Joshua Lee is a 29-year-old consultant, a US national based in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2005.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2005
- Age at departure: 29
- Nationality: USA
- Location: Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
- Duration: 1-6 months
- Occupation: Consultant
- Original budget: USD 10,000 (approximately USD 17,000 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: North America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Joshua Lee shared about their RTW journey:
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It’s my career
Have you traveled around the world before?
Yes
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I take a lot of time off every year to travel, and I decided to take a 2nd round the world trip before I turned 30. I’ve had a lust for travel since I was a child.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Too little time!
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Very Supportive–my family travels alot in general and many of us live in foreign countries.
How much planning and preparing have you done?
Winged it a lot
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Packing the basics–lots of t-shirts, pants, shorts, etc. Always have my leatherman with me comes in handy no matter where you are.
How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?
Don’t think it will change me that much. I’ve already been to over 50 countries–done a RTW previously and travel all the time. New friends I meet along the way are the biggest and best change-many remain friends for life!
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Adventure, education, culture, fun, exploration–chose words instead of a sentence
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 10,000 would equate to approximately USD 17,000 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 70% inflation over the intervening years.