In a recent interview, I spoke with Rachel and Steve Pyle, who just completed an amazing five-month honeymoon adventure around the world! I first met Rachel in 2013 while she was in Japan, and I had the opportunity to reconnect with them multiple times during their trip. Rachel reveals insights about their journey, including highlights, challenges, expenses, and her experience managing type-1 diabetes!
Name: Rachel and Steve Pyle
Age: 32, 37
Hometown: Greensburg, PA
Country Count: Rachel – 30; Steve – 38
Instagram: Rayray5013
1. What sparked your interest in traveling?
During my five years in Japan, I discovered affordable flights to nearby countries, allowing me to explore during Japanese holidays. Steve began his travels about seven years ago, quitting his job to embark on an eight-month journey around the globe.
We started chatting online while I was in Japan, and quickly realized we shared a passion for travel. After I returned to the States, we met in person and soon traveled together to Germany and the Czech Republic.
2. Can you describe your honeymoon?
A few months before our wedding, we visited South America, exploring Peru and Chile (Easter Island). We’d always dreamed of visiting Africa but decided to postpone that trip until the following year for our honeymoon. We eyed a two-month overland trip across Africa but had to resign from our jobs to make it happen. Since we were already traveling for two months, we decided to extend our adventure into Asia.
We embarked on a two-month overland journey through Africa, starting in Nairobi, Kenya, and concluding in Cape Town, South Africa. We traveled in a massive yellow truck, camping our way through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. After that, we headed to Asia, with Japan as our first stop to introduce Steve to its unique charm. Then we traveled through Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Initially, we planned to spend two months in Asia, but soon realized we needed more time and extended our stay to three months, making our total trip five months long. [Their journey concluded just before Thanksgiving in November 2019.]
3. When did you start planning and saving for this trip?
We began planning in January, with our trip kicking off in mid-June. After booking our overland trip in Africa, we sketched out a general itinerary for our travels. Following our time in Africa, we remained flexible and adjusted our plans based on recommendations. For instance, we discovered the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand coincided with our visit, allowing us to adjust our itinerary to experience the festival.
We didn’t set aside a specific budget for the trip but anticipated needing around $8,000 per person for Africa. For our Asia portion, we utilized savings accumulated over time.
We identified what we wanted to splurge on, such as adventurous activities in Africa and hot air ballooning in Myanmar, while looking for opportunities to save in other areas (see question #7 for more details).
4. What were some highlights of your trip?
In Africa, we embraced numerous adrenaline-pumping activities. I knew I wanted to challenge myself during this trip! We skydived, bungee jumped, sat on the edge of a waterfall, and tackled white water rafting. While rafting on the Zambezi, we faced several Class V rapids, which was among the scariest experiences we’ve ever had!
Africa also allowed us to see and interact with extraordinary wildlife. Walking with lions was both thrilling and intimidating. They are stunning creatures, and their size is awe-inspiring when the handlers release them! We also had the chance to cage dive with great white sharks, walk with elephants, and spend time with some friendly cheetahs.
In Tokyo, we explored the city in a unique way—Mario Kart style! Costumes were provided during the three-hour tour, led by a guide who showcased the city's highlights. Experiencing the busy Shibuya crossing while waiting at a red light was unforgettable!
Seeing the Great Wall of China and Angkor Wat in person was nothing short of surreal. You read about these landmarks, but witnessing them firsthand is an entirely different experience! Zhangjiajie National Park, known for its Avatar-like landscapes, is a must-visit for anyone traveling to China!
To celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary, we went hot air ballooning in Myanmar. Observing the pagodas from above was pure magic!
5. What challenges did you face during your travels, and how did you handle them?
While in Africa, our credit card was compromised. Relying on our credit card for flights and accommodations posed a challenge, especially with three months of travel ahead. After contacting our bank for a new card, we faced the dilemma of where to have it sent. Fortunately, a friend in Hong Kong offered to help, and since we planned to visit soon, it worked out perfectly.
6. Rachel, how did you manage your type-1 diabetes while traveling?
Managing diabetes during our travels was quite the experience. Before we left, I coordinated with my doctors and insurance to ensure I had enough supplies (insulin pump supplies, medications, etc.) for our entire trip. I also secured a doctor’s note explaining my large supply of essentials. Keeping my insulin cool was a significant challenge, as reliable refrigeration wasn't always available. We ordered a “Frio Pack,” which was a lifesaver! By soaking the pack in water every few days, it kept my insulin at the right temperature.
Packing was a challenge as well, with both our bags filled with diabetes supplies. I appreciate Steve's support in carrying everything I needed!
Managing my blood sugar levels was also tricky. As an insulin pump user, I need to count carbs to administer insulin. With unfamiliar foods, my blood sugar levels fluctuated more than usual. It was tough keeping my diabetes in check, but absolutely worth it!
7. Can you share some budgeting tips for keeping expenses down?
In Africa, we camped for most of our trip, opting for tents over upgrades to dorms, which saved us money. We invested in a quality air mattress to ensure comfort during our two months of camping!
Once in Asia, we kept our itinerary flexible. This allowed us to monitor flight prices for the best deals. We also utilized other transportation options like overnight buses and trains, spending $22 per person for a bus instead of $180 for a flight. Additionally, we stayed in a mix of private and dorm rooms at hostels, with dorms being much cheaper and great for meeting new people. Eating local cuisine was also budget-friendly. The hardest part for me was resisting souvenirs, as they can quickly add up and add extra weight to our packs!
8. How did traveling continuously for five months impact your relationship?
Traveling together for such an extended period means you miss the usual breaks from each other, like work or outings with friends. You see each other’s strengths and weaknesses, learning the limits of yourselves and each other. Steve jokes that he now knows exactly when I’m hungry, hot, cold, or tired. There was a lot of compromise throughout the trip, ultimately strengthening our relationship!
9. What advice would you give to couples or solo travelers considering a long-term trip?
Don't hesitate to leave your job; opportunities will always be available! Many of us get too comfortable in our routines, fearing the unknown. I was initially apprehensive about taking this trip, worrying about our jobs and budgeting correctly, but now that we’re back, I wouldn’t change a thing! If you're eager to travel, do your research, plan your budget, and just go for it! [Rachel started job hunting near the end of their trip, interviewed just two days after returning, and secured a position! Steve, being a carpenter, found work easily as his trade is consistently in demand.]
10. What three items were most useful for your trip?
- Packing Cubes/Compression Bags – These helped keep our clothes organized and easy to access, while the compression bags were perfect for storing dirty laundry, saving space in our bags! [We preferred the Travelon brand]
- Bungee Laundry Line – We used this while camping in Africa and in hostels for washing smaller items without needing to pay to wash our entire wardrobe.
- Unlocked Mobile Phone – Having an unlocked phone allowed us to use inexpensive SIM cards in Asia, costing between $5 and $15 each and providing ample data for our travels. It was convenient to have a local phone number and access to the internet, maps, and ride-sharing services while out exploring.
