LifePart2AndBeyond.com Travel Blog
Yes, We Are Responsible
There are a lot of things that happen in life for which we are not at fault, but WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING. Yes, everything. Wait, hear me out! Part of the privilege, and burden, of being a mindful human being is that we can choose how we react to ALL...
The Magic of Leaving Your Comfort Zones in Retirement
This piece was originally published on Next Avenue: One of the biggest goals of my career as an air traffic controller was to have a worry-free retirement. I envisioned a comfortable place where I could lie back and watch the...
What does it cost to live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia?
Phnom Penh is quickly becoming an international neighborhood for expats and travelers, as it is known to be one of the cheaper countries to live in Indochina. The Kingdom of Wonder is filled with Khmer culture, delicious food, and warm smiles; despite its hard past....
DJI Mavic Pro Photography of Our New Neighborhood in Portugal
To give my photography a different perspective a few months ago I bought a new DJI Mavic Pro drone. Even though I loved my "old" DJI Phantom 2, it was occasionally a bit quirky, and it required a lot more concentration while flying. DJI Mavic Pro photography is a...
Medieval Fair in Obidos, Portugal
Less than an hours drive from Lisbon, Portugal is the ancient town of Obidos. Overlooked by a medieval castle, inside thick city walls, lies an impressive labyrinth of cobblestoned streets, which are lined by grapevine and bougainvillea bedecked houses, tasty...
4 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Retiring Abroad
This post was originally published a few years ago on Next Avenue. This is important information for people considering retiring overseas. Enjoying the Beach in Peniche, Portugal Living your retirement abroad can be an immensely rewarding experience. I...
What does it cost to live in Medellin, Colombia?
Living in Medellin If you’ve seen Narcos or followed the history of the drug trade in Colombia at all, you probably have the wrong idea of what Medellin is like. Before I visited, I imagined a town devastated by the drug trade that was so much a part of it’s...
For a Happy Retirement the Riskiest Risk is Avoiding Risks
Magic in Life Takes Place at the Edges of Our Comfort Zones Experience shows that the magic in life takes place at the edges of our comfort zones. By science [1], we know our minds grow by expanding our boundaries, trying new things and having some adventure. If we...
Eating Snails Portuguese Style
It isn't only the French that have a love affair with snails. As summer arrives in Portugal, locals anxiously await the time when the "Há Caracóis" signs are posted outside of their local restaurants announcing "There are Snails." The recipes for Portuguese...
Minimalism and the Luxury of Little
Before I began my minimalist retirement travel adventures, like many people in the "developed world," I had so many possessions that I couldn't remember where my stuff was, or in many cases even remember that I had it. My junk drawers were expanding. I had "spare"...
Eyeing the Colors of India
This post is sponsored by Alcon. Over five years ago, I retired to pursue my passions of photography, writing, and travel. There have been challenges, but the rewards have far outweighed the hardships. I’ve learned many lessons during my adventures; however, none have...
Why We Moved from SE Asia to Portugal
It has already been over thirty days since we moved the retirement adventure from SE Asia to Portugal. Sarah and I (along with Biscuit the grumpy cat, and Angel, the feisty Thai street dog) are starting to settle in and enjoy the rhythms that come with a new place and...
What is the Cost to Retire Overseas?
I often get letters from people asking how much money they need to begin their own personal retirement travel adventure and what does it cost to retire overseas. They will throw out a financial figure (usually between USD $2,500 and $6,000/mo.) and ask, "is that...
Photos of Tasmania From My Tasmanian Boat Expedition
One of my favorite retirement adventures from last year was going on a small boat expedition cruise around the Australian state of Tasmania with Coral Expeditions. I had not visited that gorgeous corner of the world before, and I was very excited to receive their...
What Does It Cost to Live for a Month in Zurich, Switzerland
Ahh, Zurich: the perfect combination of ultra-modern city living and small town charm. This fashionable city is a hotspot for expats, ranked second in the world when it comes to quality of living. Benefitting from Switzerland’s highly efficient transportation system,...
What does it cost to live in Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires Streetscape (Photo by CC Nestor Galina, Flickr) Intro Who hasn’t seen the movies and dreamed of spending time in Buenos Aires? It’s like the Paris of South America, full of culture and good food and beautiful buildings. Like New York City and...
Photography of my Kathmandu Tour
Why Kathmandu, Nepal is Such an Amazing Place for Photography Because it is such an exotic place, making good photography in Kathmandu, Nepal is really quite simple. Wander around until you find a compelling scene and wait for the photograph to develop. Of course,...
Sarah’s Diary of Pet Transport Overseas
Many people were surprised when we told them that we would be doing pet transport overseas, taking Biscuit the grumpy cat, and Angel the neurotic street dog, from SE Asia to Europe. It was a lot of work but, with persistence and patience, but organizing dog transport...
Portugal: A New Chapter in Life Part 2
You might have noticed that it has been a while since I have posted blogs about the retirement adventure. It isn't that there aren't any new tales to tell, it is that Sarah and I have been so active making plans and living the life that we are just now beginning to...
Going in Style
When I began my retirement travel adventures over six years ago I never envisioned the places I would see and the experiences I would gobble up in LifePart2. Even though I view my adventures as part of a life well lived, many people see what I have undertaken as,...
Jon & Sarah
It seemed almost inevitable that we, Jonathan and Sarah, would one day meet: two independent travellers from different corners of the globe, we shared a bond that many travellers experience, a mutual love of adventure and a belief that the planet is a better place when people leave their comfort zones and discover new lands and cultures. So, when our paths finally