Malaysia

Asia's best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions. A sizable enclave of foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians) live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and you'll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools. Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and Philippines) all within a few hour's travel from Malaysia, but miles of beaches and numerous coastal islands add to its tropical appeal. Despite being capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Compared with other major Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month and 3-bedroom houses start at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or luxurious homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.

New Zealand Imagine an interesting land of breathtaking and contrasting scenery: craggy coastlines, golden beaches, lush forests, snow-capped mountains, bubbling volcanic pools, fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. New Zealand is accessible, spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. Other pluses are friendly, English-speaking people, virtually no crime, and a trio of rich cultural influences: adventurous Polynesian navigators (Maori), pioneering European settlers who followed a thousand years later, and modern Pacific Rim immigrants. The plant and animal life are unmatched, giving opportunities for close-up experiences with birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales. Enjoy chance to explore two of richest wine regions on planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on sandy beaches. Prefer urban living? Immerse yourself in culture of capital Wellington or large cities of Auckland or Christchurch.

Tanzania Many people tend to associate African countries with wars, famine and political unrest rather than good life, but Zanzibar, Tanzania is an exception. Located only a short distance off east coast of Africa, exotic Zanzibar has lured explorers, traders and colonists for centuries. The islands’ powdery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters continue to attract European and Asian tourists. Outside of an unusual mix of black African and Arab cultures, you’ll find islands teeming with tropical forests, remote villages and idyllic coastline. Despite flare-ups between residents of Zanzibar Island and smaller island of Pemba (due to differing views on unification with mainland), Zanzibar is usually quite stable. Cheap real estate (oceanfront or raw land with fruit trees), mouth-watering seafood, some of world’s best scuba diving, and pure tropical bliss make it an attractive expatriate haven. A few wealthy Europeans and African aristocrats have already made Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania home. Why not join them?

For more information about these and other locations, visit: www.nsliving.info

Maybe it was foolish to leave Ana alone. Just three months later, two boys were attacked by a mountain lion on hill just behind town of Anaconda. The fourteen-year-old fired his gun to scare it off. Both boys were probably larger than my gunless wife. Fortunately, we didn't meet any cougars or bears on this hike, but Ana had other things to worry about.

Camping With Aliens In Montana

"I hear voices," she told me in tent that night. I assured her there was nobody within ten miles of us, and then she was worried about aliens landing in meadow. Well, it would make a good landing site. The wind threatened to shred tent all night, sounding like whispers or screams of ghosts - or aliens. By morning wind relented, but it was well below freezing - time to get Ana home.

Despite cold she hates so much, Ana couldn't help stopping to take in view as we crossed high meadows on our way home. Mountains, grey with rock, green with grass and flowers, and painted with white patches of snow, were everywhere. Lakes sat in valleys below, unvisited for weeks at a time. We'll be back there again, but perhaps with bear spray and alien repellant.

Notes:

Forty-five miles of Continental Divide Trail pass through Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Other trails in area are never heavily used. You can easily find mountains and whole valleys where you'll be only human residents for as long as you stay.