UGH!

So today I sold alot of stuff from my house and packed alot of the stuff I plan on keeping. I loaded my new house, the van, full of boxes and for where I'll be storing my stuff. On the way I stopped for coffee and when I came back out the van wouldn't start!!! Luckily the guy I bought it from is a Mobile Mechanic and he came and replaced the battery. He put a re-furbished alternator in it before I bought it and he said he thinks its bad. So tomorrow he's going to fix it. So thats one day down with not so much accomplished. I think i'm gonna load the jeep up and head to storage so its not a complete waste of a day.
Travel Plans: I've also talked to some people who have lived in N. Zealand and traveled alot. Apparently Nepal and N. Zealand are going to be freezing when i'm there and India might be during Monsoon season. My former bosses wife is a travel agent and she suggested I buy a ticket to N. Zealand and then just get one way tickets independently from there to where ever I want to go. Or she also suggested a "Circle the Pacific" ticket for around $2000 that would allow me Australia, N. Zealand, Fiji, Thailand..and such. Then if I wanted I could take train/bus/independent flights while i'm using that ticket. Sooo much to think about. I'm a little confused!?!?!

"Van Guy"

So here's the latest developments... Today I found out that I no longer have until the 10th of July to move out, but that I have to be out by the first?!?! That gives me ten days, however I have a very full schedule and I'm leaving to Kaho`olawe on the 29th to return on the 2nd of July. So really I'm down to 8 days. I haven't even begun to pack or get rid of my stuff. Needless to say this next 8 days is going to be very crazy!
I've looked more into travel and apparently I should cut out South America, cause its gonna drive my flight cost up at least another $1000. I'm also thinking about cutting out Africa and traveling a lil more in Asia and Europe since I'll already be in those continents? Today I began looking into what countries I will need a VISA to visit and already received my VISA for Australia.
Another new development and title of this post is, I am now a officially a "Van Guy". Yep, that's right. I bought a full size cargo van($1200) today and it will be my home for the next few months til I leave Maui. I'll post pictures of it in the next post.

Flight Itinerary

Ok so my initial dream itinerary was: Maui -New Zealand-Sydney,Aust- Bali, Indo- Thailand- Nepal- South Africa- Buenos Aires- Maui. Yesterday I started researching flights and the first website (Airtreks.com) quoted me $5,200- 7,800 depending on my dates. They also added in the following places, which i can stay over in or just get a quick layover: Kuala Lumpur, Delhi, London, San Jose, LA. However with them i would have to buy my own ticket to Honolulu and back to Maui. Today I called (airbrokers.com) and was quoted $5,300 for the following route: Honolulu-Fiji-Auckland -Sydney-Bali-Singapore -Bangkok-Kathmandu-Bangkok-Johannesburg-London-Honolulu. Again I would have to buy my ticket to Honolulu and back. Tonight I found a company called OneWorld, they offer up to 16 stops in 3 continents $3,900, 4 Continents $4,100, 5 Continents $4,900. With them I can start from Maui and I only have to confirm the dates/location for my first flight. I can make the rest up as I go!!! Some minor fee's might apply the for that kind of flexibility I'm willing to pay a lil more. The downside is that without having a fixed schedule... I might not come back for a while :) I'm gonna call them tomorrow!! If anyone else knows secrets about how to get the best fare/route for traveling the world, please let me know!!!

How did this all come about?

How did this all come about?: I just recently returned from an 18 day vacation to Atlanta and Florida. The purpose of this trip was to attend my graduation ceremony, be home for mothers day, and possibly buy an investment property. I had saved $10,000 for a down payment, but prior to leaving on my vacation I decided it would make more sense to pay off the remaining $7,000 of debt I owed. On the plane home I had mixed emotions about returning to Maui. I absolutely LOVE living on Maui, however I was having a good time in Florida and could have stayed another week or so. The only reason I had to return was so I could get back to work so I'd have money to pay rent. The thought occurred, "wouldn't it be nice not to have to pay rent". There are a lot of homeless people in Hawaii due to the expensive cost of living and housing prices, cuppled with the amazing weather year round. After returning home I found to my surprise that I wasn't missing much work. With the economy in bad shape, the cost of fuel and the fact that Hawaii recently lost two major airlines, tourism on Maui is down at least 20%. I work as a Kayak Guide, Surf Instructor and Photographer. All are have been directly affected. Today is June 12, I returned on May 18th and I've only worked 5 days since being back. Two days ago I found out my landlord is moving to O'ahu and that I won't be able to continue to live at my place and I have exactly 30 days to move out (July 10th). I've spent the remainder of my saved money this past month and only have a small cushion left. All of a sudden living in my tent began to look like a really good idea! I had the idea that I would do for just a month or two, as an experiment. Then I thought that since there isn't much work on Maui maybe it would be a good time to travel. I've always wanted to travel internationally. With the exception of Canada, I've never been out of the U.S. So long story short I've decided to give away, sell and store all my personal belongings and live out of my tent/jeep for the next few months. With the money I save I will be buying plane tickets to travel the world. As of now I'm thinking about New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Indo, Africa, Mexico. However I'm open to whatever the universe presents to me on my travels. I plan to couch surf, camp and stay in hostels while traveling. Without having to pay rent, on Maui, while I'm gone I will have more money to travel and nothing holding me back from traveling as long as I need to. I feel that the universe has opened this opportunity and I need to take advantage of it. If I don't do this now I probably never will. If you wish you would have done this at some point in your life but didn't, this is your chance to live vicariously through me. I will be posting blogs, pictures and much more. Starting with my "Homeless/Camping" adventures on Maui and all the way through my world travels and my return home. If you would like to assist me on my travels it would be greatly appreciated and I will post another blog detailing ways you can help. A Hui Ho (until we meet again) -Tim The Traveler

Traveling the World!!!

Aloha Friends, Family and Complete Strangers!!!
On July 10th 2008 I have to move out of my beautiful 1 bedroom Ohana in Maui Meadows, HI. Rather than find a new residence I decided to have a new experience. I have lived on Maui for 4 years, 3 of those years on the South side and one year in Wailuku. For the next few months I will live on Maui, but not in a fixed location. Rather I will be camping on beaches and sleeping in my jeep. Once I've saved enough money I'll be taking off for a few months to travel the World. Some would ask "what? you are going to be homeless!?" My answer is "No, I'm just traveling :)" Please check back often, as I will be blogging my entire experience: from homelessness on Maui, around the world travels, and my return home!!! Pass this link on to your friends as well. You can all live vicariously through me:)