Carolina Esguerra Colborn earned her MBA from the University of the Philippines and was a former jet-setting executive. She immigrated to the United States, married, and cruised North America in an RV. In a span of four years, Carolina and her husband cruised in their RV a hundred thousand miles across Canada, the US, and a few states in Mexico. Her book Carolina: Cruising to an American Dream talks about her experience traveling and her own experience as a wife, and keeping her identity. Carolina talks about her blog and her life.

Carolina, welcome, and please tell me what your blog is all about. Who is your audience? What is your main message?

As the byline of my blog says: “It’s not only about the obvious journeys, the travels past 70 that make the most sense; it’s also about the inner ones, the fine insights distilled by constant travels.“ I am talking to all travelers. I hope the younger ones are inspired to believe that traveling can be for a lifetime. I also hope the older ones can see how to transition to travels that are more comfortable, more convenient, and more immersive. My main message is this: “You can travel until the end, even when you sway on your rocking chairs or get lost in the comforts of your armchairs. And you can tell us all your stories.”

What made you blog about cruising?

My wedding was on a private cruise ship on Lake Union in Washington. We thought it had to symbolize our cruising into a life of cruising, into a never-ending honeymoon. And what better way to remember all of the happiness than through a blog with words and pictures?

How does writing help you? 

It helps me express my innermost thoughts and feelings about our wonderful cruising lifestyle.

Please tell me about your executive background. You are highly educated. Why give all that up and move to the US?

I didn’t give up anything. I retired early, at 54. I thought I had given enough to my country. Having been a single parent for twenty years, I wanted to experience life with a lifetime partner. There is no divorce in the Philippines so it would have been impossible to find one there. And my first grandson was born in North America. By that time, I have had four sisters, three daughters, two granddaughters. I wanted to take care of a baby boy!

I am sure you have faced many challenges in life. Share some of them and how you have dealt with them and overcame them?

The major one really was the break-up of my marriage to the father of my children. That led me to focus on my career for twenty years, making sure my children were very well provided for. When they were all in careers of their own, I changed my focus and migrated to North America: Canada first where one daughter resides, the US next where the other lives. I visit Australia, the home of my youngest daughter.

Give yourself some advice at 18 28, 38, 48, 58, and 68?

At 18, one must study well. 28, marry well. 38, parent well. At 48, prepare for retirement. At 58, enjoy retirement. 68, decide what to leave your family or the world.

What has marriage taught you?

Life is better shared. It is easier when burdens are divided; more joyful when triumphs are joint.

Talk to me about some amazing countries, places, or cities you have visited and why.

We went in the fall to the Arctic Circle in our RV. The alpine tundra was a majestic carpet of yellow, orange, gold, and reds that blanketed hills and valleys. There was nary a soul and, even with the biting cold of the wind, we felt utmost serenity. It was like we were one of the first people to discover the paradise that is called earth. (Arctic Circle).

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