nomad4ever

Yup – in case you were wondering why nothing happened at this site for the last couple of days – we just came back from an Outback trip with the bare essentials. The location was Baluran National Park in Eastern Java.

It’s a mystic explosion of nature and wild life. African-style Savannahs, just without Elephants or Giraffes. No telephone signal, no internet, no TV, limited water and electricity supply – in one word – a Robinson Feeling like no other.

Baluran? Where the hell is that?

written by Chris

While some of Indonesia’s famed airlines obviously try their best to get their acts together – this can’t be said about the most notorious suspect – Adam Air.

Over the last 2 years, there were various rumors that Adam Air’s license might be revoked, if they didn’t clean up their mess and come up with concepts how to improve their safety standards and maintenance regime.

But – as often in Indonesia – nothing much followed, except maybe some money changing hands and things continued as usual.

Nothing much followed? Not exactly:

written by Chris

In general, Bali is a beautiful place on our planet, where you can survive pretty well on a very small budget. The Cost of Living here is dramatically lower than in the US, old Europe, Australia or even some other parts in Asia.

I was asked many times by readers how much I spend here and what the Costs for my daily expenses are. There isn’t a general answer to these questions – after all it depends a lot on your personal preferences and demands.

Show me the money:

written by Chris

Malaysia is a great country! Unspoiled beaches, excellent diving spots, mountains surrounded by misty fog, exotic fauna and flora and a healthy, vast rain forest are attracting plenty of visitors. Islands like Pulau Langkawi, Tioman, Penang, the Perhentians or locations like Genting Highlands have a legendary reputation with travelers.

The country embraced tourism already many years ago and the slogan “Malaysia – truly Asia” will ring in your ears forever; once you saw the mesmerizing advertising campaigns on CNN, BBC or other global TV stations.

However, Malaysia’s politics were never that idyllic and recent years were no exception:

written by Chris

I wrote last year about the colorful creations called Ogoh-Ogoh, which are paraded just before the begin of the Hindu New Year in Bali. This year was even more crazy. I’ve never seen so many quality monsters in one place.

The rainy season is almost over and for the Hindus, the New Year is about to start. A whole week of processions, ceremonies, celebrations, fireworks and parties.

What’s an Ogoh-Ogoh?

written by Chris

Wanted to share with you quickly some interesting web sites I found recently:

“The Secret History of the Credit Card” is an outstanding documentary and interesting piece of investigative journalism. The critically acclaimed and award-winning show is now available online as a 5-part Video Streaming Series. It’s an in-depth look into a secretive yet very successful industry. You can learn how your Credit Score is calculated, what methods Visa, Master, American Express and others use to keep you spending and how they earn big bucks from you paying only the minimum charge or nothing at all.

written by Chris

Many people dream of doing a ‘Round the World’ Trip (RTW) at least once in their life. There are many excuses why they don’t do it in the end.

The fact is: more and more of travelers ARE able to fulfill this dream – and they DO it. They plan a route, give up their rented home, pack the essential travel things and off they are!

You won’t see them back for the next 1-2 years – sometimes even longer. Some people even make it their life goal to permanently travel the world.

written by Chris

A while ago we established a concept, that it doesn’t take you necessarily heaps of money to retire early in your lifetime. If you don’t have high demands, are happy to live a simple but fulfilled life in a low-cost-of-living country, plan ahead and have some savings which will provide you with passive income in the form of interest, rent, dividends it might be even possible that you can retire already in your 30s.

You can read many tips and tricks on this site on how to plan ahead and retire early to enjoy what life really has to offer. So if you seriously plan to retire early, is there a chance that you can totally f*ck it up? But of course!

written by Chris