Above Us Only Skies: Living Curiously With Two Feet Off the Treadmill

Two people, two backpacks, and one quiet promise: to never return to routine without questioning it first.

In 2014, Ian & Nicky left the UK for a short break in South East Asia. A few months later, they were still travelling. What began as a sabbatical slowly stretched into a full-time life on the move: part house-sitting, part road-tripping, part discovery of the world at large. From the Andes to the South Pacific, from the cities of Europe to the fjords of New Zealand, they’ve crafted a journey built on connection and curiosity.

At-a-Glance:

Web Name: Above Us Only Skies
Name: Ian & Nicky Mackenzie
Generation: Gen X
FI Status: Financial independence by lifestyle redefinition, not early retirement
Travel Type: Backpacking, road trips & house sitting
Travel Regions: South East Asia, Australasia, Europe, Central & South America, USA
Media Platforms: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest

Backstory:

Ian had spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry. Nicky had worked in travel and tourism. They were used to deadlines and deliverables, to structured holidays squeezed into bank holidays and approved leave. Their early travels reflected that tempo: short trips, always bracketed by a return flight. But a visit to Cambodia rewired something. It wasn’t the place itself, but the space it gave them to reflect. The months that followed, they recall, felt like shedding layers. The career climb, the calendar, the pre-planned paths—all gave way to something slower and more curious.

The Shift:

It wasn’t one single event. It was the accumulation of many small pivots. Sitting on a beach in the Philippines in 2014, they knew they didn’t want to go back. The house, the jobs, the old rhythm, none of it felt essential anymore. What mattered was time. And how it was spent. So they began reimagining life as something not lived between holidays, but as a continuous, evolving journey. They sold their belongings, restructured their finances, and said yes to a new model: one that prioritised freedom over certainty.

The inspiration came from Nicky who, in a rare moment of clarity (and after more than one glass of Sauvignon Blanc) piped up with the visionary, “Tell you what, why don’t we just sack the rat race and galavant around the world for a few years”?

How They Made It Work:

Rather than relying on savings alone, they learned to travel affordably and meaningfully. House-sitting became their cornerstone. Through platforms like TrustedHousesitters, they secured stays across continents—not as tourists, but as temporary locals. They managed costs through slow travel, avoided flights when possible, and shared their journey through the Above Us Only Skies blog. While income details remain private, it’s clear their financial setup supports long-term travel without full-time work. Their blog offers guides and real talk for others looking to explore the same route.

Where They Travel & Why:

Their map is dotted with slow arcs rather than fast dashes. New Zealand gave them road trip freedom and natural awe. Cuba offered rhythm and rawness. In the Andes, they paused during lockdown, capturing both beauty and uncertainty in images and stories. Europe remains a favourite for its mix of culture and house-sitting opportunities. Their travel is less about ticking boxes, more about embedding in place: walking dogs in Cornwall, shopping at local markets in Spain, photographing valleys in Peru. They go where the next door opens.

Challenges & Real Talk:

It isn’t always smooth. They’ve navigated health concerns, logistical nightmares, and even natural disasters. Hurricane Irma taught them about unpredictability and resilience. In other moments, they’ve confronted the emotional toll of impermanence: the lack of rooted community, the occasional fatigue of constant planning. Still, their honesty stands out. On their blog, they don’t sugarcoat the effort it takes to live this way. The glamour fades quickly, they note, but what remains is deeper: a sense of agency and perspective.

What Keeps Them Going:

Connection. Curiosity. The shared understanding that they’re living a life not by default, but by design. Their days are shaped by the rhythm of other people’s homes, the companionship of animals, the discovery of a new trail. They find joy in small things: morning walks with a borrowed dog, a local dish cooked from scratch, the unfolding narrative of a place. The blog isn’t just a travel journal: it’s a space of reflection. For them, this isn’t a phase it’s a lens through which life now makes sense.

Advice to Readers:

They emphasise realism. House-sitting isn’t a free holiday, but a commitment. You need to be flexible, responsible, and adaptable. Start with local sits to build your profile. Be clear about expectations. And above all: if you’re thinking about reimagining your life, ask yourself what truly matters. Their story isn’t about escape, but engagement. Travel, they say, isn’t a cure-all, but it is a powerful lens to examine what kind of life you want to lead.

Links to More:

Website: aboveusonlyskies.com

*Disclaimer: Income, income streams and financial independence details & status are drawn exclusively from publicly available sources. No inference, harm, or misrepresentation is intended toward any individual or entity.