{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Away with Ian & Alain","home_page_url":"https://ian-alain.ca","description":"Away with Ian & Alain","author":{"name":"Away with Ian & Alain"},"items":[{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/capital-not-charity","html_content":"

The Women Behind the Businesses (and Why We Back Them)

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/capital-not-charity","title":"Supporting Women Entrepreneurs: Our Kiva Lending Story","summary":"The Women Behind the Businesses (and Why We Back Them)","date_modified":"2026-10-17T04:24:39Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/travel-has-been-enshittified-were-going-anyway","html_content":"

enshittification (n.): when something good gets worse so someone can charge extra for it. See: resort fee.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/travel-has-been-enshittified-were-going-anyway","title":"Travel Has Been Enshittified. We're Going Anyway.","summary":"enshittification (n.): when something good gets worse so someone can charge extra for it. See: resort fee.","date_modified":"2026-10-10T04:29:11Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/money-isnt-worth-the-same-at-62-and-85","html_content":"

We planned how to retire. Now we have to plan how to get old.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/money-isnt-worth-the-same-at-62-and-85","title":"The Million Dollar Retirement Trap","summary":"We planned how to retire. Now we have to plan how to get old.","date_modified":"2026-10-03T07:53:16Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/travel-absurdities","html_content":"

Southeast Asia has been alarmingly easy. Frankly, it’s terrible for the blog.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/travel-absurdities","title":"Southeast Asia Is Wonderful and Weird","summary":"Southeast Asia has been alarmingly easy. Frankly, it’s terrible for the blog.","date_modified":"2026-09-26T04:19:35Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/how-we-plan-a-full-year-of-travel-without-losing-our-minds","html_content":"

The 365-Day Game of Travel Tetris: making all the pieces fit, while still leaving room for the odd detour.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/how-we-plan-a-full-year-of-travel-without-losing-our-minds","title":"How We Plan a Full Year of Travel Without Losing Our Minds","summary":"The 365-Day Game of Travel Tetris: making all the pieces fit, while still leaving room for the odd detour.","date_modified":"2026-09-19T03:51:55Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/retirement%E2%80%99s-biggest-risk","html_content":"

Running Out of Money or Running Out of Time? A Few Thoughts.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/retirement%E2%80%99s-biggest-risk","title":"Retirement’s Biggest Risks","summary":"Running Out of Money or Running Out of Time? A Few Thoughts.","date_modified":"2026-09-12T04:54:14Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/year-one-nine-countries-our-nomadic-travel-budget","html_content":"

How We Spent CA$67,569 Travelling Full-Time

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/year-one-nine-countries-our-nomadic-travel-budget","title":"Year One. Nine Countries. Our Nomadic Travel Budget.","summary":"How We Spent CA$67,569 Travelling Full-Time","date_modified":"2026-09-05T06:39:17Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/faq-you-asked-we-answered","html_content":"

Perfectly Reasonable Questions. Occasionally Sassy Answers.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/faq-you-asked-we-answered","title":"FAQ: You Asked. We Answered.","summary":"Perfectly Reasonable Questions. Occasionally Sassy Answers.","date_modified":"2026-08-29T09:48:13Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/a-day-in-the-life-koh-samui-youtube-and-saggy-shorts","html_content":"

No sightseeing checklist, no sunrise yoga, and definitely no alarm clock.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/a-day-in-the-life-koh-samui-youtube-and-saggy-shorts","title":"A Day in the Life: Koh Samui, YouTube, and Saggy Shorts","summary":"No sightseeing checklist, no sunrise yoga, and definitely no alarm clock.","date_modified":"2026-08-23T13:48:01Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/when-we-almost-became-dads-a-gay-couple%E2%80%99s-story","html_content":"

Surrogacy, adoption, arson, and the life that unfolded instead.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/when-we-almost-became-dads-a-gay-couple%E2%80%99s-story","title":"When We Almost Became Dads: A Gay Couple’s Story","summary":"Surrogacy, adoption, arson, and the life that unfolded instead.","date_modified":"2026-08-15T11:59:14Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-travel-day-truce-how-these-married-nomads-keep-the-peace","html_content":"

Our relationship has an ironclad travel-day rule: between checking out of the old place and checking into the new one, neither of us can be held responsible for any snapping, muttering or outright tantrums.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-travel-day-truce-how-these-married-nomads-keep-the-peace","title":"The Travel-Day Truce: How These Married Nomads Keep the Peace","summary":"Our relationship has an ironclad travel-day rule: between checking out of the old place and checking into the new one, neither of us can be held responsible for any snapping, muttering or outright tantrums.","date_modified":"2026-08-08T03:28:48Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/from-street-food-to-7-11-what-we-really-eat-as-slow-travellers","html_content":"

In a viral interview, Aretha Franklin was once asked about the greatest challenge in her life. Her answer wasn’t the grind of the touring circuit, the paparazzi, or the weight of being the Queen of Soul.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/from-street-food-to-7-11-what-we-really-eat-as-slow-travellers","title":"From Street Food to 7-11: What We Really Eat as Slow Travellers","summary":"In a viral interview, Aretha Franklin was once asked about the greatest challenge in her life. Her answer wasn’t the grind of the touring circuit, the paparazzi, or the weight of being the Queen of Soul.","date_modified":"2026-08-01T05:55:31Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/vietnam-by-the-alphabet-26-reasons-why-we-will-miss-it","html_content":"

Vietnam was wonderful. After three months, it’s officially one of our favourite spots on the globe. We reluctantly said goodbye on Thursday. To make sense of the magic, we spent our 90 minute Vietnam Airlines flight dist...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/vietnam-by-the-alphabet-26-reasons-why-we-will-miss-it","title":"Vietnam By The Alphabet: 26 Reasons Why We Will Miss It","summary":"Vietnam was wonderful. After three months, it’s officially one of our favourite spots on the globe. We reluctantly said goodbye on Thursday. To make sense of the magic, we spent our 90 minute Vietnam Airlines flight dist...","date_modified":"2026-07-25T05:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-vietnam-war-in-da-nang-what-we-learned-about-canadas-role","html_content":"

Sitting beneath swaying palms at an idyllic lunch spot along Da Nang’s My An Beach - with cold beers, magnificent bowls of bún chả, and barely a care in the world - it's difficult to picture a war raging right here. Arou...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-vietnam-war-in-da-nang-what-we-learned-about-canadas-role","title":"The Vietnam War in Da Nang: What We Learned About Canada's Role ","summary":"Sitting beneath swaying palms at an idyllic lunch spot along Da Nang’s My An Beach - with cold beers, magnificent bowls of bún chả, and barely a care in the world - it's difficult to picture a war raging right here. Arou...","date_modified":"2026-07-18T08:14:58Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/has-nomadic-insanity-set-in-why-alain-suddenly-wants-souvenirs","html_content":"

Eleven months into wining, dining, and wandering our way through nine countries, a strange psychological shift has occurred in Alain. He has started to become transfixed by things in shops.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/has-nomadic-insanity-set-in-why-alain-suddenly-wants-souvenirs","title":"Has Nomadic Insanity Set In? Why Alain Suddenly Wants Souvenirs.","summary":"Eleven months into wining, dining, and wandering our way through nine countries, a strange psychological shift has occurred in Alain. He has started to become transfixed by things in shops.","date_modified":"2026-07-11T05:52:04Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-anti-bucket-list-why-were-choosing-wishes-over-checkboxes","html_content":"

The modern travel bucket list has turned into a bit of a nightmare.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-anti-bucket-list-why-were-choosing-wishes-over-checkboxes","title":"The Anti-Bucket List: Why We're Choosing Wishes Over Checkboxes","summary":"The modern travel bucket list has turned into a bit of a nightmare.","date_modified":"2026-07-04T05:06:16Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-10kg-estate-thinking-about-the-end-game","html_content":"

How we prepared for death abroad as full-time nomads, from wills and powers of attorney to emergency files, cremation plans, and travel documents.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-10kg-estate-thinking-about-the-end-game","title":"Estate Planning for Nomads: Wills, Documents & Final Wishes","summary":"How we prepared for death abroad as full-time nomads, from wills and powers of attorney to emergency files, cremation plans, and travel documents.","date_modified":"2026-06-27T07:35:50Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/an-optimist%E2%80%99s-view-of-vietnams-future","html_content":"

A Canadian nomadic retiree on why the future feels brighter from Da Nang.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/an-optimist%E2%80%99s-view-of-vietnams-future","title":"An Optimist’s View of Vietnam's Future","summary":"A Canadian nomadic retiree on why the future feels brighter from Da Nang.","date_modified":"2026-06-20T09:50:01Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-over-caffeinated-guide-to-vietnamese-coffee","html_content":"

It is an unverifiable and almost certainly fabricated statistic that 97.4% of this blog’s readers are coffee drinkers. Ah, that delicious nectar! That eye-opening elixir! That morning liquid power surge!

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-over-caffeinated-guide-to-vietnamese-coffee","title":"The Over-Caffeinated Guide to Vietnamese Coffee","summary":"It is an unverifiable and almost certainly fabricated statistic that 97.4% of this blog’s readers are coffee drinkers. Ah, that delicious nectar! That eye-opening elixir! That morning liquid power surge!","date_modified":"2026-06-13T04:56:11Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/budget-investment-update-nine-months-on-the-road","html_content":"

Part One: The Damage: A recap of what we’ve actually (over)spent at the nine-month mark.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/budget-investment-update-nine-months-on-the-road","title":"Budget & Investment Update: Nine Months on the Road","summary":"Part One: The Damage: A recap of what we’ve actually (over)spent at the nine-month mark.","date_modified":"2026-06-06T07:54:09Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/paradise-has-paperwork-the-admin-behind-senior-nomad-life","html_content":"

Banking, mail, taxes, phone numbers, and multi-factor authentication headaches that can derail a perfectly good day.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/paradise-has-paperwork-the-admin-behind-senior-nomad-life","title":"The Tech That Makes Senior Nomad Life Possible","summary":"Banking, mail, taxes, phone numbers, and multi-factor authentication headaches that can derail a perfectly good day.","date_modified":"2026-05-30T08:28:14Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/nomad-packing-300-days-10-kilos-no-regrets","html_content":"

After we retired, we sold and donated a house full of belongings, walked away from 25 years of small business ownership, and left Canada behind with nothing but a pair of backpacks weighing less than 10 kilograms each.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/nomad-packing-300-days-10-kilos-no-regrets","title":"Nomad Packing: 300 Days, 10 Kilos, No Regrets","summary":"After we retired, we sold and donated a house full of belongings, walked away from 25 years of small business ownership, and left Canada behind with nothing but a pair of backpacks weighing less than 10 kilograms each.","date_modified":"2026-05-23T05:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/our-mctravelogue-junk-food-in-five-countries","html_content":"

Do you remember your first time? I do. May 1977. I was thirteen, fresh off a plane from the UK, and had never even heard of McDonald’s.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/our-mctravelogue-junk-food-in-five-countries","title":"Our McTravelogue: Fast Food, Five Countries","summary":"Do you remember your first time? I do. May 1977. I was thirteen, fresh off a plane from the UK, and had never even heard of McDonald’s.","date_modified":"2026-05-16T04:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-bunker-vs-the-backpack-opposing-views","html_content":"

We’ve hit upon a topic where our perspective and that of a close friend are half a world apart. This week, we’re putting two opposing worldviews head-to-head: our philosophy of weightless living versus that of our friend...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-bunker-vs-the-backpack-opposing-views","title":"The Bunker vs. The Backpack: Opposing Views","summary":"We’ve hit upon a topic where our perspective and that of a close friend are half a world apart. This week, we’re putting two opposing worldviews head-to-head: our philosophy of weightless living versus that of our friend...","date_modified":"2026-05-09T08:46:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/what-it%E2%80%99s-like-traveling-through-a-muslim-country-as-a-gay-couple","html_content":"

What it’s like travelling through a Muslim country as a gay couple.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/what-it%E2%80%99s-like-traveling-through-a-muslim-country-as-a-gay-couple","title":"There Are No Rainbows in Malaysia","summary":"What it’s like travelling through a Muslim country as a gay couple.","date_modified":"2026-05-02T05:06:46Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/we-came-for-kuala-lumpur-we-left-with-osteopenia","html_content":"

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur without the intention of staying long. A decade ago, a short visit left us underwhelmed—a blur of concrete that failed to click with us. This time, the plan was simple: zip in, get our medical ...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/we-came-for-kuala-lumpur-we-left-with-osteopenia","title":"We came for Kuala Lumpur. We left with Osteopenia.","summary":"We arrived in Kuala Lumpur without the intention of staying long. A decade ago, a short visit left us underwhelmed—a blur of concrete that failed to click with us. This time, the plan was simple: zip in, get our medical ...","date_modified":"2026-04-25T08:56:23Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/from-michelin-to-street-food-the-best-of-kl-for-13","html_content":"

TL;DR Just the facts! To experience three cultures through their food, we visited

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/from-michelin-to-street-food-the-best-of-kl-for-13","title":"From Michelin to Street Food: The Best of KL for $13","summary":"TL;DR Just the facts! To experience three cultures through their food, we visited","date_modified":"2026-04-18T05:33:53Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/how-we-funded-a-nomadic-retirement-and-why-it-took-1000-days","html_content":"

The Pivot: We traded "living for today" for a 1,000-day sprint to fund a nomadic life.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/how-we-funded-a-nomadic-retirement-and-why-it-took-1000-days","title":"How We Funded a Nomadic Retirement (And Why It Took 1,000 Days) ","summary":"The Pivot: We traded \"living for today\" for a 1,000-day sprint to fund a nomadic life.","date_modified":"2026-04-11T02:41:35Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/is-there-a-right-way-to-travel","html_content":"

8 Travel Truths We Learned While Travelling the World

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/is-there-a-right-way-to-travel","title":"Is There a Right Way to Travel?","summary":"8 Travel Truths We Learned While Travelling the World","date_modified":"2026-03-28T00:48:02Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-body-audit-six-months-two-nomads-and-a-vegan-verdict","html_content":"

TL;DR: The Quick Verdict

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-body-audit-six-months-two-nomads-and-a-vegan-verdict","title":"The Body Audit: Six Months, Two Nomads, and a Vegan Verdict","summary":"TL;DR: The Quick Verdict","date_modified":"2026-03-21T13:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/bali-part-2-the-logistics-the-ledger-kuta-sanur-seminyak","html_content":"

Heads up! Here's part two of our Bali stay. Part one talked about the peaceful, spiritual town of Ubud - part two covers the wild and wacky south end of the island.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/bali-part-2-the-logistics-the-ledger-kuta-sanur-seminyak","title":"Bali Part 2: The Logistics, the Ledger, Kuta, Sanur & Seminyak","summary":"Heads up! Here's part two of our Bali stay. Part one talked about the peaceful, spiritual town of Ubud - part two covers the wild and wacky south end of the island.","date_modified":"2026-03-14T12:46:15Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/bali-part-1-our-slow-travel-guide-to-balis-spiritual-heart","html_content":"

Heads Up! Part one of our Bali retrospective takes a look at Ubud, the spiritual centre of Bali, our vegan challenge, the Canang Sari, and the puzzling concept of retirement.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/bali-part-1-our-slow-travel-guide-to-balis-spiritual-heart","title":"Bali Part 1: Our Slow Travel Guide to Bali's Spiritual Heart","summary":"Heads Up! Part one of our Bali retrospective takes a look at Ubud, the spiritual centre of Bali, our vegan challenge, the Canang Sari, and the puzzling concept of retirement.","date_modified":"2026-03-14T12:33:22Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/one-year-without-mum-remembering-anne","html_content":"

I’m sitting on a warm tropical beach, twirling a small engagement ring—my Mum’s ring—around my left pinkie finger. I do this often; a habit that has become a ritual. It has been a year today since my Mum, Anne Cromack, d...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/one-year-without-mum-remembering-anne","title":"One Year Without Mum: Remembering Anne","summary":"I’m sitting on a warm tropical beach, twirling a small engagement ring—my Mum’s ring—around my left pinkie finger. I do this often; a habit that has become a ritual. It has been a year today since my Mum, Anne Cromack, d...","date_modified":"2026-03-06T08:05:59Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/122-years-of-life-0-years-of-fiscal-discipline-a-budget-update","html_content":"

Disclaimer: Nerd alert! Six months in, I'm analyzing our financials. Are we making this "global senior nomad" thing work? Or are we headed for a career in grocery bagging? Read on for the gory details.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/122-years-of-life-0-years-of-fiscal-discipline-a-budget-update","title":"Our 6 Month Travel Budget + Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Perks ","summary":"Disclaimer: Nerd alert! Six months in, I'm analyzing our financials. Are we making this \"global senior nomad\" thing work? Or are we headed for a career in grocery bagging? Read on for the gory details.","date_modified":"2026-02-28T11:28:13Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/embracing-the-bum-gun-a-southeast-asia-awakening-and-guide","html_content":"

Disclaimer: You might think of this blog as a travelogue. It’s more than that. Or perhaps much, much less. This week, I’m obsessing over personal hygiene. Consider this a public service announcement for your posterior—an

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/embracing-the-bum-gun-a-southeast-asia-awakening-and-guide","title":"Embracing the Bum Gun: A Southeast Asia Awakening (And Guide)","summary":"Disclaimer: You might think of this blog as a travelogue. It’s more than that. Or perhaps much, much less. This week, I’m obsessing over personal hygiene. Consider this a public service announcement for your posterior—an","date_modified":"2026-02-22T07:14:09Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/ubud-and-my-sensitive-bullshit-meter","html_content":"

BY ALAIN ST.ONGE

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/ubud-and-my-sensitive-bullshit-meter","title":"Ubud and My Sensitive Bullshit Meter","summary":"BY ALAIN ST.ONGE ","date_modified":"2026-02-16T05:11:22Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/week-one-nobody-panic---were-trying-vegan-for-a-month-in-bali","html_content":"

Full Disclosure: Deep in the heart of Bali's spiritual centre of Ubud, we're not here to preach the vegan gospel; we’re simply trying to outrun a statin prescription. For February, we are trading our usual food splurges ...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/week-one-nobody-panic---were-trying-vegan-for-a-month-in-bali","title":"Week One: Nobody panic - We're Trying Vegan for a Month in Bali","summary":"Full Disclosure: Deep in the heart of Bali's spiritual centre of Ubud, we're not here to preach the vegan gospel; we’re simply trying to outrun a statin prescription. For February, we are trading our usual food splurges ...","date_modified":"2026-02-07T04:53:21Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/our-guide-to-running-away-from-home-at-60","html_content":"

(Full disclosure: We aren’t writing this to be smug or to suggest that you set your living room on fire and flee the country. Depending on who you ask, we are either living the dream or a pair of idiots having a slow-mot...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/our-guide-to-running-away-from-home-at-60","title":"Our Guide to Running Away from Home at 60","summary":"(Full disclosure: We aren’t writing this to be smug or to suggest that you set your living room on fire and flee the country. Depending on who you ask, we are either living the dream or a pair of idiots having a slow-mot...","date_modified":"2026-01-30T08:16:10Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-relocation-hack-how-we-cruise-for-less-a-12-step-guide","html_content":"

Our usual nomadic slow-travel dispatches are taking a backseat today for a Special Public Service Announcement: How to Extract Maximum Value from the High Seas.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/the-relocation-hack-how-we-cruise-for-less-a-12-step-guide","title":"The Relocation Hack: How We Cruise For Less (A 12-Step Guide)","summary":"Our usual nomadic slow-travel dispatches are taking a backseat today for a Special Public Service Announcement: How to Extract Maximum Value from the High Seas.","date_modified":"2026-01-19T04:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/back-on-the-high-seas-cruise-ship-redemption","html_content":"

12 January 2026

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/back-on-the-high-seas-cruise-ship-redemption","title":"Back on the High Seas: Cruise Ship Redemption.","summary":"12 January 2026","date_modified":"2026-01-16T04:25:21Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/bye-bangkok-and-a-budget-update","html_content":"

Bangkok was wonderful. We fully accomplished our “slow travel” objectives by staying in one place for almost two months, getting to know our neighbourhood, and soaking up the ambience of that amazing city.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/bye-bangkok-and-a-budget-update","title":"Bye, Bangkok! (and a budget update)","summary":"Bangkok was wonderful. We fully accomplished our “slow travel” objectives by staying in one place for almost two months, getting to know our neighbourhood, and soaking up the ambience of that amazing city.","date_modified":"2026-01-02T15:16:42Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/merry-christmas-from-a-tinsel-resistant-human","html_content":"

It’s no secret that I’ve never been a fan of the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/merry-christmas-from-a-tinsel-resistant-human","title":"Merry Christmas from a Tinsel-Resistant Human","summary":"It’s no secret that I’ve never been a fan of the \"Most Wonderful Time of the Year.\" ","date_modified":"2025-12-25T08:32:16Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/one-week-in-bangkok-and-the-world%E2%80%99s-your-oyster-buffet","html_content":"

We’ve been resident in Bangkok for the best part of two months now, and the clock is ticking down to our next destination. Life now is less "vacation" and more "regular life" -just with better weather and spicier food. I...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/one-week-in-bangkok-and-the-world%E2%80%99s-your-oyster-buffet","title":"One Week in Bangkok (...and the World’s Your Oyster Buffet)","summary":"We’ve been resident in Bangkok for the best part of two months now, and the clock is ticking down to our next destination. Life now is less \"vacation\" and more \"regular life\" -just with better weather and spicier food. I...","date_modified":"2025-12-21T11:29:36Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/building-a-life-they-never-got-to-see","html_content":"

(Hi everyone! Alain here! Ian's been hogging our blog ever since we started it last summer. WELL, ENOUGH. I want to get my two cents in!)

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/building-a-life-they-never-got-to-see","title":"Building a life they never got to see","summary":"(Hi everyone! Alain here! Ian's been hogging our blog ever since we started it last summer. WELL, ENOUGH. I want to get my two cents in!)","date_modified":"2025-12-12T03:41:34Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/a-1-cent-raise-and-20-baht-hotel---my-first-thailand-trip","html_content":"

Welcome back! Is a blog intended for the writer, the reader, or just a place to unload a lifetime of strange stories and display fuzzy old photographs? I say: YES!

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/a-1-cent-raise-and-20-baht-hotel---my-first-thailand-trip","title":"A 1-Cent Raise and 20-Baht Hotel - My First Thailand Trip","summary":"Welcome back! Is a blog intended for the writer, the reader, or just a place to unload a lifetime of strange stories and display fuzzy old photographs? I say: YES! ","date_modified":"2025-12-04T04:42:38Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/notes-from-bangkok-settling-into-our-current-new-reality","html_content":"

We are loving our comfy condo. Small, secure, 12th floor, west-facing—it’s perfect. At just CA$50 a night on a seven-week Airbnb booking, we are spending a whole lot less than our old rent in Victoria. This price include...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/notes-from-bangkok-settling-into-our-current-new-reality","title":"Notes from Bangkok: Settling into our (current) new reality","summary":"We are loving our comfy condo. Small, secure, 12th floor, west-facing—it’s perfect. At just CA$50 a night on a seven-week Airbnb booking, we are spending a whole lot less than our old rent in Victoria. This price include...","date_modified":"2025-11-23T06:08:37Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/food-in-tokyo-the-astute-gourmands-guide","html_content":"

Cheapskate: Person who reuses tea bags until they disintegrate.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/food-in-tokyo-the-astute-gourmands-guide","title":"Budget Food in Tokyo: The Astute Gourmand's Guide","summary":"Cheapskate: Person who reuses tea bags until they disintegrate. ","date_modified":"2025-11-12T11:54:57Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/%F0%9F%87%AF%F0%9F%87%B5-tokyo-a-whirlwind-of-orderly-chaos","html_content":"

What an amazing, immense, clean, dynamic, and downright orderly city! After disembarking our ship in Yokohama, we hopped a commuter train straight into the belly of this 37-million-strong beast.

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/%F0%9F%87%AF%F0%9F%87%B5-tokyo-a-whirlwind-of-orderly-chaos","title":"🇯🇵 Tokyo: A Whirlwind of Orderly Chaos","summary":"What an amazing, immense, clean, dynamic, and downright orderly city! After disembarking our ship in Yokohama, we hopped a commuter train straight into the belly of this 37-million-strong beast.","date_modified":"2025-11-09T03:28:57Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/budget-update-october-2025","html_content":"

For those of you who find the delicious details of personal finance riveting, this one's for you! If budgets bore you stiff, please bail out now. But for any fellow "early-ish retirement adventurers" plotting a similar p...

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/budget-update-october-2025","title":"A Budgetary Blunder: October 2025","summary":"For those of you who find the delicious details of personal finance riveting, this one's for you! If budgets bore you stiff, please bail out now. But for any fellow \"early-ish retirement adventurers\" plotting a similar p...","date_modified":"2025-11-06T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/cruise-blog-2-trans-pacific-trauma-barf-bags-and-broken-bones","html_content":"

31 OCTOBER 2025

","url":"https://ian-alain.ca/travel-memoir/f/cruise-blog-2-trans-pacific-trauma-barf-bags-and-broken-bones","title":"Cruise to Japan Part 2. TransPac Trauma: Barf Bags & Broken Bones","summary":"31 OCTOBER 2025","date_modified":"2025-11-02T06:20:06Z"}]}