Perley-Ann Friedman

Perley-Ann Friedman is a Canadian author living in the remote paradise island of Koh Lanta, Thailand. As an avid charity worker, cat-lover, expat, retiree, and self-confessed “boomer”, Perley-Ann strives to entertain readers with her life of knowledge, learnings and stories.

IN HER OWN WORDS

I craft many of my stories into articles for various ‘boomer’ and writing publications. The topics include from exercise, managing stress, handling difficult situations, and trying new things. I’m always coming up with 5 ways to do this, and 7 things to make something better. I see something, have a rough time, or watch someone in a pickle, I write something.

I’m a Canadian from Ottawa. From as far back as I can remember I wanted to live in the tropics, preferably a small island, when I got older. I also wanted to live in China, and explore remote places on the planet, until I moved to the tropics. I had no location in mind, just somewhere ‘way out there.’ It made no sense and there isn’t something that triggered this. It must have been the stories I heard that planted these crazy seeds in my young mind. Stories are powerful, inspiring people to dream, and be curious. 

I’m in my late 60s’, healthy, active (still wear a bikini), have kept my red hair (oh ya, I was born a redhead), and I totally love cats. I also love life and welcome new experiences, challenges, and possibilities. This makes my life exciting. It has been and will continue to be as I’ve consciously chosen to be positive, always try new things, and continuously grow as I journey through life.

My first ‘non-academic’ book (I say this as I have a doctoral thesis and many academic publications under my belt) was ‘Volunteer Fundraising Simplified: How to raise money for a cause you love’ based on my experience volunteering at an animal rescue charity on Koh Lanta.

I spent ten years researching fundraising and trying out everything I could to raise money to help rescue animals, and I feel terrific about what I did, and continue to do. It’s not difficult to help a charity, if you know how. I wrote this book because I want to inspire others to make a positive difference and feel great about their efforts.

I’m currently updating this book with the lessons I learned about fundraising during Covid. This 2nd edition will be called Fundraising for Supporters: How to raise money for a cause close to your heart. The tentative release is Spring 2024.

My recent book ‘Retired Way Out There: My evolving life on Koh Lanta, Thailand’ is the story of my decision to retire on a remote island. Do you ever think about retiring somewhere completely different from where you lived most of your life? I did, and now I want to share my adventure with you.  

You can read about my many trips to the island, my decision to retire there, and get a home. You can marvel at all my adventures, perils and discoveries, as I transition from a tourist to a local expat. There is also a chapter with helpful advice for those thinking about retiring abroad. The book is interesting, fun, and full of the crazy situations that I got myself into, and out of.

My career and passions have taken me to the Forbidden City, through Tibet, over Everest and to Jim’s Grave. I’ve met the Dali Lama, Pierre Trudeau and my life-partner. I’ve been to Stonehenge, the Acropolis, through the Maasai Mara Reserve, the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, swam in the Dead Sea and toured the Panama Canal.

I may be over 65, but I’m happy, healthy and looking forward to what life brings my way.