Working online and traveling - Does it really work?

This is such an amazing idea and one I've had the great pleasure of learning over the past few years. As of New Years day 2012, it's been two years since I left the United States and started traveling throughout South America. I am currently living in Colombia enjoying life in more ways that I can even describe.

Although I left the US with money in savings, my idea was to begin transitioning my income generating methods to the online world and live the life so many dream of.

After two years of trial and error and breaking many "I'm gonna focus tomorrow" promises to myself along the way, here are some common misconceptions and realities when it comes to making money online while traveling the world.

Myth or Reality? - Is it possible to work online and experience continuos travel without settling down and having a routine?

I think most people have this idea that once they create their business they will be able to pack up and wander the world without regard to some type of schedule or routine.

I used to think this was true, but I've come to understand that it's literally impossible.

There are too many distractions when living on the road that make it very difficult to access the "state of mind" you get in when you are most productive.

For example a typical agenda...

Today go fishing for piranhas in the Amazon with those 3 cool people I met last night (including that really hot Brazilian girl you haven't stopped thinking about)

OR

go sit in some dingy Internet cafe (if you can even find one) and wrap your head around your Internet business.

Or even perhaps more pressing matters like, guarding your life from your immediate surroundings E.G. "I think that monkey wants to kick my ass"

Like I said, when I began traveling I had some savings and was therefore able to experience a little more freedom in the beginning, but as money got tighter, necessary changes had to start taking place.

Now, the idea of work and travel have become more along the lines of setting up shop in a place I really love, renting a house and simply living in that culture the same way you would back home. If you do it right and pick a cool place, you will still feel a sense of wonder and adventure as though you were traveling.

Weekends are now reserved for cool trips outside of my town, exploring the nearby mountains or beaches, or just hanging with locals, hitting some cool night clubs and dancing salsa till 5 am.

The coolest part?! I get to dream of all the places I want to experience over the course of my life by working in this manner.

Making online and traveling is something to be enjoyed slowly and overtime. It's a lifestyle where you pick places of interest that you know are going to change you as you immerse yourself in that culture. Like which new language do I want to learn, what place offers the most in terms of culture shock, or where exactly do they sell the cheapest rum?

If this is something you are considering, I can't encourage this enough. It's changed me at the core. But I have personally the idea and the key to making this type of life a reality is to sloooow down and realize it's become your new lifestyle. No reason to rush, because it was the rush we are trying to escape.

Any one have similar experiences? What did you find?