Seven years ago, Nick Wharton and Dariece Swift had full-time jobs, a
mortgage, a car and an average twenty-something life firmly routed in
their native Canada.
Fast-forward to 2015, and the couple have been swimming with sharks
in Mozambique, lived in an Ashram shrine, trekked through the Himalayas
and seen five of the Wonders of the World.
Now, they are encouraging others not to be afraid to ditch the nine-to five to travel the world and “create a happier life”.
Both
aged 23 in 2008, they were already feeling a “bit too tied down” with
their well-paid jobs, mortgage and car, when a one-week holiday in
Mexico triggered a desire to plunge into the unknown.
Monte Alban, an archaeological site in Mexico, is one of the many historical monuments they have visited
Dariece said they left their “typical all-inclusive resort” for tours through the jungle and into local villages.
“We were left wanting more,” she told The Independent.
“Visiting underground caves and having Mexican children run up to us
with huge smiles on their faces really sparked something in us.
“We returned home recharged with a new found love for the unknown.”
Just weeks after returning to Canada, Nick arrived home from work to
ask his girlfriend where she would like to visit most in the world.
Her answer was Southeast Asia, and nine months later the couple had sold their home and left on a year-long backpacking tour.
Dariece said their sudden departure left family and friends “pretty shocked”, despite being supportive.
The couple said they experienced incredible hospitality in Iran, which still receives few Western visitors
“Our decision to quit our jobs and sell our home, vehicle and
belongings was a pretty sudden and drastic one, and although no one
directly told us, we could see the concern on many of their faces,” she
said.
“Perhaps it was concern for our safety, concern for the fact
that we had only been dating for a little over a year, or maybe it was
simply the fact that they were going to miss us.”
The couple
toured through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, India, Malaysia,
Indonesia and Singapore before eventually returning to Canada once more.
But far from satisfying their longing to see the world, the adventure solidified their resolve to make travelling a way of life.
Nick
and Dariece were re-hired at their previous jobs, at a printing press
and as a paralegal, and returned to replenish their bank accounts, which
were running dangerously low.
Children in Delhi, India, which the couple visited in 2011
“After a couple of months back at work, we knew we couldn't
continue to live and work in Canada for the rest of our live,” Dariece
said.
“That year abroad changed us and we found ourselves struggling to fit back in with the ‘normal’ way of life.”
Within
a year, they had saved up enough for another 16 months of travelling,
this time through Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
It was
to be their last “holiday” from Canada – as they chose to live in China
teaching English instead of “returning home to the grind”.
Since then, they have been documenting all their adventures on their Goats on the Road blog.
The couple make the boat of their income through Goats on the Road, which they are seen working on here in Grenada
The website, carrying their chronicles, videos, advice and travel guides, is now their main source of income.
To
top up the advertising revenue of between $3,500 (£2,300) and $5,000
(£3,200) a month, they also take jobs as freelance writers and video
producers, as well as teaching English and house and pet sitting to cut
accommodation costs.
So far, Nick and Dariece have visited 45 countries together and say they feel “nowhere near finished exploring the world”.
Although
they said they could not pick favourites, destinations that made a
particularly strong impression include Mongolia, where they trekked
through the wilderness and met nomads, Grenada, which they “fell in love
with” last year.
Dariece said they encountered “unbelievable”
hospitality in Iran, where families would invite the couple into their
homes to converse over tea, or even stay the night.
When asked
what they missed about their old lifestyle, Nick said the distance from
family and friends could be difficult but that it was “less relevant”
with the ability to communicate over the internet.
Nick and Dariece travelling through the Caribbean
“Until there is a digital hug however, we’ll still return to
Canada each year or so for a visit - or better yet, people come and
visit us,” he added.
Nick said the past seven years has completely changed his world view and understanding of what is important in life.
“We've
learned that media doesn't always portray places and people the way
that they deserve to be represented and there is often an ulterior
motive behind many of the things that we see on TV back home,” he added.
“We've
learned that despite our endless differences and fascinating cultural
uniqueness, we are all the same in this world. We all have the same core
values and we all love each other.
“We’re all human and we’re all
in this together. That’s probably the most important thing that we've
learned from travelling, and our life is better off just by knowing that
simple truth.”
He and Dariece have written advice for other
people considering making travelling a way of life and say they try to
make readers realise that what most people dismiss as a dream is, in
fact, attainable.
The couple sailing the Tobago Cays in St Vincent and The Grenadines
“We had barely left Canada before 2008 and now we’re travelling
full-time, and we had no idea what a blog was before creating ours and
now, Goats on the Road funds our travelling lifestyle,” Nick added.
When
asked what he would tell anyone considering making a similar move, this
was his advice: “If you really want change, then just jump towards a
world of freedom and adventure. Don’t put it off another day.
“Once you take the plunge, there are always safety nets that appear to cushion your fall.
“One thing is for sure, if you’re heading on the right path in your life, then everything will work out and fall into place.”
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Canadian couple quit their jobs to travel the world
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