[rmanocha]

I keep reading stories of people who do things like this, on HN and I always wonder that how is it that people are able to afford something like this. Do you mind telling us (me?) how you're going to finance yourself for the next 5 years (I think you said you plan to work - freelance?), what you think you'd do once the 5 years are over (if you come back to the US/wherever, do you think you'd still have what it takes to be employed at a similar job again), how you plan to handle the potential loneliness (travelling alone for a long period of time can get lonesome, after a while) etc.?

BTW, having lived in Malaysia and visited some SE Asian countries, I highly recommend it (KL, Langkawi), Singapore and Thailand; but then again, these places were probably on your list already.

[pavs]

I can only speak for myself. I am not sure how others have done it. I have some savings and I am a frugal guy, Experience is more important to me than "stuff". By selling everything I have (except for the bare minimum) I won't be tied down to anything. My savings is enough to keep me going for at least 2 years. I hope to do some kind of work during this period - but only enough to help me with my expenses, not trying to be a millionaire. It most likely will be in the form of freelance work, but I am open to odd jobs working part time where ever I end up in.

One of the reasons I am doing this is my life is too easy and predictable. If I try to prepare too much on what "exactly" I will be doing on my travel or what I will do after 5 years; that defeats the whole purpose of doing this. I want to keep planning to the minimum and just flow with whatever happens. It might end up badly or it might be an awesome experience and I am mentally prepared for both and fine with both.

Loneliness is not a problem for me because I am an introvert and I actually enjoy quite alone time.

Yes I do plan to travel to singapore, thailand, malaysia. My plan is to start from asia and neighboring countries; as I get more used to travelling I will try other continents.

I don't have any plans to come back to USA, for now.