top of page



"Up North" in Japan: the relaxed vibe & natural beauty of Hokkaido
To read this post in Japanese, click here. 日本語での投稿はこちらからご覧いただけます。 Paul & I have lived many places during our 39-year marriage, but we...
Kimberly OLeary
Nov 6, 20236 min read


Osaka & a "sense of place" - we explore Paul's roots & find a comfortable space
I ask Paul why he likes being in Osaka so much. He says, so much of his life he has felt out of place. When he worked in Tokyo, he learned
Kimberly OLeary
Oct 21, 202310 min read


It's not just "rules"; finding community in Japan
But here's the thing. Paul tells me it's wasn't the fact that I "broke the rules" that upset the saleswomen. It was more that their job is
Kimberly OLeary
Sep 22, 202312 min read


Grappling with memories of a place we've never been before....our short time in Vietnam
Paul and I are children of the 1960's, part of a cohort called Generation Jones (born 1954-1964). We were the kids who grew up watching...
Kimberly OLeary
Sep 2, 202310 min read


3 easy & fun day trips from Kuala Lumpur
As we bid Kuala Lumpur adieu, I wanted to discuss several day trips we took when we were staying in KL. Each of them was fun & easy to arr
Kimberly OLeary
Aug 19, 20237 min read


A tale of two cities: Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (so alike, yet so different)
Singapore is smaller than KL in population (6 million compared to 8.6 million) but also in geography (710 sq. kilometers vs. 5194 sq. kilome
Kimberly OLeary
Aug 5, 202314 min read


With buoyant spirit, Fiji models reconciliation & a welcoming culture
We've been living in Suva, Fiji, for about a month. This small archipelago nation consisting of about 330 islands in the South Pacific...
Kimberly OLeary
May 27, 20238 min read


What is the most important element for a full-time traveler? (hint: it's not the brand of suitcase)
Paul and I have been on the road now for about 15 months. In many ways, full-time travel is living the dream. We're seeing places we've...
Kimberly OLeary
May 6, 202310 min read


For a slow traveler, it's the little things that make a city capital! Why we loved Wellington, NZ
When we tell people where we plan to travel next, we often get a reaction something like this: "Well, I don't know if there's enough to...
Kimberly OLeary
Apr 9, 20234 min read


Christchurch (Ōtautahi): the Resilience of Community
In 2011, the New Zealand city of Christchurch (Ōtautahi) experienced a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, killing 185 people and destroying...
Kimberly OLeary
Mar 25, 20235 min read


Riding the Rails, Kiwi-Style – a great way to see Beautiful New Zealand!
Paul and I have been to New Zealand several times, and we’ve visited some incredible spots in the past. Between 2015 and 2018, we had...
Kimberly OLeary
Mar 11, 20237 min read


Back in the Shire - the Waikato region of New Zealand, because we all need someone to lean on
“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached...
Kimberly OLeary
Feb 17, 20236 min read


Saying good-bye to Australia-let's not go 5 years the next time!
It's hard to believe it's been over two months since we returned to Australia, after almost five years away. We've loved every minute of...
Kimberly OLeary
Jan 28, 20233 min read


Because There’s No Plate Like Chrome for the Hollandaise! Christmas in Australia
A lot of people have asked me how we could spend so much time away from home, especially over the holidays. Like everything else about...
Kimberly OLeary
Dec 30, 20226 min read


Top 10 Reasons Why We love Melbourne!
We've been back in Melbourne for almost a month and are enjoying every day. We've had some time to reflect on what it is we love so much...
Kimberly OLeary
Dec 11, 20221 min read


Cruise photos part 2 - Samoa to Sydney, AU
These are the last of the photos from the cruise. I posted a photo album Seattle to Hawaii. I've also posted a lot of the Pacific...
Kimberly OLeary
Nov 13, 20222 min read


Nothing Special: It's Just Mountains on One Side, Ocean on the Other!
New Caledonia When we visited New Zealand for the first time, in 2016, we were planning a rare 3-day weekend and wanted to visit...
Kimberly OLeary
Oct 30, 20226 min read


Cruise photos (Seattle to Sydney via South Sea Islands) - Part 1: Seattle to the Hawaiian Islands
We boarded the Holland American line ship Westerdam in Seattle, Washington, USA on October 2. We left the port of Seattle and headed for...
Kimberly OLeary
Oct 24, 20222 min read


Wisconsin Rapids & Michigan
We traveled to Wisconsin Rapids late July. Here are photos from the area where where Paul's dad lived. In late September, we drove...
Kimberly OLeary
Sep 26, 20221 min read


Riding the Rails: Plusses & Minuses of Amtrak Empire Builder from Seattle to Wisconsin Dells
After several domestic flights characterized by delays, frenetic passengers, and cramped seats, I decided to take the train back to...
Kimberly OLeary
Sep 5, 20225 min read
bottom of page