Singaporean woman and husband save $135k to scale new heights on six-month journey across 36 countries
When most couples plan an anniversary celebration, it might involve a fancy dinner or a weekend getaway.
But for Michelle Verma and her husband Mariusz Krzysztof Kozlowski, it meant taking a six-month sabbatical to explore 36 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Antarctica.
The pair, both avid travellers since their teens, decided to finally chase their long-postponed honeymoon after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted their wedding year in 2020.
"We got married on Feb 29, 2020. It was our leap year wedding," said Michelle, 38, a Singaporean sports performance coach specialising in swimming, triathlon, rock climbing, and canoeing.
Mariusz, 34, is a Polish data scientist who has lived in Singapore for nine years.
Michelle shared with Stomp that she has been climbing since she was 17, while Mariusz started climbing nine years ago and had his first outdoor climb with her in Laos.
"So for our fourth year together, technically our first wedding anniversary, we decided to take a six-month sabbatical."
Together, they saved US$50,000 (S$67,500) each to fund their trip from February to September 2024.
While the original plan was to check Antarctica, their seventh and final continent, off their list, the journey quickly snowballed into a larger mission: to climb, trek, eat, and explore their way across Latin America and the Carribean as well.
Their favourite memory? "Hands down, Antarctica," Michelle said. "It was truly out of this world.
"The kayaking, mountaineering, hiking, witnessing the glaciers and wildlife, camping on the continent, and even jumping into the icy waters-it was all unforgettable."
The couple chronicled their journey on Instagram (@singapolean.escapade), not for fame but for friends and family to follow along.
Together, they've now travelled to 107 countries and rock climbed in 17 of them-including breathtaking routes in Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Jordan.
From scaling the granite face of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil to navigating the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Mars-like terrain of the Atacama Desert, the couple embraced both challenge and wonder together.
When asked if they had any doubts about hitting pause on their lives to embark on this adventure, Michelle shared: "There weren't many challenges, but we did feel some fear and uncertainty about Mariusz's job upon our return."
In April 2025, Michelle shared that she became the first Singaporean to complete the Crazy Camel climb in Jordan's Wadi Rum, a 100m multi-pitch ascent in the heart of the desert.
"It wasn't a long-time goal," she said. "In fact, when we returned to Singapore, I was trying to plan trips to countries Mariusz had visited that I hadn't. He suggested Jordan.
"My personal Jordan expedition was a full-loop journey through the country's most iconic sites-combining ancient history, vibrant culture, and epic adventure.
"After completing a multi-pitch climb at Brazil's Christ the Redeemer (one of the New 7 Wonders of the World), I thought it would be incredible to tackle a multi-pitch climb in the heart of the desert in Wadi Rum, a Unesco World Heritage site known for its otherworldly sandstone landscapes.
"It wasn't my intention to become the first Singaporean to climb the Crazy Camel, but the 100-meter multi-pitch ascent was an insane and rewarding experience nonetheless."
For Michelle and Mariusz, their love for climbing and adventure is more than just ticking countries off a list. It's about connection, growth, and perspective.
"Climbing gives us time to focus and disconnect from the norms of tourist attractions," Michelle said.
"It acts as a physical challenge and a journey of our personal and couple growth in the experience itself. It also enables us to meet local guides and hear their takes on their countries."
Their adventure continues.
View more photos in the gallery.
