Who are we?:
Who are we? Midlifebackpackers.com is a community of middle aged travelers. We have a dream & passion of experiencing travel the “real” way. Not travelling as packaged tourists. Like many younger backpackers do, we want to focus on the adventure. We wish to really experiencing countries & their cultures. Being exposed to the lives, habits & places of the local people. Affordable travel, with the flexibility to change and make up the time schedule, as we go along, without sacrificing too many of the creature comforts that we enjoy and need as older backpackers.
What we hope to achieve with the MidlifeBackpackers.com:
Midlifebackpackers.com is our website that will showcase the start of our journeys. We hope it will also become a source of information, inspiration & resources for other “midlifers”. Those who have come to realize that there is currently little or no information suitable to the middle aged backpackers online.
Also see our MidlifeBackpackers Facebook Page
About Menno & Janneke (see also About Menno & Janneke )
So, who are we, Menno & Janneke, midlifebackpackers? We are new to this. We are aware that much of the information out their relating to backpacking is suited to the younger crowd. As midlife backpackers, there are certain things we expect to do, see and experience differently than we would have 20 or so years ago.
We do not profess to know much about travelling the world with a backpack at this stage of our lives. We do know that we have a passion & dream to do it. We know that there must be others that feel the same way. This is why we need to get out there & do it ourselves. We also need the support and help of those who are already doing this. Those who have experience that can help us bring the information, tips & resources to others with the same dreams.
The typical MidlifeBackpacker:
Many people in their mid forties & fifties, decide to travel to foreign places and have never done so before. Maybe we were all too busy with our busy careers, raising kids or generally doing the responsible thing, working hard to provide for retirement. Maybe they have traveled before, but always as a regimented “package tourist”. So everything was pre-planned. Set routines dictate the typical tourist experience.
Whatever the reason, to start backpacking at such a late age and following the midlifebackpacker style of travel, can be daunting for most.
The basic questions & problems that come to mind are:
-So where do we go when the flight has landed?
-What if nobody understands a word of English & no one understands us?
-How do we know what mode of transport to trust & take?
-How will we know when people try & scam us?
-What safety precautions must we take?
-What are reasonable costs versus exorbitant “tourist rates”?
-What if we get lost?
-Where can we safely & affordability go to eat other than the resorts?
-What are the best online resources for a particular place we visit?
-Tips to be aware of at each different town we arrive. Everything differs
from town to town?
-What do we need to take along?
-What is unnecessary?
-Finding your way around?
-Deciding what type of accommodation is suitable?
-What you can expect to spend?
-How can we afford it?
-What basic apps & IT resources can one use to simplify travel?
-Places you want to see, depending on your personal interests?
-Why many of these questions have such simple & common sense answers. Often, you don’t even need to think about them until you land.
Self catering lodge available for MidlifeBackpackers in South Africa:
One of the biggest committed steps we have taken towards turning our travel dreams to a reality, has been to create a self catering apartment suitable for overseas, midlifebackpackers (and other suitable travelers).
The creation of this almost complete guest lodge, has been multi purpose. It is sure to be an invaluable resource for us as well as the guests we will be accommodating. Read all about this and why this could even be your Free accommodation in South Africa should we wish to swap resources with you.
We are just an average, middle aged South African couple. We are estate agents & property investors. (See: Menno-Flat & Townhouse Specialist & Property investor ), with a dream to become regular MidlifeBackpackers. We hope to inspire others to become our friends & share the dreams and resources of this community of MidlifeBackpackers.