Eve of New Year's Eve - A Slight Delay

We made it safely to the in-laws on the Eve of New Year's Eve. A low key farewell dinner and we were ready for our nightcap and an early flight to Singapore the next day. Or so we thought ......

Saying Goodbye to Hoboken

After days of packing and hours of cleaning, we are finally done. We have shoved the last of our belongings into our car and we are ready to bid Hoboken farewell. Not before another breakfast at La Isla. We have only lived in Hoboken for 2 months, but it truly is home to many great restaurants. We picked La Isla for our farewell breakfast as we know Mexican/Cuban food is much harder to come by in Asia, which we will be for at least 3 months!

           

Details:
La Isla Restaurant
104 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
201-659-8197
http://www.laislarestaurant.com/

Our Week Before Christmas - Running with Life

In face of our impending RTW trip, we decided to not to do Christmas at home this year. This meant no Christmas trees, no lights and no presents. We did some minimal shopping for DBB's family and that was it! If only Christmas could be this easy every year!

So, a few days ago, DBB was offered a 3 month contract job in Singapore. Accepting this job would mean that we toss out our well laid out plans for our 2012 RTW trip (at least temporarily), figure out our plans for the new year from the start... and it would also mean living with my parents for 3 months in Singapore.

Getting Ready for Travel - The Much Needed Haircut

While we are not entirely sure about our travel plans and itinerary anymore, DBB got his much needed haircut anyway! Perhaps less messy hair might mean better decisions for our uncertain future? Hopefully....

BEFORE

AFTER

An Unexpected Twist - 3 months in Singapore

In an unanticipated and completely unexpected twist, DBB was offered a 3 month contract job in Singapore! Will we take it? What will this mean for our travels? Stay tuned....

From Dream to Reality - One-way tickets to Singapore

Drumroll please....we finally bought our one-way plane tickets! We are officially embarking on our round the world journey on Dec 31st 2011! Only 16 more days before the fun begins! First stop is Singapore, where we get to spend time with my family, eat delicious and fresh food and just hang out by the pool. 

Singapore's famous Merlion

My Favorite Sushi Place - Sagami

In anticipation that for at least the next 12 months or so, we will not be within easy reach of our favorite restaurants in the tri-state area, we decided to visit our favorite sushi place -- Sagami restaurant in South Jersey. The fish is fresh, prices are reasonable, decor is authentic and service is impeccable!

                 

We arrived at  Sagami a little before noon and there were 4-5 cars waiting in the parking lot for the restaurant to open for lunch! If you having dinner at Sagami on a weekend, make sure to call ahead to reserve a table.

For us, Sagami is a sushi destination, but if you find yourself looking for someplace good to eat between Philadelphia and Atlantic City AND you love sushi... this is a great place to check out. Yum Yum.....  

Here's the pertinent information:

37 W Crescent Blvd

Collingswood, NJ 08108 

(856) 854-9773

Yumminess in NYC - Yakitori Totto

Yakitoro Totto's claim to fame is its grilled chicken skewers. The chicken liver skewers are our favorite! But at $2-$3 a skewer, the bill adds up. So, we prefer to go to Yakitori Totto for lunch, when prices are more affordable, crowds are smaller and the wait staff also more attentive. Looks like they are now open in Bangkok as well...maybe we'll stop by there on our way to volunteering at Isara Foundation in Nong Khai! 

           

Around the World - Our Everchanging Itinerary

With less than 40 days before our departure, we have much to do! First things first, to figure out a workable itinerary, so that we can get to work on applying for our visas and figuring out what to pack! Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, China and Russia.... here we come!
  

Getting Ready for Travel - The Haircut

I've been getting a lot of compliments about my long hair lately. However, after quitting my job, I felt I needed to aggressively embrace my new life by making visible changes. I decided to take a trip to my hairdresser to cut my hair, to disconnect from one life and plug into the next one. Besides, shorter hair means easier maintenance on the road... less shampoo and conditioner, less to dry off and more washes per week! 

BEFORE

AFTER

Which Works Better for You?  
Long or Short? 

Transition - Escaping the Office Cube

The 3 weeks that followed my epiphany passed at breakneck speed. Perhaps it's because I was knee deep in researching vaccinations, getting vaccinated, selling our stuff on craigslist, moving to a new apartment and wrapping up things at work. In fact, our apartment currently looks like this....

Tips for Lowering Costs of Vaccinations

Now that we have learnt the basics of immunizations needed for RTW travel, here, we share our tips to lower vaccination costs. 

Vaccinations for RTW Travel - The Basics

We have just spent a whole week researching, planning and finally getting shots we need for our RTW trip! Here are the basics! For more, read tips on how to lower the costs of vaccinations. 

Travel Planning - First-Time Around the World

Is this truly going to be a RTW trip? Will we try to touch every continent? Or should we just pick a continent or two and travel slowly?

About Us

Hi! We are a couple of married 30 year olds that are ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime! After doing all the "right" things in life, we have finally decided that we ready to take a year (maybe more) to do something for US! Follow us as we leave our cubicles behind in New York City and journey around the world to explore and discover more about ourselves and the people we share this Earth with! Our tentative departure date is JANUARY 10th 2012! Follow us along and you might soon be inspired to go on an adventure of your own!

The Turning Point - Hope Returns

This is the year of many turning points. A year when I gritted my teeth every night and willed myself day after day to perform the same routine with a smile. Externally, nothing has changed, but internally, I was slowly being worn out from the fatigue of life and I was falling apart.   

Mainely Bar Harbor

Taking advantage of the shoulder season and (still) highly desirable weather, we sneaked off to Maine for an entire week! In mid-September, we were enjoying low 70 degree days and high 50 degree nights! We learnt a lot about lobsters and ate lobster everyday! Now you get to have a taste of our Mainely Bar Harbor vacation! 

3 and 1/2 lb Lobster from Thurston's Lobster Pound

Labor Day Weekend at Coney Island!

With only a few more months left in NYC and only a few more days to spare this summer, we embarked on our journey to discover the old world charm of Coney Island!

Vagabond Homes - Our Beautiful Backpacks

On a thawing Sunday afternoon, to fight off the Monday blues (that always hits on Sunday night), we decided to take a trip out to the REI store in Norwalk, Connecticut to shop for our RTW trip that we both knew is at least 6 months away. After trying on backpacks for an hour, we emerged with our vagabond homes! No downpayment, no closing costs, no monthly mortgage. Just 2 backpacks and plenty of freedom!  

HIS AND HERS

Orchid Show 2011 - Photo Essay

Highlights of the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Gardens in April 2011. Enjoy!