This week we interviewed Ben & Jojo, two close friends of ours with whom we share a passion for nature, adventure, and beer. As long as we have known them they have always prioritized their lives around travel, no matter the circumstance, which is why we wanted to include their outlook. We look forward to exchanging travel stories, over a few too many drinks, sometime in the (hopeful) not too distant future. 
Where are you from?
Ben: Christchurch, New Zealand
Jojo: Kelowna, Canada
How long have you been travelling?
We left Australia after Jojo being there 2 years on and off and went to the Cook Islands, South Island of NZ, Mexico, Guatemala and finally to Canada. We are currently in the North Island of NZ after spending over a year and a half in Canada.
What inspired you to start travelling?
Ben: It came about after a relationship ending. I realised I wasn’t happy pursuing a career/family life so I got a pop top van and lived in that. From then on I knew for sure that I was a nomad at heart because whenever I started to get settled somewhere I would get itchy feet and move on.
Jojo: It started with going to live with my sister in Australia and while there meeting Ben. After many road trips together and exploring new areas I knew I wanted to see and do more.
What does a typical day of travel look like for you?
Whether we are living somewhere for a while or holidaying it always starts with coffee! If we’re working we like to spend weekends camping, hiking or road tripping. When on holidays we try and get up early to fit in as much as we can, do something exciting or explore somewhere new, have an afternoon drink (preferably with a view), find somewhere to sleep and then start researching the next new place/thing over some more drinks for the following day. Squeeze in a few card games, watch a tv show and good night.
What is your favourite and least favourite part of travelling?
Favourite: Anything new, water, beaches, every single animal and flora and fauna (except ants).
Least Favourite: Crowds and living in a vehicle when it’s raining.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Rain.
How do you make it work financially? (ie. did you save for the trip,
are you working? living on a budget,etc?)
We always save up for trips. Putting in our full 40 hours a week or having multiple jobs and working as much as possible. We also sacrifice a lot. We don’t eat out, go out or do anything expensive.
What is your favourite place you have travelled to and why?
Ben: That’s a tough one! The Philippines and Mexico have been my favourite places. The Philippines because I was on a boat and always surrounded by ocean, beaches and islands and experienced things like being the first white people to stay on an island and also the boat crew made a point to venture away from the usual touristy areas. Mexico because I love surfing and that was amazing but add to that the food, people and surprisingly vast differences in landscapes and climate which in turn offer so many different adventures, animals and cultures to see throughout the country.
Jojo: It’s hard, I love everywhere I have been for different reasons. I guess I would pick Guatemala. I felt like I was in a jungle most of the time. There were ruins, lakes, volcanoes and tons of animals like Toucans!
Aside from the basics (money, passport, backpack), what are 3 items
you can’t live without?
Ben: Knife, alcohol and tweezers
Jojo: Picture of Radley (my dog), Q-tips and also alcohol
What makes a trip successful to you?
When you get to do everything you set out to do.
Have you been anywhere which turned out to be totally different to
how you imagined? If so, how?
Ben: Personally I would have to say Mexico. I was preoccupied with surf conditions when planning our trip there. I didn’t realise how big the country was and how that affected how different the climate, landscape, culture and food where throughout Mexico.
Jojo: I would probably have to say the same as Ben. I went to Mexico with the idea of sitting on the beach, eating good food while Ben surfed. When in reality the country is HUGE and there is so much to see and do within it. Also not realising how far travel times are between all the great places in Mexico.
What do people never ask you about your life of travel that you
wished they did?
Jojo: I wish they asked me about day to day life, like how my job is or how my garden is growing, because Im not on holidays all the time. I live in different countries often but when I do I am “settled” with a house and job and get the holidays in between.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to travel, what would it be?
Don’t get upset when things don’t to plan because… it happens…
If you want to follow along on Ben & Jojo’s travels, you can find them here:
http://www.instagram.com/bw3all
http://www.instagram.com/jojoagogo