Contact Earth Vagabonds – Ellen and Theo – budget slow travelers in early retirement.
Earth Vagabonds are Americans in Europe (again)
time zone = 6 hours ahead of New York – UTC/GMT +2 hours

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Please note: we no longer run the Facebook group for Budget Slow Travelers in Early Retirement. We gave the reins to Lydia and Jeffrey Nash.
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vagabond
Vagabond: (n) A person who wanders from place to place without a home or job. (adj) Having no settled home.
slow travel
Long-term stays; use buses and trains with infrequent flights; the faster you go the less you see.
early retirement
Latest posts and stories
June 15, 2025
June 12, 2025
June 8, 2025

Elephantine Island has 7,000 years of history, a million reasons to visit
Ellen
Another unforgettable experience on the world tour in early retirement.
June 8, 2025
June 4, 2025

Inside pyramids & tombs at Dahshur & Saqqara, with a stop in Memphis
Ellen
Adventures we’ve dreamed of for years!
June 4, 2025
June 1, 2025

Giza Pyramids shuttle system has 1 big fat flaw (but only 1)
Ellen
We found the flaw in search of Theo’s beer stop.
June 1, 2025
May 28, 2025

Our most insane itinerary ever
Theo
A complex journey with complications — and delights.
May 28, 2025
May 24, 2025

Grand Egyptian Museum: Budget slow travel spot for art history fans
Ellen
The wait was worth it.
May 24, 2025
May 20, 2025
May 12, 2025

Head-spinning summer plans for Earth Vagabonds
Theo
Slow travel & ‘fast travel’, because Life is Now.
May 12, 2025
April 30, 2025

More about Hua Hin – a Thailand destination we dig
Ellen
A favorite place on our budget slow travel world tour.
April 30, 2025
April 24, 2025
April 20, 2025
April 16, 2025

10-day silent meditation retreat at Dhamma Malaya
Ellen
Practicing the technique used by The Buddha.
April 16, 2025
April 13, 2025
April 9, 2025

Boycotts of American brands & uncomfortable questions for us travelers
Ellen
Palestine, tariffs, general WTF.
April 9, 2025
April 6, 2025

Indonesia expenses: Sumatra spending summary
Theo
The total for 3 people over 27 days.
April 6, 2025
March 30, 2025
March 25, 2025
March 18, 2025

Escape from reality: 5 Breathtaking views on a budget in Sumatra
Ellen
Coup? What coup?
March 18, 2025
March 9, 2025
March 2, 2025

Extraordinary two-day orangutan trek in Sumatra
Ellen
This type of adventure is why we travel in early retirement.
March 2, 2025
February 23, 2025

Port Dickson is quiet and peaceful for budget slow travelers
Ellen
Beaches are the best thing about small coastal city in Malaysia.
February 23, 2025
February 19, 2025

“Happy Birthday, Mom!”
Theo
Theo’s mom inspires him – and perhaps you will be inspired, too.
February 19, 2025
February 13, 2025

Kortn’s Crib: Video tour of our Airbnb in Port Dickson, Malaysia
Theo
See what $23 a night gets you!
February 13, 2025
February 5, 2025

2025 – Year of the Snake bite
Theo
Only .06% of people are bitten by snakes each year. This year, Ellen was one.
February 5, 2025
January 27, 2025

Affordable grocery prices in East Asia
Theo
See how much cheaper they are compared to the U.S.
January 27, 2025
January 20, 2025
January 17, 2025

Mom meets us in Malaysia
Theo
She’s the original budget slow traveler in the family.
January 17, 2025
January 11, 2025

Commentary: Yellow Journalism & Global North denial
Ellen
Hey – did you see the news?
January 11, 2025
January 8, 2025

2024 Total expenses for budget slow travel around the world
Theo
What we spent to live how we want to live.
January 8, 2025
January 3, 2025
December 30, 2024

Budget slow travel for under $2,500 a month in 2025
Ellen
Get the best housing deals & manage inflation.
December 30, 2024
December 25, 2024
December 22, 2024
December 16, 2024
December 11, 2024

Earthquake tour in Taroko – the world’s largest marble gorge
Ellen
Not for the fainthearted.
December 11, 2024
December 8, 2024
December 4, 2024

Health care and Greatest hits in Taipei
Ellen
Doctors and gods, noodles and coffee.
December 4, 2024
December 1, 2024
November 28, 2024
November 24, 2024

First impressions of Taipei for budget slow travel in early retirement
Ellen
A colorful & bustling democracy.
November 24, 2024
November 19, 2024

What it cost to live in Seoul 1 month as budget slow travelers
Theo
And the grand total is —-
November 19, 2024
November 16, 2024
November 11, 2024
November 2, 2024
October 31, 2024

Ancient city wall around Seoul for older budget slow travelers
Ellen
One of the best things about the mega city.
October 31, 2024
October 27, 2024

What it’s like for a traveler near the Korean border in these crazy times
Ellen
Keepin’ it real.
October 27, 2024
October 24, 2024

Korean DMZ: What it’s like and how to save money getting there
Theo
A changing, tense border region.
October 24, 2024
October 20, 2024
October 14, 2024

Gyeonju – Land of kings & Buddhas for budget slow travelers
Ellen
Lots to see, lots to explore.
October 14, 2024
October 10, 2024

7 Great reasons budget slow travelers should visit Busan, South Korea
Ellen
Good prices for a developed nation with plenty of attractions.
October 10, 2024
October 6, 2024

Back on budget in Busan
Theo
See what we spent for 30 nights in South Korea’s second largest city.
October 6, 2024
October 1, 2024

Breast Cancer ‘Detection’ Month
Ellen
A personal message to women of all ages everywhere.
October 1, 2024
September 27, 2024
September 20, 2024

‘Kortn’s Crib’ in Busan, South Korea
Theo
A video tour of one of the best deals we’ve ever had.
September 20, 2024
September 15, 2024
September 12, 2024
September 7, 2024
September 2, 2024
August 29, 2024

Budget breakdown: Travel in Japan
Ellen
Local and regional travel in the Land of the Rising Sun.
August 29, 2024