Many of us might dream about following our bliss, escaping the grind of the day-to-day life for travel and adventure, but Matt and Jessica Johnson actually took this plunge and have never looked back. In 2011, they sold their house, quit their jobs, and on August 12, departed for an indefinitely-long journey. They've visited 16 countries so far, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, and Peru. And since 2012, they've had a third crew member in tow – their cat Georgie.
The couple adopted the feline from a no-kill animal shelter, and Georgie often accompanies them above deck. “She does very well with the sailing and is more steady on her feet than we are,” Jessica told news.com.au. Georgie loves sitting on the deck and watching the fish. This adventurous cat isn't averse to water, either. “We found out she can swim when she jumped overboard in Grand Cayman. She swam around the back of the boat and climbed up the ladder.”
Before setting sail, Matt and Jessica both had stable careers, but they don't regret this new direction in their lives. “For too long we had spent all of our weekends in front of the TV without ever doing anything productive or enjoyable,” Jessica explained. “We realized this needed to change.” They continue to live off their savings by being frugal and keeping conscious of how much they spend each month.
The couple, who is chronicling their lives at sea on their blog, are currently working on gutting and rebuilding a 37-foot aluminum boat to get it ready to cruise. Jessica and Matt still welcome adventure, though, writing, “One thing is for sure, we can never rely on plans and new adventures are always waiting around the corner for us.”
Matt and Jessica Johnson: Website | Facebook
via [Bored Panda and news.com.au]
