My name is Jeff!

Hey guys! Thanks for stopping by and checking out Life Of Y. I’m Jeff – just your average 30-something-year-old, Aruban born to Chinese parents, based in the UK, newbie blogger!
Like many people my age, I always thought that I had to go to university, get a good job and have a wife and kids by the time I was 25! Anybody reading this now would probably choke on their morning coffee (or tea, beer, vegan smoothie?) Funnily enough, this idea of ‘happily ever after’ faded quickly as I started to travel more!
My first ever trip away, as an adult, was a cheap last minute deal to The Dominican Republic and, despite being famous for its hotels and resorts, it really opened my eyes. I literally knew nothing about travel so when I saw armed guards at the hotel entrances, and poor villages whilst out on day trips, I suddenly realised that I had a lot to learn about the world.
Time to Travel
The idea of finishing university and having to work for the next fifty-odd years was slightly depressing. So I decided to spend six months abroad instead. Working wherever I could, and whenever (even Christmas Day) I eventually saved enough to start my ‘once in a lifetime’ travel adventure.
Beginning in Thailand (where else?), I spent a couple of months seeing beaches, temples and eating amazing street food before flying on to Australia. I worked and travelled my way around the country, (even doing the odd spot of fruit picking,) for seven months, before spending some time in New Zealand and, finally China before returning home.
So the six months abroad actually turned into a one year trip and I returned home with a lust for travel. Broke with no job, and friends who I hadn’t spoken to in a year. Settling back in definitely took some time but I found a way – plan another adventure!
Another Adventure
After hearing the many stories about Brazil from different travellers, I decided that I needed to see it for myself. So in June 2008 I landed in Rio de Janeiro! I spent a few weeks on a new continent visiting amazing cascading waterfalls, snorkelling crystal clear fresh water pools, fishing for piranha and enjoying (or not) a few too many shots of cachaça!
I then visited my sixth continent – Africa! Travelling overland from Nairobi, our group passed through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and finished in South Africa. As well as all the game drives in world famous national parks like The Serengeti, we also visited different tribes like the Maasai and the Himba, saw spectacular natural wonders like Victoria Falls and much, much more (did I mention that I jumped out of a plane?) I could honestly say that seeing Africa from a truck was one of the best things I ever did.
The Seven Wonders
Without even realising it at the time, I had already been to three out of the seven wonders. The Great Wall of China, Christ The Redeemer and the Colosseum.
I never even dreamed that one day I would ever see all seven wonders. I had ambitions to see Petra in Jordan and Machu Picchu in Peru and, in 2014, I saw both!
Jordan was the first Muslim country I had ever visited, and I loved every second of it! From the chaos of the capital, Amman, to the peaceful desert of Wadi Rum, and the highlight, of course, being Petra itself!
A few months later, I found myself travelling through a country where I was trekking (at altitude) the Inca Trail one day, and cruising through the Peruvian Amazon the next. The best thing about arriving at Machu Picchu after a 4 day trek is that you appreciate it so much more, especially after seeing the other tourists coming in off the bus in their nice clothes and high heels!!
Whilst I’m a firm believer that travel is not about checking off lists, with only the Taj Mahal and Chitzen Itza of the seven wonders to see, I took it as ‘an excuse’ to explore India and Mexico. Two countries that had so much more to offer than just Goa and Cancun!
How I Could Afford to Travel
The simple answer is, I love travelling! When I returned from my year long trip in 2007, I felt lost. I was back at my parents’ house, in the town I grew up in, surrounded by familiar people. Yet something was different. It was me! Since then travelling has kind of become my hobby… my priority.
My friends were already ‘going places’ in their careers, buying their dream houses and driving their dream vehicles. What was I doing? Working all hours from one job to another (often minimum wage,) spending as little money as I could, buying only the essentials, so that I could go on another travel adventure.
I learned early on that travelling can be done on a budget, paying just £5 for my first night in Thailand in a room that had a bed, shower and a toilet that was flushed with a bucket of water. There was no air-con, tv or mini fridge – who needs all that crap when there’s a whole world to explore outside?! I’ve picked up a lot of travel tips since then I’ve always enjoyed staying in budget accommodation, like hostels, eating delicious local food and meeting the characters on the local buses!
Still Travelling
Even though I’m not a 21-year-old backpacker anymore (*cries) I still try to travel like one. Except that these days I go on adventures to dream destinations with my ‘travel partner in crime!’ We both have to endure full-time jobs so we make the most out of the annual leave available to us!

Twenty odd days of annual leave might not seem like a lot (that’s because it isn’t) but, with careful planning, we still managed to satisfy our thirst for travel, just! In the last three years we’ve had long weekends in Edinburgh (twice,) Barcelona, Paris, Budapest, Cinque Terra, Brussels, Andalusia, Matera, Berlin, Amalfi Coast and Dublin, as well as longer trips to Norway, Croatia, Slovakia, Iceland and Madagascar.
Being based in the UK, we’ve also started to explore the beautiful old cities and spectacular coastlines right in our own backyard. Even with our full-time jobs at home, we didn’t need to ‘leave it all behind’ or ‘give it all up’ to travel. Not yet anyway!

The Blog
If you didn’t already know, I have a passion for travel! I want to share this passion with you guys. When I started travelling I was a complete amateur. Earning my travel badges ‘on the go’ was fun and scary at the same time. Now I can tell you all about my experiences, good and bad. More importantly, I want to express my opinions as honestly and openly as I can. After all, travelling isn’t always beers in the sun and yoga on the beach.
Travel can and will cost money, as with most things in life. I can’t tell you to spend your hard earned money on travel instead of buying your dream car, but if you’re reading this then you’re probably thinking of it already! I didn’t win the lottery when I started travelling, I just wanted to. If someone like me can travel to so many amazing places then surely you can too?! I hope this blog can inspire you and turn your travel dreams into travel plans!
I really like your web! Good job!
Thanks Alicja! The hard work is slowly paying off!
Dear Jeff, what a great blog – very, very inspiring! Beautiful pictures, reports etc.
I especially loved to read how you made travelling being an important part of your life – giving so much more than a dream car. What is it, that will have fulfilled you, in the end of your life? And it makes you a different human – just as you said! I lived in Africa as a child and teen and travelling has been important to me all my life – also with my husband and kids, starting when they were little. Now I’m 54 and stressed out by daily life. And now your impact: You wrote: Don’t live your life to a schedule. Schedule time to live your life! This was like an eyeopener to me, being caught up in living my life to a schedule in the last years and not even noticing, but not being happy with it. Thank you for that!!! I printed it out (yes, with your name of course – I’m a teacher:)), put it right above my desk and keep looking at it, making plans again. I hope you can always keep that up with your partner, also with kids it’s not really a problem. But one sometimes has to be remínded by an inspirational soul like you, not to forget or give up on it! All the best for you Jeff! You’re a great person, I really admire your attitude. And thanks again!
Hi there Nicole! Thank you very much for your kind words! I must admit you put a massive smile on my face when you told me you printed out my quote 🙂 It makes me really happy that I can have a positive influence on people. I know for sure that you, as a teacher, must have a positive effect on people’s lives everyday. Even if they don’t know it. Don’t worry, me and Zuzi always have plans to travel but we also know the value of living in the moment and appreciating the present. I hope that you have some amazing plans for the future (and present) and that you and your family continue this great adventure called life! All the best to you Nicole!
i love your blog. its very exciting and encouraging, seeing your amazing picture and your report is mind blowing and I’d love to learn more from you and travel too. i am unfortunate, i never flew in a plane ever (maybe because i am afraid of heights?)yet i love adventure. my dream places to visit are Zimbabwe, New Zealand , Turkey and Norway. other then that, i will still want to travel anywhere in the world.
Hi Angelica. Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it. That’s very unfortunate that you’ve never flew on a plane. I promise you it’s not as scary as it looks! You won’t even feel like you’re very high! The world is an amazing place and I hope that you will get a chance to discover all its wonders one day!
Hi Jeff,
I just want to say that after stumbling on your blog (after searching for images of the Avenue of the Baobabs) I’m clicking around your various articles and think it’s well-written, fun and absolutely fantastic!!
I just want to say how much appreciation I have for travel loving bloggers like you who generously give up their precious time to type these articles and provide such useful tips and advice to others. It’s been fantastic insight to get a good insight of a few of the countries I’m looking at booking right now!
All the best from a fellow UK travel lover. And if you want any Cambridge mini break advice, let me know!