Michelle James is a 26-year-old teacher from Canada, based in Numazu, Japan, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2005.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2005
- Age at departure: 26
- Nationality: Canada
- Location: Numazu, Japan
- Duration: 3-6 months
- Occupation: Teacher
- Original budget: $700,000 (approximately $1,182,800 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Michelle James shared about their RTW journey:
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Have always travelled and finally have the cash to take a well deserved five months off.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Not enough money and travelling the SE Asia leg of the trip solo.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Read Read read as much info as you can. Talk to people about thier experiences in other countries milk all the tips advece and info you can and then just plan as you go. Trying to plan stuff-especially in Asia- is cose to impossible.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
This might be my only chance to do this and I KNOW I can do it.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
That you can just hope on a plain and go. No such thing.
Why do you like to travel?
Because every minute I am gone I am absorbing a little more of the world and it makes me appreciate how amazing and precious people and the planet are and when I get back to my bed and my kitchen and my pristine bathroom, it makes those things all the sweeter.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of $700,000 would equate to approximately $1,182,800 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 69% inflation over the intervening years.