Traveler Tuesday – Kate and Mark of Vagrants of the World
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The Universe always knows what it is doing even when seemingly bad things happen. Take travel bloggers Kate and Mark of Vagrants of the World a couple whose circumstances resulted in full-time travel around the world. Now? They are housesitters extraordinaire and even have a guide to help you do it too!
Let's meet Kate and Mark!
[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
We have both travelled extensively, it has been a constant for both of us. Over the last year, we have made it a full-time pursuit. Within the space of a year we both, for different reasons had been made redundant from our jobs so we decided to pack up and hit the road permanently. We took on international house sitting as our new mode of travel so we can slow down and experience local culture and live, for a moment, like locals.
[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
A lifestyle!
[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?
We love scooters! Where ever we go we try to rent a scooter. We find it is an easy way of getting around most places (and sometimes a little exhilarating!), you tend to take more of your surroundings in than you would in a car with the distraction of studying maps etc. We have rented some crazy scooters in our time.
[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
We aim for sleep, does it always happen? Mostly no! So its movies, reading, chilling. One thing we very rarely do is drink on a flight.
[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?
Food is one of the reasons we travel, who doesn’t get excited about trying different cuisines but if we had to pick; the night markets in Taiwan. All over Taiwan on most nights you will find night markets specifically set up for food vendors. They are extremely clean, very well organised and the food is fresh and amazing.
Some of the bigger ones in Taipei such as the Shilin and Shida markets even have mini restaurants within the markets if you feel like a sit-down street food experience. Our other memorable Taiwan food experience was at the Din Tai Fung on Ninyi road in Taipei, home to the first Michelin star dumpling, we would go back to Taiwan for just one more yum cha at this very relaxed but extremely popular restaurant.
[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
Network early. We didn’t start networking with other bloggers in our first six months (via Facebook groups etc) and when we did we found out all the things we were doing wrong or could have done differently. There is an amazing network of bloggers out there willing to share, help, inspire – utilise their experience because it can be hard on your own. Oh, and blogging is a lot of work!
Thanks Kate and Mark!
You can keep up with Kate and Mark on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest as well as their blog. Wherever you catch them, I am sure you will enjoy their adventures!
How about you? What would you like to know about Kate and Mark?
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What an incredible couple! I would love to do something similar one day. And the night markets of Taiwan are total destination spots for me…mmm, dumplings!
I am so jealous! I cannot wait until Im old enough to do nothing but travel! Gotta finish college first, haha.
What an inspiring interview! How cool is that they went after their passion and now are traveling the world making a living? Great interview, I really enjoyed this post!!!!
They look like so much fun! I’d imagine traveling full time together would really test your relationship. I tried a scooter for the first time in Italy — it was SO much fun, but I’m not sure I’d do it again! I’m a total weenie when it comes to 2-wheeled modes of transportation. 😉
I hope this is what my boyfriend and I will be like later in life! What a great lifestyle they have.
What a fun couple…I agree that scooters are the way to go as a method of transportation… I yet have been able to sleep in an airplane though ;o(
Aren’t scooters great! We drove them a lot in Malaysia and had so much fun. Except for when we got a flat tire on a rural road at 1:30am. lol. What an adventure. Traveling is great and I’m so jealous that you guys do it full time. Good for you and best wishes for continued adventures.
What a fun couple! I agree that travel is a lifestyle <3
International housesitting! GENIUS!
This is what I’m aiming for in my retirement! I don’t think I could convince my husband to sell the house and move all around until then, but it gives me something to aim for. What an incredible journey these two are having!
Wow! Kate and Mark are really living the dream! I would love to be able to travel full-time down the road.
nice picture!
What an awesome lifestyle!! I could only dream!
I was scared of traveling by scooter for so long but finally gave it a try in Thailand and loved it! They’re right, it’s SO much fun.
I am absolutely envious of Kate and Mark! What a way to enjoy life! Thank you for their Q&A. I agree with one of their blogging tips – that networking early really helps and we can learn from the experience of others. I wish I was engaged in my blogging tribe early too. Oh well! 🙂
What a great couple. I would also like to travel by scooter! Looking at the night markets of Taiwan made me so hungry!
Wow, what an awesome lifestyle! I’m a bit jealous. I’m definitely going to look into how this is possible 🙂
3 months on a yacht in the Greek islands sounds AMAZING. Jealouuus
I totally want to rent a scooter on a vacation some day. I remember my husband went on a trip to Italy (when we were first together so he was a boyf at the time) and his friend ended up falling off his own scooter somehow and busted himself up. Ending up in an Italian hospital. Kind of a funny memory now that I look back on it. But the scooters still intrigue me.
You really get around. Very interesting interview too!
wow! ty 4 sharing your awesome traveling expierences with us.
some people just have blessed lives
I just got back from Thailand 3 weeks ago and am already dreaming of my new adventure 🙂
i’m sure this kind of lifestyle you have to give up a lot in order to pursue. but it does sound wonderful! 🙂 hmm maybe after may when we move from vegas.. we’ll have to consider this. i thought they were swapping homes.. but no they’re seriously house sitting!
What a fun couple. I’d love to travel more.
Lol…..scooters? I’ve never heard of anyone whose favorite transportation was scooters. That’s so cool!
Holy cow would I LOVE to do that! Seriously, I can’t even imagine the exhilaration of moving around so much, yet having longer periods of time at each place, with no hotel bills! So happy for them!
Yes, I aim for sleep on a plane too. Luckily I tend to naturally wake up when the soda and snacks are being handed out, lol.
Looks like you 2 live an adventurousl life! I wish my husband did stuff like that 🙂
What a fun interview! I love hearing about travel bloggers- I’m always bit by the wanderlust bug!
@Kayli, me too, I love meeting new bloggers, everyone has their own unique story.
Networking early is so key. I wish I had set thing sup differently for long term. So hard to go back and fix every little thing. That elephant picture is so awesome!
So many things in here that I enjoyed reading. 3 months on a yacht sit and then 3 months in Oxford? WOW.
How fun!! I love that photo with the elephant on the shoulder hehe
I love your tip about networking, it’s SO, SO, SO true and I also wish I would have known earlier!
I love when couples travel together! Thanks for sharing!
What an exciting life! I admire that you guys just packed up and made traveling your life. I would have loved to have traveled before having kids but now that they’re grown the hubs and I are thinking more about traveling.
Nice to meet you both! Wishing you all the best in your travels!
Wow, you guys are on the MOVE!!! Love this. I think when I retire, I would truly love to just travel like this. Get to see the world before I leave it. Enjoy and safe travels.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Sounds like the perfect way to live!
It’s always lovely to have a travel companion. I wish them the best of health and luck for the adventures!
@Mai, I know, I love hoe they travel so well together!