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Photo Friday: Routeburn Track, NZ

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This Photo Friday was submitted by Manali & Terry Bettendorf, who departed Atlanta, GA in August of 2009 for their year-long career break. So far they have explored, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia.

They are currently in New Zealand, where this photo was taken while walking one of New Zealand's Great Walks: The Routeburn Track. "We felt as if we were on the top of the world, defintely one of the highlights on our 5 week adventure in New Zealand!"

You can follow their career break adventures on Manali + Terry: Yuppies to Hippies | Newlyweds on our World Adventure

Every Friday we’ll feature a career break inspired photo. Want to see your photo here? Join our Facebook Fan Page and upload your career break photo to our Wall. Add a brief description of the photo and we may choose to feature it here!

1 Response to “Photo Friday: Routeburn Track, NZ”

Matt Says:
2010-04-02 23:46
Beautiful shot! That's one area of New Zealand I've yet to see, but I hope to by the end of my stay!

Other comments

9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"

Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am

I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂

Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am

Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).

In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!

Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm

Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!

Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm

Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.

Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm

Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!

Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm

merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!

shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am

you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!

Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am

[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]

G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm

I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.