Arizona. My Airbnb tenants were checking out, and I had a home to go back to, finally.

The plan was to hang around Italy since my flight left from Rome on April 7th. 

My first day, I toured the Colosseum, and the second day was the Vatican. I did not want to spend five more days in Rome, and the train to Venice was over $200 return.

I checked out my Wizz pass to see if there was availability to depart and return within a 72-hour window. My choices were Gdansk, Poland, or Madrid, Spain. I honestly did consider Poland before I found the Madrid flight.  

Ultimately, I chose Madrid so I could also visit Barcelona with a quick train ride.

There is no better feeling than booking a last-minute flight for $10 on an all-you-can-fly pass!

One minute, I am in Italy and the next day flying to Spain, watching football locals in a Madrid pub!  It sure beats working for a living!!

I also like to think that I am responsible when traveling, but not this time. Once I arrived in Madrid, I was very hungry, so I went to find food. I thought there was food in the Irish pub, but only beer. 

I was going to find a hostel after the game as I stayed for the whole game, plus, whoopsie! 

GOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!

After the game, slight panic started as it was after midnight, dark, rainy, and in a City I had never been to in my life.  How is that for an adrenaline rush!  I reset and looked for food and nailed it!

I have honestly never had Tapa’s before, as it reminds me of the foos-fos that go for Dim Sum or Sushi.  Well, holy shit – I am foo fucking foo for this Tapa’s gig!!  Check this out!

Pushing 2 AM, still no hostel but new friends!  We pigged out on so many items!

Since it was past midnight and check-in time, I set out on foot, in the rain and half in the bag, looking for a place to sleep.

** I have a string chain around my neck with two charms, a cross and a foot for adventure.  I was rubbing the cross this time, and it always works out!  ***

After knocking on door after door, I came to find out that the entire City center was sold out. 

Well SHIT!!  This is where I do my best thinking, WTF now dumbass?  Why not head to the train station, catch a high-speed train to Barcelona for $40?  Perfect recovery plan!!

I was able to get a couple of hours’ sleep on the train even though it was going 300K/H.  I woke up in Barcelona (huge bucket list) and I was able to find a great hostel in the city center for $30 a night.  After touring the city for a couple of days, I was off to find the biggest attraction, the Barcelona FC iconic Stadium, on my last day.

Ironically, the football stadium was closed for renovations.  I visited the amazing team store and do not think I have seen anything else like it in the world. It was massive:

I cannot wait to reference this memory when the new ultra-modern stadium opens. I can say, I sat in this pub pre-gaming months/years earlier, preparing for the grand opening. LOL

I had better luck when I got back to Madrid.  I was able to take the metro with fans to a Real Madrid game and experience gameday.  I was flying back to Rome that night, so I could not go to the game, but this was amazing enough without paying hundreds of dollars for tickets.

It was a match between Barcelona FC and Valencia, and here is a little pre-game action:

After waiting an hour walking around as fans entered the stadium, I needed to leave.  I was one of the few headed the other direction on the metro as more fans arrived for the game.

It looks like I missed a great game which an exciting ending.

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Spain – Madrid and Barcelona!

by BarcelonaMadrid

Spain and Portugal have been pretty high on my European bucket list because it is supposed to be two of the cheapest Countries on the Western side of Europe. Cheap is all relative, I guess, as I did not see it being any cheaper overall. 

I flew to Madrid, Spain at the last minute as I found a return ticket on my all-you-can-fly pass. The flight had me getting to Madrid late on a Wednesday night and flying back to Rome on Saturday night. That was not nearly enough time, but I got a pretty good idea, Spain is NOT cheap!

As I blogged about in my Spain football blog, I was able to visit both Madrid and Spain.  

I whipped back and forth on the high-speed train, which was an unreal experience.  I had taken the Chunnel between London and Paris, but somehow, this felt faster.  We topped out at almost 300 KM/H.

There were two different companies to choose from, which was nice as it kept the prices down.  I paid $40 from Madrid to Barcelona and then $63 to get back on a Saturday night.

Barcelona was very nice with the cobblestoned narrow roads in the city center area.  

I stayed two days in Barcelona, which barely scratched the surface.  I guess the main advantage of Barcelona is that you are located on the sea, so you get the best of both worlds.  I toured 30 miles of the cost on the bus tour and couldn’t imagine how amazing it would be in the summertime. 

I just rode the metro around the city for most of the day.

I only spent a few hours in Madrid before bolting to Barcelona, so I made sure I had a full to wrap up Spain. I arrived back in Madrid at an amazing hostel on 04/04/25 and had one night booked.

When you stay in a hostel, you can store your bags including a towel and shower later in the day.  That was perfect as my flight did not leave Madrid until 9 PM on 04/05/25.

There were only a few things that I needed to see in Madrid:

Real Madrid Stadium

Royal Palace 

Arc de Triomphe  

Real Madrid Stadium

Royal Palace 

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Naples and Rome – pizza everywhere!

by Italy

⬆️High School gym class⬆️

My first stop was Naples, or Napoli as the locals call it! The original home of the Pizza! 

I have written separate blogs for the Vatican and Colosseum experiences.

Vatican City blog

Coliseum blog 

The history of pizza began in antiquity, as various ancient cultures produced flatbreads with several toppings. Pizza today is an Italian dish with a flat dough-based base and toppings, with significant Italian roots in history.

A precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flatbread known to the Romans as panis focacius, to which toppings were then added. Modern pizza evolved from similar flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy, between the 16th and mid-18th centuries.

The word pizza was first documented in 997 CE in Gaeta[4] and successively in different parts of central and southern Italy. Furthermore, the Etymological Dictionary of the Italian Language explains the word pizza as coming from dialectal pinza, ‘clamp’, as in modern Italian pinze, ‘pliers, pincers, tongs, forceps’. Their origin is from Latin pincere, ‘to pound, stamp’.

I had pizza every day that I was in Italy and even had a couple two a day!!

The below was one of my favorites near Vatican City. The Chef will make pizzas on massive sheets and then place them in the window for display.  Once you decide on a flavor or three, in my case, on this day, in the top left.  They take a pair of scissors, cut to your desired size and weight it for the amount. 

 

Below was a fried pizza. It was similar to a calzone but fried instead of baked.  

The second picture is my first meal when I landed in Naples, as stromboli is my favorite!

The others are just random pizza stops!!

Yummy!!

I definitely ate my share of pizza throughout Italy!

I would often think, maybe I should order something else,’ but nope!

You tell ’em, Boss!

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The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica

by Rome

Look for the cost, accommodation, and how to get there cheap at the bottom of this blog!

When in Rome – visiting the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica was not an option! I needed to throw a few Hail Mary’s so not a better place to make some peace. We had a good talk, and we are good! 👌 The Vatican grounds were a short 15-minute metro ride from my hostel and easy to access.  It was amazing to think that I could hop a metro train and be there in under 20 minutes.

I blogged about my second time visiting, but here are more details, pictures, and videos.

The train ride from my hostel to Vatican City was under 20 minutes:

Once you exit the Vatican station, there is a short walk to St Peters square.

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Italy train travel! Fast and faster!!

by ItalyRome

I am at the point in my travels where I was supposed to be using a Europass to travel Europe by train.  

I bailed on that plan a month ago after taking a 20-hour train trip up and down the Vietnam coast.  I realize that taking a train across Europe would be a lot nicer than Vietnam but sitting in coach would be the same back breaking experience.

Here was the plan, and I still feel good about my decision as it is time to go home:

I did get a chance to take a train from Naples to Rome, which was pretty awesome and had me second-guessing. The ten-day Europass was an amazing deal, but taking the train once scratched that itch for $13 USD.

It was not the highspeed train as that was $60 and would have been an hour a half instead of four hours.

Since I enjoyed my first train experience in Europe, I followed it up with another train trip later that week! 

This time, I took the smoking fast-speed train between Madrid and Barcelona, Spain.

The train almost hit 300KM/H (292KM hour was the highest I noticed as I fell in and out of sleep for the three-hour trip.)  Imagine a flight doing ~500KM/H is about an hour and a half, and the train doing ~300KM/H is about three hours.

Amazing!

I had taken the “Chunnel” from London to Paris in the past, but this was a great reminder of how fast train travel can be compared to flying. The line at the train station was a lot longer than most airports, as they do not have the same setup, which can delay travel.

Lucky for me, I am a dumbass and went to the wrong departure station.  Once I realized it, I took a 15-minute taxi to the correct station and cut to the front of the line with my sob or SOB story, so it took less than five minutes as opposed to over an hour. 

It was stressful, but it worked out perfectly as I did not sleep.  I landed in Madrid and took the subway to the City Center and there was a football game on, so I jumped into the fun without finding a hostel.

After the game, I grabbed some tapas and beer and quickly found out that the prices were $150 euros that night.  After a bit of panic, walking in the rain and soul searching my shitty situation, I headed to the wrong train station. It all worked out amazingly as always!  

Check out all those tapas and awesome local beer!

The closest I have ever experienced Tapas is when a Ukrainian whips up a meal with whatever is in the fridge, and it turns out to be a five-star meal.  Same idea, a little bit of everything and refilling your plate.

What an amazing sequence of events, which is why I love to travel so much!  

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The Colosseum experience!

by Rome

Below is the Colessem location about Rome and Italy in general.

The top can be zoomed in and out if you are curious!

I am not a big history guy, but Athens, Greece, and now Rome, Italy, had me caught up in the experience!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, for all of us, as it was so overwhelming:

The Colosseum ultimately derives from the Ancient Greek word “kolossos,” meaning a large statue or giant. It is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. 

It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus. 

Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96). The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).

The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history,[4][5] having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles.

The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers taking spolia, the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions and has links to the Catholic Church, as each Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum. The Colosseum is depicted on the Italian version of the 5 euro cent coin.

It was about a 30-minute walk from my hostel to the Colosseum and the ancient ruins area.

I rarely pay to enter tourist traps, but this was another one that I could not miss out on. Here are some pictures and videos of the Colosseum inside and out.  It was so amazing to see, and unsure if these will help portray it properly

The area around the Colosseum, including the ruins, is an incredible experience.

Understandable, I was there less than a week and felt the struggle. LOL

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Naples, Italy – home of PIZZA!

by Italy

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza, you visit the home of the pizza!!  There are several variations, and so far, the stromboli and fried pizza were amazing. 

As my travels wind down, staying at hostels and become more and more comfortable.  The average hotel in Naples is between $75-$100 euros which is equivalent to the USD.  The current hostel I am staying in is $28 euro and I have met some great like-minded people.

I do not remember EVER paying for a museum as it is really not of interest.  Since visiting Athens, Greece and now Naples, Italy it was just too much to resist the history.  Here are some pictures and videos of the Napoli Museum, where I spend my first day in amazement.

 

The weather and been cold and rainy, so unsure how to spend the next day or two here before heading to Rome,

Below are some of the amazing options posted at the hostel:

(That is another beauty staying in hostels as they always have recommendations on the cheap.).

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My big fat Greek weekend!

by Greece

Feta cheese – they put that amazing shit of everything in Athens. This is an amazing Armenian Family that kept the Greek dishes coming over the weekend.

The Greek salad with a slab of feta and olives and lamb gyro were the best!!

Now the important part is over, the food, I can explain Athens a bit more.

I was able to travel to Athens, Greece, the third weekend of March 2025. I left Asia after 70 days touring Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore. It was a 12-hour flight from Singapore to Athens, but I booked it several months ago, so it was only a couple of hundred dollars.

It was a long flight, but I was able to make do with the onboard amenities. 😁

After those long flights, I am always discombobulated (more than normal).  I needed to navigate the metro system to get to my hostel which was extra challenging.

I always tailor my accommodations to the price of the city, and Athens was not cheap.  

I ended biting the bullet and booking an amazing room in a hostel for $50 a night.  I know you’re thinking, $50 a night is cheap but multiply that by 84 nights which is the length of this trip.  That would have been $4,200 USD for accomodations alone!!

Anyway, I was able to catch up on my sleep, regroup, and reenergize. 

I knew I would only have the weekend in Athens, so I booked a three-day pass on the double-decker bus that stops at all of the tourist traps. I tend to do that when there is a lot to see in a city in a short amount of time, as it is worth it.

One of the biggest draws on the tour and in Athens is the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

Here is a clip for the wiki that explained to both of us:

The Acropolis of Athens (Ancient Greek: ἡ Ἀκρόπολις τῶν Ἀθηνῶν, romanized: hē Akropolis tōn Athēnōn; Modern Greek: Ακρόπολη Αθηνών, romanized: Akrópoli Athinón) is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens, Greece, and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. 

The word Acropolis is from Greek ἄκρον (akron) ‘highest point, extremity’ and πόλις (polis) ‘city’.[1] The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece. During ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was also more properly known as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.

While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as early as the 4th millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the buildings whose present remains are the site’s most important ones, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. 

The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians during the Morean War when gunpowder being stored by the then Turkish rulers in the Parthenon was hit by a Venetian bombardment and exploded.

Another big draw was the temple of the olympian Zeus:

Here is more wiki history that I did not know either:

Dedicated to Zeus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion, was the largest temple in ancient Greece. Though the Parthenon is better preserved, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was an even more monumental structure in its day. The temple dates to the sixth century BC but was not completed until the second century AD by the Emperor Hadrian. In front of the Olympieion, not far from the entrance, stands Hadrian’s Arch at the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou.

It’s easy to imagine the grand impression this temple made in its complete form. More than a hundred enormous marble columns once supported the grandiose sanctuary. Only 15 columns remain standing, and another surviving column lies on the ground, but the ruins’ monumental presence gives a sense of the massive size of the original building. The gigantic structure was a befitting shrine to Zeus, the ancient Greeks’ most all-powerful God, known as the King of the Gods.

 

Greece is also known for its amazing islands which is dealed here if you are interested:

I did not leave the mainland but toured the amazing coast on the bus for hours.

It was pretty cool to hear the references between the inaugural Olympic games in 1896 and the 2004 modern-day Olympics during the tours.  

They would share the new venues, in the city and oceanside, and I was also able to see the very first venue, The Parathion.

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Asia – getting fat eating with two sticks!

by BangkokBoholCebu CityKoh Phi PhiPhilippinesPhucketSingaporeSiquijor/Dumaguete islandsThailand

I have loved Thai food since visiting Thailand back in 2022, but forgot how much until returning in 2025!

I have since visited many Asian countries and fell in love with their food. Vietnam Pho/Bahn mi/noodles, Cambodian Amok/Hhmer curry/noodles all held the title until I was reintroduced to Thai again.

The Thai pad and variations of soup won my heart and my belly over once again. Here are some choices from a food court in Bangkok. You could eat three times a day for 365 days and not try them all in this food court. It was almost impossible to choose:

 

Here were some of my favorites from around Samui:

Mango salad (top left)

Tom yum Coconut spicy soup (middle left)

Chicken Pad Thai (top right)

Tom yum chicken spicy (bottom left)

Iced cold Chang (bottom right – it was so hot, ice was needed to keep it cold)

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Singapore – Don’t chew gum here!

by Singapore

Don’t say I didn’t warn you: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“The sale of chewing gum in Singapore has been illegal since 1992. Some motivations for the ban included stopping the placement of used chewing gum in inappropriate and costly places, such as the sensors of subway doors, inside lock cylinders, and elevator buttons. Since 2004, an exception has existed for therapeutic, dental, and nicotine chewing gum, which can be bought from a doctor or registered pharmacist. It is not illegal to chew gum in Singapore, but it is against the law to import it and sell it, apart from the aforementioned exceptions. According to a BBC News article, it is legal for a traveler to bring in a small amount of chewing gum for personal use, and there is a fine for spitting the gum out in an inappropriate place”

This was my sixth time at the Changi airport in Singapore but the first time I had left the lobby.

I found a hostel in the center of the city and bought a two-day metro pass to explore the city by subway. The hostel sucked but it was the only thing I found affordable is the very expensive city unless you want to pay $100+ in the hood.  There are tons of options on booking.com

Here was my route to the hostel and absolute shitty cubby I slept in for two nights.  The walls were made of paneling so anytime someone touched them the room rattled.  I lost my shit on some people which kept it quiet for the most part. 😁

The first thing most people think of in Singapore is the Marina Bay Sands and the Garden by the Bay metal trees.  It was amazing to see the building and landscape in person.  Unfortunately, that is as close as I am going to get for 600+ a night. 

That is about $560 a night more than I paid at the hostel! LOL

Singapore really did not do much for me. It is an amazingly clean city with nice infrastructure, but I did not find much else appealing.  That does not mean that you would not like it, as that is my personal opinion, and you do not need to leave the airport again.  Pretty sad when one of the coolest parst I can find in a city is the airport.

Keep in mind, this is not just an airport, it is one of the nicest airports in the world, including:

Entertainment Corner, World’s tallest airport slide, Butterfly Garden, Movie theater, Swimming pool with views, Changi Airport Skytrain, Rain Vortex, and Indoor Garden area.

I cannot find the pictures and video I took of the falls, but it is an amazing sight, and it’s hard to believe you are in an airport. 

samui1

Koh Samui Island, Thailand

by Thailand

The first time I visited, prices were down since they were just opening up after COVID. 

This was the view from my Airbnb.  I only planned to stay a few days, but ended up staying ten days as it was so incredible. 

It was a better experience as it was quieter as opposed to the busy season this time around. As always, I found a way to find a good time! 🤓 

The Island is the biggest of the three chains of islands of Ko Tao, Koh Phagan and Samui so there is always a lot of options.  The beaches are spectacular, and marijuana is now legal, so everyone is having a great time, all the time. I never was a big pot smoker but when in Rome …

See you again next year, Samui! 🙌

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Ko Tao Island, Thailand! Paradise!!

by Thailand

I spent the second week of March 2025 in Ko Tao, Thailand, and most of the third week in Koh Samui, Thailand.

(The plan was to spend a couple of days in Ko Pha Ngan, but I put in a few days in the bathroom with my bi-yearly food poising, bug, heat stroke bullshit).  Some people say I am insane to travel like this, and agreed for three days. LOL

I respond the way I always do when I feel better, LFG! I respond the way I always do when I feel better, LFG!

This is the second time I have visited Ko Tao and Koh Samui.  I was here for six weeks during my paid sabbatical from PayPal in January 2022.  I did a lot more touring during that time, so I knew exactly where I wanted to go this time.

That is my ultimate goal traveling, find amazing places that are affordable that I would like to return longer term.

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Lima, Peru – The beauty of Mira Flores!

by Mira Flores (Lima)

I have to so many amazing places in my life, I tend to forget some of them.

I wanted to share another post on how affordable and amazing Peru can be as an option to visit to get a bigger bang for your dollar The country is impoverished, but the affluent Mira Flores district is amazing.

I visited Lima, Peru three times on my Volaris all-you-can-fly pass as it costs less than $100 each way on standby. The first time, I did not know the area, so I stayed in the city and commuted to Mira Flores on the local bus. I say this everywhere I go but this traffic was insane.

The second and third time, I stayed on the same Airbnb on the cliffside oceanfront.

Mira Flores has something for everyone and all ages.  It is a great place to stay active, and you can see people walking, running, biking, and rollerblading. There is tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and even BMX track.

Flight: I used my Volaris all-you-can-fly pass from Los Angeles, which stopped in Guatemala City and San Jose, Costa Rica. I have also flown from Mexico City directly to Lima. The pass goes by miles, so the total miles were under USD 100.

 

Accommodations: I loved my oceanside Airbnb for $20 USD, which is less than $500 a month with the monthly discount, and the hosts are amazing.  You can find it by clicking the link, keeping in mind that it is a single bed and shared bathroom.

 

The best local beer and meal: I loved the ceviche and a dark Cusquena.  There are also North American restaurants like Chili’s and Fridays, with meals half price if you need a comfort meal.

Would I return? YES – Mira Flores is almost perfect!  There are tons of activities, the comforts of home at less than half the price, and the cost of living is incredible.  Miles of scenic walking, biking, and running paths along the ocean and super friendly locals.

My weekly laundry washed, dried, and folded is a few dollars.

 

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Favorite Thailand Islands!

by Thailand

 

I visited post COVID, so the island was just reopening, and prices were so awesome deals on accommodations.  I was able to get five-star Airbnb for two-star prices in Samui and on the beach in Koh Phi Phi.  Here is one of my all- time favorite Airbnb and beaches in Thailand.

I was on the beach for $20 a night, and both of the places go for $75 a night now:

  

The food is amazing everywhere you go.  Here is satay:

How did I get there? The first time, I flew from Los Angeles to Singapore, arriving in Bangkok.  I flew to Koh Samui and then took a ferry to Koh Phangan and eventually Koh Tao. Since Bangkok Airways owns the Samui airport, it is tough to find a deal, so I recommend the bus and ferry, as it is about a 1/3 of the price.

The best local beer and meal: Thai food is amazing, with so many choices.  I must have had Pad Thai, spicy mango salad, or variations of Tom yum soup 4-5X a week. The night market on each island is the best place to find all of the best food at the best prices.  

I would typically get draft, so Chang was my go-to with a meal.

 Would I return? YES – Thailand is the gateway to Asia, in my opinion. The problem is that it is super popular with the younger crowd and EXPATs, the prices are rising fast. Monthly rental is the only way I would return, as you get up to a ~25% discount or more. I get a 25% discount for monthly stays as it just makes sense to ensure income over a longer period.
 
poolll

Phnom Penh, hostel experience!

by Vietnam

 I have been staying at the Poolside Villa hostel for a few days since arriving in Phnom Penh on February 18th, 2025. 

I spent the first two nights in a studio room paying USD 21 a night. I was kicked out of my room because it was reserved, so I stayed in a dorm last night for $USD 7. A few people are staying in the dorm rooms.  I would guess their monthly budget is under USD 1000.  Here is an example:

$7 x 31 days = $217 accommodations.

$20 a day eating out every meal = $620 (This would be less than half if you ate out like a local outside the hostel).

$5 a week for laundry service = $20

$30 a week for transportation = $120

That is under USD 900; insurance, cell phone, and incidentals based on your lifestyle would need to be added.  

If you upgraded to a studio room for some privacy, your cost would jump to $434 a month.  If that were the case, you could rent an apartment. A fully furnished studio or one-bedroom can be found for around $400-$600, which would allow you to cut back on the $620 meal costs by eating healthier at home.  

Honestly, who wants to cook, clean, and do their laundry,y but that is a cost-saving option? LOL

The prices at the bar and restaurant at the hostel are incredible, coming in at $1.50 a beer ($1 for HH), and most meals are under USD 5.  The same beer can go for as low as 75 cents with different meal choices for ~$5 at other restaurants. 

 Imagine a beer and lunch for $6 with an amazing menu to choose from as well.

I have had the big breakfast, pancakes, and curry chicken off the hostel menu. I have also had the Khmer amok with chicken and rice, a nd loc lak with chicken, which was as good as any restaurant. Both are amazing Cambodian dishes:

:

There are a shit ton of meal options around USD 5 and drink choices are ll lower priced too:

The hostel itself has a perfect setup some a simple inexpensive stay.  Studio rooms and door rooms are depending on your preference. Since the studio rooms are USD $21 and there is an adequate pool, so it is a no-brainer if you are on a budget.

  It is also walking to “Score” which is a great sports bar where I can catch a hockey game in the morning.  

There are all the bar food and drinks you can find anywhere at half the price including 75 cent draft beers for happy hour.  I will remember this place forever as it is where I watched Canada beat the Americans on February 20th, 2025, on a Connor McDavid OT winner!

I could watch this clip 100 times and it wouldn’t be enough!

The city itself is very congested, so I have not attempted to check out any sights yet. My next stop is Angkor Wat, Cambodia will give me all of the culture in Cambodia.

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Vietnam – 35 days cost analysis!

by Vietnam

Here are some videos of some of the fun times I had during my time in Vietnam: 

I wanted to take the slow travel approach when I planned this trip. 

Slow travel is a deliberate, unhurried approach to exploring destinations, emphasizing meaningful experiences, and cultural immersion. Here are some benefits of slow travel using my experience to date:

– I learned more about Vietnam and its culture other than just the tourist traps. ✅

 

– Slow travel can help you save money on accommodations as I rented monthly and took local transportation. ✅

 

– It allowed me to relish my surroundings, build a routine, and live like a local. ✅

 

– Slow travel reduces stress levels as you are not always on the go (I took too many road trips). ❌

 

– It promotes me visiting local restaurants and engaging in local cultural events (TET – Chinese New Year). ✅

 

– It is the polar opposite of an all-inclusive vacation resort vacation as you’re living like a local. This is a strategy that I need to prioritize now that I am taking a run at full-time travel!

 

 

I did well on the Vietnam leg of my trip but there is always room for improvement. I took too many road trips which brought the cost up. I knew I could do that as it happens the first time, I visit a new country.

Here is a summary of the approximate costs to see how they stack up against my USD $2K monthly budget.

~ USD 600 for accommodations ($420 for Homebase and $180 for road trip Airbnb’s)

~ USD 750 for credit card. (broken down below).

~$800 cash ($200 a week cash for incidentals).

~$2150+ (I would assume this is a bit higher, but this is a summary).

 

 

Here are my Airbnb accommodations:

(I rented the first one for the whole time and the others were road trips)

 

I stayed at some of these places for a few nights, but this gives you an idea of what you get for a very low nightly price.  I will use an average price of $15 a night for the 12 days I was on road trips away from home base HCMC.

 

I used my credit card, when possible, to track my spending after the fact:

This allows me to see where some of my money was spent.

Credit card charges: ~$750

Since I spent a lot of money on my road trips, it skews the actual cost of living in Vietnam.  I can tell you without a doubt in my mind that I could live like a king for $2K a month in any of the cities in Vietnam I visited.

Here is the order of cities I would choose when returning to Vietnam:

1. Phu Quoc Island (one of the most beautiful Islands I have ever visited).

2. Da Nang (there was a huge EXPAT community making it feel domestic)

3. Nah Trang (there was also a huge EXPAT community making it feel domestic)

I would choose one of these for one month each the next time I return to Asia.

One month in The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and, Thailand.  I would just need to decide which cities in the other three Countries to keep my costs down with monthly rent. 

Since I have visited all of these Countries, here are my current choices as of today:

– Thailand (Koh Samui – it is also an easy ferry ride to Koh Phagan and Koh Tao as they were all my favorite islands).

– Philippines (Siquijor Island – it was also my favorite place I visited).

– Vietnam (Phu Quoc Island)

– Cambodia (Phnom Penh – it is the only place I have visited but it is very nice and inexpensive). 

The key is to pick a place that also can access other places for inexpensive road trips. This keeps things from getting boring being stuck in the same spot for the whole time.

front big ga house

Cumming, GA – Home 2003-2010

by Georgia

I got off the road with my telecommunications job in 2003 and took a desk job in Alpharetta, GA.

I had been on the road for five years, and it was time for a change. I was offered a desk job by an old Manager to support Georgia/Alabama Verizon Wireless 3G as a Customer Support Associate (CSAM).  My job was to ensure that the Norel product worked as designed and to work with Verizon if there was an outage or any issues.  Once the issues were identified, I would work on root cause analysis, present it, explain how we will fix it, and ensure it does not happen again.

I also needed to ensure new network parts were introduced, upgraded, and deployed.  This was a 24/7/365 assignment with other States backing each other up.

It was such a pivotal time as I built a house in Edmonton while simultaneously being offered a great desk job in Georgia. I often look back at the decision, I am positive that I would have moved to Edmonton if I had not been offered that job. I was done with the road works, and the road work was done with me as I could not keep up with the demand. That would mean I would have been out of a job, and I could not have stayed in the USA, as my work visa was tied to my job.

I loved that Edmonton house and loved the fact that it did not have a mortgage even more.

I cannot remember the exact model, but I do remember the square footage and builder.  If this is not the exact model, it was very close as it had a bonus room above the garage.  I picked the shittiest colors as it was a teal with brown trimming.  This was pre-internet, so I ran a bunch of cable throughout the house like an absolute dumbass.  

I just remember wanting cameras and a TV above the TV, which was a lot to ask back in those days. I will write another blog on the Edmonton house, as it was an amazing experience in my life.

OK, back to the choice that was made, the house in Georgia, which was no slouch either.

These pictures are ten years after I moved out.  I did not know at the time, but it would be the last time I would need to visit for my yearly maintenance trip.  I would trim the bushes to the root so they would last a year, and I would have had the fence fixed and painted this time.

You can see the empty spot on the patio where the hot tub time machine used to sit.  I had so many great times in that backyard. There was a fire pit and a pergola gazebo above the hot tub with lights and speakers for a perfect relaxing environment. 

boat

Moorseville, NC – Home 2010-2015

by North Carolina

I got off the road with my telecommunications job in 2003 and took a desk job in Alpharetta, GA.

I had been on the road for five years and, it was time for a change. I was offered a desk job by an old Manager to support Georgia/Alabama Verizon Wireless 3G as a Customer Support Associate (CSAM).  My job was to ensure that the Norel product worked as designed and work with Verizon if there was an outage or any issues.  Once the issues were identified, I would work on root cause analysis, present it, explain how we are going to fix it, and ensure it does not happen again.

I also needed to ensure new parts of the network were introduced, upgraded, and deployed.  This was a 24/7/365 assignment with other States backing each other up.

Fast forward to 2010, our Company won the 4G contract for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  I was allowed to manage those three States, and I relocated to Mooresville, NC. Most normal people would rent but since I am not normal, I bought an acreage to rent out and make money.  

It was a great plan on paper as I was going to rent my Georgia house to pay down that mortgage and buy the NC property and rent part of it out to pay that mortgage.  Sounds awesome except tenants are assholes more time than not, useless which is why they cannot buy themselves.

I will write a separate blog on my Georgia rental.  That tenant paid my mortgage down for 13+ years rented and then bought it “as is”. We did each other a favor as he got a deal, and I did not have to fix anything.  Looking back, he was really lucky as the price really increased along with the mortgage rates and he would have never been able to buy anything. WIN-WIN as I banked!

OK, here is the scoop on my five-year stint living in North Carolina five minutes away from beautiful Lake Norman. 

The acreage had a manufactured home on the front of the property and a three-car garage in the back of the property with a loft above the garages.  I would rent the front house to cover the mortgage and live in the loft above the garage for free.  I also bought the lot next door:

Here is a picture from the loft on one of the few snow days we would have during my time there:

It was an amazing setup with two bedrooms a kitchen that overlooked the common area:

It was not technically free as I spent a lot of money and sweat equity getting the property ready to flip as I knew this 4G gig would not last a long time.  I also ended up buying the lot next door, so I had just over three acres to move, weed, and piddle around in the three-car garage.

It was so awesome as there were three full-sized garage doors and a bathroom.

I would end up renting the loft, so I put up a temporary wall.  Two bays went with the house, and one bay with a washer and dry went with the loft. It was such a badass setup, and I would have made a fortune if Airbnb was a thing. Plus, the property probably doubled at this point too.

It just became too much for one person to manage.  I was often working 60 hours a week, traveling all around the Carolinas and Tennessee at a moment’s notice. I also had my Georgia rental, and my condo rented out to snowbirds at the same time. 

I used to say “I had seven toilets for one asshole” due to having so much going on at once.

I remember the day clearly when I had officially decided to sell the place.  The septic tank was seeping and the year smelled terrible.  I would see pools of leaking in the yard and knew it was not good, so I had someone come out and take a look.  

I had to get the yard dug up as one of the two septic fields was not working. Thankfully, it was just a broken switch between the two fields, and one was doing all the work and overflowing.

The septic tank was also full and needed to be pumped out too!  Shitter was full!

I think it cost me $5K to fix the septic issue but the thought of it possibly costing $50K for a new septic system was enough for me.  The roof on both front and back house needed to be replaced and there was also a termite issue every spring.  It was one thing after another.

Soon after, I would get laid off which made it official.

I was done with the South and moving my ass to Arizona where I had my condo waiting.  I knew that my telecom days were coming to an end so bought it as a soft-landing spot closer to home in Canada.  It worked out well, I was able to bank on the sale of the acreage and move west.

Such a great five years living the reck neck life with the local NASCAR people.  Mooresville, NC is known as race city USA (click link) most of the drivers and garages are located there.

Dale Earnhardt JR lived 15 minutes from me on his amazing western ranch.  No invites for me!!

Guess which one is my rental and which one is Earnhardt’s ranch. LOL

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Phu Quoc, Vietnam – Amazing!

by Vietnam

I arrived in Vietnam on January 14th, 2025, and left on February 18th, five weeks or exactly 35 days!

It has been an up-and-down experience, but mission accomplished. I found the areas I would and could live for under  2 KK. Right off the bat, I know I could live almost anywhere in Vietnam comfortably on my budget. It is now up to me to weigh the pros and cons of each city when I decide to come back.

I will write a separate blog with my budget for each city, along with the probability of my returning.

Today, I want to focus on my last stop, the amazing Island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam. The hotel and Phem Beach are one of the nicest beaches I have experienced in the world. It has everything you would want on a long-term stay. I am unsure if it fits the vacation criteria as it is too hard to get here for a week or two weeks from North America on a budget. Anything can be done by Daddy Warbucks so do it if you can!  

Here is my $15 a night Airbnb/hotel with a four-minute walk to beach beers:

paradise

53 – Addicted to full time travel! 🌎

by Vietnam

We all love to travel and find good deals, right? 

I started this website to share my love for saving money while traveling. It may not have the best grammar, editing, or whatever you can judge me for, but it has been fun. People have reached out asking about some of the deals and how I can help, which is my goal. If you want ideas, you can reach me via WhatsApp or email from the homepage.

I also understand that this website is not for everyone as we are different. It’s ok, I hope you take a look anyway!

Birthdays have never been my favorite, but I appreciate the handful of awesome people who reached out. I might not remember birthdays, but I think of all of you, but it may not be on your birthday. 

I have come a long way, kinda! I still like cake and had the same number of people at this year’s birthday. LOL

I spent my 53rd birthday doing what I love, traveling and eating cake! (I had Pho and a beer!)

After getting laid off in February 2024, I spent the last 12 months traveling, so I welcomed 5. I planned to wait until 55.

Mexico-Guatemala-Costa Rica-Peru-Chile-Argentina- Uruguay-Arizona-Philippines and now Vietnam. I am traveling trying to understand which Countries I can live in for my $2K USD budget and all of those passed the test.  How confusing!!

We never know where our future will take us, but having the time, freedom, and financial freedom to travel has been amazing.

    

Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Europe, Scotland, and Ireland are on my radar for this trip, but my mind changes daily.

So far, I have a USD 244 flight booked to Athens, Greece on March 22nd.  

I also have a ~$ USD 2200 flight home to Phoenix, AZ on April 30th from Dublin, Ireland.  

I have also looked at flights to go home early from Rome, Italy for $238 USD which are really cheap.  I would not mind eating the other WestJet flight and headed home early.

The best part is that I can do whatever feels right!  Keep on trucking or head home and reload for the next adventure!!

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Phu Quoc – Vietnams paradise!

by Vietnam

I finished the first 28 days of my Vietnam adventures on February 11th, 2025.

I visited much of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/Saigon) and the surrounding central and southern cities:

After two days of plane, bus, and ferry travel, I reached my next destination, the island of Phu Quoc.

Here is the walk from my hotel and my current situation. 

works out

Nah Trang, Vietnam – Beachin’!!

by Vietnam

I am always the first to say that traveling is awesome!

You get to visit amazing new places and meet fellow travelers worldwide. I love it 90% of the time, but you need to take the bad with the good.

It still beats going to work, I think!

Well, in the last few days, I experienced the good and the bad!  The good always outweighs the bad long term but, this was some short-term suck for sure.  It started with a self-inflicted 17-hour train ride up the coast from HCMC to Da Nang, Vietnam.  I planned to go all the way North in one day and work my way back South slowly.

Great plan in theory!

I made it through the hellish train ride and had a great first day in beautiful Da Nang, as I blogged here.  The dragon bridge was neat to see, too, but it was just a bridge as blogged about here.

On day two, I woke up with a train hangover and sore throat, and my body just hurt.  The good news is that a massage can be had for about $1., I was able to fix my body with a couple of massages.  The bad, my sore throat turned into a full-on chest cold, and I was coughing up nasties.  This chest cold was different as I was coughing up the air pollution as well. Awesome!!

I was able to fight my way through it and made my way to Hoi, An as I blogged here.

It was a beautiful place to visit but, I was just not feeling well enough to enjoy it. After a couple of days, I planned my get-a-way to my next destination, Nah Trang.  It would be another nasty 12-hour train ride South which was more than halfway home to HCMC.  

Well, that turned to dog shit in a hurry!!  

I took a 45-minute shuttle from Hoi An to the Da Nang train station to find out that the tickets were sold out.  I begged the agent to help me as I was sickly, and she did her best.  She put me on two different trains to get me to Da Nang and the train was scheduled to leave in an hour but delayed 45 minutes.  Math tells me that is 1:45 minutes, right? RIGHT!!

The train pulls into the station and the waiting room heads to the platform; I hand my ticket to the train operator and settle in for the long ride.  I ordered a few beers and a sandwich and enjoyed the ocean view on the EAST side of the train. 

Most people would realize that they are headed north, nope, not this guy, but look at that view!!

After a few hours of relaxing, we arrived at our first stop, and someone woke me up by asking if I was getting off in Hue.  I was half asleep and three beers deep and, told him I was going to Nah Trang. 

Well, suddenly the whole train knew English!

This train is going NORTH several people yelled while I frantically looked for my ticket.  These trains only stop for five minutes so since I knew I fucked up: I got off the train without my phone charger and favorite hat.

FUCK!!

It took me a good 30 minutes to calm down and put a recovery plan in place. 

First, I had to find a charger so I could use my phone, which was easy; I bought one for five bucks.  OK, so I had internet and started realizing my messy situation.  

Second, I sheepishly went to the ticket counter to tell them what had happened which didn’t matter as they could not speak a lick of English. I google translated my story to blame the Railways for taking my ticket and allowing my dumbass to get on the wrong train. They were not buying my sad story, and they wanted the full $70 train fare again.  

They ended up allowing me to use my original ticket, which was a small win, but I needed to be on a train for a total of 21 hours.  I was fucking delusional most of the ride as I had zero sleep.

I like to think that I always win in the end when traveling, and this was no different and just another crazy story. 

I am currently writing this blog, drinking a $2 lemongrass peach bubble tea with an ocean view while listening to the Oilers’ pregame show.

I am also staying in an amazing Airbnb for $15 a night to rest my old bones and feel better.

There are also many good-looking Russians and Ukrainians here fleeing the war. They walk on the beach, and you can tell by their language and good looks. 

I also found a $75 flight to get back to HCMC to avoid another 10-hour train ride: 

NAD for the bounce-back win in extra time!! 🤓

 

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Hoi An, Vietnam – This river is incredible!

by Vietnam

After spending a few days in Da Nang, it was time to shuttle down the road to Hoi An.

It was a $6, 45-minute shuttle from Airbnb to Airbnb which is pretty cool that both amazing cities are that close together. They are totally different vibes too which is great if you get tired of the melting pot of Dang or the more touristy Hoi An. As of now, I will call it a tie as it is really laid back here in Hoi An.

Just the dragon bridge in Dan, Nang the go to place in Hoi An is the river. I have never seen anything quite like it except on YouTube. There were hundreds of boats and floating lanterns everywhere. Here are a few videos to give you an idea of how unreal a sight it is to see.

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Da Nang, Vietnam – I could live here too!

by Vietnam

After a 17-hour train ride, I blogged about here and YouTube videos here, I made it to Da Nang, Vietnam!  

I planned to do voiceovers with the YouTube videos, but I have not grasped the challenge, yet.

Maybe if I start getting more views, I will step up my game! HINT!!  LOL

I have 259 videos, and almost 10K views in the first month of my channel and my website:

Let me make this easy for you sitting on the fence.  Here are the links you just need to CLICK:

www.NorthAmericanDarrell.com to bookmark and YouTube link to subscribe or here to buy me a beer!

I never thought anyone would buy me a beer let alone watch my videos, but it’s been a lot of fun:

YouTube pays for the advertising clicks, not the actual site visits so it is impossible to make money without millions and millions of views.  Plus, YouTube pays you for the amount of ad views your video gets. If your video has a million views but no advertising on it, you won’t be making any money. If your video has a million views but only 10,000 ad views, you’ll be making money only on the 10,000 ad views.

OK – selfless plug complete and back to the regularly programmed blog on Da Nang, Vietnam:

There is a very North American feel to Da Nang. It is a hot spot for a lot of Europeans leaving the cold wanting a cheaper way of life in paradise from what I am told.

This was a microbrewery on the beach and the second one visited already with $5 pints of goodness.  I had a $7 burger and fries with coffee and carrot cake for dessert for USD 23. It is not super cheap but for a beach. 🤑

One of the biggest things when traveling is the walkability of the area. Most nice beaches have a boardwalk or Malecon as they call it in Mexico.  Da Nag is no different, but it just seems much more inviting.

Besides the countless inexpensive coffee/tea shops, street food, and restaurants there is hiking on the mountain in the bay. The hiking can take you to other remote areas on the beach along with a large statue of Lady Buddha on the oceanfront which looks spectacular from the boardwalk.  

I have not visited there yet so here are pictures from the internet and the supporting blog:

“From the East coast, visitors can see an enormous white statue with a mountain backdrop, that is the Lady Buddha Da Nang. Located on the ground of Linh Ung Pagoda, she was sculpted by artisans in a Non-Nuoc marble village. Thanks to its huge size and importance in local belief, hundreds of visitors come to this statue daily. That makes it one of the top tourist attractions in the city. So why did people place it there? What does it mean? Or why Lady Buddha? are frequently asked questions. Now, all secrets are opened, to help visitors to know better about the monument and everything around it.”

 

 

My best travel days always start by hitting my 10K steps followed by a local coffee. This place is perfect for me as there are so many options for my morning walk/hike and coffee.  Day one was absolutely perfect, but I replaced the coffee with two micro-brewery which is a great substitute for a couple of days a week!

The last video started with a roofie or in this case a 7% IPA! Look at that amazing view with the mountain in the background. Also, If you drive the opposite way, the amazing city of Hoi An is about a 30-minute drive making it a two-for-one destination. 

Vietnam railways – HCMC to Da Nang, Vietnam

by Vietnam

Vietnam Railways – HCMC to Da Nang was a 17-hour trip!

We started at the downtown station at 6 AM and worked our way South, traversing the Oceanside and rice field, arriving in Da Nang at 11 PM.  It was neat to see the Countryside through a window, most of the trip. 

It would have been about the same price to fly with an advanced ticket, but I’m glad I did this trip once. It also gave me a pretty good idea of what it will be like using my Europass.  

I put together the below trip, but thinking about it for 17 hours may change the aggressive but inexpensive plan:

If I do stick with the plan, I will make shorter trips. I initially thought I would see the countryside via train which still may be the case in Switzerland and colder countries in the Northern part of the map.  I have ten legs for 60 days available to use so trying to get the biggest bang for the buck was going far but that thought process will not work for me again.

Here are some more videos from the train trip:

There were plenty of rice farms.  It was amazing to see how each farmer had their land set up.  Water sources and flags were indicating the readiness of each separate patch of land. 

A lot of the trip was along the Oceanside which was neat to see.  Most locals were out there fishing.

I was in car three of over twenty cars on the train.  Being it was New Year’s holiday, the train was relatively full.  We probably made 10-12 stops along the way, picking up and dropping off passengers as well, but it appears most of us were there for the full 17-hour trip. I also booked a one-way trip as I was unsure how long I was going to stay in Da Nang and then Nha Trang on the way home.

I just checked the tickets, and there is an 80% surcharge on the tickets due to the holiday!

How about that BS?  The actual train ticket is 16% or $8.39 of the entire $52.42 cost of the ticket without fees.  That is only my halfway point home, too, so another $50+ to get back, which is more expensive than flying!

The overall shitty experience gave me no hesitation to cancel my Euro-rail pass this morning:

I knew there was a chance I would need to cancel so I bought the $8 cancellation insurance. I am sad that I will not see that part of the world via train but thankfully it was the only money lost.  Ultimately, it sounded like a great idea and the price was phenomenal price for a ten-day pass.  

I can still hit some of the cities with my Wizz Air all-you-can-fly pass as detailed in this blog.

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Vung Tau, Vietnam – Ferry roadtrip!!

by Vietnam

I have been itching to get out of the big city of Saigon for a few days. The problem is that it is New Year’s week, and everything is super busy and crowded. 

No problem, I found a way as always seem to when traveling and took a fun two-hour ferry ride.

I booked a ferry ride from the main terminal in HCMC down the Saigon River and then east to Vung Tau:

I am not sure what to expect so I booked a one-way ferry to see if I like the new location.

 

My original Airbnb in HCMC is booked until February 11th, so I packed a light bag and, off I went on January 26th, 2025. The beach looks great, and there are tons of “white tourists” here, so I might be on to something.

I found an inexpensive Airbnb with a rooftop pool for $17 a night:

I noticed a lot of Lunar New Year displays in HCMC, but Vung Tao goes all in, as it was incredible to see.  I have attached a hyperlink and summary below:

Chinese New Year 2025 is also called Spring Festival or the Chinese Lunar New Year. In Mandarin, it’s called Guonian or Chunjie. 2025 is the Year of the Snake.

Chunjie starts on Wednesday, January 29th, and goes on until the Lantern Festival on February 12th. It’s also the first Spring Festival after it was successfully added to the cultural heritage list. People in China get an 8-day holiday for the Chinese New Year 2025.

During this holiday, they gather with their families and watch the wonderful Spring Festival Gala while enjoying a delicious reunion dinner. A series of celebrations will continue until the 15th day of the lunar calendar, the Lantern Festival.”

I hope the below pictures and video do it justice, as a lot of hard work and passion go into all of these displays.

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Hammock camping! St Croix BVI

by British Virgin Islands (BVI)

This is a blog for the ages! I went to beautiful St. Croix and hammock camped during a tropical storm!!  It was Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, and it started great! – LOL!

It was my first flight on my Frontier Airlines AYCF pass was one of the biggest and possibly dumbest adventures yet. I would probably need to do something dumb on purpose to beat this on., Stay tuned! 👌

I have traveled with my hammock many places, as it is compact, and I just need two trees to be comfy. This trip was no different, I packed my hammock, rain fly, and basic camping essentials.

I had all the base camp basics covered, running water, a flushable toilet, a beer fridge, and set up in a perfect spot! It was going to be an amazing few days exploring the islands.

Everything was perfect, but I was advised to set up camp quickly as they predicted rain. I honestly could have used a bit more of a warning, but I think I was going to be the entertainment for the evening.

This is what they call a Tropical storm in the islands which is less than an actual hurricane.  I was buckled in and ready for a little rain.

After the first night, it turned from the worst experience to the best experience.  If I had used proper tent pegs the first night, it would have worked out. I would not have been soaked and cold with my rain fly sounding like a flag on a windy day. I had such a peaceful sleep listening to the sounds of the forest with a light breeze from my ceiling fan. 

Lesson learned for next time, as I am going to hammock camp again on the island.

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Riding the chicken bus! Guatemala!!

by Guatemala City

I have always heard the term “Chicken bus,” but I never really understood it until I visited Guatemala!

It does not take a big imagination to understand the term, as almost everyone uses the chicken bus as their main source of transportation within Guatemala. If you ever wondered what happened to the school bus you took as a kid, there is a good chance it ended there.

I visited Guatemala twice (San Jose and Antigua) on my Volaris All-you-can-fly pass (AYCF). There are direct flights from Los Angeles, and the same plane ends up in San Jose, Costa Rica, so I took advantage of that, too. The flight is about 60 dollars with the AYCF pass, and you can find an Airbnb in both cities for around $20-$30 a night. 

If you can stay a month, you can find rent for about $600 a month for a simple, clean stay.

My first experience riding the chicken bus was from the capital of San Jose to the amazing city of Antigua.

It was a great way to start the crazy mode of transportation as the road was relatively straight with no cliffs, LOL. Although, nothing would prepare me for the trip to Lake Atitlan was a start.

Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America, and a three-chicken bus transfer from Antigua. I am not joking when I say that I was chicken shit scared! These bus drivers are insane and swear that everyone on the bus was hanging on for dear life as we traversed the road with cliffs on both sides.

Did I mention that these buses may still have the same tires they did went we took them to school?

I plan to write blogs on each of the cities visited in Guatemala. I wanted to start with the Chicken Bus first as it sets up how awesome of an adventure it is to visit.

I remember vividly asking this guy if they checked the brakes!

Panglao Island – The Philipines

by Panlao IslandPhilippines

I took a five-week trip to the Philippines at the end of 2024. I rented a a condo in Cebu City for the entire time and made several road trips to neighboring islands including the beautiful island of Panglao.

The trip included a two-hour ferry ride from Cebu City to the port of Tagbilaran, a bus ride and then a short tuk tuk ride to the beach. This was an amazing stop and one of my favorites on my trip. You could say I was relaxed!

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A massage a day! HCMC, Vietnam!!

by HCMC / Saigon

Health is a major driver in the Asian lifestyle! Anytime I head to the gym anywhere in North America, I see Asians in the sauna and hot tub taking care of their bodies. Their habits are a very good reason they tend to live a longer life, as shown in the below graph of the longest-living by Country:

They are the top three, while the life expectancy is ahead of North Americans by five years:

Each time I have visited Asia (Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, and now Vietnam) there are many spas. Since the cost is pennies on the dollar, I treat myself to a treatment a few times a week, minimum.

My first week:

USD 12 full body massage,

UUSD 2045-minute shoulder massage, mineral bath, sauna, and cold plunge.

USUSD 35houlder massage with fish footbath, one-hour facial, and 30-minute eye treatment for baggy eyes.

USDUSD 12r for a haircut, hot shave, and ten-minute relaxing shampoo, and loved his TIP!

USD 5 for a hot shave every few days with the same crew, too!

Each experience has been fantastic and well worth the money each time. Most are down an alley with someone advertising at the entrance with the prices and promotions:

Imagine a lifestyle where you can afford to get hundreds of dollars of massages a week for pennies on the dollar!  If you went with a basic $12 massage, you could even get one every day of the week for $84.

That is the price of one massage in North America unless you’re the guy below traveling the world living his dreams! 🤓

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Good morning, Vietnam!

by HCMC / Saigon

Good morning, Vietnam!

Good morning, Vietnam was made by one of my favorite actors and released in 1987 which would have made me 15 years old at the time. Each time I visit I new Country, I look back at things that happened earlier to my life.  

I saw the movie at Londonderry Theatres, which was the neighborhood mall growing up. I wouldn’t have dreamed that I would someday visit Saigon. The funny part is that I thought MASH was also filmed in Vietnam, and thankfully, I was corrected before I wrote a blog on MASH instead of GMV.

I visited the Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Saigon, which was heartbreaking.

The torture the Vietnamese people endured was horrible to witness for me:

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Made in Vietnam! That is a good thing!!

by HCMC / Saigon

I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on January 14, 2025. I knew street food would be great, but I never imagined it would be better than Thailand. I wrote a blog on street food here. 

HINT: Vietnamese food is now at the top of the list! Bahn Mi, Pho, spring rolls with peanut sauce all ~$3 each!! 😋🤑

I also knew that most apparel and shoes are made in Vietnam, too! How is that for a shopping win-win!!

Admittedly, I am not a big shopper. I try to keep it simple when traveling, as I do not pay for bags. The problem becomes when items are so cheap that they are almost disposable (setting up a Crocs joke here).

District 1 in HCMC has the Bein Than market and many other pop-up stores selling knock-off brands. I know, you get what you pay for, but this stuff was worth it, even if some of it does not make it home.

I always said that I would never buy a pair of Crocs, but I do not recall saying that I would not buy TWO pairs of Crocs. 🤓 

I am going to take so much shit for this but honestly, I do not care as they were $10 bucks each. I also bought a couple of shoulder travel bags that were $10 each also making it a total of $40 for all four items. 

I also bought a Nike jacket made of the same wicking material as the authentic one.  I knew it was a knockoff as the sizing is off on Asia products, but again, it was $1,2, so what the hell:

You cannot even buy one of those items in North America for the total price of all five, screw it!

Here are some YouTube Videos of the famous Ben Thanh market:

The market outside Ben Thanh is better IMO and where I bought my items.  There are so many other knockoff items that we overpay for in North America.  These knockoffs items in some cases are made in the same factories and you cannot tell the difference and even go as far as to use the same tags:

I was wearing my $50 USD “Osprey Daylite” sling shoulder bag that has thousands of miles on it and did a side-by-side comparison. 

The original is definitely made better and that is the reason it is guaranteed for life with the “Almighty guarantee“. I do not know of many other brands that stand behind their products forever so that makes sense.  

The North Face, Patagonia, Nike and Crocs appeared to be authentic without a negative person’s overview.

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Ho Chi Mihn City! Organized mayhem!!

by HCMC / Saigon

I have been to a few Countries in Asia (Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, and now Vietnam), and the general mode of transportation is a scooter. I am blown away by the traffic flow each time, and I always explain it as ants marching.

Everyone gives way to the other, all while getting to their destination.  This makes crossing a road an adventure, as you can see in the video below.

This was my Airbnb neighborhood that I walked every day.  I loved getting friendly waves from familiar faces as it made me feel part of the neighborhood hood which is my goal with slow traveling.

I had my coffee shop, barber, and favorite restaurants that welcomed me during my month-long stay.

This is an amazing temple in my neighborhood that I would often walk through.  Once I noticed this that I always face the camera the way I am looking.  I am unsure if that is good or bad, but you can tell where my focus is as I walk.

I tried not to catch the lady praying, but she did ask for my number once done.  

Dreams can come true!  Jokes, I got ’em!! 😁

If you took the time to watch any of the videos, you would notice that almost everyone smiles and says hello to me.  That is the first thing I notice in a new Country, so I know how much I can use my charming personality to have more fun. 

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Montevideo, Uruguay

by Montevideo

I avoid using “eclectic” because it sounds similar to “expensive,” but you can see by the video what I mean!

There is no other way to describe my Airbnb experience in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was the most amazing Airbnb I have ever stayed in, and it was $35 a night. The owners are lawyers from Argentina, and they put all of their love of travel, music, antiques, and heart into this stay.

It even had a record player in each room! Three of the four pictures are in the lobby when you walk up the stairs. From the lobby, you can access four different rooms by small ladders to slightly different floors.

Music is played during the day, and there is a couch to look at the wall antiques. My room, pictured ow, was directly across from the wall unit of antiques, so I often left my door open looking at them.

The bed and desk were in the loft area with about ten steps, and it felt like a different room.

Montevideo is a rather small town, and the Airbnb was right down from the walking street in one direction and the ocean in the other direction, with the best view to top things off. They use a fancy filter, but I can promise you that the view was amazing from my room in every single direction.

OK, I will settle my eclectic ass down and tell you about getting there and the travel is half of the adventure. I grabbed an Uber from my Airbnb in BA to the ferry terminal. Once arriving, I bought a one-way ticket as I was unsure how long I would stay.

I need to take the ferry to Colonia and then a bus ride totaling five hours to get to Montevideo.

I only spent two nights in Uruguay to get a feel for the landscape. Beautiful, but nothing made it stand out to me.  The food was basic and on the expensive side, and it is so small that I have no reason to go back. Here are a few pictures of the architecture:

As I said, I only stayed two nights, and here are my two dinners, which were borderline gross.  I could count on McDonald’s for breakfast, and I even had lunch there once, too, due to my dinner experience:

The meal on the left was a cheese-covered sandwich with probably two pounds of cheese, and I couldn’t even chase it down with a beer.

The middle was $65, and it was not cooked at all so left it and called my credit card company as that is bullshit!

If you’re from Uruguay, I apologize; the world can see the passion of the people from their football team and their fans! 

It just didn’t do anything for me other than the awesome Airbnb where I spent most of my time relaxing counting down the hours to leave. 

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Mira Flores, Peru – cliff side pad!

by Mira Flores (Lima)

When I bought my Volaris AYCF pass, the first thing I noticed was that I could get to Lima, Peru for under $100 USD. That is exactly why I went twice in the first six months of buying the pass!

The first time I went, I stayed in downtown Lima which is not recommended. It is very crowded and am told that is not that safe at night. 

The second time was a charm, I found an amazing Airbnb with a cliff side ocean view in Mira Flores which was incredible. These were my morning view for less than $20 a night or $480 a month on a long-term stay!

The warm ocean breeze and the sound of people running, riding their bikes, and walking their dogs 24 hours a day is a very safe location. My Airbnb hosts were so amazing. I had food poisoning from an earlier visit to Costa Rica. They ran to the pharmacy and put up with my horrendous symptoms for two days. I plan to visit again as I have their WhatsApp contacts for a cash deal!!

I was able to wake-up, up and go directly across the street for miles of walking paths to get my 10K steps in every day once I felt better. I could walk in either direction for miles and the view was stunning.

             

Evening⬆️ Time-lapse pictures of the alongside the walking path in front of my Airbnb. Morning⬇️

One thing I did not know is that Paddington Bear was actually from Lima, Peru! I loved that story as a kid!

“A Bear Called Paddington is a story about a young Peruvian bear who travels to London in search of a home. He finds himself lost and alone at Paddington Station but is eventually taken in by the kind Brown family. The story follows Paddington’s adventures in London and how he changes the lives of the Brown family”.

The historic area of Lima is amazing!

 

The cost of living in Lima is also very reasonable for a large city.  It has everything you need for your North American fix like TGIF and Chillis at half the cost.  The Peruvian ceviche, coffee and local beer is the best you will find anywhere in the world.

The cost of most things are 50-75% off North American prices:

$2-3 Daily coffee and treat with a cliff side view.

$2 Weekly laundry washed and folded. 

$20 Any meal on the TGIF or Chillis menu with two beers.

$30 ninety-minute massage, I would get two a week.

There was a mall with all stores you would find around the world. The prices were not much cheaper at the mall as the items came from the same factories.

In closing, Mira Flores is an affordable place that you can enjoy low cost, great weather and outdoor activities and festivals. The thousands of active locals can enjoy dirt bike track, skate park, Volleyball/basketball courts, parasailing and miles of paths.

 

After writing this blog post, I am reminded me that I could easily live in Mira Flores, Peru!

It has everything that I love about travel: inexpensive, great weather and walkable:

(I never thought I would ever use an accidental pictures of my feet)! 😁

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

by Puerto Vallarta (PV)

I have been going to Mexico since my teens, and my favorite place in the country always changes.

Hilarious story to start!  The first time I went to PV, I figured out that the romantic zone meals gay zone, whoops! 

I knew I f#cked up when there was a flag on the door. The homo that checked me in was rude AF which is why I labeled him a homo! I asked if it was ok for a straight dude to stay the night. He never gave me a pillow or blanket, which did not matter as I could not sleep knowing broke Back Mountain was in the building.

(There is nothing wrong with being ga; there is something wrong with me having to change myself for your gayness.)

 

I have since stayed at the below Airbnb’s in the Bay of Banderas:

Your trip overview – Airbnb

Your trip overview – Airbnb

Your trip overview – Airbnb

Your trip overview – Airbnb

Your trip overview – Airbnb

Your trip overview – Airbnb

I got and gave only one star at the below place:

Amazing View, close to the beach and boardwalk – Apartments for Rent in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Airbnb

I specifically asked for an early check-in as I was taking the red-eye.  He said, no problemo, well, there was a big problem as the room was not clean.  I asked what happened and he said things changed and to go hang out at the pool. I may or may not have topped the shelf of the place, LOL.  I would not do that but he deserved it 100%!!

Here are a couple of great hostels in Centro PV, and Uncle Gueilleromos and both were boomer-friendly, LOL. 

I went to PV 4-5 times in a row on my Southwest (SWA) Airlines credit card for free using points. I have played the travel credit card game for most of my life and couldn’t tell you how many cards I have opened/closed/opened/closed …

Yeah, it can affect your credit score but rarely miss payments, and am hovering around 750+ so no problem. Currently, I carry my Frontier, SWA, and Hawaiian credit cards. I have previously held Spirit(3X), AA(2X), and Delta, revolving every couple of years to take advantage of free offers.

As part of SWA, you can save money by going to COSTCO and buying their $500 SWA gift cards for $430. At one point, I bought $2000 worth of cards to meet my SWA credit card minimum spend to get the bonus miles. I have a shit ton of rapid reward points and SWA credit but rarely fly SWA these days. I always have a backup travel plan for my backup travel plans, so SWA is there when I need them at a massive discount or for free.  

The Costco deal happens several times a year, so get your credit card and wait for the sale, and BOOM, tons of cheap travel. 

“You know, like nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills… free flight skills are here at NAD! LOL

OK – back to PV, focus Darrell …

I would land in PV and grab the local bus to either downtown PV Malecon or Nuevo Vallarta where Kenny the dickhead lives. He and his sidekick Dana drive me ape shit but deep down I am sure they are not dickheads. 

Centro has been my favorite as there is everything you need within walking distance,

Hurricanes can be a problem in PV and landed the week after a terrible hurricane in 2021. It was horrible to see the destruction, and a notable story was a woman getting swept away in her car.  They were looking for her when I was there, and never did find her horrible body.  

GH – such a downer, sorry!  It is always safe bets are at The AZ Devils bar (left) and Margarits bar (right). 

A couple more not pictured: Los Muertos brewery and Monzons for the best beer and slice lunch special.

Just to lighten things up, the first time I got my nose and ear hair waxed was in PV for $3.  Honestly, something was lost in translation as it was an “upgrade” after a haircut and hot shave, LOL.  I have since done it a few more times, knowing what to expect.  What a shit show but had everyone entertained!  You’re welcome for the laugh! 🤓

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Rocky Point – Monday morning coffee

by Rocky Point

Monday’s suck, always have, and always will!

My biggest worry on Monday these days is watching the NYSE, hoping it does not crater. Once past that point, I normally start my Monday by getting a coffee and breakfast sandwich at Coffee Point at Las Palomas Golf Club and Resort.

This is by far the nicest condo complex in Rocky Point, making sense as it is five-star.

It has three pools for each phase and, more importantly, three swim-up bars with magnificent ocean views. I have my clubs here in Rocky Point but have yet to swing them at the course, even though there are weekly events, including scrambles, which are perfect for my shaky golf game. There is also another nice course at Isla Del Mar here, so I need to get my ass in gear and swing away.

I would be lying if I did not mention that I stayed for a margarita or five after coffee if I was still there in the afternoon. They have been known to say to me, it is afternoon, Amigo, do you want a margarita. If the market is green, I say and if the market is red, I leave – simple.

Here is a walking tour of two of the phases, including the newest phase on the top right that is just finishing.

Las Palomas even has an amazing golf course!

If golf were more like hockey, I would play more, as you can drop the guy next to you for chirping your game!

Edmonton Oilers eliminating Las Vegas in the 2025 playoffs!

Goodnight Las Vegas!! 

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Varna, Bulgaria – The black sea!

by Varna, Bulgaria

My first flight on my Wizz all-you-can-fly pass was from London, Gatwick to Varna, Bulgaria.

I had bought the pass months prior, and this was a test trip to see how it worked, and I couldn’t have been happier. I was able to fly standby to anywhere I wanted, for the most part, even though it was a short ten-day trip. I have been able to use it five times, which has paid for itself already. I paid 499 Euros, which was approximately USD 550. I flew my Phoenix to Los Angeles to catch my Norse Airways flight from London Gatwick. I have found many deals over my lifetime, but the Norse Airline flight was one of the best deals.

I found a one-way flight for USD 109, which is still unbelievable as I type this right now.

PRO TIP: Always check one-on-one trips as they are often cheaper than round-trip, as I blogged here:

Once I landed and cleared Customs, I went straight to the Wizz app to see what was available, le knowing the Varna flight left a few hours after I landed, having done prior research. Boom, the first flight was booked, and I was off to the ticket counter to better understand the baggage rules.

PRO TIP: Use compression bags to fill your free personal item bag as you can squeeze tons in them.

I waited in line for an hour, and I was starting to get worried. Once I got to the counter, the agent advised that I did not check in online for my flight, and it would not cost USD 65. I f#cking paid 10 Euro or USD 120 for my flight so I was pissed. Lesson learned: Discount airlines will always try to nickel and dime. I got my boarding pass, and I was off to my gate with plenty of time.

My first Wizz all you can fly flight went off without a hitch after screwing myself not checking in online.  If you want to know more about the Wizz pass, you can check or my blog here.

Once I arrived in Varna, I got the familiar feeling that I was back in the Ukraine.  It has been over 20 years, but Eastern Europe is not as developed. The language felt familiar even though I failed Ukrainian 10 in high school, LOL!

Being Ukranian, the prices were right up may alley too!  I paid under $5 for some awesome cabbage soup with a roll and drink.  The buses and Ubers were also very inexpensive to tour the city.

I realize that taking pictures inside a Church may not be cool with some people but, I asked first.

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Rocky Point casita (small studio)

by Rocky Point

I have been renting a small room in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) for almost seven years. Time flies when I cannot remember half the shit I do when I’m here, LOL.

I stayed here for the first time as an Airbnb on June 24th, 2017, and never left. I talked to the amazing owners, asking them if I could rent monthly, and never looked back. I am paying less monthly than my HOA in Arizona, so it does not bother me that I am not here a lot. 

Mi Mexican Familia Fortunado (El Jefe) and Lupe!! 🙌 🙌

   

Lupe is posing with her delicious Pazole soup she made for her guests during the Rocky Point rally; I posted details here:

El Jefe (The boss in Spanish) poses with a picture they used to use in the advertising credits at the Movies in Phoenix.  I call him El Jefe, as he is the boss man for Airbnb, as he and Lupe run a tight ship.

 

Just like life, my visits to Rocky Point have evolved over the years. I was working five days a week when I first started renting, hoping to make it up once a month. Within a couple of years, I was working four days a week and able to make it a bit more. There were times when I came here every weekend, and other times I would not visit for several months. 

I just knew in my heart that I had a pad in Mexico and did not need to jump on a plane to get my fix. It was almost too convenient for playtime in Mexico at times.

Fast forward to 2024, I had an awesome plan to work here part-time, or so I thought.

I had just spent four months working in Hawaii under the radar, so I thought, why not Mexico? I prepared an office with backup power and bought Starlink Internet. I wanted to ensure I had my bases covered if there was a power or internet issue, so I could run my office. The only thing I never considered was a backup job, LOL.

I set up my office during Christmas 2023, and everything was ready to go in January.

I got an email invite on February 1st, 2024, to attend a mandatory meeting. This was the same week the media announced we would be laying off. It did not take much thought to figure out I was toast.

My first thought was, Thank God I had a place to stay, as my Airbnb in Mesa, AZ, was rented for another three months.

I was still pissed that I invested all that money in an office, but shit happens, and I hated the job anyway. I was just biding my time with healthcare and needed 2-3 more years.

I was given a decent severance package and six months of healthcare to figure out my next move. My next move was always the same: I took a trip to Central and South America.

OK – now that you have the full story, here are some pictures of my Mexico pad, as I like to call it. 

Judgers remember, your one-night cost more than my full month’s rent ($5 a night to be precise). 🤑5

I set the place up to make it feel like home, even though it is tiny. As mentioned, I set up an office with backup power and internet if there was an issue.

I hung a 50″ TV, a kickass Sonos speaker, a laptop, and a tablet, so I was electronically set up.

I had my paddleboard on the wall again, a fat tire bike, golf clubs, a snorkel, and fishing gear ready. I have not touched any of them yet. Honestly, they make me feel younger and ready to use if I get off my computer. 

I bought a comfy mattress, beer fridge, air fryer, microwave, BBQ, Kand eurig.

 

People tell me; that nobody wants to travel like you. I take it like a compliment from the airport there frosty. ☃️ LOL!!

The thing that sticks with me is that people also compare me to my mom.  

She was a simple Ukrainian who lived the same way in retirement. She lived in a small trailer in Yuma, AZ., and did a lot of things herself, just like me. If they don’t like it, they can kiss my ass was one of her mottos later in life!

Mom was lucky enough to spend over 15 years as a snowbird, living until 84. Seems like a good way to live to me,e anI d take it as a compliment.  I miss you every day, Mom, and I am bragging, not complaining! 

spicynoodles

Cebu, Philippines

by Cebu City

 I spent five weeks in the Philippines Islands in the fall of 2024. It reminded me of the importance of slow travel as I was able to immerse myself in The Philippines culture with a home base the entire time. 

I rented an Airbnb studio condo for the full five weeks in Cebu City:

It reminded me of the awesome feeling of learning a new city and not having to rush.

I was able to live like a local and able to take advantage of the inexpensive lifestyle.

I was bringing American dollars, and everything was in Philippine pesos making everything super inexpensive. I had a local barber that I used every Monday for a $5 hot shave, drop-off laundry service was $4 a week, and a fast-food meal was a few dollars a week to give you an idea.  

Everything you would do was so much cheaper too! I would get a chair massage almost daily $5 including a great tip.  Going out to eat was amazing too as Cebu is a call center hub.  Since they worked the overnight shift to support the Americas, everything was always open to keep the city moving.  

I would see people going to work at 8 PM with McDonald’s breakfast and coffee, for example.

I could get my favorite Korean BBQ or noodle fix 24/7/365 at a fraction of the cost of back home. The next time you check your credit card bill or warranty and get to the Philippines, just know they are eating well, LOL.

newcamel2

Abu Dabhi, UAE

by Abu Dabhi

I have always seen the Emirates football (soccer) jerseys and Emirates Airlines’ amazing first-class service on social media. An Uber driver once told me it was not expensive, and I have been intrigued ever since.

When I bought the Wizz Air all-you-can-fly pass, Abu Dhabi and Dubai were at the top of the list. When I planned my European trip in the fall of 2024, I kept checking the standby availability and accommodation options. I was able to make it happen after Austria with a little logistics. I took a Flix bus from Vienna to downtown Budapest, Hungary, and an Uber to the airport. Once I arrived (hungover AF), I had a few hours to spare for my six-hour direct flight. Holy shit, it was happening!

I did not land in Abu Dhabi until later at night and was without a phone charger that was left on the bus in Budapest. After some currency math, I bought a $3 USB charger for 25 dollars at the Abu Dhabi airport. That allowed me to grab an Uber to my hostel. I grabbed my USD 30, 30-minute Uber and was on my way after the long self-inflicted, but I was knocking out a huge bucket list item.

Arriving at my hostel after midnight, it was already quiet time, which is normally 10 PM – 8 AM, unless you’re at a party hostel like the Mad Monkey I stayed at in Palawan, Philippines, as there was no quiet time. Damn kids, get off my lawn, LOL!

I was still fired up from the reality I was actually in Abu Dabhi and got to visit Dubai too. I went outside as they had a nice courtyard to relax. The first person I met was who we all called Bahrain as that is where he was from and that was easy to remember, and what an absolute GEM. He was wearing a traditional men’s abaya, smoking cigarettes, and drinking a beer.

If you know the culture, this is not normal, so he became my best friend immediately. We talked for a while and then both made our way to our shared room. It had seven single beds with an IKEA-type shelf for each, with a lock assigned to each bed. I unloaded my stuff as quietly as possible and hit the sack for about 4 minutes. The dude in the next bed was snoring like a chainsaw. As a reference, I am almost deaf in my right ear and could hear him through the pillow with my left ear, LOL.

This guy was Syria, my next best friend in the hostel after we hashed out the snoring in the morning, which entailed “go get a hotel if you do not like it,” which was fair, LOL.

Over the next several years,Baharan, Seria, and I would spend a good amount of time talking.

Baharan (left) could not speak English so a lot needed interpreting, but his body language and animation made it pretty clear what was going on at most times. I was constantly laughing at him, and he knew it so kept up the entertainment. From a whoop whoop, nope nope, she/he broken, sad/happy face with loud YESS and NOO I got it.

Syria (right) was also an old soul for someone who was only 26 years old, hanging out with Bahran and me in our 50s. He had been through so much in his young years with the war in Palestine that I would not even pretend to understand. Both of his houses and his restaurant were leveled in the fighting.

Some people in UAE would not associate with him because he was Syrian as well. It hurt so bad listening, but he had an amazing no-quit attitude. I got to Facetime with his beautiful fiancé who was in Michigan and could tell how much he loved her and missed her. Great news, I saw on IG that she was in Abu Dabhi, and they got married. I could not have been so happy for him as he deserves so much happiness.

Honestly, I was sad when Syria found a new place but happy for him as it would allow him to save money and start working again. I still got to hang out with Baharan a couple of times, and felt even worse when he dropped me off at the airport a couple of days late, even though his driving was scary AF. He gave me a hag and one of his head garments as we said goodbye:

I was back in London on my way back to America, as I was at the end of my trip after visiting Varna, Bulgaria, Vienna, Austria, Budapest, Hungary, and both London Gatwick and Heathrow areas of London.

I wrote a post on a day trip to a camel farm, and here are a few of those pictures:

The amazing architecture in Abu Dhabi is almost impossible to share, so I added a Google link here to help share what I saw in the five days I was there. I also made a day trip to Dubai, but I will post about that amazing trip.

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Bohol, Philippines – What a beauty!

by Bohol

This was my first ferry road trip after spending my first week in Cebu. I had been on several boats in the past, traversing the Island in Thailand, so I was prepared, plus almost everyone speaks English.  I woke up one morning at 3 AM, as adjusting to the 13-hour time difference was horrible.  I packed a knapsack, took a shower, and was off to the local bus station.  I took a 3:30 bus, arrived at the terminal at 4:30, and bought a ticket for the 5:10 AM to Tagbilaran, which was the first stop.  

They transferred us all to a bus for the remaining trip.

Once I got off the bus after the ferry ride, I needed to take a 20-minute tuk tuk ride.  I had been on many tuk tuks in the past in Thailand, but this was my first in The Philippines to get to Alona beach. 

I was a little on edge with little sleep as might be able to tell in the video but normally feel safe.  

Once I got settled in my $ 15-a-night Airbnb, it was time to check out the beach area which brings me to a long-winded hockey story.  

* If you are already ready for the Edmonton Oiler blog, you might want to skip it.  

** A lot of my stories are long-winded often running out of brain processor speed and switching between seven tabs in my brain telling three other stories. As the kids say IYKYK.

*** Since all of these beaches are beautiful, I often get confused as I took four different ferry trips.

Several years ago, I made a random video in Rocky Point Mexico, and it turned into our friend chat goal song during a couple of Edmonton Oiler playoff runs.  Well, they created a monster as I have been trying to find the next goal song using the same guy a couple of years later.

The first video is the one that caught on during the exciting goals along with Oiler good luck charm Kait! 

I even made two more renditions with the same Mexican guy for good luck, nope!  They won’t even play the original as they are probably tired of me trying.

Most people would give up but, I am just annoying that way so keep trying!  Here are some really talented kids from Bohol, Philippines that I recruited.  Just like a new post with zero likes, nope, nope and IPA drunk nope. 

Like Mi Amigo, the kids thought I was as crazy too but loved the great TIPs! 

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Honolulu, Hawaii – working incognito …

by Honolulu

I have stayed in the same Honolulu Airbnb three times, and I love it!  I stayed there for two months to start 2023 working incognito.  My AZ condo was rented on Airbnb, so it was like an awesome house swap while living in Hawaii.

It was perfect for me as I was only home to sleep and work; otherwise, I was touring the island or fishing in Kona, and I wrote a post about the amazing fishing here. 

It is a studio with a single bed in a complex that has five units with a shared bathroom and kitchen. There is occupancy, a nd it is not in the best area near Chinatown, but I have never had an issue, as I am normally home by dark or soon after.  

I was working incognito in Hawaii for three months, which was awesome as I only worked a four-day week.  

I spent the first six weeks in Kona and the second six weeks here in Honolulu.  I normally like to pack light but, I brought two container of crap this time.  Just to be fair, one was my home office, and stuff that was needed day-to-day work.  Thanks, Southwest Airlines, for the two free bags/containers so I could work seamlessly under the radar in paradise.  

As you can see, I even brought the Keurig and watched sports the whole day while working!  Thanks Phil!! 

I also brought my slow cooker as I knew I would be eating at home four days a week.  I would go to the grocery store down the street and get different flavors of fresh ahi tuna.  I would eat it with rice and then eat the leftovers almost every single day!  So fresh, affordable and awesome with a local beer.

The walk to the bus stop is five minutes with buses going directly to Waikiki in 30 minutes or the North Shore in two hours. 

I have taken both buses many times for $2.50, packing a cooler, hammock, and lawn chair.  Both beaches are spectacular for different reasons.  Waikiki is famous for Duke’s, but there are always thousands of people packing the beach.

Here is the North Shore experience, which is incredible!  

Surfin’ U.S.A.

🏄🏻‍♂️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻🏄🏽‍♀️🏄‍♂️

At Waimea Bay (inside, outside)
Everybody’s gone surfin’

🏄🏻‍♂️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻🏄🏽‍♀️🏄‍♂️
Surfin’ U.S.A.

Grabbing some fresh ahi and a couple of local seltzers between naps is amazing, too!

Here is the Waikiki experience!

My favorite thing to do in Waikiki is catch happy hour at the Yard House, which is 2-5:30 Monday to Friday.  Waikiki is not the cheapest place, so grabbing an early dinner and beer is affordable.  The pole and poke nachos and a Coconut porter brewed in Hawaii are my favorite, as shown below:

After dinner, I stroll down main street and sit at the Mai Tai beach bar or Dukes and listen to live music and the waves. 

There is a fun catamaran that will take you out to make it makes for a perfect day!  Check Groupon for different sailing adventures or cut a cash deal with them if you want to go a few times!