If you read the post Reasons Not To Jump #1, and marvelled at the extraordinary trajectory of Ian Ushers life after standing on a freeway overpass pondering life, then you might like to read the latest instalment. Or take up his offer of house sitting on his Caribbean Island … that’s right HIS Caribbean Island.
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| Thanks to Ian Usher |
In March 2011 Ian and his partner Moe travelled to Panama, specifically the area surrounding Bocas, where he ‘put in a ridiculous offer’ on a small Caribbean island.
After just two months Ian found himself the owner of 2.2 acres … his own Caribbean Island.
By August he’d begun clearing the land and purchased a boat to transport goods.
But then …
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| thanks to Ian Usher |
Trouble with a barged misjudging the depth of a landing dock, set him back for a while, but he pressed on and soon had house plans approved, wood delivered, land cleared and new plants put in.
By November the island was cleared, the four workers returned to the mainland, he’d planted new coconut trees, bananas, pineapples, sweet apples, avocados and sugar cane.
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| thanks to Ian Usher |
In December Moe and her children visited, spending a week on the island sleeping in hammocks.
But it was in February 2012 that work really started.
Half the foundations on the house were completed, the frame begun and by March Ian had strung a hammock and slept in his island ‘home’ for the first time.
Since then a solar panel and battery has been installed so there’s light, along with a full 600 gallon water tank, a 12 volt water pump, a small gas oven in the ‘kitchen’, a mattress and pillow.
After six months Ian no longer lives in town, in his own words he’s now ‘a Caribbean Island owner, living on my own island’.
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| thanks to Ian Usher |
A couple of weeks ago he emailed to say he’s looking for someone to ‘house sit’ for four months, while he travels back to Whitehorse to see Moe and the kids. At that stage the likely timing was June to October this year, so around about now.
If you’re interested in your own adventure, or a break from your own life, just let me know and I’ll see if he’s found anyone yet.
In the meantime I’ll ponder …
- Is this how Richard Branson started his own private island paradise?
- How much can one life change in just a few short years?
More photos can also be found at http://ianusher.com/island.php
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| Thanks to Ian Usher |
