After hiking in Patagonia, I spent a week in El Bolson, Argentina, where I met Marita Jansons and Matt Butt. This Australian couple was embarking on a year-long adventure around the globe! We quickly bonded and traveled through Bolivia together. In this Travel Tuesday Interview, Marita reveals insights from their journey, including their decision to leave their jobs as a teacher and a lawyer, their budget, and her top recipes for cooking on the road!
Marita, an educator, and Matt, a legal professional, both resigned in 2015 to explore the world for a year and have no regrets.
Name & Age: Marita Jansons (29) & Matthew Butt (31)
Hometown: Sunny Sydney, Australia
Country Count: Together, we’ve traveled to 40 countries, with 19 visited in 2015!
1. What inspired you to quit your jobs for a year of travel?
We viewed this trip as our postponed 'gap year.' Matt always dreamed of extended travel, while I needed some persuasion. When he booked non-refundable, one-way tickets to Argentina, I realized he was serious!
As we planned our wedding, we realized how costly it could be. We figured we could travel for three to six months for the price of one day of wedding expenses. The wedding could wait!
For Matt, it was clear: travel was a priority, regardless of his job. I was anxious about leaving my stable teaching role, but I couldn’t envision myself years later regretting not exploring the world. That realization shifted everything, and I eagerly joined Matt in planning. Thankfully, my employer offered a year’s sabbatical. Would I still have traveled without it? Absolutely!
Matt returned to his job at a law firm but opted for a new path outside corporate law. He now enjoys a better work-life balance as in-house counsel for a large Australian company.
Since our return, many have expressed envy, saying, “I wish I could do what you did,” often with a hint of sadness.
We met long-term travelers with mortgages, children, and those who had recently lost or started jobs. None had regrets! While sacrifices were made, with careful planning, the experience outweighed the costs. You only live once—why not jump in?
The couple captured this moment on their way to Tikal in Guatemala, celebrating Matt’s birthday.
2. Describe your year of travel in 2015.
Initially, we intended to see the entire world, starting in Latin America, then Europe, and finishing in Southeast Asia. However, once in South America, we fell in love with the region and settled there longer.
We discovered that slow travel suited us better. Our original plan to cover vast distances was overwhelming, so we focused on fewer locations. Eventually, we explored Southeast Asia, diving in Thailand and the Philippines.
Matt and Marita concluded their trip with snorkeling and diving in the Philippines before returning to Sydney.
3. How did you plan and save for your trip?
We saved for about two years, planning as we went. After booking our initial tickets, we mapped out just our first two weeks. For popular experiences, like sailing in the Galapagos or the Inca Trail, we booked ahead as they often filled up.
Matt helped release a baby turtle in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Their budget philosophy was straightforward: never skip an experience just to extend their trip.
4. What was your daily budget?
We classified ourselves as flashpackers, mixing hostels with hotels and B&Bs. While we maintained a budget, we also indulged occasionally for comfort.
On average, we spent about $230 AUD ($174 USD) daily for both of us, covering all travel expenses. This was slightly higher than many travelers we met, as we sought some pricier experiences, like our 10-day sailing trip in the Galapagos. Our main rule was to seize every desired experience even if it meant returning home early.
The couple invested in a memorable 10-day journey to the Galapagos, a highlight of their travels.
5. Share a travel highlight.
Our highlights are numerous, but here are some favorites:
- Learning a new language was challenging yet rewarding, significantly enriching our travel experiences.
- Encountering the diverse wildlife in the Galapagos, including whale sharks, sea lions, and marine iguanas.
- Hiking in Patagonia, especially in El Caltén, Argentina.
- The unforgettable three-day journey across the border from Chile to Bolivia.
- Experiencing the vibrant culture of Colombia, dancing salsa in Havana, and loving everything about Mexico!
- Stepping out of our comfort zone—scuba diving, canyoning, and trying hydro-speed!
6. What challenges did you face during your trip, and how did you handle them?
Allowing ourselves to take breaks was essential. Travel can be exhausting; around the six-month mark, we faced 'planning burnout.' We learned to pause for a week here and there, but in hindsight, longer planned breaks would have been more beneficial. Our need for downtime led us to amazing places, including a hut in the Panamanian Jungle.
Marita and Matt take a breather while hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.
7. What advice do you have for couples who want to travel together?
Patience, compromise, and understanding are crucial. Celebrating our 10-year anniversary in 2015, we found being together 24/7 had its challenges. Nevertheless, traveling strengthened our bond. We learned to support each other during highs and lows, balancing responsibilities and decisions. Our year of travel transformed us as individuals and as a couple, fueling our desire for shared experiences.
Marita’s packing tip: Don’t forget to bring your Vegemite (or any cherished food from home)!
8. Name three essentials for a long-term trip.
This is tricky! While obvious items like a good backpack and waterproof shoes are important, here are three often overlooked but incredibly useful items:
- Packing cubes! These clever organizers maximize space in your bag. The packing cubes we used were indispensable.
- Backup banking cards. We encountered issues with our international ATM cards in several countries. Thankfully, backup cards from our Australian banks proved invaluable.
- Vegemite! (or any beloved food not easily found abroad). We regretted not packing it initially and even considered having it shipped! Luckily, we met generous Australians who shared their stash.
Matt and Marita packed versatile jackets for hiking and used packing cubes for efficient organization.
9. Marita, what cooking tips can you share for travelers?
Keep meals simple. Without a stocked kitchen, focus on a few key ingredients. Here are some helpful tips:
- Use an airtight container to store essentials, like garlic, stock cubes, cinnamon, chili flakes, red curry paste, honey, and peanut butter.
- Familiarize yourself with hostel kitchen supplies. Some kitchens offer great herbs and spices, while others might have sparse options.
- Visit local farmers’ markets for fresh produce and a cultural experience.
- Sharing meals with new friends is a fun way to cut costs and make connections!
Here are two favorite recipes:
These three-ingredient banana pancakes were delicious—here’s a batch Marita made in Bolivia!
Easy Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes (Serves 2)
| Hostel Kitchen | From Our Container | From the Market |
| 1 tbsp. Cooking Oil | Cinnamon Honey to serve | 2 medium ripe bananas 4 large eggs |
Mash bananas, mix in eggs and cinnamon. Cook on low heat until done. A detailed recipe overview can be found here.
Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry (Serves 2)
| Hostel Kitchen | From Our Container | From the Market |
| 1 tbsp. Cooking Oil Steamed rice to serve | 2 cloves of garlic, sliced 2 tbsp. red curry paste 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock | 400g can of chickpeas 400ml coconut milk 600g pumpkin, peeled and chopped* 1 eggplant, peeled and chopped* lime wedges (if available) |
*You can substitute with other similar veggies based on what you find.
Heat oil in a saucepan, add garlic and curry paste until fragrant. Incorporate chickpeas, pumpkin, eggplant, coconut milk, and stock. Simmer until pumpkin is tender. Serve with rice and lime wedge.
10. What’s next on your travel agenda?
We loved our time in the Philippines and plan to return to explore areas we missed. We’re also finally organizing our wedding in January, with a honeymoon in Fiji for diving!
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