In all my previous travels, there’s been a language barrier that’s added a bit of mystery and adventure to the sights and scenery. Upon touching down in Sydney, though, it all felt…familiar. I could read every sign. Everyone had an answer for my questions. I could actually ask questions. In English. I didn’t even have to point and make up my own dialect of sign language. Sure, I’m still travelling, but the ease and familiarity of it all has at times caused me to forget that I am quite literally half a world away.

Sydney is, unequivocally, stunning. The views from the harbour, both from land and sea are mesmerizing. I found myself staring at the Opera House from every which angle, as I couldn’t help it capturing my gaze. Neighborhoods perched on the surrounding rolling hills provide innumerable glances at the skyline, best viewed from the rooftop bars and restaurants speckled throughout the city.

Sydney is clean. It’s bustling, yet surprisingly peaceful. While some locals may protest, it’s very easy to navigate by public transit. It’s connected. In less than 30 mins, you can take a ferry from the main harbour area to most every corner of the surrounding neighborhoods leading out to the Pacific. It’s global. Asian, European, even Mexican (!) cuisine can be found within walking distance from any place in the city…and it’s all delicious! Great food was not something I was expecting as I planned my trip to Sydney, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Taking in the city sights, exploring the character-filled neighborhoods, and relaxing on the soft-sand beaches, I’m ashamed to admit that I was looking to finish the sentence of, “Yeah, Sydney is great, but…” and I never could do it. I still can’t. Aside from a high cost of living, and perhaps some onerous liquor laws, the city is great in every way. It’s easy on all the senses:

Gorgeous. Quiet. Fresh. Warm. Delicious.

Well, there is one thing: The WiFi is trash. When your hostel charges $5 for a day’s worth of slow internet, there’s a problem.

Hey, there’s got to be something wrong with this place, right?

About 4 years ago, I met with a financial adviser to start planning savings strategies for both near and long-term goals. We prioritized what my focus areas would be, and he posed the question, “Do you want to retire early?” Naturally, I confirmed this seemingly trivial question with an emphatic, “Yes!” and proceeded to watch him crunch some numbers that resulted in a strategy that showed, if I saved ‘x’ amount of money in accounts ‘x, y, and z’, I could retire at 55 years old, free to do whatever it is I wanted with myself after that. Clearly, we had different definitions of the word, “early.”

Isn’t it a bit strange that many of us spend our whole lives working and saving to one day do everything we want to do, even though that ‘one day’ is more often than not 30-40 years from today?

Why?

How can you be sure that everything you’d like to do right now will be the same when it comes time for your planned retirement? Wants and desires change over time. Priorities shift. A spouse changes your focus. The gift of children changes perspective. Life events throw curveballs in even the most airtight plans. With near certainty, I can venture a guess that my current wants and desires at age 28 are not going to be the same at 48. With that in mind, I’ve taken it upon myself to ensure that I continually pursue that which fulfills me at any given phase of my life.

And so…I’ve retired.

How long will this retirement last? I honestly don’t know, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. For at least the next 2 (possibly up to 6) months, I am going to do everything I can as a 28-year-old retiree that I might no longer want to do when it comes time for my next retirement. I’ll be spending a month in both Australia and New Zealand, chasing kangaroos and hobbits, before I head to Southeast Asia, where perhaps I’ll ride a motorbike through the jungle, the typical agenda of a retiree.

So, strap in and enjoy the ride, and see if you can keep up with an old retired guy…