We have both always had a love of travel and over the years have got more adventurous in arranging it ourselves. What started as city breaks around Europe became excursions to parts of India whilst on holiday in Goa. One evening we had friends around who had returned from Vietnam and arranged the whole trip themselves, from then on we knew that was what we wanted to do whenever possible – so much more fun than browsing a brochure from the travel agents and following someone else’s plan.

We soon discovered that we enjoyed budget travel and the people you meet are of like mind, pretty care free and chatty but full of information, tips and ideas. Why should budget travel and backpacking be the sole preserve of the young! We are by no means old, Alison a smidgeon over 50, Wayne a little under but both of the age where we need the toilet in the middle of the night! With this in mind we rule out dormitories but are more than happy with a private room and facilities in those same hostels.

Opportunity arrives…

30th July 2015 and our employers go into administration, we both work there so for the first time in our lives neither of us have jobs. With our daughter being 21 and both sets of parents in good health was this our moment?

Over a glass of wine it was something we had often talked about, always so envious of people who we had met during our two weeks break who were travelling for months. Financially it was possible – but did we have the nerve?