You could say Ann and Barry LangeSA国际影视传媒檚 motto is that life is too short.

It was that simple idea that spurred the former Yellowknife couple more than 10 years ago to do what some might imagine unthinkable SA国际影视传媒� quit their jobs, sell their home and chase their dream of sailing around the world.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had friends who were dying and a buddy who was 56 and had a massive heart attack,SA国际影视传媒� said Ann, now 61. SA国际影视传媒淚t was just like SA国际影视传媒� we need to go do what we really have dreamed of doing.SA国际影视传媒�

The Langes recently arrived back in Yellowknife from their round-the-world journey.

Ann estimated she and Barry have seen 75 countries, including everything from seals to penguins, sand dunes and towering icebergs along the way.

SA国际影视传媒淲e learned how to sail on Great Slave Lake,SA国际影视传媒� said 67-year-old Barry, who moved with his family to Yellowknife in 1989.

When he and Ann SA国际影视传媒済ot the bugSA国际影视传媒� for sailing, they decided to go abroad.

They left the NWT behind in May 2005 and travelled to Vancouver Island, purchasing a 1985, 39-foot cutter there that July.

SA国际影视传媒淭he next year we sailed around Vancouver Island and went down the west coast,SA国际影视传媒� Barry said.

They passed by the United States, Mexico and eventually crossed the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand, where they decided to live for six months.

Once they moved on, they travelled past Australia and Indonesia and then moved on to South Africa for another three months.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was really neat because we just kept calling everybody in our life,SA国际影视传媒� Ann said. SA国际影视传媒淲e lived in 11 places SA国际影视传媒� people from 40 years ago called up and said, SA国际影视传媒榃eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to come by and see you.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

Although the couple took breaks between their travels to visit family and friends back in Canada, they didnSA国际影视传媒檛 leave any place out of their adventure.

Eventually they hopped back on their boat, sailing through the Caribbean chain, up the east coast of the U.S. and later crossed across the Atlantic Ocean to visit Europe.

SA国际影视传媒淚ndonesia is one of our favourites,SA国际影视传媒� said Barry of their most memorable stops. SA国际影视传媒淭he people are wonderful.SA国际影视传媒�

His wife described delicious luncheons, weaving and pottery demonstrations, and making friends with young people from the country through guided tours.

SA国际影视传媒淓ach island has its own culture,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

On one particular island off the coast of Australia, Ann said she and Barry walked for four hours up an active volcano that was still spewing as they watched.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou could just SA国际影视传媒� feel it,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t would knock the breath out of you, the change in the air pressure when it exploded.SA国际影视传媒�

But not every day was as exciting. Living on a sailboat, the couple said, is a lifestyle.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou still have to do your dishes and do your laundry,SA国际影视传媒� said Ann, describing how she had to dock the boat and walk long distances in some destinations to find a laundromat.

On other days, they met with unpleasant weather.

SA国际影视传媒淲e got hit with a couple of pretty good weather systems,SA国际影视传媒� said Barry, describing a three-day storm he and Ann encountered on their way from Bora Bora, an island in French Polynesia.

In emergencies, all the couple had was what they could bring with them. If their boat experienced problems, they had to make do with what parts they had, or rely on the kindness of fellow sailors SA国际影视传媒� some of whom Ann said they ran into repeatedly on their journey.

Sailing around the world, Barry said, they encountered a kind of SA国际影视传媒渇loating village.SA国际影视传媒�

Despite some small storms Ann said she could have lived without, the years-long adventure was SA国际影视传媒渢otallySA国际影视传媒� worth it for her.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou never regret having done it,SA国际影视传媒� added Barry. SA国际影视传媒淣ot a lot of people sail around the world.SA国际影视传媒�

The couple said they plan to move to Alberta after visiting with family in town.