11 Years Living Off-Grid On A Self-Built Island (full tour)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มิ.ย. 2024
- Meet our fellow cruisers, Ben and Lisa. They sailed to Tonga 16 years ago and have been slowly building this incredible off-grid island ever since.
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Treehouses, fale's, and the answer to the question, “what happens when you sail to a place you love so much you don’t want to leave.”
WHO ARE WE?
We’re Jason and Nikki Wynn. We been living #OffTheGrid and exploring the world for 10 years.
Our first six years of #travel were an epic road trip around North America.
Now we’re on a #sailing voyage about the world. Did we have any previous sailing experience, of course not!
Neither of us is overly talented, smart, rich, lucky, or retired. But that doesn’t stop us from reaching far-flung destinations, having wild #adventure and managing everything that makes living aboard a moving vessel possible.
We’re two ordinary people that just so happen to live an extraordinary life.
And this is why we publish our lives on the world wide web. We share in hopes of inspiring you to find your adventure.
Timestamps if you like to Jump Around:
00:00 The Scoop on This Vid
00:56 Sunrise, A Beautiful Morning
01:49 Dinghy Adventure
02:14 Welcome to Mandala
03:59 Meet the Sailors
06:30 How Did You Buy an Island?
08:30 A Restaurant & How it was Built
09:44 Architecture, Design & Fibonacci
11:40 Building a Treehouse
13:27 The Little Details
14:31 Room Tour, A Nonagon Fale
16:20 A Self-Built Island
16:59 The First Treehouse & Full Tour
20:34 Underground Living Roof Room (Hobbit House)
22:43 Off Grid: Water Maker, Solar, Battery
25:30 AND a 59' Catamaran (Fountain Pajot)
26:35 Next Time...
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#BoatLife #Catamaran #TravelVlog #DigitalNomad #LifeStyle #Sailboats
© Gone With the Wynns 2021
I am such a proud Mom. Ben is my son and Lisa my fabulous dauthter-in-law, both of whom are spectacular, loving, caring people. The planet is blessed to have them on board! Thank you for featuring their beautiful resort!
Do you ever visit? It’s wonderful.
We all hope that you can go often.
Good on you Brenda! They indeed are at peace on that wonderful island. Hope you get to see them soon. Wishing you good health in these dire times.
Kudos!
Hi Mrs. Clark, I bet you miss them very much. But please tell me, was he an adventurous child when he was very young and growing up? I asked this because I just don't see the average man or woman taking on a challenge such as this, even though the rewards are spectacular.
I am Ben’s Step Dad and could not be more proud of all that Ben and Lisa have accomplished over a decade to create this wonderful island resort. Because of health issues, Ben’s Mother and I have not been able to vacation on the island but it is our dream to be able to soon. Watching this video warms our hearts and shows the world what two beautiful people can accomplish. Very proud.😎❤️
Hope you get to go soon !
We're probably around the same age Bob. Every time I hear someone speak despairingly of this generation I roll my eyes and remember what my parents said about ours. Your stepson and partner are the epitome of brilliant optimism for the future and a deserved slap in the face for the "nay sayers". Wish I were a part of it but have had a great run nevertheless.
I am ben’s brother an i can say I am very proud of him as well
Bob, I wish I were lucky enough to have a parental influence like you in my life! People underestimate the power of quiet support and encouragement! Have a good day and I pray you’re soon setting on the beach in Tonga 🇹🇴!
Life is short, you should take advantage of the beautiful space created by your boy. I hope one day you can get out that way. I’m sure they’d love to have you around for a while also, sick or not. Best wishes
I am such a proud dog. Ben and Lisa used to own me before they left for island. I was fed five times a day and walked out even more often. This video warms my pet heart, very barkroud of them!
This one fell under the radar. 😂😂😂
I am Ben and Lisa’s pet cat, they left me on the streets of Bangkok, meow.
Welcome to the kingdom of Tonga...fetoko is about are mile to my family island Avalau is my grandfather enjoy and thank you for the video
Thank you so much, Jason & Nikki, for sharing our story in such a beautiful way. You guys always create such fantastic videos and we are honoured to be a tiny part of your amazing story ❤️ Thank you to all of your viewers for such heart-warming comments! 💛 lisa & ben, Higgs & Boson & Hopi
What a fantastic place and extraordinary effort on building this amazing place. Definitely adding this to my bucket list!
You have a great story!! Wrote down all the info for your resort. We WILL be there at some point!
Where was your main boat, I obly saw two tenders. Are you taking reservations?
You both have been such gracious friends. From loaning us a 110v generator (which is an impossible find for us in the S Pacific), to cooking us yummy food and inviting us for special events (Halloween, Christmas, NYE).
You have made us feel like family during a time where it could otherwise be so easy to slip into depression with all the crazy happening in the world right now. We've said it in person a hundred times but we'll say it again because it's soo true: You guys are the most amazing, caring and giving people. We love you both. 🙏🏻💖
Where do I make my reservations and when is a good time to come if you want to be there during a slow time? Less tourists....
A famous comedian(at least to us geriatric types) Gallagher, said "Do it with style". If this resort ain't style, nothing is. I'm 75 years old and if I get through this pandemic, I will be there before the dirt nap. The effort put into this resort boggles the mind , let alone done by mostly people.
Don't wait Frank JUST DO IT! Life is the time spent on earth and it goes by fast. Seize the day. Set a departure date and then investigate what it will take to make it happen. You can do this on any budget.
Hey Frank, I'll meet you there!
I'm not geriatric yet but I do love me some Gallagher and watermelons!
Bring me my sledgomatic!
😜
@@LoveMoneySecretsTV I wish I could figure out how to do this on my budget.......
@@cherylfisher1574 you can. Watch Tomas testimonial under my playlist he manifested 100k
Congratulations Lisa and Ben on your beautiful home - created by yourselves and nature, a truly marvelous partnership. Thank you for sharing your personal and private gem.
I am 55 , Built my House and an off grid camp., What i would give to do what you all are doing now 30 years ago. Great life you all Live.
What a cool couple! I'm so happy to see people chase their dreams.....and find them.
This is the most incredibly place I could imagine seeing. Fascinating!!!!
Without a doubt, Ben and Lisa are two of the absolute coolest people ever!
Is she his mom?
Come to Tonga, you’ll be surprised by how many cool people are there
Now I know. I flew to Tonga in 2008. While on a boat in the lagoon at Neiafu I saw my boat at anchor! A Cooper 416 Pilothouse Sloop. I had just bought the same boat in Vancouver the year before and was living on it with dreams to eventually sail it away. When I saw their Cooper at anchor I was overjoyed. I've since talked to a few other owners who have gone offshore with their Cooper and we all say the same thing. A very nice, very beamy ride! I also bumped into Lynn and Larry Pardy which was a real treat after watching their videos on sailing. What an amazing job they've done with the island. Can't wait to visit!
That's all I'm wanting, a small tropical island ,some tree houses and dogs. Great video and beautiful place!
Hey, that's all I want, too....except there has to be a couple of cats, too. 😊
Really ? Then go already ! I wish I had a simple goal like that in my life, what’s holding you back ?
@@JoWill8 what’s holding you back ?
Initial investment- they had capital.
Wow. These folks have some mad creative and construction skills. Curious what occupations/education they both had pre-sailor... so great that places like this exist.
White privilege. No education needed.
Im white, where is my island? :(
@@user-bv3ns9iq5z could you build this? I doubt it.
@@user-bv3ns9iq5z sucks being s nonwhite psrasite
privilege maybe education absolutely.
I could listen to them talk for HOURS. Fascinating people. Thank you for sharing their story, on my bucket list to visit here some day
My mother is from Tonga 🇹🇴! It's beautiful there!
As I physics nerd, the dogs' names almost made me cry. I love them
@Deep Dive Delight well I'm sorry for experiencing joy when I encounter other educated folks on the internet. Not my fault they're rare these days.
You should put a little more effort into placing yourself among them
@Deep Dive Delight sounds a lot like you're describing yourself there, mr. "I pick fights with strangers on the internet to feel powerful"
@@rogue3398 Nice answer. li'l 'deep dive' is just feeling dumb & insecure because he doesn't know what a Higgs Bosun is, and maybe jealous too as no one will ever cry over him. Carry on.
@Deep Dive Delight I mean, I'm 21, I study astrophysics in university, I chose to say nerd because I didn't want to come across as pretentious. Anyone can be a nerd because all being a nerd is is expressing enthusiasm for learning and understanding. I have no higher authority, I am as much a leaf in the wind to the cosmos as you.
I've had enough of arguing with you over nothing. I hope one day you find your peace both yourself and your place in the universe, that one day you find something you have enough passion for that just the mention of it brings you to tears, whether it be a lover, a movement, an idea, a dream, a field of study, a job, or two dogs on the other side of the world.
@@gofigure_1 I feel you there sometimes. The odds that placed us all here now are incomprehensible (and we're wasting our miracles arguing with folks on the internet, obviously I'm guilty of that) and sometimes I wonder if the inevitable end would be better than the messes we've made of our fleetingly rare chances, but that would be an even greater waste. What we have here is worth fighting for, standing for, believing in. Our time, though illusion (or expression of quantum mechanics) it may be, shouldn't be wasted on our own selfish doings. Justice may be just as much construct as anything else we hold, bit that means that it is ours to change to better serve those whose chances may come after our own. Our end may seem nearer and nearer these days, but there is still time to be seized, chances to be given, a cosmos to explore and, if we're brave (or maybe foolish) enough, seek to understand for the betterment of all.
Forgive the philosophy slipping through where understanding fails
I've gotten to know Ben and Lisa online over the past year and they are so smart, warm and generous. Thanks for bringing their lives to the world.
What an amazing couple. Ben is brilliant and they have created a bit of paradise.
It was paradise ! Now its about to become a little Club med with many to follow !
@@catherineatkinson3391 Here you are again ! Are you by any chance living there and fear competition once it is open for tourism again.
So excited to meet Ben and Lisa - we will be on your Island for our 10th anniversary through Trade Winds. This video was quite a find to get a glimpse not only of the island but of your adventure in building it. September of 2024 we will see you!! We check in on August 31 of 2024, see you then!
Please tell Ben and Lisa for us: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. For sharing their story with us. This is the coolest thing I've seen all year. Do you think my Catalina 22 could make it to Tonga? LOL. After seeing that, I'm almost ready to try. Please send along good wishes to these good people.
This is one of the most fascinating episodes ever, great idea to make this video. 👍 Hats off to that amazing couple and what they’ve created!
Honestly, this video showed up for me thanks to TH-cam's automated algorithm. But, I watched the whole thing and I'm very impressed by this couple. Awesome people doing amazing things. Well done. Makes me want to go see their work in person.
I am from Fiji...living here in Las Vegas. This video made me just want to leave and go back home. I was born on the island of Lakeba, in the Lauan Group n lived there until I was ten years old. This video took my whole being back home. You have done a beautiful thing for humanity. Blessings.
Higgs and Boson are the true stars of the vlog
I can see why the resort is five stars
They *are* responsible for everything.
I think that's Bosun like Boatswain, and never have I seen such a perfect merging of ancient sailing tradition and modern quantum research! That made me sit right down and pay a bit closer attention to this fascinating story.
@@nateb4630 it's Boson
that's what it says on the resort's site. For Higgs boson
This is one of your best videos ever. I have been watching since your RV days- but this was the bomb. Thank you.
I'm a contractor and I would go there in the of season and volunteer!
This place is heaven on earth. I can almost feel the breeze.
I've really come to enjoy Sunday mornings with the Wynns. This was a fascinating, fun and beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it.
Ben and his blue eyes 🤩. Place looks amazing. They took dirt and made paradise! For the advertising factors I’m not sure why thing wouldn’t want to go on your channel. Be curious to see how many people have checked it out since you posted yesterday/Sunday. Ben has worked so hard and all the power and water making is pure genius. Thank them for sharing.
freshest air in the world is absolutely priceless
For $1186/night, no kidding!!
Any isolated island in the pacific has the most freshest air in the word.
This is so magical. I have dreamed of place like this. Thank you for sharing i live through guys like yall. Thank you so much grinning from ear to ear.
Amazing! Thanks to Ben and Lisa for sharing their story with us!
Brilliant couple, good business acumen and multi skilled in the engineering front, plus empathy for the planet as well.. Just blows me away. I only wish i could afford to stay there, but at least the video has given me a glimpse.. Best island retreat ever.. eat your heart out Richard Branson !!
What a lovely and cozy resort🌺 the fact that they made everything themselves is admirable!
The human animal at its best! Gives me hope for the rest of us.
Nikki, you're quite the interviewer. Great job!
OMG! That was just so amazing! I can’t believe how ingenious this guy, Ben, and his wife are! I would give anything to go there! Definitely the ultimate in dream vacations! What a vision! Thank you for sharing and thank Ben and his wife for letting us have a peak into his island resort world!
I am Ben's nephew's cousin's dad. I could not be more proud of what they have accomplished together
😆
Ben is my second cousins uncles brother in law and I'm so proud of what he's accomplished
I'm also very proud of my second cousins uncle's brother-in-law
@@Eric-469 😂😂😂
You are blessed!
Diagram please, couldnt follow 😂Can't tell if you're actually related-in-laws, or just being funny. But hilarious either way ;)
Wow! This is so amazing, would love to travel there one day. Fresh air and fresh food and nice people. Sounds like a dream.
Bob and Brenda, you have every right to be proud of them. I am an officer in the Royal canadian navy and thought that I have seen all the big and small wonders of the seven seas. What they have done here is fantastic. My god if I could talk my wife into we would be there in a heart beat, maybe my son and his wife will go with me. Bravo Zulu as we say in the navy.
Congratulations in general for the beauty of the places you show, I think they are the best youtube videos I have seen in many years, thank you for giving us an opportunity to know such beautiful places, keep doing them, it is very pleasant and comforting.
LOVE THAT BLUE CLEAR WATER 💖❤💖
The content you guys produce is something that would be at home in a tutorial on film making at any university. The level of transparency, depth of the dialogue and captivating camera work is nothing short of spectacular.
Magical!! What an incredible place💜
nice work ben and lisa you guys are truly living the dream thanx wynns for all your videos
These people are amazing...absolute loved what they did there and their energy...what a place to breath and be peacefull
Ben is an underrated genius. He doesn't even know it.
Yeah... He knows
He designed his resort using the fibonacci sequence (how most computer scientists/engineers learn recursion) and named his animals Higgs and Boson.......I think he knows lol
@. higgs boson.. it means something
Should be great to visit. A utopia
He's a good builder or payed good ones. And having those dog names is far from being a genius. He does live in paradise!
Mandala is an incredible labor of love. I imagined myself with my loved one, in a tree house, taking the first breath of the trade winds coming from the Artic. Simply amazing...and to Ben & Lisa, what a wonderful life!
Thanks again Jason & Nikki for another enjoyable upload this Sunday morning! ☕️🌞⛵️
Your channel is fantastic and an inspiration for free spirited people.
Make the most of it guys. Over a billion people would be envious of the lives you've lived and are currently living. Well done.
Work hard geeee!! Nothing impossible. Never expected to visit Thailand in my life time .
Hindsight is one of those funny things, I used to work 16h a week purely so I'd have time for all my friends and family and just enough money to get by, nobody I knew had savings so I was actually against saving money for nearly 10 years 😑. Was only 2 years ago I started earning a reasonable salary and now that's paying all my debts off. Maybe in 5 years I'll be better off but who knows.
@@DS-qy3qv Sometimes it takes hard work, it takes a long time, you fall and you get up. The stairs of life is like that. best wishes!
@@ic3dragons223 I'm at full speed tbh, 5 passive incomes and 46h permanent work. Not sure what I'm after but I make it up as I go along haha
@@DS-qy3qv Don't make the mistake of thinking.. I'll do this and that after I retire, etc. Do it while young and still able.
Ahhh!! Talk about ticking off my bucket list!!! Morning coffee with that view and living in a treehouse on that island -- with that view. Amazing. I wanted to hit pause every few minutes to soak in the island views. Breathtaking!!!!
What an amazing place! It has found its place on my bucket list!
Cinematography, the interview, the context, all of this... Amazing work. Don't think Discovery Channel could do any better. Ya'll are amazing! Love your channel.
Absolutely amazing what Ben and Lisa have built. What an undertaking!
As an artist and traveler, this resort has the golden ratios and is definitely on my bucket list.
@@garrettgarretth544 Were they open?
@@garrettgarretth544 Did you hail them, as if you were boarding a ship?? This is a private island resort, and it is considered EXTREMELY rude, to just walk in unannounced.. It tends to make people defensive, when barged in upon.. ✌
Great video, gorgeous, unique place, and Nikki has never looked more beautiful!
Soo cool! Thank you for sharing and documenting. Just amazing. Can’t wait to share this video with Mom! This video is the closest most people will get to experiencing this beautiful place so Thank You for sharing.
This randomly popped up in my feed. We spent 6 months in Nieafu in 2015 and anchored out in and hung out on this island with them. Had about as much fun as I've ever had out there that weekend. Nice memories.
The guy who named his dogs - Higgs & Bos(o)n and talks about Fibonacci - automatically becomes my friend I'd like to have a beer with.
So, agree! Although I would go for coffee, maybe wine. Incredibly fascinating, enterprising and smart couple who have created a place of incredible beauty. Now to get there?
Wow! You're very observant. I didn't clue into those names until I read your post... Great stuff :-)
If they get another dog they'll probably name it Particle.
@@james5460 How about Field?
@@normamimosa5991 Start with coffee, end with wine! Philosophical conversation can last an eternity. Alcoholic beverage is the way to escape it, or to take a break. :)
OMG amazing! This place is going on my bucket list if we ever can fly again haha. Congrats Ben & Lisa, what a magical place you've built.
Absolutely stunning little island and housing .. Ben & Lisa you have out done yourselves .. 💜
I am just in such awe of this resort and the concepts! Thank you for sharing this
Yet another beautiful video! You guys meet the most interesting and talented folks on your travels. Thanks for this.
Love this, how you made your dream come true and are living your dream creating the life you want. Manifest Destiny at it's finest!
I love seeing stories of people following their passion and taking risks. They deserve all the rewards they create.
Thank you for sharing their story! Wildly inspirational way to live life. I hope we can visit this place in our lifetime!
I did not have a bucket list of places to see until now! First light of the morning and first air from the Antarctic...I’m there soon!
Just a amazing place, "the first light"
I'm always amazed at how we humans harness experiences to turn it into something truly remarkable. Good luck to Ben and Lisa! Maybe someday I'll end up there. Swimming with the whales is on my bucket list!
This place is absolutely beautiful. And what great people! This video was fun to watch!
When I read the title, I thought they meant it was literally a "self-built island," as in the island, itself. Come to find, they meant the infrastructure on the island. But, still interesting video.
LOL
Me too... thought they built a massive floating paradise or a man made island that are now covered with fully grown trees everywhere after 11 years which is pretty damn impressive ... was a bit disappointed at first but watched the whole thing and I must say, I would love to go there someday^^
@@ekekee I thought that too, but next I found the whole idea enticing and couldn't stop watching it. Great job, makes life worth living to the brim and past it.
same, I was expecting in seeing someone explain how the engineered a totally new piece of land.
*While you are stressing, and waiting for your next stimulus check, they are enjoying life.*
Personally I find a lot of TH-cam videos TITLES that are very deceiving. But we click onto them and seem to watch anyhow...
You guys are ALWAYS awesome, but this is one of the best, most interesting and informative videos you've made! Thanks so much! It was fun and really informative. I loved it and love what you guys do!
upside down aeropress! my coffee life has evolved for the better.
Get a fellow prismo, life changer if you aero press.
Wow, we took for granted what we had in the islands growing up, paradise living and no stress. Your videos make me miss home so much😢😢😢
What remarkable, wonderful people. Thank you for letting us have glimpse into their adventure.
I have often pondered the thought of love and paradise, here it is! Lisa and Ben,, wow!
Few, pats for hopi ✌🏻🐾🐾
Gorgeous couple !! Love their story and their resort is just breathtaking. Thank you for introducing us! Can’t wait til next week👌
Wow this is amazing what Ben and Lisa have done. What a fascinating video!
Not sure if any other TONGAN has seen this...but THANK YOU!! This is absolutely amazing. Appreciate you sharing Ben and Lisa's story and their attention to detail and to nature. 'Ofa Atu
Malo! 😘
@@gonewiththewynns Malo ‘Aupito
The first 5 minutes of this video made me want to go scuba diving. I could spend the next ten years diving those islands with 1 to 2 dives a day.
What a great find....both human and place! Thank you both!!
This is so beautiful and so AMAZING! Well done guys!
What great couple to see , what such beautiful spirits to see . I enjoy ever minute of the video !
Someone has a great sense of beauty and composition.
Amazing story, and Nikki looks absolutely 🔥 in the suit.
Really enjoyed the episode. Nikki, my wife loves the swimsuit. Please tell me where you bought it. Thank You!
This is so awesome. I'm excited you were able to share this hidden treasure. I will never get to leave land so I'm living through your life.
I just came across this video and I am very glad I did. This couple is truely impressive. I envy the life style they have built for themselves. This has made me want to know much more about them. But I guess that's one reason for being off-grid.
Thoreau's poetry showed us what could be accomplished if you 'step to the music' you hear, 'no matter how measured or far away' . And Ben and Lisa have shown us how to create a personal paradise when you do that.
For those of us living normal lives, it is inspiring to witness people like yourselves and this couple who have stepped outside the box to achieve their dreams
Amazing what they have created. Beautiful island paradise
Praying for everyone out there 🙏such a wonderful video…i hope everyone is safe 🙏
23:35 a great way to store energy with your water maker is to have a water tower that you can store water at height and regain some of that energy as it comes back down and... still have fresh water storage, great idea.
They were naturals! That island is gorgeous. The houses were so beautiful and so detailed on the inside!
That place is awesome! I really loved this episode - it was absolutely worth spending the whole episode on - thanks!
Ahh memory, spent some time in Vava’u on a yacht 45 years ago. En route from Tahiti via Suwarrow, Samoa, etc.
Paradise. Hard work, gorgeous views, intense life. Amazing. And an amazing vlog, thank you
What a dreamy place to visit. I fully appreciate the amount of work that went into creating this hideaway resort. Thanks for the video on this. Happy Trails
Thank you for showing us these hidden gems from my home country
Such an inspiring project! Using their expansive knowledge with nature intertwined to make a beautiful home/ resort. And they’re sailors!
It's absolutely Gorgeous! To live there full time is just amazing.Great job!