Bryan Mulligan is a 27-year-old laborer, a Canadian based in the USA, who is planning a round-the-world trip in 2005 with his wife.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2005
- Age at departure: 27
- Nationality: Canada
- Location: USA
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Occupation: Laborer
- Original budget: USD 25,000 (approximately USD 42,500 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: South America, Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Bryan Mulligan shared about their RTW journey:
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
One more paycheck and I’m gone
Have you traveled around the world before?
No
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
My wife and I figure we should either buy a house and have kids or do a trip like this and maybe radically change the course of our lives. We decided on a RTW trip after experiencing the high cost of short-term vacation travel. I think the allure of seeing how the other 6 billion people live their lives is what is really getting us out the door. That and a really good curry I read about in Thailand.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Running out of money before I am ready to go home.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Very supportive.
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)?
Trying to fit everything in one carry-on bag each. We figure we can buy incidentals along the way. Most important item is a good fitting backpack.
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?
That’s what everyone asks me. If I knew I would tell you. I promise.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Ohmygodcanireallydothiswhatifwegetrippedoffandreallysickorreallysickofeachotheranditrainsthewholetimeandicantwaittoleave!
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 25,000 would equate to approximately USD 42,500 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 70% inflation over the intervening years.