Hi there!
Welcome to Beyond the Bucketlist.
I’m Geena. 99% of the content on this blog is written by me. You occasionally will be graced with posts from my husband and travel partner, Evan. I’m the writer and researcher of this dynamic duo and he’s the photographer and 4×4/motorcycle driver. We find that it’s a good split for full-time life on the road.
I would describe us as seasoned budget travelers with a passion for immersing ourselves in the culture of places we visit. We like to do things the hard way. The way that creates travel stories and memories that aren’t just pretty places. This helps us HELP YOU travel in the way that makes the most sense considering time and money.
Over the years we’ve really honed our travel interests into a handful of categories. Wildlife, both land and marine. Food, the more traditional the better. Remote landscapes, preferably traversed overland by motorcycle or 4×4. Chaotic cities, that submerge you in the local culture. We’re also newbie divers and love a good multi-day trek.
I’m not a huge social media fanatic but if you really want to get to know me as a person, Instagram is the best way to do it.
I think the trips people hold closest to their heart can teach you a lot about them. For me, those trips are backpacking across Myanmar, the many months I’ve spent in India, motorcycling through Pakistan and Vietnam, ruin-hopping in Egypt, and 4×4 across the Mongolian Steppe. Our time in Sri Lanka lands somewhere on that list as well.
Evan and I weren’t always backpackers. Neither of us grew up traveling. In fact, I didn’t have my first trip abroad until I visited Thailand when I was 22.
& then I was hooked. I knew from that moment on travel was going to be a huge part of my life. I had just graduated with my BS in Biology with the intention of applying to Medical School that year. But my world was rocked. I hadn’t ever considered how much was out there & how little I knew about it.
The rest is history.
Now, I make money writing about our adventures here on the blog and various other publications across the internet.
Our Travel Philosophy
I'm not going to sugar coat it. We think there is a "right way to travel".
You should travel to immerse yourself in the culture you came across the world to see--without leaving a too much of a footprint behind.
This means sustainable travel--yes, but more than that it means culturally sensitive travel. It means eating the local food, experiencing local traditions, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
We travel to open our minds to new ways of living and to understand different perspectives.
Travel isn't always easy or comfortable. And it shouldn't be.
We’ve trekked, kayaked, and island-hopped our way around the world and will continue to do so until the money runs out. (But hopefully, since you’re still here reading…it won’t.)
We love to push the envelope, we traveled to Cuba independently while that was still officially “not allowed” and we quit our jobs after only 6 months of saving to travel the world full time. When the world came to a screeching halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, we returned home to the United States and converted a 1994 Dodge Ram Van into a cozy log cabin home. This allowed us to explore 41 states in our home country that weren’t even on our radar.
So, if you’re looking for domestic travel tips (USA) — we’ve got you covered for that too.
But that’s enough about us. Let’s talk about why you’re here. Because as ‘expert’ travelers we have a lot to offer.
Beyond the Bucketlist will help you find the hidden gems in heavily touristed destinations, help you feel confident traveling to destinations well off-the-beaten-track, & do it cheaper than you ever thought possible.
Good News.
BEYOND THE BUCKETLIST CAN MAKE YOU A BETTER TRAVELER.
Every trip begins with a Bucketlist. A smorgasbord of activities & sights scoured from every blog on the web. But the most memorable moments hit us unexpectedly.
On a 14-hour train ride, a long winding motorbike journey, or at a crowded plastic table over a bowl of steaming noodles.
No blog can craft your perfect itinerary & create those moments for you. But it can help guide you in the right direction.
If you have a low-budget, an open-mind, and are interested in uncovering the essence of a destination & immersing yourself in the local culture– This is the place for you.
If you have a bigger budget… even better. We’ve also found tons of excursions and accommodation well worth spending a little extra on.
