Hey there! We’re Holly, Sean, and Sonni, an adventurous trio from sunny Florida. In 2023, we sold everything and set off for Thailand, but ended up slomading across Southeast Asia, in search of the perfect island paradise to call home.
Here at Coconuts ‘n Carry-ons, our passion for exploring the globe and sharing those epic adventures with you comes to life. We’re all about helping you navigate your travel and relocation dreams. Thinking of making the world your home? You’ve hit the jackpot!
We’re schooling Sonni on the move (because why be bound by walls?) and loving every minute of our minimalist, culture-soaked journey. Dive in for packing hacks, drool-worthy destination guides, and the inside scoop on making this a sustainable lifestyle. Ready to travel light and live large? Let’s do this!
Meet Holly
Meet Sean
Meet Sonni
Hi there! I’m Holly, the writer and logistics fairy of our family. My tropical soul craves turquoise waters, white sands, and live music—especially reggae, afrobeats, salsa, and jazz. When I’m not busy planning our next adventure, you can find me snapping way too many pictures of flowers!
I’m Sean, the photographer and drone pilot who keeps this family grounded. My ultimate dream? Becoming a SCUBA instructor to spend my days beneath the deep blue sea. I thrive on the living life to the fullest, both above and below the surface.
Hey, I’m Sonni! I love yummy food, cats and awesome flights. Speaking of which, airport lounges are my favorite! I’m helping Mom and Dad to plan our trip to Japan—it’s number one on my bucket list!
Imagine a sunny campus, a couple of wide-eyed freshmen, and an instant connection. Sean was the tall, funny, nice guy, while I was busy chasing bad boys. We drifted to separate parts of the country after college but kept in touch through social media—MySpace, anyone?
Fast forward to 2012. Out of the blue, a Facebook DM from Sean reignited our spark. He flew out to Arkansas, where I was living, and it was like no time had passed. We fell head over heels, moved to Florida for its proximity to the Caribbean (our dream scouting ground for a forever home), got married, and welcomed our Florida baby, Sonni.
Since then, we’ve bought two homes and built an amazing life around our hobbies of kayaking, camping, SCUBA diving, and spending as much time at the beach as possible.
When we first started dating, I laid out my dream: moving out of the U.S. to a tropical island and homeschooling our future kids. Sean, the adventurer, was all in. Then came COVID, and it was our cue to pack our bags and find our happy island.
In 2023, we sold everything, deregistered Sonni from school, and left our perfect beach life in the U.S. behind. Thailand, with its stunning beaches and being known as “The Land of Smiles”, seemed like the perfect fit.
But as seasoned travelers know, plans change. We’ve called Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia home since then. Our quest to settle in one place turned into a wilder adventure than we ever imagined.
Our first year of full-time travel has truly stretched us, both individually and as a family. We’ve butchered a few languages, adapted to life in Southeast Asia (while still being culture shocked almost daily), and managed two income properties from paradise. Sonni has found his stride, and Sean and I have discovered new strengths within ourselves and each other.
We usually stay in each place for a month or more, forming heart connections and feeling a pang of sadness when we leave. As I write this, tears stream down my face as we leave Malaysia for Vietnam.
However, it hasn’t all been rainbows and sunshine. We’ve fought like hell, uncovering issues in our marriage that our busy U.S. lives had masked. Our relationship has been as janky as an old tuk-tuk at times, and the D-word has come up more than once. Sonni has felt lonely, struggling to make friends due to personality clashes and language barriers. I even had a near-death experience in Vietnam, rushed to the ER, convinced I was taking my last breaths.
Living out of backpacks and constantly adapting to new surroundings has tested our patience and flexibility. But we’re leaning on each other and have no regrets about choosing this lifestyle. We’ve seen jaw-dropping beauty that moved us to tears and taken thousands of photos that can’t capture the magic of seeing it all firsthand. We’ve made friends from every corner of the globe, reaffirming our belief that people are fundamentally awesome.
Thailand didn’t become our forever home, but it was the start of something even better: a year of exploration, discoveries, and growth. Looking ahead to 2025, our hearts are set on finding an island paradise to call home. 🏝️🌺
Coconuts ‘n CarryOns captures the spirit of our journey and lifestyle. Coconuts represent the tropical paradises we’re chasing (plus we’re coconut addicts), while CarryOns reflects our minimalist travel style.
But it’s also about our ability to “carry on” through the ups and downs of life abroad. Join us as we navigate the real deal of our adventures, share tips, and inspire each other along the way!
Welcome, free-spirited families and solo adventurers! If you’re tired of the usual tourist traps and crave something deeper, you’re in the right spot. Here, we dive into worldschooling, marriage quirks, and share both our bloopers and breakthroughs.
Whether you’re yearning to soak up local cultures, unearth hidden gems, or discover a bit more about yourself along the way, we’ve got you covered.
At Coconuts ‘n CarryOns, we inspire parents to travel with their kids by sharing our real experiences. We offer an honest look at full-time family travel, highlighting both the highs and lows. Whether you’re dreaming of a quick escape or planning a permanent move abroad, we’re here to help make your journey smoother and more fun.
- For Families: Dive into worldschooling tips, family-friendly spots, and advice for traveling with kids. From kid-friendly activities to handling logistics, we’ve got your back.
- For Solo Travelers and Couples: Discover budget travel hacks, packing tips, and guides on how to travel responsibly and support local communities. Our goal is to help you experience the world sustainably, no matter your travel style or budget.
So, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a newbie, come along and let’s make exploring the world a blast together!
Grab a coconut and let’s carry on!
How do you afford to travel full-time?
We fund our travel lifestyle through a combination of real estate investments, digital content creation, and consulting work. We’ve also mastered the art of budget travel and travel hacking.
Do you feel safe in the countries you visit?
Absolutely! We feel safe in the countries we visit by staying aware of our surroundings and taking common-sense precautions. People are generally welcoming and helpful, and we do thorough research before heading to a new place to stay informed about any potential safety concerns.
How do you manage your properties while traveling?
We self-manage our rental properties remotely, leveraging technology and local support when needed. This allows us to maintain a steady income stream while exploring the world.
What is worldschooling and how do you do it?
Worldschooling is an approach to education where learning happens through experiences around the world. For Sonni, this means learning through cultural immersion, local activities, and tailored educational resources. We believe real-world experiences offer invaluable lessons that can’t be found in textbooks.
Cool, but what about math & science?
We incorporate math and science into our world schooling in practical and engaging ways. For instance, this week we’re teaching Sonni about waves by exploring how they’re formed, reading tidal charts, and measuring surfboards. We use real-life situations about things he’s interested in to make learning fun and relevant. Additionally, we supplement with educational resources and online courses to ensure a comprehensive education.
How do you decide where to go next?
We choose our destinations based on a mix of personal interests, cultural experiences, and practical considerations like cost of living and visa requirements. We love exploring tropical places and are always on the lookout for our next adventure.
What’s been your favorite destination so far?
That’s a tough one! Each place has its unique charm. We’ve loved the beaches of Thailand, the vibrant culture of Vietnam and Mexico (not to mention the food), and the friendships we made in Bali. Each destination offers something special, making it hard to pick just one favorite.
How do you stay connected with family and friends back home?
Video calls, social media, and messaging apps. Regular updates through our blog and social media channels also help keep our loved ones in the loop about our adventures.
What’s in your carry-ons?
We travel light with essentials like versatile clothing, tech gear for work and schooling, and a few personal items. We prioritize packing smart to make our journeys as smooth and comfortable as possible.
How do you handle healthcare while traveling?
We have international health insurance that covers us in multiple countries. We also do our research on local healthcare facilities in advance and ensure we have access to necessary medications and supplements.
What advice would you give to families thinking about full-time travel?
Go for it! Start with thorough planning and research. Understand your finances, healthcare needs, and educational plans. Be flexible and open-minded, and don’t wait too long—your plan won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be. Embrace the adventure and cherish the time together as a family. The world has so much to offer, and exploring it together is incredibly rewarding.