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Do you have an insatiable wanderlust, an incurable urge to seek out what lies beyond your horizon, or a restlessness for discovery? It’s not FOMO driving these feelings, pushing you to travel and explore your world. The answer might lie in your genes! An estimated 20% of humans have an actual “explorer gene” embedded within their DNA. The good news is you don’t need genetic testing to confirm if you possess this gene. If you, like us, have the nagging curiosity to explore your environment then you very likely test positive for the Explorer Gene too.

After many years trying to hopelessly suppress our explorer genes, in 2018 we finally gave in to them, sold or gave away our possessions, left behind our careers, and set out with our new homes on our backs. We spent years planning and saving like mad to prepare for our leap to become fully nomadic. Along the way we’ve discovered financial independence, countless connections to people and places, and have fallen in love with home-free slow travel.

The Explorer Genes blog is the story of our unique journey, with quirky snapshots of our life slowmading the globe on a $50 (combined) budget per day. We love to geek out and write about all the fun insights and facts we uncover, make history not boring, and share obscure or off-beat discoveries as we go. We are also culture hounds, avid hikers and walkers, and try to seek out adventure on a budget whenever and wherever possible. We truly believe that travel isn’t simply what you read in guidebooks, or is something found only in a lists of “must do’s”, “must see’s”, or “top ten’s.” Instead, we create a by-the-seat-of-our-pants itinerary that comes from slow travel, meeting and living with locals, and finding wondrous and off-beat travel opportunities when we can.

– Mandy & Greg Chase

Exploring and Celebrating Loy Kratong in Phayao & Chiang Khong

Getting to Chiang Khong from Luang Namtha (Laos) After three nights in our bamboo bungalow, it was time to board one more mini van for the last adventure of Laos…from Luang Namtha to Huay Xai, Laos to Chiang Khong, Thailand. Would it be more crater covered thoroughfares? More closed cabin induced motion sickness? Bribes at […]

April 17, 2025

Laos: It’s a Wrap!!

Mountainous Laos is an underrated sleeper hit in our books. We simply had no idea how spellbound we’d become by its lush raw natural beauty, its friendly people and its serenity during our four weeks in the northern part of the country. Below is our personal list of highlights and statistics, as well as upsides and […]

April 15, 2025

Off the Beaten Path in Luang Namtha, Laos

The Adventure from Nong Khiaw to Luang Namtha As alluded to in a previous post, the next phase of our journey in Laos from Nong Khiaw to Luang Namtha would involve the most bone-shaking bus ride we’ve had in several years with road conditions that made us have flashbacks of Ethiopia or Nepal. The good […]

April 10, 2025

Finding Peace & Recovery in Nong Khiaw, Laos

Traveling to Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang After six nights in Vang Vieng, we choo-chooed back north through Luang Prabang where we snagged three more days in its alluring wonder. It was here we both started showing signs of nasty head colds that would continue to inject misery on our systems for the next 7-10 […]

April 9, 2025

Adventuring in the Backpacker Paradise of Vang Vieng, Laos

From Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng From Luang Prabang, we first headed south to the “adventure capital of Laos”—Vang Vieng. Fortunately(?), thanks to the China-made rail system, this 1.5-hour journey is now a breeze. The thing we’re realizing about China-made systems is, they are reasonably organized. You can also count on them for good security measures, […]

April 7, 2025

A Behind-the-Scenes Experience at Kuang Si Waterfall

Staying at Fasay Gardens One of the most stunning waterfalls and popular attractions in Laos sits at the foot of a tiny village a mere 50 minutes from Luang Prabang. Because of this, it is typically thronged with hundreds and hundreds of tourists. So, how to see it without the crowds? Stay there of course! Unfortunately […]

April 5, 2025

Want to explore by specific destination? This map displays every country we have visited since becoming nomadic in 2018. It’s color coded with green colored countries linking to anything we’ve written on them. And, all those uncolored countries… well, those are all our upcoming adventures; so stay tuned as we color them green!

In our country wraps series, we summarize the upsides and downsides of our time in a country, breaking down expenses, sharing insights, and offering general impressions to help you plan your own adventures.