The Midnight Start
On January 11th at 12:30 am, I began my journey by leaving my home in Mumbles, Swansea, and boarding a coach to Heathrow Terminal 5. This marked the first leg of my exciting return to Bolivia.
From Heathrow to Madrid: The First Flight
Upon arriving at the airport, I embarked on a 2.5-hour flight to Madrid. A short 5-hour layover allowed me just enough time to stretch my legs and mentally prepare for the longer leg of the journey.
Madrid to Santa Cruz: Crossing the Atlantic
Next came the 11.5-hour flight to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Landing at 4 am, I was greeted by a stark contrast in weather. Leaving the cold UK bundled in layers, I was met with a sweltering 32-degree Bolivian morning.
The Baggage Scare
Navigating the usual immigration queues was uneventful, but the baggage carousel tested my patience. Watching bags roll by, my stomach churned with worry as my luggage was nowhere in sight. Fortunately, my tech-savvy self had thought ahead and equipped my suitcases with AirTags. However, I soon discovered the limitations of the Find My network in Bolivia—my UK iPhone wasn’t much help without a functioning Bolivian SIM card. Just as I began to despair, my smaller suitcase appeared, followed by the larger one. Relieved, I grabbed them and joined yet another queue for a final security check.
A Reunion to Remember
Finally, after clearing security, I rushed through the arrivals doors. There she was—Vanesa, more beautiful than ever. Though we had kept in touch daily through WhatsApp video calls, nothing compared to being in her arms again after four long months apart.
The Year Ahead
The plan? I’ll be staying in South America for the next 12 months, during which we plan to get married. Professionally, I aim to build a new business, leveraging the flexibility of Airbnb income from renting out my UK home. Additionally, I’ve always dreamed of being a digital nomad—working remotely from different parts of the world. This year is my chance to fully embrace that lifestyle, combining my passion for travel with the freedom and challenges of building a remote career. I’ll be sharing my experiences, lessons learned, and progress in future blog posts.
Stay Tuned
This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Follow my journey through this blog, my YouTube channel, and social media for updates on my adventures and projects. Adiós for now!
