Phil's Travel Journal | Time to Break Out

Phil has trekked in Nepal, walked the Camino, and still found himself at home one June wondering why he hadn't booked anything. This is his Travel Journal: three months in South America, one country at a time.

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So, there I was sitting at home on a very warm June day, reflecting that it was time to break out!

A passion for travel wasn't being realised, mainly because I hadn't booked anything.

Then as is often the case for me, life got larger... Let's book a Gap Year. Three months in South America! That should do it...

Initially I felt a bit anxious.

What had I done?

Travelling with a group of strangers?

An initial group video chat didn't shine too much light, but by the 2nd, I started to identify like-minded troubadours.

I've done expeditions in Nepal, walked the Camino, travelled through SE Asia, done Charity projects in India, Russia, & Albania... Somehow the kit "requirements" seemed to embrace all of these (and more). No worries, I'll take a packing crate. But no, so a careful process of working down to the essentials left one key open issue - I need a bag to take all this in! Strangely enough, that seemed to be my major challenge in preparation.

Meeting up in real life on that first night in Lima was fabulous. We sampled the local brew (Pisco Sour) and right off we just "knew" that this was going to work! Now we just had to embrace it, enjoy, reflect and experience all that travelling always introduces.

I'm seeking a balance. Some group time, some personal & reflective time, adventures mixed with finding my new favourite cafe in each location. Mostly creating new memories and seeking a new path for the next chapter in my journey

Phil x

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Phil's Travel Journal is written by Phil Wilson, who is spending three months travelling through Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina on a DECADES Gap Year. DECADES runs small-group, multi-month trips for adults over 50, with the accommodation, routes and logistics taken care of.

Thinking about a gap year in retirement? Start with our free Gap Year Guide, or read more first-hand accounts, starting with Arthur's first diary entry.