Michael and I are currently back in the Pacific Northwest. Every year, we pause our nomading for about a month to return to our former home — to buy new clothes and electronics, to visit our doctors and refill prescriptions, and to see my father and old friends.

My dad happens to have an old time-share condo near Port Townsend, across Puget Sound from Seattle, and I bank our time from the rest of the year in order for Michael and me to stay four weeks in a row, giving us (mostly) free lodging.

And the beach below the condo ain’t bad either:

We do have to rent a car, of course, but I have so much advance planning that I’m usually able to get a really good deal.

The best part, by far, is getting to see my dad — and all our old friends.

Michael and I usually split up for at least a week, so Michael can visit his Seattle friends, and my old Dungeons & Dragons buddies can join me for four or five days up at the condo.

This year, while I was playing D&D, Michael housesat for my brother and his wife in Seattle. I confess I’m jealous that he got to spend time with Phoebe, my brother’s impossibly adorable cat.

As our time here in the Pacific Northwest comes to a close, I’m wishing we could have stayed another week or two — although I confess to being shocked by the price of groceries in the U.S. Ten dollars for a jar of kalamata olives? In retrospect, London was a bargain.

Michael, of course, is eager to get to our next destination.

Which is where exactly?

Malaysia! Kuala Lumpur and Penang, to be exact. The plan right now is to spend most of 2023 in Asia: Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Laos, Taiwan, and Japan.

But as usual, our plans are subject to change in the event something more interesting comes up.

What might you have missed recently on Brent and Michael Are Going Places? Here are our recent articles:

In 2022, We Spent $56,000 (While Traveling the World) I documented our nomading budget for 2022.

London's Pubs Are Disappearing. Which is Too Bad Because They're Amazing. Michael reflected on London’s pubs.

Sleeping with the Enemy: My Struggle with Insomnia Michael wrote about his problems getting to sleep.

Just How “Out” Should Gay Travelers Be? A reader recently asked Michael and me to settle a dispute.

The Water Meets the Sky at Iceland's Fabulous Sky Lagoon I wrote about a fantastic new outdoor spa in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Brent and Michael's Secret Travel Hacks, Part 8! I continued our ongoing series of travel hacks, including how to keep library books longer, avoid road toll fees, see ALL the flights, and make your PrEP last a whole year.

London's Crystal Palace Lives! (In my Imagination, at Least) I wrote about the remnants of this amazing example of Victorian architecture near our London house.

Tired of a Dreary Winter? Let Italy's Cinque Terre Brighten Your Day — In Pictures Michael covered the colors! The coastline! And the calamari!

Seven Surprising Things About London It may be the most iconic city on Earth, but it still surprised us.

Women Artists in Croatia Are Reclaiming Their History — One Mural at a Time Michael wrote about a fascinating artist he met last year.

That Time We Were in a Cabin in Alaska Surrounded by Grizzly Bears I wrote about a terrifying encounter from several decades ago.

What Does it Mean that People Suddenly Love Movie and TV Villains? I explored society’s recent fascination with villainy.

My Mom Was Wrong About Travel (But She Was Right About Cleaning the Kitchen Sink) My mother taught me there's a contradiction between being cautious and being curious. But there isn't.

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