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Budget Slow Travelers in Early Retirement

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NASA pic of the Philippines from space, with Malay, Aklan circled.

1 year, 10 months, in Malay, Aklan, Philippines

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
January 15, 2022January 16, 2022 Ellen No comments

I’m counting.

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A crystal ball on a beach at sunset gets Ellen thinking about travel predictions - and whether they came true.

Did these tourism and travel predictions come true?

  • budget travel
  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
  • travel experts
January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 Ellen 4 comments

Eleven predictions, 11 realities.

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Boracay has few tourists during the Omicron phase of the pandemic.

What’s happening on Boracay during Omicron phase

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
  • travel destinations
  • travel experts
January 13, 2022January 13, 2022 Ellen No comments

The famous island and nearby mainland are on Alert Level 3.

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The Bureau of Quarantine building in Kalibo and the WHO COVID vaccination certificates the department issues.

WHO COVID vaccination certificate in the Philippines

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
  • travel experts
January 12, 2022April 27, 2022 Ellen No comments

How foreigners vaccinated in this country can get the official card.

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Ati celebration in Malay, Aklan, Philippines..

Seasonal celebrations, a full social calendar, another special year

  • early retirement
  • slow travel
January 9, 2022January 10, 2022 Theo No comments

Theo’s third Christmas and New Year in the Philippines.

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Ellen gets boosted in the Philippines with a Pfizer shot in Malay, Aklan.

Boosters in the Philippines

  • COVID-19
  • health care abroad
  • slow travel
  • travel experts
January 8, 2022January 8, 2022 Ellen No comments

Navigating a process so unlike in the USA.

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Tourists walk on Boracay's White Beach with masks pulled down under their chins.

Boracay holiday vacations bring domestic tourists

  • COVID-19
  • travel destinations
December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 Ellen 1 comment

Ellen people watches on the island.

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Ellen & Tedly in Malay, Aklan, December 18, 2021.

December update: Odette, Omicron travel & boosters

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
December 18, 2021December 18, 2021 Ellen No comments

Life is good.

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Locals beached boats because of Typhoon Odette in the Philippines.

Waiting for Typhoon Odette in Malay, Aklan

  • early retirement
  • slow travel
  • travel experts
December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 Ellen No comments

Not our first rodeo with wild weather.

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Iloilo City proper with a jeepney full of passengers.

Solo trip to Iloilo City

  • budget travel
  • slow travel
  • travel destinations
  • travel experts
December 10, 2021December 10, 2021 Ellen 2 comments

Ellen boards a bus for the biggest city on Panay Island.

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cabo san lucas seen from a flight window

Travel lifestyle interrupted; God’s will confounds

  • COVID-19
  • life lessons
  • slow travel
November 30, 2021November 30, 2021 Ellen 1 comment

A week of ups and downs.

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Ati weaving supplies, like box cutters and measuring tapes.

Extraordinary Ati weaving projects underway

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
November 28, 2021November 28, 2021 Theo 2 comments

See what our Ati friends can make with these tools!

More
Tourists at the famous Willy's Rock on Boracay Island in the Philippines.

Tourism in the Philippines, China, boosters, travel plans

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
November 20, 2021November 20, 2021 Ellen 2 comments

Tourism is up, China attacks Philippine boats, and our travel plans.

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Caticlan supply store where we bought fishing nets for the Ati in Malay, Aklan, Phlippines.

Fishing nets for our Ati friends

  • COVID-19
  • slow travel
November 14, 2021November 14, 2021 Theo No comments

Another self-sustaining effort

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Theo and vaccinated Ati tribe members smile at the camera.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

  • commentary
  • slow travel
November 7, 2021November 7, 2021 Theo No comments

Updates from Malay, Aklan, Philippines.

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left, Ati school with barbed wire fence; right, Emma at the school

I said ‘No’ to the Ati

  • early retirement
  • slow travel
November 3, 2021November 3, 2021 Theo 2 comments

Theo didn’t like this request.

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Close up picture of a woman holding small rocks.

The work life of the rock ladies

  • COVID-19
  • life lessons
  • slow travel
October 30, 2021October 30, 2021 Ellen No comments

How much do you think they earn?

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Earth Vagabonds Ellen and Theo with Hermenia, a woman who took out a loan through Kiva in Malay, Aklan, Philippines.

Kiva loans in the Philippines far exceed other countries

  • early retirement
  • slow travel
October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 Ellen No comments

Filipinas are resourceful and driven.

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squid legs hang from theo's mouth

Squid Game in the Philippines

  • slow travel
October 24, 2021October 27, 2021 Theo No comments

It’s not exactly Netflix.

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3 palm trees

3 days, 3 vignettes

  • slow travel
October 20, 2021October 20, 2021 Ellen No comments

A pseudo ‘vignette’ post in the third person.

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Posts navigation

«Previous Posts 1 2 3 4 5 … 35 Next Posts»

BUDGET SLOW TRAVEL HACKS

  • How to travel cheap and handle problems
  • Living in Airbnb in early retirement
  • How to shortcut proof of onward travel – the legal ways

HEALTH CARE HITS

  • Cheap progressive eyeglasses
  • Prescriptions overseas
  • Ellen is a “flattie”

RETIREMENT FAVORITES

  • Do you need a million dollars to retire and travel the world?
  • Early retirement steps you can take right now
  • Best places to retire in the world on social security

IF WE CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT

  • ‘Travel the world in retirement’ pep talk
  • Our first COVID-era trip
  • 3 reasons to rent in retirement and travel the world

HOT SPOTS IN MEXICO

  • This is what brings expats to Mazatlan, Mexico
  • Exactly how to get to cool upriver waterfall in Yelapa
  • Useful Mexico City travel guide for savvy travelers
  • 5 great reasons why Mahahual is better than Tulum
  • Playa Balandra: Magical beach near La Paz, Mexico
  • What makes Zihuatanejo stand out as a unique place

LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES

  • Boracay Island in the Philippines
  • 10 reasons to love Filipino people and the Philippines
  • Extraordinary trip to Gigantes islands
  • Negros Oriental for retired budget travelers
  • Bohol Island, Philippines: Hot spots to visit
  • Bohol Island away from tourists

A FEW ADVENTURES

  • Challenging hike to see the Fuego volcano erupt
  • 7 Incredible waterfalls, thrilling cliff jumps in Bali
  • Adventurous waterfall jumps in the Philippines
  • Perfect dive spot on Panay Island
  • Bangkok to Hua Hin by bus in COVID era
  • Giant clams dazzle at Sunken Cemetery, Camiguin Isle
  • Ati tribe in upper village has power in Malay, Aklan!
  • Ati water pump project is HUGE success!
  • Shared wealth in the Ati world
  • A fantastic swim with whale sharks in La Paz

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Archives

RECENT POSTS

  • Passing time in Penang
  • Budget breakdown: Penang, Malaysia
  • Island Hospital in Penang: Expat review
  • Travel plans for the rest of 2022
  • ‘Authentic travel’ revelation
  • Early retirement to Malaysia: What life is really like here
  • Kuala Lumpur to Penang by train in COVID-era
  • Travel without medical insurance: Cost examples
  • Expat health care while traveling without insurance
  • Cost of living in Thailand for expats on a budget

SOCIAL MEDIA

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  • Passing time in Penang
  • Budget breakdown: Penang, Malaysia
  • Island Hospital in Penang: Expat review
  • Travel plans for the rest of 2022
  • ‘Authentic travel’ revelation

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