Us at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
We are Nick & Dariece, a 28-year-old couple from Canada and we are proud to say that we live the lifestyle of our dreams. We travel continuously, stopping only to teach English in our favorite destinations. We are constantly planning our next trip and we live our life by the moment. No nine-to-fives, no boss, no planning for retirement, no white picket fence, no mortgage and no debt.
Work once consumed us, there was a time when we had a mortgage and cars, good jobs and expensive things, but in realizing the futility of material possessions, we gained a new outlook on life itself.
We are the architects of our own lifestyle and we are here to convince you to construct a better one for yourself. Travel has become our passion and although we love it, we know that it is our easy, stress-free approach to life that really generates the happy couple you see blogging on this website.
Enjoying Cocktails At Sunset
We enjoy photography, tasting international cuisines, practicing yoga, trekking, laying on beaches, eating chocolate and drinking copious amounts of red wine. We’ve been searching the world for off the beaten path destinations, authentic cultures, exotic cuisines, beautiful beaches and wild adventures…all on a backpacker’s budget so we can continue living the dream. We’ve seen 35 countries in 4 continents, 4 Wonders Of The World and too many UNESCO Heritage Sites to count.
We now use this website to share our secrets from our 3 years of travelling to try to convince others to do the same. Our ultimate goal is to help others live a happier lifestyle and motivate people to try new things in life!
Why We Started Travelling:
Backpackers 4 Life!
In 2008 we were beginning to feel a little too “settled down” with good jobs, a home we loved, and a comfortable lifestyle. So, what did we decide to do? Drop everything and travel.
Saving Money!
We spent 13 months travelling through Southeast Asia, India, and Sri Lanka. After only a short time on the road we realised that travelling was how we were going to spend our lives. The things we saw and learned on that trip changed the way we thought about not only the world, but also our future.
When we returned to Canada in 2010 we knew we were on a mission to save as much money as possible to support our new passion.
Countries We’ve Visited
We’ve been on the road for the second time since February, 2011 and this time we don’t see it ending! One day we’d like to say we’ve seen the world, but we’ve got a long way to go.
FAQ’S:
Q: Why are you called “Goats On The Road”?
A: Because no matter where we have travelled in the world, there seems to be goats roaming the roads! Since the two of us are also on the road, we have since decided to call each other “Goat”…therefore, we are Goats On The Road.
Q: How can you afford to travel for so long?!
A: For our first year-long trip in 2008, we sold our house and saved a lot of money from working. For our second (and current trip) we again saved up our money from working and are now teaching english in China for a living. Click Here for tips on how to save money.
Q: Do you ever get bored with travelling the world?
A: Absolutely not! There are times when we feel a bit exhausted and just want to relax on a beach for a month or so, but no, we’re always excited to see and do new things each and every day. That’s the best part about backpacking, there’s always something new around each corner.
Q: How do you get around?
A: We always take local transport. Unless we absolutely have to fly (or for some reason it’s much cheaper), we always opt for land transportation. We get to see the country that way and get to mingle with the local people.
Q: What is your favourite country so far?
A: We don’t have a clear answer for that one. Each country is beautiful in its own way and has something to offer. However, the ones that stick in our minds the most are: Thailand, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Mozambique and Turkey.
Q: What are the weirdest things you’ve eaten on your travels?
A: Scorpion, maggot, toad, duck’s blood, cow stomach and ox tongue.
Us On The Train
Q: Where do you sleep?
A: We always go for a guesthouse/hostel/hut or some sort of accommodation that is cheap, has a funky vibe and lots of other like-minded backpackers around.
We’ve slept on plenty of planes, trains, cars and buses.
We stayed in a dorm room 2 times and hated every minute of it. We always go for private rooms. We find regular hotels to be boring.
Q: Have you ever been worried about your safety?
A: A few times. One time in Cambodia we were in a dangerous area at night…but it turned out to be nothing really. In Kenya we were held at knife point by a crazy, homeless man. Two other times Nick almost drowned – he fell down a waterfall in Laos and he was sucked out to sea by a rip-tide in Sri Lanka. We were also stalked by a tiger while hiking though Periyar Tiger Reserve, India.
Q: Have you ever had anything stolen or been robbed?
A: Never been robbed. But we have had a pair of sandals, an Ipod Touch and a dive mask stolen.
Q: How long will you keep backpacking for?
A: Forever! If possible. We want to continue to live abroad teaching English along the way. The ultimate goal is to continue on the success of our website and be professional bloggers that travel the world for a living!
Things We’ve Done:
Apart from quitting our jobs, selling our home and leaving Canada to pursue our dream of travelling, we have…
Snorkelled with Whale Sharks (Mozambique)
Majestic Leopard, Masai Mara
Gone on an African Safari (Masai Mara, Kenya)
Spent 3.5 weeks doing yoga and meditation at an Ashram (India)
Dove with Humpback Whales (Mozambique)
Trekked to 5,416 meters through the Himalaya Mountains on the Annapurna Circuit (Nepal)
Went on a 4 day camel safari (Thar Desert, India)
Floated in the Dead Sea (Jordan)
Seen 4 Wonders Of The World: Great Pyramids Of Giza, Egypt; Petra, Jordan; The Taj Mahal, India; and The Great Wall Of China, Beijing, China
Taught english in a rural village for a week (Naloy, Myanmar)
Dove the Blue Hole in the Red Sea (Dahab, Egypt)
Sailed up the great Nile River for 4 days (Aswan to Luxor, Egypt)
Stared in awe at the pile of rocks known as Stonehenge (England)
Seen the amazing temples at Ankor Wat (Cambodia)
Survived a deadly stomach virus (Monkey Bay, Malawi)
Koh Rong, Cambodia
Discovered the most beautiful island in the world (Koh Rong, Cambodia)
Seen the prehistoric Komodo Dragons (Rinca Island, Indonesia)
Lived out our Robinson Crusoe fantasies on deserted islands (Mozambique & The Philippines)
Spent 3 days on a rice barge houseboat sailing the Kerala Backwaters (Allepy, India)
Trekked deep into the jungle to spot wild Orangutans (Bukit Lawang, Indonesia)
Went sand-boarding down massive dunes in the Great Sand Sea (Egypt)
Seen the Parthenon (Athens, Greece)
Survived Dengue Fever (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)
Cuddled a full grown tiger (Chang Mai, Thailand)
Hiked a volcano for sunrise (Kintamani, Indonesia)
Wandered through the ancient ruins of Baalbek (Lebanon)
Went surfing (Lombok, Indonesia)
Rent A Car In South Africa
Attended an Indian Wedding (Rishikesh, India)
Rented a car and went on a 5 week road trip (South Africa)
Got tattoos in a foreign country (Koh Tao, Thailand)
Spotted rare Irrawady River Dolphins from a dug-out log canoe (Don Det, Laos)
Got a naked scrub-down from a complete stranger (Istanbul, Turkey)
Had an article published in South East Asia Backpacker Magazine
So now you know who we are, what we do and what we’re all about. We are now in China teaching English but the next big trip is always right around the corner. We will be adding to this list and to this website for years to come! Backpacking is our life, it’s what we love and it’s our passion! We want others to realize how easy it is to travel the world! We live by our own motto:
“Keep your life on your back and get more back from your life.”
If you’d like to learn more about our travels, you can check out our Stats Blog.
You can also Contact Us Here!
Who Are The Goats?,
it sounds like you guys are living mine and my wife’s dream! good for you guys, enjoy。
haha…everything is legal… Have a good time in People’s Republic of China.
We have been enjoying China Standy. It’s a great place to live because the people here are so friendly!
…you only live once! You thought about it, made sacrifices, and followed your hearts. There are people out there right now doing a fraction of what the both of you have done and are doing. Some people dream of what you are doing and through your blog they are living their dream. Congratulations guys! xoxo
Thanks Toni! We really Appreciate the words of encouragement!
You two sound like a couple I want to meet! I found your blog via your Photo of the Moment on Vagabondish, and I’m happy I did. Looking forward to the adventure.
P.S. Where in China are you? I’m currently near Guangzhou…
Thanks Jessica. Vagabondish is a great site as well. We are currently in Yangzhou teaching English! Are you living in China or travelling?
You are the most awesome couple ever and as an AIESECer/CouchSurfer/Journalist crazy about traveling, I can also say this is one of the most inspirational Blogs Ive seen in my life!… I recently moved to India and your posts about Asia are gonna be extremely helpful. Btw, I saw in the map you haven’t been to South America yet!!?? Are you saving it for dessert?? :P… Well, when you decide to it just let me know and if I happen to be in Colombia, would love to host you and show you my “Coffee Region” <3… Thumbs up guys!… Carry on! :)…
Wow Manuela, we really appreciate the kind words! We aim to be an inspiration for others, so we’re glad you think we are
Where in India are you living?
We are definitely planning to go to South America and Central America…soon! Colombia is high on the list. Thanks for the offer.
Cheers!
Goats On The Road recently posted…Top 10 Things To Do In The Philippines
Just found you guys! Love your site! Lots of great tips and posts here! We leave for our RTW in 96 days! We too are selling our house and quitting our good corporate jobs Were you teachers before? I am a tax auditor and Adam is an Engineer and we hope to travel for 2-3 years and then find jobs abroad (probably Asia). Thanks for any tips!
Hannah@Getting Stamped recently posted…Last Stop Munich!
Hi Hannah, Thanks for the comment!
Glad you’re enjoying our site, I took a look at your recent post and it sounds like you have a great trip planned. We weren’t teachers before. Dariece was a paralegal and I ran a printing press. It’s great that you guys are packing up and leaving it all behind! Great choice! We’ve never looked back and teaching in Asia is fun, rewarding and very easy to get jobs!
Enjoy you’re trip and keep us updated!
Nick & Dariece.
Goats On The Road recently posted…Top 10 Things To Do In The Philippines
Awesome site and love your blog’s name! It’s a testament to the places you’ve been if there are commonly goats on the road. That’s my kind of traveling! I noticed that you’ve spent a great deal of time in Africa and that’s a big stop on my list this year. Do you have any recommendations for elephant or animal refuges? I’ve heard there are some in Kenya, but any other thoughts or ideas? What was your favorite part of traveling in Africa? Any must-see places you recommend?
haha, ya, Goats On The Road definitely seemed like a fitting name for us! You’re right, we were in Africa for 5 or 6 months and loved it there – there were many ups and downs though, but the ups far outweighed the downs!
Check out 10 Reasons to travel to Africa:
http://goatsontheroad.com/10-reasons-to-travel-to-africa/
and…10 Downsides To African Travel
http://goatsontheroad.com/10-downsides-to-african-travel/
We didn’t go to any animal refuges while we were there, but we did see many animals in the wild while on safaris!
Hmmm, favourite part of Africa was the feeling that we were somewhere “out there”, you know? It’s a raw, wild continent and we felt that while we were there. The wildlife, the scenery, the landscapes and the memories are the best part. Mozambique and South Africa were our favourites, but the safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya and making it to Lamu Island there was also a highlight.
South Africa (all of it), Mozambique – especially the Quirimbas Archipelago in the north, Zanzibar in Tanzania, doing a safari are all recommendations!
Downsides were finding it hard to connect with some of the local people (feeling of racism towards us in a way) and the food in parts…oh, and looooong travel days on very uncomfortable modes of transport! But it’s all part of the journey.
Enjoy your trip! Email with any Q’s
Cheers,
Dariece
Goats On The Road recently posted…The Complete Travel Packing List For Women
Hi Guys!
I just came back from a week in cambodia and am going to Myanmar in July and came across your post!
it’s inspired me all over again!
I’m looking forward to an adventure in myanmar!
Keep up the travelling and all my best wishes to you!
Cheers
Thanks so much! Enjoy your trip to Myanmar, it’s an amazing country
Cheers and safe travels.
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