Birthdays – getting older is tough!

02/03/2026

by Darrell Buy me a beer Cebu City Freedom 50 Personal History Siquijor/Dumaguete islands Snuffaluffagus Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories Your name here!

The number goes up, but at least the stories keep getting better.

This absolute GEM still makes me laugh, mostly because… not much has changed.

February is peak season in Arizona, so my Airbnb is rented every year.

Translation: I’m forced to travel.

As a result, I’ve spent the last few birthdays in some pretty incredible places—and this year is no exception.

(Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia)

This year’s birthday destination?

Hong Kong.
3 days, 2 nights; $225 USD RT flight, $50 a night pad!!

Aging is inevitable.
Dropping new pins is optional—but highly recommended around here!

Booking flights is like playing chess while most people are still playing checkers.

To bounce between Cebu and Hong Kong, I booked three one-way tickets instead of a single round-trip—and the math worked in my favor:

Cebu → Manila: $20

Manila → Hong Kong: $70

Hong Kong → Cebu: $135

Not glamorous. Not obvious to most.
But flexible, intentional, and cheaper than forcing a “normal” itinerary.

That’s the game:
Stop thinking in straight lines and start thinking strategically.

I tried to pick a destination that was actually high on my bucket list, and Hong Kong landed exactly where it should, near the top!

Bonus: it doubles as a visa run, since I have to leave the Philippines every 30 days. Inexpensive, efficient, and exciting—my favorite combo.

Winner winner—Peking chicken dinner.

Honestly, it’s been a pretty solid run so far, and I still have two more months to explore on this adventure.

Not bad for someone who claims to be grumpy and bored all the time.

01/15 – Tokyo, Japan

01/23 – Cebu, Philippines

02/10 – Hong Kong

02/19 – Siquijor, Philippines

02/29 – Siargao, Philippines

03/07 – Cebu lease expires → TBD

04/15- home to Mesa, AZ

Possible next moves before 04/15 (because why not):
Stay in Cebu, Seoul, Phuket, Bali, Da Nang…

We’ll see where boredom strikes next!

I really shouldn’t complain—this trip has been incredible so far.

Now, excuse me while I yell at the clouds due to my missed meds!

Welcome to #Freedom54! 🥳

And … Get off my lawn, damn kids!

02/01/2024 – Mandatory meeting!👋🏻

01/31/2026

by Darrell Autobiography Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Personal History Slow travel Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Deals Travels Stories Work experience

Today, February 1st, 2026, marks two years that I have been “taking a run at retirement”. I refer to it that way, as I am not sure how it will all work out.

So far, so good, as I blog from Cebu, Philippines.

Three weeks after completing my 7th year with PayPal, I got a “mandatory meeting invite” on February 1st, 2024.

This was the second time; my career was also abruptly cut short after 18-years with Northern Telecom/Nortel/Ericsson.

Hindsight is always 20/20; both situations worked out for the best long term. 25 years was enough for me, and it was time to take a run at retirement!

All those years of hard work, strategizing, overthinking, and so many mistakes!

The travel dream was finally coming to fruition.

Aside from finances, which I blogged about HERE, health insurance is one of the biggest drivers for early retirement.

I found a great setup through trial and error for insurance, as I also blogged about HERE.

Again, so far so good!

Soon after getting laid off, I started planning NorthAmericanDarrell.com, and my YouTube channel, which you can check out by clicking HERE. Please consider following my channel!

I had always wanted to share my past, present, and future travel experiences.

A solo traveler, vlogger, YouTuber, Geoarbitrage with a dry sense of humor.

“Freedom 50” turned into a “Freedom 55” after the COVID market correction, and ultimately “Freedom 52” traveling lifestyle.

Just another example, life cannot always be planned.

“Freedom 54” is just around the corner!

Cheers to another year living the dream!

622414710_3039579372880273_6888685053055311705_n

Cebu, Philippines – Moalboal! 🚌

01/29/2026

by Darrell Accommodations AirBnb Freedom 50 Personal History Philippines Travel bucket list Travels Deals

I preach about setting up shop for the long term, building routines, becoming a regular… and then, not long after, I’m on a road trip.

The contradiction is the sweet spot for me.

The way I see it, as long as your slow-travel home base comes with low rent, everything else stays in bounds.

Cheap rent makes spontaneity affordable. You’re not “breaking the budget”—you’re spending the surplus your lifestyle was designed to fit my inability to stay put.

Thanks, Mom!!.

Slow travel for me isn’t always about staying still.

It’s about building a base so light that motion never feels financially irresponsible, paying for two places at once.

Here is a tour of my $450 a month Cebu condo I shared in 2024 during my first visit to the Philippines.

The road trip opportunities are exactly what I envisioned when I returned to the same condo in late January 2026.

The rent was still $450 a month, and the road-trip opportunities in the area are endless, both within the Philippines and throughout Asia.

After a few days of arriving, I woke up this morning at three AM with insomnia, hopped on a bus, and three hours later I was in Moalboal, Cebu, drinking beer on beautiful Sandy Beach.

That beats a trip to the bathroom!

The bus trip was under $10 while, while a basic room was less than $25 USD per night.

That low price included a wake-up call!

🐓📢🛌🏻

The beach was as good as it gets—beer cold as ice and scenery so spectacular it felt illegal. Every direction was a postcard for a travel magazine or an amazing blog for inexpensive travel …

The first road trip worked out perfectly, and I’ve already got three absurdly cheap flights booked for February.

Hong Kong, 9th visa run; $225 ✈️

Dumaguete / Siquijor, 19th; $60 ✈️🚢

Siargao, Philippines, 29th; $60

Slow travel, bending the rules while living life to the fullest!

Cebu, Philippines – It’s HOT!♨️😎

01/25/2026

by Darrell AirBnb Asia Buy me a beer Cebu City Countries Freedom 50 Personal History Philippines Siquijor/Dumaguete islands Travel bucket list Travels Deals

Schawetty

I talk about “slow travel” all the time, but it’s not just a vibe—it’s a filter.

The right place has to check a lot of boxes. Otherwise, it’s just a stop, not a home base, and here is what Cebu offers:

Affordability is non-negotiable:

$450 a month for rent

Meals under $5 USD

Movies cost around $5

Cheap road trips:

Uber/Grab/local bus are super inexpensive

Flights around Asia for under $100 (often less)

Ferries to nearby islands for under $20

Convenience matters too:

My Cebu IT Park neighborhood is open 24/7/365.
Meals. Movies. Groceries. Coffee. Everything.

Cebu hits the numbers, life stops feeling like a meter is running.

It’s built for call-center workers who operate around the clock, which means I can live normally at any hour.

No planning my life around business hours.

That’s the slow-travel sweet spot:

Productive Day One.

One-hour chair massage — $5

Movie ticket — $5

Favorite Korean BBQ – $3

Favorite noodle spot – $2

Old food photos (food was gone, quickly!)

And the big win?

I locked in a long-term, optional lease, giving me the option to settle in the long term.

Slow travel isn’t just about wandering—it’s about setting up a life that checks as many boxes as possible.

Day one delivered.

It’s been less than two days, so I’m trying to keep my expectations in check—but I’ve already started laying the groundwork for what’s next.

Two road trips are on the board.
Siquijor ferry to rope swing adventure? Locked in.
And Hong Kong for my birthday? Flight booked

That’s the beauty of this place: you settle in, get comfortable, and still leave room for spontaneous trips.

Home base on one end. Adventure, on the other hand.

Everything is inexpensive, keeping the options wide open!

Living life to the fullest in the Philippines!

616187481_1628104638609592_6126359453357289084_n

7-11 An Asian legend! Tokyo version!!🍥🍙

01/19/2026

by Darrell Asia Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Slow travel Travel memories Travels Deals Travels Stories

I was first introduced to 7-Eleven in Thailand, and ever since, it’s been a legendary five-star dining experience in my book.

People back home think of 7-11 as a place to buy gas, bad coffee, and regret. 🚽

In Asia? It’s a gourmet convenience store run by wizards. 🪄

Below is today’s lunch while listening to the Oilers game in Tokyo, Japan—$12.11 USD total, hot, fresh, and legitimately amazing. Just fresh local food, handed to you with a smile, and no tip required.

Where else can you eat well, watch hockey, and feel like you’re winning at life… from a convenience store?

Living life to the fullest—one sushi, ramen meal with a cold beer at a time.

They always say, “Don’t eat gas-station sushi.”
That advice was clearly written by someone who has never set foot in an Asian 7-11.

This stuff is better than most sit-down restaurants back home—and at about 25% of the price. Fresh rice, real fish, legit flavors. No price gouging. No regret.

I may or may not also carry a tube of wasabi in my pocket at all times.
Don’t judge me—you’re the one with tater tots in your cargo pants.

I might be wrong, but if you never tried it, I am guessing it might be you!

Milk and cookies before bed are for Santa.

North American Darrell finishes the night with 7-11 sushi, a cold beer, and the satisfaction of knowing that I absolutely won another travel day for pennies on the dollar.

Life is good, and 7-11 sushi makes it even better!

618369460_1147279377275468_8850120824571500803_n

Japanese bathhouse – Tokyo Airbnb

01/18/2026

by Darrell Accommodations AirBnb AirBnb recommendations Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Internet travel search tips Slow travel Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories

I blogged about my Tokyo accommodations in a blog that you can read by clicking HERE.

After just two nights in this Airbnb, I extended for another week—and I may stretch it to three. The deciding factor? An all-male, no-cackling, blissfully quiet Japanese bathhouse spa on the top floor… included in the $25-a-night price.

At that point, it stops being lodging and starts feeling like a life upgrade to feel better.

A hot soak to loosen everything that travel tightens. Cold plunge to wake the soul back up. Sauna room to melt what’s left. Repeat as needed. No chatter, no scrolling—just heat, silence, and reset.

It’s become bookends for my days: explore, wander, eat, blog… then soak it all away before sleep, and having this built into my stay feels absurdly luxurious. It’s not just a spa visit—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.

I was a little concerned about the water filtration at first—but the good news is they do a full deep clean every few days.

Crystal clear, spotless, and zero sketch factor.

Grossness thoughts officially averted, kinda!

The routine is downright magical:

Shower

Hot tub

Cold plunge

Sauna

Repeat

Finish in the common area, doing absolutely nothing with a cold beer and some tunes.

It’s simple. It’s quiet. It resets everything—body, mind, shitty attitude.

If I’ve said it once, Mom said it a thousand times:

Live life to the fullest!

Sometimes it means sitting still, realizing you hacked your own happiness.

Tokyo – Uber vs trains!🚘🚆

01/18/2026

by Darrell Freedom 50 Slow travel Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Stories

I’m three days into traversing Tokyo, and it’s already become painfully obvious that Japan loves the Dodgers and that Uber and I are not in a long-term financial relationship. Both are pretty annoying, to be honest!

In general, Tokyo isn’t expensive—it’s just allergic to lazy logistics. Every Uber/taxi ride feels like a polite, impeccably clean mugging.

The city is basically daring me to learn its transit system, and after a few receipts, you realize it’s not a suggestion. It’s a survival strategy.

This place doesn’t financially reward Uber convenience.

It rewards commuter train competence.

The Uber system worldwide is so efficient that it’s borderline daring you to be lazy. You tap, ride, arrive—no drama, no chaos, just silent competence moving millions of people like it’s nothing. Every time I used it in the past, it felt good as the prices are low, but Tokyo is the total opposite.

I’ve taken the train a few times already, and it costs just a few dollars each trip.

Suddenly, traveling the city feels infinite instead of expensive.

And then there’s me below in the station, standing in front of the map with a full deer in the headlights stare, trying to decode a web of lines that looks like a beautifully designed stress test.

Equal parts awe, confusion, and

“I absolutely need to learn the local transportation system.”

It’s humbling to look lost AF.

It’s hilarious walking in circles.

But it’s way cheaper pretending I’m good at public transit.

Google Maps is doing the heavy lifting out here. Walking, driving, trains—it doesn’t matter how you move, it just makes you look relatively competent, which is a game-changer for me.

The train feature is the real hero here in Tokyo!

It tracks you in real-time, updates at every stop, and tells you exactly how close you are to your destination. No guessing. No panic. Just a calm little voice saying, “Not yet. Not yet. Okay, now.”

It turns a subway system that looks like abstract art into something you can actually use.

All of these local rides are basically training wheels—once I grab my Japan Rail Pass, these short hauls getting to the bullet train become “free” as they are included in the $50 a day pass.

That’s when the country really opens up. Tokyo today, Kyoto tomorrow, Hiroshima the next at high speed—no Uber surge pricing, no second-guessing getting ripped off, just show up at the train station and go.

You can read my full breakdown of how I’m planning on using the Japan Rail Pass blog.

Click HERE to see the potential plan

It’s not just transportation.

It’s financial leverage keeping me in the Tokyo Grand Theft transportation game!

Another problem, I suck at games too! 😐

Japan bullet train – CANCELLED!

01/10/2026

by Darrell Buy me a beer Countries Freedom 50 Internet travel search tips Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Deals Travels Stories

There were definitely some zigs and zags in this plan …

I planned to leave for my Japan adventure on January 30th, 2026.

(I left on January 15th, pulling in the trip two weeks)

January 15th-23rd, Tokyo

(I left for Cebu, Philippines January 23rd as I blogged about HERE)

January 8th-22nd, Kyoto

January 22-January 30th, Okinawa

I plan to visit islands within the Japanese archipelago after that, but it’s still up in the air.

Since train travel in Japan is known to be the best in the world, I also plan to buy a pass.

(After Tokyo, the next destinations and train passes were posted indefinitely.)

A single train ride in Japan can easily run $100+ USD, which is exactly why the rail pass just makes sense. One long hop can cost as much as several days of unlimited travel.

A 7-day Japan Rail Pass is a power tool, not a casual purchase. Because the days have to be consecutive, it only really shines when you cluster your long-distance moves into a tight window.

The sweet spot looks something like this:

Base yourself in one city first (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto). Do your slow exploring on local transit

Then, “turn on” the pass and go into movement mode

For example, a 7-day run could cover something like:

Tokyo → Kyoto
Kyoto → Hiroshima
Hiroshima → Osaka
Osaka → Kanazawa
Kanazawa → Tokyo

Those individual legs can each be $80–$120+ on their own. Stack four or five of them inside one week, and the pass pays for itself fast.

I just need a solid plan before I pull the trigger.

Not a minute-by-minute itinerary—just a clear idea of:

where I’ll start

where I want to end

and which long hops you’ll make in between

Once that’s sketched out, choosing between a 7-day, 14-day, or no pass at all becomes pure math instead of guesswork.

Click HERE for more information on the pass options from the website:

In the meantime, below is a great summary:

Shinkansen: The Japanese bullet trains

Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest way to discover Japan. Discover more about the high-speed trains and the 9 rail lines they cover.

Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest and most convenient way of discovering Japan. The Japan Rail (JR) network is extensive, and the trains reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). This allows you to get to wherever you need in little time.

The nine Shinkansen lines take you in different directions around Japan. From Tokyo to the south runs the Tokaido Shinkansen line, connecting the capital with Osaka. The Sanyo Shinkansen line connects Osaka with Fukuoka and, from there, the Kyushu Shinkansen line runs through the island of Kyushu from north to south.

The other six lines either take you north or inland from Tokyo. These are the Akita, Hokkaido, Hokuriku, Joetsu, Tokoku, and Yamagata Shinkansen lines. The Hokkaido line takes you the furthest north, all the way to Hokkaido Island.

Using the Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass gives you unlimited access to all Shinkansen high-speed trains.

The JR Pass also allows you to make seat reservations free of charge. You can make seat reservations at any JR Ticket Office or ticketing machine in any JR station.

A supplement is required for travel on the Nozomi and Mizuho express trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. This special complementary ticket can be bought at ticket machines or station counters in Japan, and it’s cheaper than riding a Nozomi or Mizuho train without the JR Pass.

The Hikari and Sakura bullet trains are the fastest trains you can board using the Japan Rail Pass without a supplement. They make just a few more stops than the Nozomi and Mizuho trains.

It’s worth noting that several of the JR Regional Passes also cover certain trips on Shinkansen bullet trains.

Types of bullet trains

On each of the Shinkansen lines,s there are fast trains, semi-fast trains, and local trains:

The fast trains only stop at the main stations

Semi-fast trains make a few more stops

Local trains stop at every station

For instance, on the Tokaido Shinkansen line (which links Tokyo to Osaka), the fast train makes 6 stops, the semi-fast train makes between 7 and 12 stops, and local trains stop at all 17.

Shinkansen lines

The Shinkansen railway network includes several lines that cover most of Japan and connect all the main cities.

Thanks to this great railway system, you can travel quickly and comfortably throughout the country without too much of a second thought.

Absolutely. No matter which pass I choose, Japan is one of those places where moving is part of the magic.

Whipping through the country on trains that feel like they’re gliding through the air, watching cities blur into mountains and coastlines, stepping off in places that feel completely different every few hours—that’s travel in its purest form.

Fast or slow, planned or improvised, Japan rewards curiosity.
And every stop is going to feel like a new world.

However, I plan it… It’s going to be awesome.

All aboard!

Eurorail-10 day pass CANCELLED!

01/09/2026

by Darrell Countries Europe Freedom 50 Greece Personal History Spain Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories United Kingdom

I’ve bought three Euro rail passes so far.

2 of 3 have now been cancelled and refunded!

(Make sure you buy the cancellation insurance).

It has become obvious that Europe in general is not affordable for my adventures. I have turned my attention to the Philippines and Asia in general.

Here WAS the plan when I bought the THIRD pass before cancelling AGAIN:

The first two months/ten-day pass I canceled—I was burned out on Vietnam train travel.

The second, a one-month pass, I actually used, which immediately justified the obsession. (Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and the UK)

And now I’m already planning number three, a ten-day over two-month pass for a late 2026 adventure.

At this point, it’s not even about spontaneity—it’s about saving stupid amounts of money with the possibility of dropping pins across 33 countries in Europe.

Trains beat planes in Europe, bags don’t cost extra, and the scenery alone makes it feel like I’m hacking travel.

Traveling with financial responsibility, but make it European.

The pass I used in 2025 turned out to be so awesome that when it went back on sale, I didn’t hesitate—I booked another one immediately.

When something actually delivers on its promise and fits your travel style, the decision makes itself.

I’m not entirely sure how it will all unfold—I just know that late 2026 is going to involve seeing a lot more amazing places by rail throughout Europe.

These rail passes go on sale 25% off fairly often, and when you run the numbers. It works out to less than $50 a day to ride the train for up to 24 hours at a time for ten days over two months.

My cheap ass took the train from Venice to Paris in a single day.
Fourteen-plus hours. Multiple connections. Less than $50.

Could I have flown? Of course.

But the quiet satisfaction of watching entire countries slide by looking out the window was mesmerizing.

Honestly, it wasn’t even that bad. Comfortable seat, snacks, scenery, and a beer cart.

I’m fairly certain I can push this to 16+ hours next time just to prove a point.

At this stage, European rail isn’t transportation—it’s unlimited adventure at my fingertips!

Vietnam slow travel like Bourdain!

01/01/2026

by Darrell Autobiography Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Slow travel Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories

I spent a month traveling slowly through Hanoi, Vietnam, with a brief stop in Malaysia and Indonesia along the way.

I started the journey on November 17th, 2025, carrying with me the influence of Anthony Bourdain—his insistence on slowing down, eating where locals eat, and staying far away from anything that felt packaged or performative.

Anthony Bourdain loved Vietnam because it hit everything he cared about at once:
cheap plastic stools, perfect food, zero pretension, and a country that doesn’t apologize for being itself.

Vietnam showed him that:

Great food doesn’t need luxury — just balance, patience, and obsession (hello, phở broth simmered for days).

Street food is democracy — everyone eats together, shoulder to shoulder.

History lives at the table — wars, survival, pride, and resilience all show up in a bowl of noodles.

Hanoi, especially, felt like home to him: chaotic but calm, blunt but generous. He once said Vietnam changed his life, and it wasn’t poetic exaggeration — it reset how he understood food, travel, and humility.

In short:
Vietnam wasn’t a destination to Bourdain — it was proof that the world makes sense if you sit down, shut up, and eat what locals eat.

This is exactly how I like to travel, as he adds so much truth in his stories.

What I found personally during my time spent all over in Vietnam in 2025 echoed everything he preached. The best meals on plastic stools, the richest conversations in unplanned moments, and the most meaningful experiences far from the tourist traps. It wasn’t about checking boxes or chasing luxury—it was about paying attention. It was one of those trips that reminds you why you travel in the first place.

One for the Anthony Bourdain books but first was the long ass travel day!

I left my home base in Rocky Point, Mexico, pointed myself halfway across the world, and landed in Hanoi. I rented an Airbnb for 30 days—not to rush through highlights, but to live slowly, observe, and settle into the rhythm of the city the way Anthony Bourdain always encouraged.

Hanoi wasn’t a stop on a checklist. It was a place to wake up early, start with a great walk, amazing coffee and/or tea, and let the days unfold without forcing meaning or accomplishment onto them.

Anthony Bourdain had this quiet belief that home wasn’t a fixed place—it was something you could build anywhere by paying attention. In Hanoi, I really understood that logic, and it hit me in the feels, big time!

My condo sat beside a man-made lake with miles of walkways, and each morning I fell into a rhythm: long walks as the neighborhood woke up, Vietnamese coffee strong enough to slow time, and—on game days—listening to the Oilers from halfway across the world.

Nothing about it felt temporary or borrowed; it just screamed this is what you have been looking for.

That was the lesson Tony kept trying to teach: when you slow down, eat simply, and let life happen around you, even the most unfamiliar place can start to feel like home.

From my experience, there are exactly two kinds of Vietnamese people: chain smokers, and those who walk and exercise tirelessly, as if it’s a second full-time job. There’s no in-between.

My days in Hanoi followed that rhythm—long walks around the lake, endless steps on quiet paths, and daily coffee stops that felt less like breaks and more like rituals. Watching life unfold from a plastic chair with a strong Vietnamese egg coffee became one of the highlights of the trip.

Amazing all around, and without a doubt, a place I’ll stay again.

I had every intention of staying in the Hanoi area the entire time. That was the plan. Then I checked flights—because that’s usually where good plans go to die—and remembered Anthony Bourdain’s unofficial rule:

When the door opens, you walk through it.

So I said yes.

I found myself on an unplanned road trip through Malaysia and Bali, crossing off two massive bucket-list items not because it was efficient or sensible—but because the inexpensive opportunity was there.

That was always Tony’s point. The best trips don’t come from sticking to the plan—they come from having the nerve to abandon it. He has basically reached legend status for me at this point!

Keeping my rent under $300 back at my home base in the eco park in Hanoi was the quiet enabler of all this. That single number is what turned the road trip from a cautious “should I?” into a very relaxed “why not?”.

When your biggest monthly expense isn’t chasing you down, spontaneity stops feeling reckless and starts feeling practical. Flights become opportunities. Detours make sense. And saying yes—like Tony always preached—suddenly costs a lot less.

15 Countries visited in 2025📍🌎😎

12/31/2025

by Darrell All you can fly Asia Austria Bangkok Barcelona Countries Europe Freedom 50 Frontier - AYCF!Greece HCMC / Saigon Italy Koh Phi Phi London Madrid Mexico North American Personal History Philippines Rocky Point Rome Singapore Slow travel Spain Thailand Travel bucket list Travels Stories United Kingdom United States Vietnam Volaris - AYCF!Wizz - AYCF!

2025: My first full year taking a run at retirement!

2025 turned out to be my most traveled year ever—and somehow, I feel that I’m just getting started.

January – Vietnam
(HCMC, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phu Quoc)

February – Cambodia & Thailand
(Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao)

March – UK & Europe
(London, Greece, Iceland, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy)

April – October–US & Mexico

(Mesa and Rocky Point—two incredible home bases)

November & December – SE Asia
(Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Bali)

Every trip felt different. Every move resets my brain. And somehow, it all worked out absolutely perfect!

2026: Already Booked (Of Course It Is!)

January to mid-April
Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Philippines

May to October (Homebases in Mesa/Mexico)

Volaris + Frontier all-you-can-fly chaos—route TBD, cheap is guaranteed

Nov and Dec– Europe by Rail-pass

Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Southern Spain/Portugal…
Eastern Europe is still being self-negotiated with my grade-three attention span.

Bali, Indonesia – It’s worth the hype!

12/28/2025

by Darrell All you can fly Buy me a beer Countries Freedom 50 Internet travel search tips Slow travel Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Deals Travels Stories Vietnam

Traveling in Asia hits differently for me. I get bored easily—dangerously easily—and staying in one place too long starts to feel like a personal failure. Asia fixes that, which is a way that is hard to explain other than the fact that you can road trip within Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia … for well under a $100 one way.

I currently have a condo in Mesa, AZ, a studio in Rocky Point, Mexico, and three all-you-can-fly passes with three different airlines. I am always on the go, which is somewhere between amazing and loneliness.

I’m not saying I have commitment issues… but if movement were a sport, I’d be on a performance-enhancing medication watch list.

You get the idea. I’m fine. Totally fine. Probably.

That was my December 2025 Asia road trip, operating out of my month-long home base in Hanoi and bouncing over to Kuala Lumpur, then finishing strong in Bali.

Three flights.
Three countries.
$190 USD total.

Read that again—slowly.

This is exactly why Asia hits differently. Flights are cheap, distances are short, and changing plans doesn’t require a spreadsheet or a minor panic attack. One minute you’re eating street food in Hanoi, the next you’re city-hopping in Malaysia, and before you know it, you’re barefoot in Bali, wondering how this all costs less than a mediocre dinner back home.

This isn’t luxury travel—it’s smart movement, maximum flexibility, and letting geography work in your favor.

And yes… this is how the spiral continues.

These road trips definitely weren’t kind to the slow-travel budget—but that’s the trade. When your home base costs under $300 USD a month, you earn the right to occasionally blow the spreadsheet. The cheap, stable housing absorbs the volatility, which makes splurging on experiences feel intentional instead of reckless.

In my case, this trip was less about optimization and more about momentum—I was actively checking off bucket-list items. And when you’re in that mode, strict budget purity matters less than actually doing the thing while you’re there.

The key is that the foundation was solid. Low rent created room to say yes.

I don’t optimize for luxury. I optimize for optionality.
Build the base cheaply, then spend the difference on travel experiences.

Hanoi, Vietnam – water puppet show!

12/24/2025

by Darrell Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Personal History Slow travel Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Stories Vietnam

One of the coolest tourist traps in Hanoi is the traditional water puppet show—and I snagged front-row seats for about $12 USD. Absolute steal, especially since I could see all the behind-the-scenes chaos too. Turns out it’s mostly smoke, mirrors, and very committed puppeteers.

The traditional water puppet show in Hanoi—especially at the famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre—has been running continuously every single day since it opened in 1969, making it one of the rare shows in Asia to perform water puppetry 365 days a year without a break.

The traditional water puppet show in Hanoi has been running every single day since 1969.

That’s over 55 years of zero sick days, no holidays, and puppeteers and other artists who absolutely do not mess around.

Vietnam – slow travel life at its finest!☕🧘🏻

12/24/2025

by Darrell Accommodations AirBnb AirBnb recommendations Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Slow travel Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories Vietnam

I’ve been dreaming about Vietnam ever since I watched Anthony Bourdain on Parts Unknown. Vietnam felt like one of Tony’s true loves—the kind of place he didn’t just visit, but listened to. He chased meals down side streets, sat on plastic stools, and showed that the best moments were always far from the tourist traps. Watching him there made travel feel quieter, more honest—less about seeing things, and more about understanding them. Vietnam wasn’t a backdrop for Tony; it was a reminder of how travel is supposed to feel.

Anthony Bourdain lived a life that blended food, travel, honesty, and deep contradiction—one that resonated because he never pretended to have it all figured out. Like me, I just go with the flow while traveling to a new place.

In 2025, I rented a condo for over two months in Vietnam—not as an experiment, but as confirmation. Five weeks in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), followed by a month in Hanoi. I wasn’t glued to either place; I took road trips, disappeared for stretches, did what I wanted. But I always came back to my own place. A real home base. Which, it turns out, changes everything.

This was slow travel exactly as I’d imagined it: living in the city instead of orbiting it. Falling into routines. Becoming a regular. Building friendships. Having days that felt both normal and quietly exceptional. Life didn’t pause for travel—travel became life.

At this point, I’m not pitching a dream or romanticizing a theory. I ran the play. It worked. And now it’s very hard to take seriously any version of life that costs more and delivers less.

Both apartments were under $400 USD per month, which quietly solves a lot of problems. With a stable, inexpensive home base, I could take road trips without uprooting my entire life. Most of my belongings stayed put, luggage stayed minimal, and travel stayed efficient instead of exhausting. I made side trips over Vietnam at the beginning of 2025 while taking my show on the road to Malaysia and Indonesia at the end of the year.

This is the underrated advantage of slow travel: logistics scale down while freedom scales up. Low rent means less financial pressure, fewer bags, and more optionality. When your housing costs are that low, movement becomes modular—you leave, explore, come back, repeat—without ever feeling like you’re starting over.

I made some side trips across Vietnam in early 2025 (Nah Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Hue, and Phu Quoc). I then fully committed to the chaos and took my show to Malaysia and Indonesia later in the year kocking out two massive bucket lists.

It’s not a hack. It’s just better planning. And once you’ve lived this way, it’s hard to take expensive inconvenience seriously ever again, which is why it will be a massive part of my future travel items in Kuala Lumpur and Bali.

If you made it this far by chance and want to learn more about my slow travel plans.

You can read my blog on the topic by clicking

HERE

In the end, slow travel keeps the costs low and the adventures high—and that’s the whole point around here.

577098853_1365129098676837_626196983573301260_n

Careful what you wish for …

12/21/2025

by Darrell Buy me a beer Freedom 50 My Airbnb Slow travel Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories Vietnam

Careful what you wish for… it starts with ‘just one trip’ and ends with no fixed address,

No shoes, no shirt, and no problem! Right?!

(Got drunk, lost my shoes, probably should wear a shirt, and clearly still have some problems)

I just wing it now, though!

Since taking a run at retirement in February 2024, everything has been going as planned—and I’m choosing to believe this streak will continue.

The stock market 💹

Airbnb rentals 💰

Bucket list travel 🌍

I always dreamed of the traveling life. Planning helps—but trying is the only thing that actually counts.

The stock market

Relying on the stock market to go up forever is wishful thinking at best. I’ve learned to go with the flow and accept that corrections aren’t disasters—they’re just part of the ride.

Personally, hiring a great financial advisor makes sense. We shouldn’t YouTube our way to self-diagnose serious medical issues, so pretending we’re all finance experts seems… optimistic

Airbnb rentals 💰

Having a side hustle to support retirement is always a plus. I managed to turn my AZ condo into exactly that, and it’s been a game-changer for my roaming lifestyle. I don’t love the word “lucky,” but I’ll happily admit this decision was very fortunate.

I’ve had amazing guests so far and genuinely enjoy making sure they have a great stay while they’re in Arizona. After crashing in more than a hundred Airbnbs around the world, I’ve learned a lot about what works, what doesn’t, and what makes you think, “Wow, this host actually gets it.”

My latest low key, amazing guest!

I try to bring those little things I appreciated as a guest into my own place—basically paying it forward, one comfy stay at a time, so I can keep paying for planes, trains, and questionable travel decisions.

Renting my own full-time Airbnb in Rocky Point, Mexico, has been an absolute lifesaver. I can escape to Mexico on a whim as it is only a four-hour drive—and my rent costs less than my monthly Arizona homeowners’ fees.

Bucket list travel

Without the above two falling into place, this might not be possible. I have used patience and whittled down my panic attacks of going back to work to twice a day to make it all work out.

Since taking a serious run at retirement, it’s almost embarrassing how many travel bucket-list items I’ve absolutely obliterated over the last two years. Honestly, I’ve lost count. That’s why I hope you read my blogs—sharing these experiences is the whole reason I spend so much time writing.

Progress is progress

If my stories help even one person take a leap of faith, then it’s worth it.

There’s never a perfect time to do anything in life.

You just dance like no one is watching… panic attacks and all.

11/17/25 Hanoi ~24-hours of travel!

11/15/2025

by Darrell Accommodations AirBnb Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Travel bucket list Travels Stories

I started 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and I’ll be ending the year in Hanoi — and honestly, I could 100% get used to visiting Vietnam. The energy, the food, the landscapes, the coffee culture… it’s way too easy to fall in love with.

But first… I have to survive this 24-hour travel gauntlet:

9:30 AM

4-hour shuttle from Rocky Point, Mexico → Phoenix Airport

3:30 PM / 5:15 PM

1.5-hour Phoenix → Los Angeles flight
(Yes… I booked two refundable options because I don’t trust the universe. )

10:00 PM

15-hour long-haul from Los Angeles → Guangzhou, China

3 hours from Guangzhou, China to Hanoi, Vietnam

Bonus insanity:

Approximately 8 more hours of layovers, airport wandering, questionable terminal coffee, and whatever chaos China Southern or the universe continues to throw at me.

Mission accomplished!

25 most visited Countries *21 completed!🌎

11/10/2025

by Darrell AirBnb All you can fly Buy me a beer Countries Freedom 50 Internet travel search tips Personal History Travels Stories

“I hope that giddy ‘new place’ feeling never goes away. At this point, I’ve only got 4 of the top 25 most visited countries left to catch… but who’s counting?”

Completed:

1-France, Paris twice, and leaving was the best part!

2 Spain, Madrid and Barcelona!

3-USA, So much fun, so many places lived and visited!

4-China, Guangzhou airport counts, right?

5-Italy, Venice, Rome, Naples, and Milan

6-Turkey, Istanbul, and the Princes’ Islands.

7-Mexico, so many Coronas and a bit of tequila everywhere!

9-Germany, Oktoberfest in Munich

10-UK, London pubs several times

12-Austria, Vienna

13-Greece, Athens

14-Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

15-Portugal, Algarves, and coastal train adventure

16-Russia, Moscow airport counts, right?

18-Canada, born to leave the cold!

19-Poland, Warsaw

21-Vietnam, HCMC, Phu Quoc, and Hanoi, among other places.

And 25-Hungary. Budapest

Remaining:

11 – *Japan (February 2026, #1 tourist spot finally happening)

17 – Hong Kong (still there, still expensive- CHINA!)

20 – *Netherlands (flat but impressive, 2026 Europass 🤞🏻)

22 – India (interest level: zero, zilch – nada!)

23 – *South Korea (March 2026, scheduled obsession)

24 – *Croatia (Europass vibes plans for 2026 🤞🏻)

“My retirement often seems that it is on life support but keeps whispering one more flight.”

It’s just my opinion! Travel man! 🙌🏻

10/27/2025

by Darrell Accommodations Buy me a beer Countries Freedom 50 Hostels Internet travel search tips Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories

When I talk about travel, I’m simply sharing my own experiences and opinions. Everyone travels differently, so what works for me may not work for you.

I tend to travel a lot and try to save money, so my perspective is probably skewed.

The reality is that most people don’t want to skimp on their vacations.

There are two very different types of travelers.

Many travelers return to work so they can earn more money to fund future trips. I take a different approach. I save money while traveling so I don’t have to go back to work.

Someday, you may find yourself in a similar situation—please consider reading this blog with that perspective in mind. It’s just my opinion man, relax!

I also don’t have anyone else who has to suffer because of my budget travel choices—and that’s a pretty big advantage.

If I stay in a hostel, I’m the only one listening to a stranger’s world-class snoring performance. If I book a non-direct flight, I’m the only one pacing the terminal during a five-hour layover, questioning my life choices.

These decisions work for me—but I fully understand why they might be a hard no for someone else.

If nothing else, we can agree on this: travel as much as you can while you’ve still got enough piss and vinegar to haul yourself onto that next flight. Waiting on compression socks and flip-flops is not a good vibe.

- “Never give up. Live life to the fullest—without regret.”

Hanoi, Vietnam – Nov.17/25🍜🫖

10/13/2025

by Darrell AirBnb Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Internet travel search tips Slow travel Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Deals Travels Stories

There’s a balance I’m always chasing when I travel—but I wish I understood it better, so I’d stop booking flights. I know I need to begin with lower-cost, slower journeys, and once again, Vietnam felt like the perfect calibration.

I landed in Hanoi, Vietnam on November 17th, 2025—because apparently I like good decisions.

~$572 for the flight and ~$263 for an entire month’s rent (yes, a month).

I skipped Northern Vietnam earlier in 2025, so this trip was basically my “fine, I’ll do it properly this time” trip. 🪣📃

Anytime I find a cheap flight, I’ve learned to check the accommodations before I start emotionally packing.

I knew it would be budget-friendly, but I didn’t expect a full-on resort situation—pool, gym, and a games room with a river view… all for “are we sure this is real?” prices.

The history of Hanoi: A City That Refuses to Sit Still

Hanoi has been around for over 1,000 years, which basically means it has more history than most people have Instagram posts. It started as a sleepy riverside settlement until Emperor Lý Thái Tổ decided in 1010 to move the capital there and call it Thăng Long—“Rising Dragon”—because why settle for boring when you can be mythical?

Fast forward a few centuries, and Hanoi became a cultural, educational, and political hotspot, surviving invasions, occupations, and a fair share of bureaucratic headaches. The French showed up in the late 1800s, built boulevards, colonial buildings, and cafés where you can still sip coffee pretending you’re in Paris.

After a mid-20th century revolution and reunification, Hanoi officially became the capital of Vietnam, a city where ancient temples, motorbike chaos, and modern skyscrapers collide. Basically, it’s a city that refuses to sit still—and you’ll love every chaotic, delicious, history-packed second of it.

Paris and London – 100% tourist mode!

10/11/2025

by Darrell AirBnb Europe Freedom 50 Hostels Italy Travels Deals Wizz - AYCF!

The days were officially counting down, and I needed to start migrating toward London for my 9:00 AM flight back to Arizona on September 28th, 2025.

This was immediately after I’d just crushed a bucket-list item in Venice, which—geographically speaking—put me on the wrong side of Europe for someone trying to go home.

The plan was simple and therefore doomed:

get closer to Paris, then slide into London like a responsible adult traveler.

The Universe, however, had other plans.

I missed a connection.

Fourteen-plus hours later, I found myself on a first-class high-speed train—not because I planned it, but because exhaustion, fate, and poor timing had teamed up against me.

Sometimes luxury isn’t a choice.
It’s a consequence.

My September 2025 European tour both started and ended in London. I passed through on September 1st on my way to Faro, Portugal, and returned at the end for less than 24 hours after bailing on Paris early.

I’d been to Paris about 20 years ago, and it only took about an hour to remember why it’s not for me. If you don’t speak French, people can be rude—I experienced that almost immediately while trying to buy a train ticket. Apparently asking for a ticket in English is a bold move.

If you love Paris (like my very fashion-conscious niece Amber), check out Norse Airlines—they’ll get you there cheaply. If you’re more like me, grumpy and impatient, plan a short visit and bail early.

Below are a few photos from my brief stay in Paris—the week before the Louvre was robbed. I swear it wasn’t me. 😄

Eiffel tower

Louvre

Arc de Triomphe

Notre Dame

Train station to get to the Chunnel to London

The high-speed Eurostar train between Paris and London is fantastic. It feels a lot like flying—security, early arrival, the whole routine—but it’s far more convenient than actually getting on a plane and dealing with an airport.

First things first, every time I arrive in London:

I find a pub, order fish and chips, and grab a cold pint. It’s not cheap—fish, chips, and a beer run about $40 USD—but it’s worth it every single time.

Check out how light I pack!

I landed in London at 2 p.m. and left the next morning, which meant attempting to see the entire city in under 24 hours. I did as much tourist stuff as humanly possible, and by the time I boarded my long flight home, I was running on fumes.

Fish and Chips

Big Ben

London Eye

Buckingham Palace

Westminster Abbey

Mission accomplished!

I racked up over 25,000 steps, took a nap that felt more like a system reboot, and then dragged myself back toward Arizona. Planes, trains, and automobiles—because apparently, I enjoy suffering in multiple forms of transportation to save a dime ..

Paris to London train

London to Los Angeles flight

Los Angeles to Phoenix rental car

eBiked home from rental car drop-off.

I can’t even begin to calculate how many miles I traveled last week—and honestly, ignorance feels healthier.

Czech Republic to Germany (Oktoberfest on September 20, because of course), then Switzerland, Italy, France, London, and finally back across the pond on September 28.

At this point, my passport deserves a nap, my legs are filing a formal complaint, and my internal clock has completely resigned.

Venice, Italy – The Grand Canal🛶🍷👍🏻

10/10/2025

by Darrell Accommodations Buy me a beer Europe Freedom 50 Hostels Italy Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Stories Wizz - AYCF!

I somehow managed to miss Venice the last time I was in Italy, so this time I overcorrected—with a casual 14+ hours on a train to make sure it happened.

To be fair, the journey was actually pretty incredible. We cut through a different part of Switzerland on the way to Milan, which would’ve been great if Milan hadn’t been in full Fashion Week mode. After about five minutes of that chaos, I was very happy to hop on the short train ride to Venice.

After that marathon travel day, my first Venice memory was asking someone in the train station, “Where’s the Grand Canal?” He pointed to my left and said, “You mean that one?”

Turns out the Venice Santa Lucia train station is literally sitting on the canal. Subtle city, Venice. Very subtle.

One of the things that completely blew my mind about Venice is that the water is the road. No streets—just canals. Water taxis, delivery boats, construction barges… and yes, I even watched a casket float by with the family following along as part of a funeral.

It’s strangely beautiful and slightly surreal, and somehow all of it works. Watching everyone calmly navigate canal “traffic” like it’s rush hour on Main Street was one of the coolest parts of being there.

Pretty much everyone was lounging by the waterfront with a wine in hand, and of course, we all drowned in spritzers like it was a civic duty.

I enjoyed them so much that I stocked up when I got home—because nothing screams “this isn’t Venice” like sipping a sad spritzer in Arizona while staring at a cactus.

It’s not the Grand Canal, but it’s still pretty glorious during a Jay’s playoff game.

Mix some SodaStream soda water with your favorite alcohol flavoring (Aperol, Aperix, or Rosé—because why not), toss in white wine, fruit, and orange slices, and boom: Venice vibes at home. Bonus: it costs less than a dollar instead of €5–8+ per sad spritzer by the canal.

Here are a few more GEMs from my Venice adventure—because someone has to show off while I sip my homegrown “canal.” that hauls waste water in AZ.

Want more Grand Canal vibes (without the €8 spritzers)? Check out my videos on YouTube—watch canals, gondolas, and chaos unfold from the comfort of your own home.

www.YouTube.com/@NorthAmericanDarrell

Don’t forget to hit subscribe and dive into over 1,500 travel videos—because apparently, watching me roam the globe is considered quality entertainment.

Venice’s history began in the 5th century.

Refugees decided building a city on stilts in a swampy lagoon was a brilliant idea. By the Middle Ages, it became a maritime superpower, raking in riches while everyone else was figuring out taxes. Centuries later, it joined Italy, and today it’s a tourist mecca of canals, gondolas, and carnival chaos. Basically, it’s a city that floats, dazzles, and occasionally smells like history, depending on which alley waterway you visit.

Prague, Czech – beer is served half full?!🤔

10/09/2025

by Darrell Autobiography Buy me a beer Freedom 50 Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Deals

As September 19th, 2025 crept closer, I was happily settled in Warsaw—but quietly plotting Munich for the first weekend of Oktoberfest. With my Eurail pass, booking the trip was almost absurdly easy:

Warsaw to Prague, then a short hop into Munich.

Portugal. Poland. Iceland. And now Prague.

Everything was lining up so cleanly. Routes connected. Dates made sense. Just a perfectly unfolding chain of cities—one rail segment at a time.

The Czech Republic has always intrigued me—between its legendary international hockey and, of course, its world-class beer, how could it not? I only spent a couple of days in Prague, but every minute landed. The city feels effortlessly historic without being frozen in time, the beer is somehow even better than advertised, and there’s a rhythm to the place that invites you to slow down and look around.

It was one of those stops that proves you don’t need weeks somewhere for it to leave a mark. Sometimes a place shows you exactly what it is right away—and Prague did that beautifully.

There’s something undeniably awesome about streetcars sharing the road with everyday traffic. I first saw it in Vienna and thought, “Okay, that’s pretty neat.” But Prague? Prague turns it into an art form.

You’ve got ancient, rattling trams rubbing elbows with sleek, modern ones—both weaving through cars, bikes, and pedestrians like they’re operating inside some chaotic, high-speed safe zone. Everyone somehow knows where everything else is going. No hesitation. No drama. Just motion.

The beer in Prague is something else entirely. They pour it with half the glass—sometimes more—foam. There’s even a style called Mlíko where about 75% of what you’re holding is foam… and you pay full price for the privilege.

I ended up in a lively debate with a bartender about it. He swore it “tastes better that way.” I countered with my very scientific position: 90% of a beer lives in the top 10% of the glass—and yes, we are both professionals. We laughed. The foam probably laughed. And I still drank it.

Because when in Prague, you surrender to the professionals. 🍻

The city itself—and especially the riverside—was incredible. I can only imagine how stunning it must be in winter… though, to be honest, I’d probably never make it outside in that kind of cold.

So instead, here are a few pictures and videos—so you can admire Prague from a warm, safe spot, just as nature intended.

Want more Czech Republic adventures—and proof that I walked way too much? Head over to my YouTube channel for videos, chaos, and maybe a beer or two:

www.YouTube.com/@NorthAmericanDarrell

There are over 1,600 travel videos from around the globe—enough to make your couch feel like first class.
Apparently, my wandering now qualifies as educational content.

Prague history: The City That Time Forgot… and Then Perfected

Prague started way back in the 9th century as a collection of hilltop settlements around what’s now Prague Castle—basically, medieval real estate with a view. By the Middle Ages, it became the capital of Bohemia and a cultural powerhouse, where kings built castles, churches, and universities while everyone else was still figuring out plumbing.

Under Charles IV, the city got fancy: the oldest university in Central Europe, bridges, cathedrals… Prague basically said, “We do grandeur better.” Fast forward a few centuries, and the city survived wars, empires, and communism, only to emerge in 1989 via the Velvet Revolution as a stunning, slightly magical city where Gothic spires, cobblestone streets, and craft beer coexist in perfect harmony.

Warsaw, Poland – Just like Ukraine!

10/08/2025

by Darrell All you can fly Buy me a beer Europe Freedom 50 Hostels Travel bucket list Travel memories Travels Deals Travels Stories

I have to say, Warsaw ended up being one of my favorite stops on the entire trip. There were no flashy tourist traps or overproduced experiences—just a calm, lived-in city with an easy rhythm and, most importantly, incredible food.

Everywhere you turned, people were speaking Polish (and Ukrainian), and pierogies weren’t just a menu item—they were practically a food group. Warm, simple, comforting food done right.

In a quiet, unexpected way, it reminded me of my mom in Heaven. The kind of comfort you don’t plan for, but recognize immediately when it shows up.

I spent three days in Warsaw before launching into a 48-hour Iceland whirlwind using my Wizz Air Pass—essentially a masterclass in how much jet lag one human can endure in two days.

Booking the flights there and back at the same time made me feel like a travel genius… or someone who should probably be supervised, but no one wanted the job.

Coming back to Warsaw was pure relief. Slow walks, nonstop eating in Old Town, and convincing myself that aggressively shoving pierogies into my face absolutely counts toward my 10,000 daily steps. Balance is important.

Want more Warsaw adventures, pierogies, and wandering chaos? Check out my YouTube channel for all the videos—no passport required.

www.NorthAmericanDarrell.com

Smash that subscribe button and step into the beautifully chaotic universe of 1,600+ travel videos—with more questionable decisions added weekly.

Watch me:

Wander the globe with zero chill

Battle jet lag like a caffeinated (possibly drunken) superhero

Make deeply questionable food choices

And survive airports that appear to actively hate humanity

All from the comfort and safety of your couch…
While you roast me.

Just real travel, bad ideas, and solid stories.

—all from the safety of your couch while making fun of me!

Warsaw history: The Phoenix City

Warsaw started out in the 13th century as a sleepy riverside settlement, minding its own business along the Vistula. By the 16th century, it said, “Move over Kraków, I’m the capital now,” and quickly became Poland’s political and cultural hub.

Over the centuries, foreign powers—Russia, Prussia, Austria—kept trying to boss Warsaw around, and the city responded with uprisings, rebellions, and general stubbornness.

Then came World War II, when almost everything got flattened… but Warsaw didn’t just sulk. It rose from the rubble, rebuilt its Old Town brick by brick, and now stands as a gleaming, slightly sarcastic symbol of resilience: “You can’t break me, folks, nice try.”

Paddling! It was fun until it wasn’t!! 😎

08/19/2025

by Darrell Arizona Freedom 50 North Carolina Rocky Point

Paddleboarding is basically walking on water without sinking immediately—and yes, it’s as impressive as it sounds. You get a full-body workout, pretend you’re a young, serene yogi, and occasionally faceplant for dramatic effect, reminding me that I am fat and old!

It’s peaceful when you want it, social when you want it, and gives you a legitimate excuse to fall in, splash like a kid, and call it “part of the experience.” Honestly, it’s the perfect mix of exercise, adventure, and low-key humiliation—basically everything life should be.

Behold the legendary paddle of Bacalar, Mexico—borrowed from a friend’s Airbnb empire of water fun. One glide across those turquoise waters and suddenly “amazing” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Truly unforgettable.

Here is the flight path from home in Phoenix, AZ, to Bacalar, Mexico.

It is best to fly into Cancun or Chetumal and take the ADO shuttle bus to Bacalar.

I first hopped on a paddleboard in 2010 after moving from Georgia to Mooresville, NC, chasing that sweet Aloha-on-the-water vibe I’d always loved about Hawaii. With Lake Norman just five minutes away, my board and boat became my weekly ritual in “the massive calm cove”—perfect for workouts. It was like pretending I was already on island time, living a young better looking and in shape lifestyle.

I lived five minutes away from Lake Norman and kept my boat docked there with my paddleboard. It was an amazing workout in “the massive calm cove, and I would go a couple of times a week.

Fast forward to September 2015: my boat and two paddleboards were packed and ready for the epic trek from NC to AZ—because why leave your favorite toys behind?

It took me four long days of driving from NC to AZ.

I dropped the boat off at storage, and sadly, that is where it stayed the majority of its years before selling it in 2022.

It still looked so amazing for a 20-year-old boat and still trimmed out at 50+ M/PH when it sold.

I should have pulled my UTV to AZ instead of my boat; I sold the wrong toy before I moved!

A UTV would have gotten so much more use in the AZ mountains and/or making it street legal!

Let it go, Darrell, let it go!

Well, I did let them go and lost my ass on both of them eventually!

Just in the wrong order!

I knew East Mesa’s lakes were tiny, but I didn’t realize weekends meant waiting to launch, only to get spun around in a human-sized washing machine. Paddleboarding through the constant wake? Forget it—I kept falling.

After hauling my “Bring Out Another Thousand” money pit from NC to AZ, it barely saw the water at all. If you disagree, visit Lake Lanier or Lake Norman, where the coves are bigger than the lakes in AZ. Excuse de jour …

I preferred paddling the river because it involved exactly zero hassle. Toss the board on the Jeep, drive 20 minutes, and boom—adventure achieved.

You’d get a solid workout grinding upstream into the current, then enjoy the universally beloved reward: a free ride home provided by gravity and basic physics.

And let’s be honest—it didn’t hurt that the “commute back” involved cracking a beer, relaxing, and pretending this was all very intentional while the scenery did the work.

Passing the families of wild horses quietly from the water is always surreal—half nature documentary, half “is this real life or did I drink that beer too early?”

Kept one paddleboard at my place in Rocky Point, Mexico, and an inflatable in storage—because nothing says commitment like owning multiple versions of the same abandoned hobby.

I also used to paddle in a quiet ocean cove in Mexico, until the tides reminded me they do not care about my confidence or balance. That phase ended quickly.

Over the years, the boards slowly evolved into tasteful wall art of days gone by, joining my golf clubs and bikes from other eras when I was sure this was my thing.

Looking back, the best part was the ~$2K “404 race board” I had mounted on my condo wall in Mesa. I couldn’t paddle it properly, but as décor!?!

Flawless. Minimalist wannabe, very aspirational, trying to fool anyone who cared.

This blog was inspired by Rick Powers, his loved ones, and the AZ NoSnow paddle Family in Mesa, AZ.

It has been several years since I last saw Rick, but do not let his age fool you; he was an amazing paddler. He had hundreds of paddles and many races under his belt.

He didn’t turn up after his early morning paddle on August 17, 2025, and found his gear, but there was no sign of Rick. They found him on the afternoon of August 20th. There was so much emotion during the search for him!

He had been all over the news (<– click here for links) with his incredible story that touched so many people.

I will always remember Rick lapping me on the lake and being so pissed off at him as he was ten plus years older!

You were an absolute legend to the “older guys” trying not to hang it up. Ultimately, you helped put me into paddle retirement where I belonged, knowing you were uncatchable.

That will be a memory I will laugh about forever.

Here are Ricks’ Strava statistics (<- click the link to access stats). If you are interested in how being an older athlete can still be badass, consider that his last paddle would have been his 950th entry on Strava!

Below were our last recorded long paddles, with mine being exactly seven years ago, the day they found Rick. Ironically. I was exhausted, I would never paddle alone again, and hung it up soon after.

Unlike Rick, I was just not good enough, and he belonged on the water!

Paddle for your life was my thought that day, as I did not have much left in the tank the last couple of miles.

During my longest paddle on the same Saguaro Lake, I fell on my way home, which is marked on the map above. I got turned around and paddled further into the cove. I thought I was headed home, but was going the wrong direction, making my paddle home further.

I should never have paddled alone was my takeaway that day …

Living the Arizona life!🏜️

08/09/2025

by Darrell AirBnb Arizona Autobiography Dual Citizenship Freedom 50 United States

One thing I’ll always be thankful for is buying a condo in Arizona during the housing market crash in 2009. At the time, it felt like a practical, almost conservative decision. In hindsight, it quietly set the foundation for everything that came later.

That gratitude sits alongside a bit of nostalgia. I’d already sold some incredible homes in Edmonton, Alpharetta, Georgia, and Mooresville, North Carolina—places tied to specific chapters of my life. Each move closed one door and opened another, even if I didn’t fully understand it at the time.

What I couldn’t see then was how the Arizona place would eventually become more than just a home. It became an anchor—a base that allowed me to take risks and travel literally elsewhere. Stability in one place made freedom possible in others.

Knowing I had something solid to return to gave me the confidence to travel more, stay longer, and say yes to opportunities that didn’t come with guarantees.

Looking back, that condo wasn’t just a smart investment that pays me to travel through Airbnb. It was also permission to move, to explore, and to build a life that didn’t have to stay in one place to feel grounded.

From an investment standpoint, the timing was absurdly good. In 2009, the Phoenix market was still in full capitulation mode—single-family homes with pools were selling under $100K, and condos could be picked up for under ~$30K. Most of these were cash deals, with banks more interested in clearing defaulted inventory than maximizing price. Recovery mattered more than valuation.

At the time, I was working in Georgia and already owned a home there, so this wasn’t about replacing a primary residence or chasing a lifestyle fantasy. It was about positioning. A low-cost asset in a market that had clearly overshot to the downside and would, eventually, revert. While in Las Vegas that year, I took a day to fly to Arizona and look at opportunities in person—because listings are useful, but markets are easier to read when you’re standing in them.

We toured roughly ten condo properties. Living across the country forced discipline, which worked in my favor. I only considered turnkey units—no renovations, no surprises, no emotional projects. My criteria were unapologetically practical: strong amenities (pool, gym, hot tub), walkability to groceries and restaurants, and a layout that would work equally well for short-term stays and seasonal renters.

Rental potential wasn’t optional—it was the point. The goal was a property that could generate income from snowbirds while remaining usable as a personal base when needed. That dual-purpose flexibility capped downside risk and improved the return profile without adding complexity.

When we toured Solana later that day, it separated itself immediately. The location worked. The amenities worked. The condition worked. Everything aligned. By the end of the visit, it was clear this wasn’t a lifestyle purchase pretending to be an investment—it was a clean, well-timed asset with multiple usage paths.

Which is exactly what you want when markets are panicking, and patience is underpriced.

From an investment perspective, it checked every box.

The Solana community had two pools, a hot tub, and a gym—exactly the kind of amenities that matter to both renters and owners. A Safeway directly across the street, a Walmart down the road, and multiple restaurants within walking distance made it even more attractive. Convenience sells, especially for long-term renters and short-term guests.

I left Arizona with clear instructions for the agent:
One-bedroom, ground-floor unit, green space patio view in Solana.

He nailed it!

All wrapped up in a $52,500 all-cash deal—a low-risk entry price with real usability, solid demand, and strong rental upside. At the time, it felt like a smart move. Looking back, it turned out to be a foundational one.

In the summer of 2014, I was laid off while living in Mooresville. It was one of those moments that forces clarity whether you’re ready for it or not.

Instead of scrambling to stay put, I treated it as a clean break. No panic. No patchwork fixes. Just an honest look at what I wanted next. It was time to leave the South and head west—and the difference was, I already had a landing spot waiting for me in Arizona.

What could’ve felt like a setback turned out to be a pivot. Sometimes losing the plan is exactly what makes room for the right move.

Arizona—and **Solana in particular—**turned out to be the perfect landing spot. It gave me a property that could generate rental income while still supporting the kind of life I actually wanted to live.

Year-round access to pools, hiking, biking, paddling, and camping meant the place worked whether I was home or on the road. From an investment standpoint, it made sense. From a lifestyle standpoint, it made even more sense.

It wasn’t just a smart buy—it was the rare overlap where numbers and quality of life lined up.

I’ve hiked the Hawes Trail System hundreds of times. Being just 15 minutes from home meant it was never something I had to plan around—it was simply there, ready whenever I needed it.

Over time, those trails became more than exercise. They turned into a reset button. A familiar place to think, to recalibrate, and to work things out one step at a time. No agenda, no pressure—just movement, space, and perspective.

Some places quietly heal you.
Those trails did exactly that.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoy calling Arizona my part-time home, part-time Airbnb income generation—a place I return to when I’m not traveling.

You only die once! Live life to the fullest!!

08/08/2025

by Darrell All you can fly Countries Freedom 50 Internet travel search tips Introduction Personal History Travel bucket list Travels Deals Travels Stories

Creating NorthAmericanDarrell.com is my way of sharing both my work and my personal solo travels. I’ve collected stories over the years that I’ve always wanted to tell, and it doesn’t really matter whether you’re friends, family, or someone who stumbled across the site by accident.

Some posts might help you save money. Others might give you an edge when planning your own travels. And some are simply experiences I felt were worth passing along.

One of the things our mom used to tell us kids was, “Live life to the fullest.” She’d often follow it up with, “And if they don’t like it, they can kiss my ass.”

It drove my sister and me crazy at the time. But looking back—and hearing ourselves say it now.

We finally get it. She was right.

That sentiment sits at the heart of this site. Not as advice, not as a challenge—just as an honest reflection on choosing a life that feels intentional, curious, and fully lived.

Take what’s useful. Ignore what isn’t.
And live it your way.

NorthAmericanDarrell.com exists to share real-world travel experiences, practical insights, and stories collected along the way.

The goal isn’t perfection or permission—it’s curiosity, independence, and living life to the fullest on your own terms. Some ideas may save you money. Others may challenge how you think about travel, work, or timing.

This approach won’t be for everyone—and that’s fine. This site is about choosing the path anyway.

Please also check out my YouTube channel by clicking

HERE

This site reflects how I try to live my life—curious, independent, and always moving while trying to save a nickel along the way.

Why NorthAmerican Darrell?

I call myself NorthAmerican Darrell because my life has never fit inside one border.

I was born in Edmonton, built much of my adult life in the United States, and now live in Mesa. I also rent a place in Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco), Mexico, which has become another home base when my AZ condo is rented, or I’m not traveling.

Canada, the United States, and Mexico aren’t just places I’ve visited. They’re places I’ve lived, worked, invested, and returned to—sometimes by plan, sometimes by instinct. Calling myself NorthAmerican reflects that fluidity. It’s less about nationality and more about movement, curiosity, and being comfortable living across borders without labels.

NorthAmericanDarrell.com is simply a reflection of that life—one shaped by three countries, a lot of miles, and the belief that home doesn’t have to exist in only one place.

People love to give Canada, the United States, and Mexico a bad rap. I see them differently. Each has flaws—no question—but they’re also full of opportunity, good people, and incredible places if you’re willing to look past the noise and the headlines.

So yeah, I consider myself an absolute North American legend
Not because I’ve mastered any one country—but because I’ve learned to appreciate all three.

Hitting the reset button, again …

08/06/2025

by Darrell Asia Buy me a beer Europe Freedom 50 London Mexico North American Philippines Thailand Travel bucket list

Freedom is great… but it turns out accountability pairs nicely with vegetables.

Traveling solo and being single is a great way to learn just how little supervision I actually need—and how badly I sometimes need it anyway.

Balanced meals become a suggestion, vegetables go missing in action, and there’s no one around to question why dinner is beer with a side of “I’ll fix this tomorrow.”

The upside is total freedom. The downside is realizing I am not, in fact, the responsible adult I thought I was, and carbs are my enemy!

I’ve been both versions of that guy more times than I can count. I buckle down, lose the weight, feel great… then get comfortable and slowly put it back on—sometimes a little, sometimes impressively.

Every time, I confidently declare, “This time will be different.”

And look—I know the track record. I’m fully aware of the evidence.

But still… THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT.

THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT!

There’s a saying: “You can’t outwork a bad diet.”
For me, that couldn’t be more true.

I’ve walked, run, hiked, biked, paddleboarded…
Paid for gym memberships most of my adult life when I wasn’t traveling…
Bought treadmills, steppers, rowing machines, weights…

I’ve also thrown away—or quietly watched expire—more supplements than I will ever admit to owning.

Thousands of dollars.
Endless effort.
All expertly undone by travel, convenience, beer, and the magical thinking that calories don’t count when you’re moving.

I didn’t lack discipline.
I lacked consistency… and apparently vegetables.

And yet—here I am again, staring down the same cycle, saying it with full confidence and zero shame:

THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT.

(History suggests otherwise.
Optimism insists otherwise.
We ride at dawn.)

In the summer of 2025, I finally put myself in a timeout and decided to combine everything I’d learned over the years—plus one major change.

I quit drinking and traveling.

Well… I switched to non-alcoholic beer and still went to Mexico—but that version doesn’t sound nearly as dramatic, so we’re going with the first one.

Still, the intent was real. Fewer excuses. Fewer resets. More structure. Turns out removing just one bad habit makes all the other “this time will be different” promises slightly less fictional.

Progress, not perfection. Even if I had to negotiate the terms.

Check out the non-alcoholic beer blog by clicking HERE!

(I review and list all of the best NA beers; take a look if you would like to see them.)

Here was my daily schedule for almost three months:

Wake up at sunrise and blog and YouTube until 9 AM.

One homemade latte to kind of break my fast.

Stationary bike and row for one hour at home.

Spend 2-3 hours at the gym/spa.

Get home, make a protein shake, and take my supplements.

Eat my only meal between 3 PM and 5 PM as part of intermittent fasting.

Drink non-alcoholic beer in the evening and watch a ball game a few times a week.

I did have a few couch days, but kept track of my gym progress diligently, which is key for me!

(I followed the above to a “T” on gym days shown below)

London, England pubs!🍻🐟🍟😎

08/03/2025

by Darrell All you can fly Freedom 50 London Travel bucket list Travels Stories United Kingdom Wizz - AYCF!

Getting to London from home in Phoenix is shockingly inexpensive on Norse Atlantic Airways.

And cheap flights change everything.

They turn vague ideas into actual plans.
Plans into movement.
Movement into blog posts…

…and, inevitably, into mildly annoying social media updates you didn’t ask for—but are definitely going to see anyway.

I wrote a full blog post about Norse that you can read by clicking HERE, because yes—cheap transatlantic flights are real, and no, it’s not a scam (I checked).

To get to LA cheaply, I use Google Travel, which I also blogged about HERE, because step one of international travel is not overpaying just to leave your own country.

And once you land? A proper plate of fish and chips with a cold beer at a London pub is way cheaper than you’ve been led to believe—especially if your reference point is North America, where you apparently need a small loan to eat out.

I was able to visit London twice in 2024 and I’m headed back again in September 2025. I’d been to London a few times before that, and it’s always been a great experience—familiar, lively, and endlessly walkable.

That said, it felt a little different this time. Landing without Queen Elizabeth II around gave the city a subtle but noticeable shift. London was still London, but the sense of continuity she represented was quietly gone.

On my last visit, I was just passing through on a layover. I took the train from Gatwick Airport into the city and hopped off at London Bridge station. Even with limited time, stepping into central London felt like reconnecting with an old friend—familiar streets, constant motion, and that unmistakable energy that never really shuts off.

London changes, but it somehow stays the same. That’s part of what keeps pulling me back with the inexpensive flights.

You can catch the Gatwick Express from the luggage area after clearing customs. 🛃

It is a hassle-free way to get to the action and back to the airport. Tickets are available online or on the platform for about $24 USD one way.

Just like everything else in London, Uber is very expensive!

After I got off the tube, I walked over to Tower Bridge, which was neat to see again—one of those sights that never really gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been to London.

And yes, London Bridge is right there too. I checked. I can confirm it was not falling down, falling down… despite what the song would have you believe 😄

These are a few shots I took of typical London pubs, which seem to exist on just about every corner. No matter the neighborhood, there’s always a local pub tucked into the streetscape—part gathering place, part landmark, part living room for the city.

One thing that always trips up visitors to London is traffic flowing in the opposite direction. It sounds obvious, but muscle memory is powerful. You’ll notice “LOOK RIGHT” painted at crosswalks for a reason—and I very nearly learned that lesson the hard way on my first visit.

London does its best to warn you. You just have to remember to listen… before stepping off the curb.

I was only in London overnight, with an early morning flight out to Istanbul. With an early bus ride back to the airport, there wasn’t much point in pretending it was a proper stay.

So I did what seasoned travelers do—I grabbed a short nap at the airport, watched the place slowly wake up, and had a quiet morning beer before settling in for the long flight to Turkey.

Not glamorous.
Not rushed.
Just one of those in-between travel moments that somehow stick with you.

If you want, I can also share maps or pub-crawl routes (historic, classic London, best for beer, etc.) to pair with your travels!

https://chatgpt.com/share/69477321-9558-800b-90da-9f39a9b228f9

Uruguay – ferry, bus from Buenos Aires!

07/27/2025

by Darrell AirBnb All you can fly Argentina Bunes Aires Freedom 50 Montevideo Travel memories Uruguay Volaris - AYCF!

As part of my 2024 trip—which took me through Central America and into South America—I made a stop in Uruguay. Getting there was easy and inexpensive thanks to a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires across the Río de la Plata.

It was one of those classic travel decisions: cheap ferry, new country, zero downside. So… why not?

That’s one of the underrated perks of slow travel—when borders are close, transport is affordable, and curiosity wins.

I did not know what to expect as I had not read much about Uruguay. It was just the fact that I was so close to getting to experience it, and I took advantage of dropping another pin on the map. 📍🌏

Montevideo has a great beach walk, very nice cobblestone downtown, and friendly people, but I do not need to go back. There was nothing that stood out like most Countries other than my Airbnb.

I have never experienced so much pride in the presentation of this place. Every little nook and cranny had something awesome displayed and check out the view from the bedroom!

The couple who ran the Airbnb were architecture lawyers from Argentina, and their background showed in every detail. Their shared love of music and antiques turned the place into an absolute gem—not flashy, just deeply thoughtful.

The lobby alone set the tone. A full wall of antiques, each piece clearly chosen with care, paired with calming music that made you slow down the moment you walked in. It didn’t feel like a rental—it felt like someone’s personal sanctuary that they happened to share.

It was one of those stays where the space itself becomes part of the travel experience. Honestly, that Airbnb left more of an impression on me than the city itself—and that says a lot.

There were hundreds and hundreds of trinkets throughout the property—every room, every corner, every shelf had something interesting to notice. During the day, jazz music played softly in the lobby, setting a calm, timeless mood. In my room, there was even a record player with a small collection of old jazz records. Sitting there, listening to vinyl and staring at the bookcase, felt almost meditative.

The Airbnb itself was about $25 a night, perfectly located between the main street and the ocean in Montevideo. You really couldn’t ask for a better setup.

It was hands down the best Airbnb experience I’ve ever had. Not because it was luxurious, but because it was thoughtful. Every detail felt intentional, personal, and cared for—and I’m genuinely glad I got to experience it. Some places stick with you because of what you see outside. This one stayed with me because of what was inside.

After spending the previous week in Argentina, the food scene in Montevideo was a bit of a shock—in the wrong direction.

Coming off Argentina’s absolute paradise of steaks, flavor, and value, these two meals were both underwhelming and overpriced. Not terrible in a dramatic sense, just disappointing enough that you immediately stop ordering food with any enthusiasm.

To be fair, I didn’t go to Montevideo for the cuisine—and after Argentina, that became very clear. Sometimes travel is about incredible meals. Other times, it’s about the place, the stay, and the experience around it.

I played it safe both times and ordered the house special, mostly because I honestly didn’t know what else to order.

On the left: two hot dogs buried under what felt like five pounds of cheese. Just… not good. At all.
On the right: a meat plate that ran about $50, and when I cut into it, it was practically raw.

After a week of steak perfection in Argentina, this was a rough landing. I wasn’t expecting miracles, but I also wasn’t expecting hot dogs drowned in cheese or an expensive plate of meat that never met a grill properly.

It honestly may have just been bad luck both times. That said, after paying $50 for food that was raw and borderline inedible, I was beyond annoyed. I ended up calling my credit card company—and they refunded the charge without hesitation. It was the first time in my life I’d ever done that, which tells you how bad it was.

Thankfully, Montevideo redeemed itself in other ways. The city itself is relaxed and walkable, the coastline is beautiful, and that Airbnb more than made up for the food disappointment.

Between the thoughtful design, the music, the ocean proximity, and the price point, it was an incredible stay—especially considering how inexpensive it was. Sometimes travel works out that way: the meals miss, but the place, the vibe, and where you rest your head absolutely deliver.

A Brief History of Uruguay

Uruguay’s history is shaped by its position between two giants—Argentina and Brazil—and by centuries of struggle over who would control it.

Indigenous Roots

Before Europeans arrived, the region was inhabited primarily by the Charrúa people. They were semi-nomadic hunters and resisted colonization fiercely. Tragically, most of the Charrúa population was wiped out during the 19th century, making Uruguay one of the few South American countries with a very small remaining Indigenous population today.

Spanish vs. Portuguese Tug-of-War

Unlike much of South America, Uruguay wasn’t immediately colonized. Spain and Portugal both wanted it, largely because of its strategic location along the Río de la Plata.

Colonia del Sacramento was founded by the Portuguese in 1680
Spain countered by establishing Montevideo in 1726

For over a century, control of the region shifted back and forth between the two empires.

Independence & Artigas

Uruguay’s path to independence was complicated. The country’s national hero, José Gervasio Artigas, led resistance movements in the early 1800s, advocating federalism and local autonomy.

After periods of occupation by both Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay finally became an independent nation in 1828, largely as a buffer state to prevent conflict between its neighbors.

20th Century: Stability & Reform

In the early 1900s, Uruguay earned a reputation as one of the most progressive countries in the world:

Early adoption of free public education

Separation of church and state

Strong labor protections and social welfare programs

This era gave Uruguay the nickname “the Switzerland of South America.”

Dictatorship & Recovery

Like many Latin American countries, Uruguay experienced a military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985. Democracy was restored peacefully, and since then, Uruguay has been one of the most stable, democratic, and transparent nations in the region.

Modern Uruguay

Today, Uruguay is known for:

Strong democratic institutions

High quality of life

Liberal policies (early legalization of same-sex marriage and cannabis)

A calm, understated culture compared to its neighbors

It’s not flashy. It’s not chaotic. And for many people, that’s exactly the appeal.

If tomorrow never comes …

06/17/2025

by Darrell Countries Freedom 50 Travel bucket list

I saw a post today from Claudia, who was my Airbnb host the first time I visited Puerto Vallarta over five years ago, and I couldn’t help myself—I had to write about it.

Thank you for the powerful message, Claudia. And here’s to you traveling exactly the way we talked about all those years ago. 🙌

I have this little schtick I like to play: “Live life to the fullest.”
I’ve said it so much that I actually tattooed it on my left calf.

Ironically, it was also my mom’s most annoying saying when we were kids. I’d roll my eyes and say, “Yes, Mom.” I didn’t really get it—until I unexpectedly lost her on July 1st, 2019. Looking back now, she couldn’t have been more right.

To be fair, she wasn’t all motivation and sunshine. Later in life, she had no problem telling people to kiss her ass, so there was balance. 😄

Every time I hear about someone dying—no matter their age—that phrase comes back to me. I’ve had too many family members whose lives were cut short in one way or another, so it always hits close to home.

That’s what pushed me to write today. Stories like these are reminders—not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet, unavoidable one—that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. And that makes today matter a whole lot more.

So yeah…
Live life to the fullest.
Roll your eyes if you want.
I did too.

Until I didn’t.

I have this little schtick that I try to play, “Live life to the fullest!” So much so, I even got it tattooed on my left calf!

It was my mom’s most annoying saying to all of us kids. I would roll my eyes and say Yes, Mom. I never realized it until I unexpectedly lost her on July 1st, 2019; she couldn’t be more right. She would also tell a lot of people to “Kiss her ass” later in life, so she was not all motivation. LOL

Every time I hear of someone dying, I always think of this saying, no matter the age. I have had so many family members’ lives cut short one way or another, so it does hit home for me.

These stories from the horrific Air India plane crash made me blog today:

Air India plane crash

For some, it was just another breaking news headline.
For me, it was a stark reminder of how fragile—and unpredictable—life really is.

Four lives. Four stories. Four lessons that reshaped how I think about time, purpose, and grace.

First:
A family who waited years to fulfill their dream of emigrating to the UK. Life kept getting in the way—responsibilities, delays, decisions. When they finally boarded the plane, they believed the hard part was over. They never reached their destination.

It reminded me how often we postpone our lives for “someday.”
If we keep waiting, someday can quietly become never.

Second:
A woman who was supposed to be on that flight—but arrived late. She begged to board and was denied. Angry. Frustrated. Defeated. Only later did she realize that the delay may have saved her life.

We don’t always get what we want because we don’t see what lies ahead.
Sometimes a door closing is protection.

Third:
A man who survived. The plane broke apart, and he happened to be in the section that didn’t catch fire. He walked away from something no one expected anyone to survive.

It didn’t feel like luck. It felt like timing.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
It simply wasn’t his time.

Fourth:
Those who didn’t make it. People with dreams. Families. Unfinished stories.
Someone kissed them goodbye that morning, unaware it would be the last time.

Their lives remind us of a truth we often avoid: time is not guaranteed. We are not promised old age. We are not promised later. What we have is now—a breath, a moment, an opportunity.

So while you still have today:
Don’t wait for the perfect moment.
Live now.

Because life doesn’t always come with warnings.
And sometimes… next time never comes.

Whatever “live life to the fullest” means to you — just fucking do it.

Sometimes tomorrow never comes.
Sometimes planning tomorrow assumes you even get one.

Stop waiting for permission.
Stop waiting for perfect timing.
Stop waiting for approval.

Just let it happen your way.

Because life doesn’t ask when you’re ready.

Whatever “live life to the fullest” means to you — just fucking do it.

Not someday.
Not when it’s convenient.
Not when everything lines up perfectly.

Sometimes tomorrow never comes.
Sometimes planning tomorrow assumes you even get one more day.

Stop waiting for permission.
Stop waiting for perfect timing.
Stop waiting for approval—from your boss, your family, society, or the version of yourself that’s “more ready.”

There is no finish line where life suddenly begins.
There is only now.

Make the trip.

Do it scared.
Do it imperfectly.
Do it your way.

Because life doesn’t ask when you’re ready.
And the only real failure is never showing up at all

Don’t forget to post about it to keep your haters updated!

Hammock camping – St Croix BVI 🏝️🏕️

01/25/2025

by Darrell British Virgin Islands (BVI)Carribean Islands Freedom 50 St. Croix

This was an adventure for the ages—
outdoor camping, rain, wind, and cold-soaked everything.

The kind of trip that’s miserable in the moment… and legendary forever.

I headed to beautiful St. Croix and camped through a tropical storm.

It was Wednesday, October 4th, 2023…

And it was the very first flight I ever took using my Frontier Airlines All-You-Can-Fly pass—which immediately set the tone by becoming one of the biggest (and possibly craziest) adventures I’ve done.

I’ve traveled with my hammock all over the place. It’s compact, lightweight, and all I need are two trees to be comfortable. This trip was no different. I packed my hammock, a rain fly, and the bare-bones camping essentials and figured I’d let the island handle the rest.

What I didn’t plan on was a tropical storm.

Wind.
Rain.
THUNDER and lightning.
More rain.

Still, there’s something oddly satisfying about riding out nature with a plan for the next night. I hunkered down in the fort and never saw another drop of rain or wind for the rest of the trip.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it was unforgettable—and that’s the point.

I had all the base-camp essentials dialed in—running water, a flushable toilet, a beer fridge, and a perfectly chosen setup spot.

This wasn’t roughing it… this was Living Life to the Fullest with a side of regret …

Everything was in place for an amazing few days exploring the island of St. Croix. I had the gear, the location, and the mindset. All that was left was to let the island do what islands do best—surprise you.

There was a tropical storm in the islands that first night—which, for the record, is technically less intense than a full-blown hurricane.

I had convinced myself it meant “a little rain.”

I was buckled in, hammock tight, rain fly secured, feeling smugly prepared…

LMAO. 🌪️

What I actually got was wind, sideways rain, and Mother Nature reminding me who really runs the campground.

If I’d used proper tent pegs that first night, everything would have worked out just fine. Instead, I spent the evening soaked and shivering, with my rain fly snapping like a flag in a hurricane—every gust reminding me that optimism is not a weatherproofing strategy.

But after that brutal first night, everything changed.

Once the storm passed and I fixed my setup, it transformed from the worst night of rest into the absolute best. I slept peacefully, wrapped in my hammock, listening to the forest breathe—leaves rustling, insects humming—while a gentle breeze from my little ceiling fan kept things cool.

From survival mode to pure bliss in one night.

It was about a 30-minute walk to the beach, which was another reason the camping was so inexpensive—just far enough to save on accommodations and justify the next beer. The beach bar had an unreal view too. 😎

Nothing like earning your sunset with a walk, then immediately undoing it with a cold drink and a front-row seat to the horizon.

Lesson learned—and filed under experience beats theory.

Next time, I’ll bring proper tent pegs.

And yes…
I will absolutely be hammock camping in the islands again.

Retiring early – bucket method!💰🪣

01/01/2025

by Darrell Freedom 50

People often wonder how I can take a run at retirement at 52.

I call it taking a run at retirement, as I honestly don’t know how things are going to work out. Some days feel great, others not so much, watching the stock market go up and down almost a percent daily.

I just know that I do not want to wait to travel with compression socks and flip-flops!

I will share how I was able to make it happen. Proceed at your own risk!

First and foremost, I never got married or had any kids. I also jokingly say that I got divorced three times before getting married. We both dodged bullets is the way I see it!

It is sometimes hard watching friends and family get married and have kids, living the life we were taught to live by generations. Watching their kids play sports was the hardest part.

I can live without the getting married part based on my history and statistics.

I can recall so many instances that would have had me stuck in a shitty situation, keeping it real for me.

Here are some options for residual income, and I bolded those I used:

– Real estate investing, such as leasing or renting out a property,

– Stocks and bonds that pay dividends or interest in my buckets are explained below

– Royalties from intellectual properties, such as books, websites, music, movies, or patents,

(I always said I was going to write a book or blog) “NAD – A legend in my mind!”

– Donations or royalties from advertisements on a blog or website (buy me a beer! LOL)

– Compound interest paid on investment accounts, or what I call buckets below.

I have used all of these over my lifetime, with some working and others tanking.

Let’s talk about the bad before getting to the good stuff.

I worked for a company for 18 years that had a problem with cooking the books. I would put ~10% of my pay towards my RRSP/401K, and the company would match 6% for a lot of those years, which worked out.

The problem was that I would put more money into the company stock throughout the years. I also received stock bonuses along the way, making this account grow really fast on paper, I thought!

“At its height, Nortel accounted for more than a third of the total valuation of all the companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), employing 94,500 worldwide, with 25,900 in Canada alone. Nortel’s market capitalization fell from C$398 billion in September 2000 to less than C$5 billion in August 2002, as Nortel’s stock price plunged from C$124 to C$0.47.

When Nortel’s stock crashed, it took with it a wide swath of Canadian investors and pension funds and left 60,000 Nortel employees unemployed. Roth was criticized after it was revealed that he cashed in his stock options for a personal gain of C$135 million in 2000 alone.”

Well, shit, that was a couple hundred thousand stock dollars on paper, gonzo Malonzo! The amazing part is that I was able to keep my job for another 12 years and recover.

I learned so much from losing all of that money at a young age, and I needed to be aggressive to make it back.

I somehow stumbled across the bucket system:

“A time-tested strategy many investors use is called the ‘bucket’ system, which, when implemented correctly, guarantees income in the short term while setting your longer-term investments up for longer-term success”.

It essentially means, pile money in different buckets to use at different times. My buckets were based on early retirement: “bucket one 55-62”, “bucket two 62-67”, and bucket three 67-six feet under or in my case shot into space.

Someone call Elon, LOL! 🚀

I found an investment firm that would help me implement this strategy. The plan was to work until 55, but I was laid off at 52, so “taking a run at retirement,” as I already mentioned.

The hard part, filling the buckets so the power of compound interest can do its thing:

Bucket one 55-62: This was a house that I bought in 2003 when I moved to Atlanta. I left in 2010, and I was able to rent it to the same person for over ten years. He paid down the mortgage, and then he eventually bought it. I originally bought into a 15-year mortgage, so aggressively paying it down and selling it worked well.

Bucket two 62-67: I moved from Atlanta to Charlotte in 2010 and bought an acreage. It had a house in the front and a three-car garage in the back with a loft above. I was able to rent the front house to cover the mortgage. I lived in the loft and played around in the massive garage for free. I would spend a lot of money and sweat equity to prepare the property to flip, which happened when I was laid off in 2015. This also worked out well for me!

Bucket three 67-X: This was the traditional retirement fund that I cannot touch until I am sixty-two, but shooting for sixty-seven. I can access it at any time after 59 1/2, depending on how the other buckets are doing. I can also decide when to take my Social Security and Canadian pension plan, as I am eligible for both.

I plan to take Social Security at 67 to max out the return. Did you know that payday can be ~30% higher at 67?

Another source of income is the condo I bought in Arizona during the housing crash in 2008.

As mentioned, I kept my job throughout the crash and recovery, and I was able to pay cash for the amazing AZ condo I live in now. I paid $52,500 for a one-bedroom that is now worth ~ $250K+. How is that for a return on investment!

I do not plan to sell this condo, but it is another option for me to supplement my travels. It is currently on Airbnb for snowbirds, and the proceeds help me get to bucket one.

Well, there you have it! I set up my buckets based on my timeline and the money needed to retire early. Bought and sold real estate and Airbnb my condo based on this strategy.

A solo slow traveler, vlogger, geoarbitrage, and a legend in my mind.

You can read my blog on geoarbitrage by clicking HERE.