Anne Neal is a 30-year-old parachute packer from the USA who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2002.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2002
- Age at departure: 30
- Nationality: USA
- Location: USA
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Occupation: Parachute packer
- Original budget: USD 10,000 (approximately USD 18,300 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Oceania, Southeast Asia, Europe
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Anne Neal shared about their RTW journey:
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
I am packing heavier than I would like because I want to be available to work at anything, including temp office work. My most important/indispensable items are my paper credentials, money and my address book .
Why do you like to travel?
I have a curiosity to see what is around the corner. There may be nothing special, but I haven’t seen it for myself yet. Plus, you meet a lot of new and interesting people.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Fear, trepidation, excitement, like doing my first skydive all over again, and it just seems like time to do it.
Why did you decide to take this trip?
I don’t want to live on drop zones anymore, and a friend suggested I travel…
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 10,000 would equate to approximately USD 18,300 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 83% inflation over the intervening years.