Hey there, folks! So, about five weeks back, I set off from France on my trusty 2009 Transalp 700, with Japan as my first stop on this epic journey. It’s been a wild ride so far, let me tell you. I made the bold move of quitting my job a couple of years ago, and since then, I’ve been crashing with family here and there. I spent the last half-year selling off pretty much all my belongings in preparation for this adventure. And let me tell you, I’m going all in on this trip – no set end date, no specific goal other than to live life to the fullest, learn, grow, and experience everything along the way. Oh, and when I say I have virtually no budget, I mean I’m ready to throw all my savings into this journey.
I made a conscious decision to leave the GoPro behind – well, I actually sold it. This time around, I want to focus on being fully present in the moment, soaking up all the sights, sounds, and experiences around me. In my past travels, I struggled to really connect with the locals, partly due to my introverted nature and the rush of trying to cover long distances in short timeframes. But things are different now. I’m trading work for food and shelter, immersing myself in local communities, and aiming to extend my journey as far as I can.
I briefly considered keeping a journal, but honestly, I don’t see the point this time. This trip is deeply personal and intimate, and I want to savor every moment without the distraction of documenting it all. I’ve already dabbled in writing about my adventures, like that book I penned about my tour of Morocco, but its significance is kinda questionable. Sure, writing it was fulfilling, but the book itself? Meh, not so much.
In just a few days, I’ll be hopping on a ferry from Milos island in Greece to Crete for my next work gig. I’ve got my sights set on exploring southern Turkey in early 2026, and then pushing further east as the temperatures warm up. So, as I continue on this incredible journey, my motto remains: ride safe and embrace the unknown.