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About me

Hi, I’m Jasper. I am Dutch by birth but a citizen of the world. After completing my education in the Netherlands, I worked for an arbitrage trading firm for 6 years. The hours were long, the work was tedious, and my main incentive was financial.

At the age of 32, I reevaluated my life goals. Did I want to slave away at a mildly stimulating profession so I could perch atop a pile of assets at the ripe age of 65? As a chorus of “Nooooooos” blared inside my head, I decided to leap into the unknown. In March of 2010, with no backup plan or prospect of gainful employment, I quit my job to pursue my lifelong dream: ultimate freedom.

I remember the summers of my childhood as wonderfully blissful times. I played in the forest with my friends, ate ice cream at the corner store when it got too hot, kicked a football around in the park with my brothers, and then climbed trees with my girlfriend until the sunset. My life was directed solely by my fleeting desires. How perfect. This is what I sought again, and this is why I broke away from the corporate rat race. I wanted to do what I wanted to do, go where I wanted to go, and spend time with whomever I wanted to spend time with. Ever since then, I have been traveling the world with my friends to embark on an endless stream of fun mini-adventures.

I know what you’re thinking… I must have a mountain of cash stashed away somewhere, right? Wrong. While I did make a great living at my previous job, I do not have millions of dollars in the bank. In order to sustain my lifestyle, I studied web design and SEO in my spare time. I eventually launched several internet related businesses which now fund my every whim. If I can do it, you most certainly can as well.

This blog not only chronicles my journeys but also serves as inspiration for whoever wants to pursue the same goal. I believe that everyone can live their dream, and if I can help people actualize their goals and reach personal success I’d be happy to do so!

Some of my favorite adventures include when I went diving in the Similan Islands, lobster hunting in the Bahamas and sailing in Croatia.

It’s not only been joy. I did run into trouble a few times. Read about how I lost my luggage in Shanghai and ran into trouble at immigration in Fiji.

Although I’ve already been to many places, there are still plenty of adventurous to be had and countries to visit. Check out my bucket list to find out what I have planned for the near future!

I love to communicate with fellow travel lovers, follow me on Facebook, Google, Twitter or subscribe to my RSS Feed or Youtube Channel! For questions, advice or just random thoughts, feel free to leave a comment or email me at contact(at)thetravelingdutchman(dot)com.

Happy travels!

Jasper

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36 thoughts on “About me”

By Dora Glazer on 5 December 2012 at 16:14

Hi Jasper, it is a very fantastic idea, that you will discover and explore the world. Not so many people has enough courage to do that. I would like to try to do the same, and in order to be reality my dream I applied for an international assigment in Delhi, India, for 18 monthes…and I can explore Asia, my favorite continent. D.

By Jasper Ribbers on 5 December 2012 at 20:24

Thanks Dora, all the best in India. Should be an amazing adventure!

By Huzefa on 5 December 2012 at 23:42

This is very inspiring… what a great way to live life.

By Addie on 6 December 2012 at 00:16

Jasper! who did your interface, you know how to do this? It’s so much better than a tumblr! The “about me” is DEAD on!

By Jasper Ribbers on 6 December 2012 at 00:20

Thanks Addie! I use the wordpress thesis theme. Very easy to use!

By Coco Zhao on 12 December 2012 at 08:10

We live life just once… but it must take courage to re-design your way, with confidence; how did you re-evaluate your life goals in 2010 ? what elements you take into consideration ?

By Jasper Ribbers on 12 December 2012 at 18:37

Thanks Coco. For me the main thing was to have the freedom to go where I want to go and do the things I want to do!

By Coco Zhao on 13 December 2012 at 06:37

hi there travelling, so you’re saying following your heart …

By Jasper Ribbers on 14 December 2012 at 16:27

Absolutely!

By Ines on 18 January 2013 at 07:58

Kom ik toevallig op deze site terecht..die Hollander ken ik Blij te zien dat je het helemaal voor elkaar gekregen hebt..al was daar geen twijfel over hè ! Fantastisch om even een glimp mee te pikken van je huidige leven…een Belgische groet, en nog veel liefde en plezier in alles wat je doet! X

By Christa Thompson @ChristaTravels on 29 August 2013 at 05:42

Okay.. I’m going to be picking your brain about the income streams you have created. I ditched my career as well. I couldn’t be happier

By Jasper Ribbers on 9 September 2013 at 02:37

Hey Christa we’ll talk about that at TBEX

By Sofie on 1 April 2014 at 21:46

I’m going to TBEX Europe 2014… and I’d love to know as well:D

By Jasper Ribbers on 2 April 2014 at 14:00

Will see both of you in Greece then!

By Jenny on 6 September 2013 at 11:13

Hey Jasper, that’s exactly what I feel now! Like a slave and I can’t do whatever I want whenever I want to.. Lol, being in a corporate world, it’s worse than having a bf or husband because you can’t be gone away for too long! I am now preparing for my big adventure! I am currently saving up, learning investments & ways to earn online, which will eventually my source of fund! Freedom!!! I hope to have you completely next year!! God bless! -Jennifer-

By Jasper Ribbers on 9 September 2013 at 02:41

Hey Jennifer, sounds great you might want to check out his:
http://www.businessinaweekend.co. It’s run by a friend of mine who has inspired me a lot.

Good luck with your transition and let me know how it’s going!

By Rei Lopez on 30 September 2013 at 03:27

Hallo Jasper, like you I have also ditched my previous job, well my service was completed and now I am heading back to the Philippines to pursue school and at the same time do a little, well a lot of traveling. Wonderful to see someone who knows what life is really all about. I might even bump into you in the P.I.

Ciaow

By Jasper Ribbers on 1 October 2013 at 08:16

Hi Rei, thanks for stopping by and enjoy your travels!

By kirsty on 25 October 2013 at 16:05

It is nice to see people like you who is able to travel the world. I know 2 Dutch friends also who also traveled almost the world. When they were around 27 , they also give up everything they have in NL and their goal is to travel the world but to avoid mostly airplanes. I am so inspired by people like you. check this friend’s website http://www.flickr.com/photos/maartjeenjeroen/ who knows you might even know them:) Veel success op jou volgende reis:)

By Jasper Ribbers on 25 October 2013 at 16:51

Thanks for your comment Kirsty, I’ll check out the site you mentioned!

By Dara on 1 November 2013 at 17:12

Hi jasper! Your stepping out from the norms is really inspiring i am turning 32 an i am undergoing same dillema in my career & life. I am praying to jump of too to freedom and to my life long dream. Thank you for inspiring many.

By Sofie on 1 April 2014 at 21:45

Hey Jasper!

Christa from The Fairytale Traveler told me you rock, so I came to check out your blog:)
I’m from Belgium, so I guess we’re kind of neighbors:-)

By Jasper Ribbers on 2 April 2014 at 13:59

Hey Sofie, thanks for stopping by. I’ll check out your blog as well

By Tine on 10 April 2014 at 11:22

Great to meet you Jasper, I’m excited to read your e-book

By Jasper Ribbers on 10 April 2014 at 12:53

Thanks Tine, let me know what you think!

By Dan on 8 May 2014 at 19:55

Do you know somebody(german or dutch rather) who wants to visit Romania for 7 to10 days this summer?

By Jasper Ribbers on 9 May 2014 at 15:30

Hey Dan, no I don’t. Maybe you can post your questions on a travel forum or check out this website:

http://www.travel-buddies.com

Hope you find someone!

By Lindsey on 17 June 2014 at 15:31

This article just blew my mind. I’ve been working for one of the Big 4 accounting firms for 6 years… and feel pretty much exactly how you described. Oddly enough, I also happen to be an expat living in Rotterdam. I just visited Ireland which was my 15th country in the last 9 months as I’m trying to take advantage of my location in the Eastern hemisphere. If you have any great suggestions in Holland or Europe, aside from the obvious ones, I’d love to hear them. Or, if by chance you’re ever putting together a group excursion (such as yacht week), I would love to join you! (Actually, I’m sailing the red route of Croatia the week of 28 July which is how I stumbled upon your webpage!)
Cheers,
Lindsey

By Jasper Ribbers on 19 June 2014 at 00:33

Hi Lindsey, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have you ever considered checking out Iceland? It’s one of my favorite destinations in Europe. I’ll let you know in case I will organize a trip and have fun at Yachtweek! – Jasper.

By Yvette Broyles on 4 August 2014 at 08:15

Hello Jasper.:) I just landed in Chile today and was reading your post on Vina del Mar, where I will be studying Spanish for 3 months. I’m an ESL teacher, so I’m also looking for work in hopes to stay around the beach for the next year or so. I am also interested in a back-up plan via internet. Seems you’re doing well for yourself. Thanks for the websites you’ve provided. I’ll be sure to look into them. Cheers and happy travels!

By Jasper Ribbers on 4 August 2014 at 19:59

Hi Yvette, sounds great enjoy your time there and thanks for leaving a comment.

By Hester @ Flying Dutchgirl on 2 September 2014 at 12:51

Hey another Dutch person with a fairly similar idea (and name…)! I just came across your blog, but should definitely have checked it out before! Looks great! Very inspiring! Keep up the great work and maybe we should grab some bier and bitterballen somewhere along the way Groeten uit Rotterdam! Hester