Two Wandering Soles
  • Meet Katie & Ben About Two Wandering Soles Personal Stuff FAQ Portfolio & Press
  • Start Here
  • Responsible Travel
  • Destinations
  • Van Life
  • Blog
  • Travel Planning Travel Gear Travel Tips Budget Travel Travel Photography Teach English Abroad Expat Life Start A Blog
  • Work With Us Say Hello Guest Posts
Two Wandering Soles
  • About Us/
    • Meet Katie & Ben
    • About Two Wandering Soles
    • Personal Stuff
    • FAQ
    • Portfolio & Press
  • Start Here/
  • Responsible Travel/
  • Destinations/
  • Van Life/
  • Blog/
  • Explore More/
    • Travel Planning
    • Travel Gear
    • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Teach English Abroad
    • Expat Life
    • Start A Blog
  • Contact/
    • Work With Us
    • Say Hello
    • Guest Posts
Two Wandering Soles

Responsible and Adventurous Travel on Any Budget

Blog

Read our stories, see our photos and come along on the adventure with us by following our travel blog.

Two Wandering Soles
  • About Us/
    • Meet Katie & Ben
    • About Two Wandering Soles
    • Personal Stuff
    • FAQ
    • Portfolio & Press
  • Start Here/
  • Responsible Travel/
  • Destinations/
  • Van Life/
  • Blog/
  • Explore More/
    • Travel Planning
    • Travel Gear
    • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Teach English Abroad
    • Expat Life
    • Start A Blog
  • Contact/
    • Work With Us
    • Say Hello
    • Guest Posts
Travel Hacks E-Book
November 26, 2014

DSC_4921.JPG

November 26, 2014/
November 26, 2014/
  • EPIK Life Video Contest Winner
  • Top 12 Travel Items

Read More

Featured
How to Save $22,000 in One Year Teaching English in South Korea
How to Save $22,000 in One Year Teaching English in South Korea

How can you save $22,000 teaching in South Korea too? This is a breakdown of just how much life in Korea will cost you, and how much you should expect to save. Plus, we're sharing our best tips for saving money in South Korea!

Featured
Our Favorite Money-Saving Travel Resources
Our Favorite Money-Saving Travel Resources

This list of resources and gear will save you money and time on your next trip. They have saved us hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars during our travels. Start saving money today!

Featured
22 Cheap Travel Hacks You Can Use Right Now
22 Cheap Travel Hacks You Can Use Right Now

If you dream of traveling but don’t know how you can afford it, you’ve come to the right place! We’re sharing all our cheap travel tips that have allowed us to explore the world, even while paying off student loans! This guide will explain exactly how you can afford travel, even if you’re broke right now.

21 Brilliant Travel Hacks E-Book
Blog RSS

  • About Us/
    • Meet Katie & Ben
    • About Two Wandering Soles
    • Personal Stuff
    • FAQ
    • Portfolio & Press
  • Start Here/
  • Responsible Travel/
  • Destinations/
  • Van Life/
  • Blog/
  • Explore More/
    • Travel Planning
    • Travel Gear
    • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Teach English Abroad
    • Expat Life
    • Start A Blog
  • Contact/
    • Work With Us
    • Say Hello
    • Guest Posts

Two Wandering Soles

Two Wandering Soles is a fun, inspiring and award-winning travel blog created by Katie and Ben, a couple who is passionate about responsible and adventurous travel around the world. Find travel tips and money-saving advice for eco-friendly and sustainable travel on any budget. 

About Us Katie and Ben

Hi there, we're Katie & Ben!

We seek adrenaline rushes, good food, authentic experiences and adventures off the typical tourist path. 

Follow along for responsible & adventurous travel tips, and inspiration that'll get you packing your bags.

Read our full story…

Instagram

Yes, THAT famous Insta shot ✨ Does this viewpoint pop up in your feeds as much as it pops up in mine? I think I see it on a weekly basis 😂 . Whether we like it or not, Instagram has become a huge part of each and every one of our lives. [Even if you don’t have an account.] . Bali is a prime example of this. In the past few years, certain viewpoints (like this one overlooking Kelingking Beach) have become “Insta famous”. And you don’t have to go far in Bali to see structures that were literally built for the ‘gram: swings over the rice terraces or painted walls at restaurants that people flock to for the shot. . And it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hear me out… . We could all go on and on about how Instagram has changed the world in a negative way. Been there, done that. (And probably will do that again!) But let’s take a moment and focus on the GOOD aspects. [Stop rolling your eyes!] . Think of the jobs Instagram has created. While driving to this viewpoint, we saw a wooden structure overlooking the ocean with a sign that read “Take a photo: 5,000 rupiah!”. There was a family sitting there as a few passersby formed a queue. Anyone with a little creativity can become an entrepreneur. . Instagram allows us to connect with others whom we’ve never met (and maybe will never meet IRL) and bond over shared interests, create friendships and form communities. . Anyone can have a platform. And when enough people stand behind the same message, it can spread awareness to important issues like reducing our impact on the environment 🍃 #plasticfree , respecting and learning about #nativelands , and embracing a #bodypositive attitude. . And in its simplest form, Instagram allows us to see places we never knew existed. We can make plans to go there, or we can simply enjoy them through someone else’s eyes. . What do you think about how Instagram has changed our world? Have you experienced any of the good?
The past 3 days were absolute magic ✨ . We took a little trip down to an island south of Bali called Nusa Penida and we mostly stayed offline because our cell service was weak and there were too many adventures to be had. . We spent the days exploring the island on a motorbike and driving on the cRaZiesT roads (if you saw our Insta stories you know what I’m talking about 🙈). . We went to postcard perfect beaches and drove through sweet hilltop villages where children waved and their parents asked if we needed directions (apparently we always look lost?!). . We drank mojitos and watched sunset and swam in natural spring-fed pools. We peered off the edge of some of the most epic cliffside views we’ve seen and we snorkeled in crystal clear waters. . Can’t wait to share more stories and pictures from this perfect little trip! . A HUGE thank you to our friend @ringabiketours for the tips. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, he’s your man!
Each day we make many decisions, and they all have effects... . The way we treat people. The companies we support. The food we eat. The clothing we buy. The waste we create. The messages we tell ourselves. . The effects can be either positive or negative. And we have the POWER to decide which it will be. . We have the power to “vote” with our money and purchase from companies who are doing good things in the world. OR we can keep supporting companies that are contributing to pollution and unethical labor practices. . We have the power to respect this Earth we all call home and to educate ourselves how we can do better. OR we can just roll our eyes and expect the next person to do something about it. . We have the power to talk to ourselves with love and to treat others with kindness (even when we don’t feel like it). OR we can keep telling ourselves hurtful lies and pass that negativity on to everyone we meet. . Each and every single one of us has a lot more power than we might think. Use that power. Use it for GOOD ✨
The Universe is constantly showing me that there is more good in this world than bad. And today I had yet another little reminder ✨ . I did something stupid today. Really stupid. . We went to our favorite little juice stand to get out of the midday heat and we waited while the sweet woman who owns this roadside shop got our juice ready (PS carrot + pineapple + ginger + lime = best combo everrrr!) . I was distracted by the deliciousness and we said goodbye without really thinking. After driving 5 minutes down the road, I realized I left my backpack at the stand. With both of our laptops inside. I told you I did something stupid. . As Ben turned the motorbike around, I was actually pretty calm. But then we hit some traffic, and I realized our external hard drive with allllllll of our photos/documents/life was inside the bag too. Cue minor freak out 😳 . When we finally got back to the stand, there was a guy sitting where we had been and the bag was gone. My heart sank. . Then, rushing out of the door waving frantically at us, comes the woman who owns this little shop, dragging beside her my purple backpack -- too heavy with our electronics for her to lift. . Yes, we got lucky this time (lesson learned). But this is yet another reason I wholeheartedly believe that there are more good people out there than bad. And if you take a moment to look, you'll see all the beautiful strangers who have your back and expect nothing in return. . Now go out into this world and look out for others. We all have opportunities to make someone's day. Seize them ✨
👯‍♀️ Sisters make the best friends. . Okay, Shannon is "technically" Ben's sister, but I've known her since the age of 16 when I started dating her nerdy older brother. So I consider her my sister too 💛 . She pushes me to follow my dreams without compromising my values. She reminds to believe in myself and not to doubt. She reminds me to tell people I love them, because we might not always have the chance. . Sisters aren't always related by blood. And they don't always come from the same family. They might live halfway around the world. . But one thing is always true: Sisters bring out the best in you and allow you to see yourself for the beautiful, talented person you are ✨ . Sending love to all my sisters around the world. . 👯‍♀️ Tag your sisters (blood related or not!) below! . Love you @shannonzwebercarey 💛
You’re my PERSON. . You’re the person who takes care of my when I’m sick (happened just this week!) 😷 . The person who makes me light up when I’m sad and laugh for REAL. Eye crinkles and all. . You’re the person who knows my faults and loves me still. And you’re the person who makes me see the best parts of myself. . You’re the person who knows my dreams and makes me chase them even when I’m scared. . You’re the person who hides ketchup when it’s delivered to the table because you know how much I hate it 🤢 . No matter how much time we spend together, I’m still not sick of you. Which is impressive considering we’ve lived in a tiny van and spend pretty much 24/7. . You’re the person I want to grow old with because I can’t imagine anyone else by my side on this wild journey 💛 #nospecialoccasion #justfeelingmushy . 😎 @we_are_sungod
I’m not the best writer in the world, nor am I the best photographer. And I'm certainly not the best at coming up with clever Instagram captions. There's a lot that I'm not the best at. . But I AM the best person to share my unique story. Nobody else can do that as well as me. How powerful is that? . The same is true for you ✨ . Go be the best version of yourself you can be. Because nobody can do it better.
One year ago we made a big decision. We moved to Chiang Mai and took the leap to work full time on our blog. . We were bright-eyed and excited, but also nervous as hell. We were both filled with doubt and a million questions we couldn’t answer. What if we fail? What if we run out of money? What if we don’t like working for ourselves? But for us, the thought of never giving it a shot was scarier than failure. . In the year since that first day we rolled up to a coffee shop with our laptops, we have learned so much. Both the technical, boring stuff I’m not going to bore you with here, and also the big picture things you learn about yourself when you push past the edge of your comfort zone: . 1) I’ve learned to ask for help. Over the last year, that has meant asking for advice from people who’ve been there and it’s also meant hiring someone to help us with tasks that were overwhelming us. I only wish I would have asked for help sooner. . 2) I’ve realized that learning is never over. In order to be an expert on any topic, you have to commit to being a lifelong student. . 3) I’ve learned to be proud of how far we’ve come. Growing up in the Midwest, we’re often told to be humble and underemphasize our wins. I’m still working on getting over this, but I’m pretty damn proud that Ben and I have created a business where we get to work together on something we’re both passionate about. We’ve created freedom for ourselves and are able to support ourselves financially while also paying student loans. A few years ago, I never would have been able to imagine this life we’ve created. . Even though we’ve come a long way in those 365 days, we still have a long way to go. But if the next year is anything like this one, I can’t wait to see how much we will have grown in one year from today. . What have you learned in the last year? How is your life different than you thought it would be one year ago?

Search the Site

Wander with us

Sign up for our email list

Name *
Name

Thanks for signing up to our email list. Before you go on your next trip, check out our favorite travel resources and gear to spend less and experience more!

21 Brilliant Travel Hacks E-Book

Popular Articles

Don’t You Dare Travel Without This Travel Insurance
How We Afford to Travel and how you can too!
Our Favorite Money Saving Travel Resources and Tips

WELCOME TO OUR INSTA WORLD

Follow our wandering soles around the world & watch our everyday stories.

Yes, THAT famous Insta shot ✨ Does this viewpoint pop up in your feeds as much as it pops up in mine? I think I see it on a weekly basis 😂 . Whether we like it or not, Instagram has become a huge part of each and every one of our lives. [Even if you don’t have an account.] . Bali is a prime example of this. In the past few years, certain viewpoints (like this one overlooking Kelingking Beach) have become “Insta famous”. And you don’t have to go far in Bali to see structures that were literally built for the ‘gram: swings over the rice terraces or painted walls at restaurants that people flock to for the shot. . And it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hear me out… . We could all go on and on about how Instagram has changed the world in a negative way. Been there, done that. (And probably will do that again!) But let’s take a moment and focus on the GOOD aspects. [Stop rolling your eyes!] . Think of the jobs Instagram has created. While driving to this viewpoint, we saw a wooden structure overlooking the ocean with a sign that read “Take a photo: 5,000 rupiah!”. There was a family sitting there as a few passersby formed a queue. Anyone with a little creativity can become an entrepreneur. . Instagram allows us to connect with others whom we’ve never met (and maybe will never meet IRL) and bond over shared interests, create friendships and form communities. . Anyone can have a platform. And when enough people stand behind the same message, it can spread awareness to important issues like reducing our impact on the environment 🍃 #plasticfree , respecting and learning about #nativelands , and embracing a #bodypositive attitude. . And in its simplest form, Instagram allows us to see places we never knew existed. We can make plans to go there, or we can simply enjoy them through someone else’s eyes. . What do you think about how Instagram has changed our world? Have you experienced any of the good?
The past 3 days were absolute magic ✨ . We took a little trip down to an island south of Bali called Nusa Penida and we mostly stayed offline because our cell service was weak and there were too many adventures to be had. . We spent the days exploring the island on a motorbike and driving on the cRaZiesT roads (if you saw our Insta stories you know what I’m talking about 🙈). . We went to postcard perfect beaches and drove through sweet hilltop villages where children waved and their parents asked if we needed directions (apparently we always look lost?!). . We drank mojitos and watched sunset and swam in natural spring-fed pools. We peered off the edge of some of the most epic cliffside views we’ve seen and we snorkeled in crystal clear waters. . Can’t wait to share more stories and pictures from this perfect little trip! . A HUGE thank you to our friend @ringabiketours for the tips. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, he’s your man!
Each day we make many decisions, and they all have effects... . The way we treat people. The companies we support. The food we eat. The clothing we buy. The waste we create. The messages we tell ourselves. . The effects can be either positive or negative. And we have the POWER to decide which it will be. . We have the power to “vote” with our money and purchase from companies who are doing good things in the world. OR we can keep supporting companies that are contributing to pollution and unethical labor practices. . We have the power to respect this Earth we all call home and to educate ourselves how we can do better. OR we can just roll our eyes and expect the next person to do something about it. . We have the power to talk to ourselves with love and to treat others with kindness (even when we don’t feel like it). OR we can keep telling ourselves hurtful lies and pass that negativity on to everyone we meet. . Each and every single one of us has a lot more power than we might think. Use that power. Use it for GOOD ✨
The Universe is constantly showing me that there is more good in this world than bad. And today I had yet another little reminder ✨ . I did something stupid today. Really stupid. . We went to our favorite little juice stand to get out of the midday heat and we waited while the sweet woman who owns this roadside shop got our juice ready (PS carrot + pineapple + ginger + lime = best combo everrrr!) . I was distracted by the deliciousness and we said goodbye without really thinking. After driving 5 minutes down the road, I realized I left my backpack at the stand. With both of our laptops inside. I told you I did something stupid. . As Ben turned the motorbike around, I was actually pretty calm. But then we hit some traffic, and I realized our external hard drive with allllllll of our photos/documents/life was inside the bag too. Cue minor freak out 😳 . When we finally got back to the stand, there was a guy sitting where we had been and the bag was gone. My heart sank. . Then, rushing out of the door waving frantically at us, comes the woman who owns this little shop, dragging beside her my purple backpack -- too heavy with our electronics for her to lift. . Yes, we got lucky this time (lesson learned). But this is yet another reason I wholeheartedly believe that there are more good people out there than bad. And if you take a moment to look, you'll see all the beautiful strangers who have your back and expect nothing in return. . Now go out into this world and look out for others. We all have opportunities to make someone's day. Seize them ✨
👯‍♀️ Sisters make the best friends. . Okay, Shannon is "technically" Ben's sister, but I've known her since the age of 16 when I started dating her nerdy older brother. So I consider her my sister too 💛 . She pushes me to follow my dreams without compromising my values. She reminds to believe in myself and not to doubt. She reminds me to tell people I love them, because we might not always have the chance. . Sisters aren't always related by blood. And they don't always come from the same family. They might live halfway around the world. . But one thing is always true: Sisters bring out the best in you and allow you to see yourself for the beautiful, talented person you are ✨ . Sending love to all my sisters around the world. . 👯‍♀️ Tag your sisters (blood related or not!) below! . Love you @shannonzwebercarey 💛
You’re my PERSON. . You’re the person who takes care of my when I’m sick (happened just this week!) 😷 . The person who makes me light up when I’m sad and laugh for REAL. Eye crinkles and all. . You’re the person who knows my faults and loves me still. And you’re the person who makes me see the best parts of myself. . You’re the person who knows my dreams and makes me chase them even when I’m scared. . You’re the person who hides ketchup when it’s delivered to the table because you know how much I hate it 🤢 . No matter how much time we spend together, I’m still not sick of you. Which is impressive considering we’ve lived in a tiny van and spend pretty much 24/7. . You’re the person I want to grow old with because I can’t imagine anyone else by my side on this wild journey 💛 #nospecialoccasion #justfeelingmushy . 😎 @we_are_sungod
I’m not the best writer in the world, nor am I the best photographer. And I'm certainly not the best at coming up with clever Instagram captions. There's a lot that I'm not the best at. . But I AM the best person to share my unique story. Nobody else can do that as well as me. How powerful is that? . The same is true for you ✨ . Go be the best version of yourself you can be. Because nobody can do it better.
One year ago we made a big decision. We moved to Chiang Mai and took the leap to work full time on our blog. . We were bright-eyed and excited, but also nervous as hell. We were both filled with doubt and a million questions we couldn’t answer. What if we fail? What if we run out of money? What if we don’t like working for ourselves? But for us, the thought of never giving it a shot was scarier than failure. . In the year since that first day we rolled up to a coffee shop with our laptops, we have learned so much. Both the technical, boring stuff I’m not going to bore you with here, and also the big picture things you learn about yourself when you push past the edge of your comfort zone: . 1) I’ve learned to ask for help. Over the last year, that has meant asking for advice from people who’ve been there and it’s also meant hiring someone to help us with tasks that were overwhelming us. I only wish I would have asked for help sooner. . 2) I’ve realized that learning is never over. In order to be an expert on any topic, you have to commit to being a lifelong student. . 3) I’ve learned to be proud of how far we’ve come. Growing up in the Midwest, we’re often told to be humble and underemphasize our wins. I’m still working on getting over this, but I’m pretty damn proud that Ben and I have created a business where we get to work together on something we’re both passionate about. We’ve created freedom for ourselves and are able to support ourselves financially while also paying student loans. A few years ago, I never would have been able to imagine this life we’ve created. . Even though we’ve come a long way in those 365 days, we still have a long way to go. But if the next year is anything like this one, I can’t wait to see how much we will have grown in one year from today. . What have you learned in the last year? How is your life different than you thought it would be one year ago?

HOME

START HERE

BLOG

WORK WITH US

Sustainable and Adventurous Travel Advice for Every Budget

SEARCH THE SITE

*Disclaimer: There may be some affiliate links on this page, which means when you click we get a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. This allows us to keep sharing great travel tips, so feel free to click away!

Two Wandering Soles Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.

WANDER WITH US

Thanks for signing up for our emails. Be sure to check your inbox for the confirmation email. 

ABOUT US

Ben & Katie