World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Monday 11 July 2016. Photos & Videos
Highlights: Thai Cooking Class, 2 Hour Thai Massage, Thai Silk Village, Brutal and eye catching Muaythai (Kickboxing)
One of the best days I’ve ever spent on an organised tour, relaxing, enjoyable and hectic from start to the end. Â First up Our tour leader was amazing today, moving the included events around so we can could all do the optional activities we wanted.
Sunday 10 July 2016. Photos & Videos
Highlights: Reclining Budha, Grand Palace, Chao Phraya River Canal boat ride, traditional Khantoke Dinner
Day two was extremely full and there G Aventures – National Geographic Discover Southeast Asia tour got underway. Â An early 6 am breakfast was necessary for today’s activities. Â Despite having been in Bangkok back in 2012 I was looking forward to a revisit to same of the same places on what is the only day overlapping with a previous trip. Â I meet the full group today our Chief Experience Officer BenGy (Benchaporn Amchang) and my nine other tour members; Graham, Ashley, Sarah, Josie, Damian, Karen, Chris, James and Bal.
Saturday 9 July 2016.
Highlights: The stream-less travel experience flying QANTAS from Melbourne to Bangkok via Sydney.
The joy of travelling can also have its downsides, like getting up at 4.10 am to catch your first flight of the day. I am luckily that my mother lives so close to the airport and is willing to get up so early and driving me.
Flight: QF400 Melbourne to Sydney
Airline: QANTAS
Plane: 737-800
Gate: 3
Seat: 13C (Exit Row)
Depart: 6.00 am / Arrive: 7.15 am
The positioning flight to Sydney for my later flight Bangkok. Arriving at Melbourne airport at 4.40 am on a Saturday morning I was taken by how few people are actually at the airport. I have caught the first flight of the day, QF400 Melbourne to Sydney, for work previously and while I usually got there around 5.20 am it was always busy, especially on Monday or Tuesday.
First up was checking my faithful backpack for this domestic flight, something I haven’t done in probably 4 years despite me averaging around 26 domestic flights per year I usually pack very light for multiple day work trips an avoid checking bags like the plague. No problems checking the bag through to Bangkok other than having to show a print version of ITN, no idea why since all flights (but the Bangkok Airlines) are on the same return ticket but a good reminder that you always need a print out of your ticket when traveling internationally. Let’s hope the bag shows up in Bangkok.
I was one of the first people though security but two gentlemen in front of me kept having to be re-screened for multiple items on their person. I waited for the QANTAS Lounge to open, another first, although I have waited before for the bar to open at noon however! It was weird seeing no one but staff in the Qantas Melbourne Domestic Lounge.
The flight boarded from Gate 3 around 5 minutes early at 5.35 am. The 737-800 was very full, I didn’t see many empty seats, I did however see a few people wearing Sydney Swans (Australian Football League) gear, I guess these supporters left Geelong after last night’s match and stayed at the airport hotel.
On a work day my Exit Row seat mates are usually bigger than average guys like me, today in 13A and 13B it was young girls (20 years old tops but likely 17-18) who both used the serving table as headrests to sleep shortly after takeoff. I’m guessing they got up even earlier than me for this flight.
I turned down the breakfast (cereal and a yogurt) as I knew I had a Business Lounge visit and multiple meals on my next flight. The flight was uneventful, the flight attendants were quick and professional serving meals on this short 1 hour 15 minute flight. The flight landed a little early at 7.15 am from here it was a quick walk to Gate 15 for the International Transfer Gate and a bus ride across to the International Terminal.
When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you– Guy Lafleur
Family can cause us to experience the full range of emotions, the highs as they succeed, the frustrations that result from the many many arguments at family get togethers, most of us will always have some family members in our entire life. Friends can come and go, if you are lucky you might have a few life long friends, but even the family you struggle to get along with will likely be part of your life.
I have two sisters (Kara and Lana), one brother (Reagan), two nephews (Andrew and Harry), two neices (Darby and Erin), my mother (Helen) and two uncles (Peter and Paul). The relationships are sometimes good, sometimes great, and sometimes mixed. I play competition tennis regularly with Reagan and Kara and have played in the same team as my nephew Andrew. I was lucky enough to travel with Andrew during my 2009-2010 world trip which for the New Zealand leg included Kara, Erin and brother-in-law Jason as well.
You really understand the importance of your family when you hit hurdles in your life. We are all human and fragile in our own way, sometimes it’s a physical illness, sometimes it’s mental problem (depression), other times terrible decisions (relationships, addictions) but we all need support and usually it’s your family who provide that necessarily support when you need it.
Right now my sister Lana is going though a difficult illness. Lana is the person who pushed me to take career chances, first when I was in University and struggling, and later to leave a job I liked that was going nowhere for the chance to start afresh at an organisation I still work with that has given me great opportinuties both as a career and also the support to travel.
A great memory was when Lana choose me to walk her down the aisle, a real highlight to be so closely involved in a key moment in her life.
My younger sister who has the strongest personality out of all my siblings, who has great confidence and it appears at times no fear, as come to a turning point. It’s hard not to think of the worse case, losing a sister and a friend who means so much. Now is the time to be supportive. Time to look to the universe and send positive thoughts and vibes out there to hopefully help with healing (it can’t hurt at least), it’s time to be there, and it’s time to remember what sometimes we take for granted, our family, won’t always be with us forever.
Last week another airplane crashed, this time from France to Egypt. Â A few weeks earlier there was a story about tourists attacked and robbed in South Africa, and earlier in the year an Australian tourist ‘disappeared’ in Mexico. Â All of these events and stories lead to the question of why to I risk travelling? Â It’s a fair question and at a surface level the simple answer is bad things happen everywhere including at home so why give into fear.
But the deeper level is that travelling this diverse world and getting small glimpses into the hopes and desires of different people, the creative architecture over the centuries, and the stunning sights that nature throws up, is why it is worth the risk. Â There is a saying You Only Live Once (YOLO). Â While I know I could and should take that motto into my ‘normal’ life I definitely strive for global experiences, to know this world a little better.
Think about it, I’ve gotten to experience the amazing Iguazu Falls with my nephew Andrew, sleep under the stars/sun in Antarctica, I’ve swam in around the Great Barrier Reef, I’ve hiked the Great Wall of China and watched monks chanting in China, Japan, and Thailand.  I’ve seen happy children playing in India, Belize, Costa Rica, well basically everywhere.  I’ve marvelled at the great city of St Petersburg and the bright and colour Moscow (despite what my childhood TV memories told me to expect).  I visited the Cape Town jail that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in and the horror of the Nazi Final Solution Camps.  I’ve seen the biggest sporting event with happy Germans during the 2006 Football World Cup.  I’ve experienced Christmas in Mexico and the crazy dancing of Latins, in particular the Cubans, be warned!!!! 🙂
I’ve meet amazing travellers from all kinds of backgrounds, rich and poor, who while different all have that desire to connect with the wilder world in their own way. Â I will always remember the kindness of Inge who took me around her beautiful Belgium and introduced me the the sweetest waffles in the world. Â I’ve seen amazing live Shakespeare performances along side modern musical and local productions that expanded my thinking. Â I recall the snorers in the dorm rooms when I was backpacking though Europe in 2006. Â I’ve seen artwork thousands of years old on rocks, and magnificent modern art (1800 onwards) in the finest museums. Â I’ve touched dinosaur bones and seen the great pyramids in Egypt and Central America.
I’ve visited every continent and seen both amazing and crazy wildlife, lions, tigers, elephants, fish I couldn’t name with colours I didn’t know existed, I’ve ducked llamas who tried to spit on me at Machu Picchu.
I also recall the cancelled flights, the endless airports (but in recent years the lovely lounges), the tiny airplane seats, the snoring passengers, the irritating traveller, the scammers during to take my money and the bad weather. Â Traveller the world leads to both great and bad experiences but it’s worth it. Â The snorer in the New York City dorm motivated me to visit late night comedy clubs, and experience that almost had me wetting myself with laughter. Â The scammers gave me great travel stories to tell over a few beers. Â The bad weather in Ireland made me fall in love with the Irish Pub and the open fireplaces.
I wouldn’t trade these experiences and I willingly accept that something might go terribly wrong while overseas but I’m ahead of the game by a long way. Â I don’t know what happens after life is over so I might as well experience as much as both in the here and now. Â My goal is to travel and experience as much as this world as my finances and health allow me.
South East Asia in 2016, Africa camping overland trip 2017-18 and who knows what is next? Â Exciting isn’t it!!
So I have now have fully booked my 5 week 2016 Asia trip starting in July and the count down is on (2 months 7 days)!
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Sri Lanka broken up into two different tours and companies:
In between these tours I have a few other activities planned on free days plus I’ll be sending a few days on a beach to recover at the end 🙂
It felt like it was getting real when the Vietnam visa and my passport came back last week. I never like sending my passport in the mail even if registered post. I also have electronic visas in place for Cambodia and Sri Lanka so only missing Laos visa which you get at the border.
I’m looking forward to visiting four new countries (previously been to Thailand) numbers 53, 54, 55 and 56 on my list and partially ticking off another bucket list item (number 28 – see Test Cricket in 6 countries). What new experiences await?
Friday 25 March to Monday 28 March – Photos
My 18th annual Myrtleford Easter Tournament dating back to 1998 has just been completed. The earlier in the year Myrtleford Easter Tournament are also the best, daylight saving a still on and the weather is generally better and this was definitely the case in 2016.
My results were significantly better than the 2015 tournament in which my score was 25 games for and 35 games against (total 60 games), which also helps in the enjoyment factor of the long weekend. The Easter get away allows time from the stresses of life, on the different nights you get to catch up with different people, tell a few tall stories and sit back under the stars.
Results (96 games – 50 games for / 46 games against)
D Grade Singles: 7-0 & 6-7 (lost tie break)
D Grade Doubles: (with Reagan Burgess): 7-2, 7-4 (group stage), and 5-7 (knock out stage)
C Grade Doubles: (with Leon Roche): 1-7, 4-7 (group stage)
C Mixed Doubles: (with Lyn Longmuir): 6-7, 7-5 (group stage)
The best match was my 6-7 mixed doubles loss with Lyn Longmuir which we had to run back to the courts to play after I didn’t see we were scheduled to play late Sunday afternoon! Every player held serve in a close tense match, unfortunately I served a rare double fault first point of the tie break and we never recovered, still some great points.
Erin was also a highlight on Easter Day, we even got a bunny dance, even if not as good as last year’s 🙂 
Today I was lucky enough to visit Moomba with my sister Lana and my nephew Harry and niece Darby. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Moomba and I hadn’t realised how much it has grown.
The day was great fun as Team Harry (with me) got caught up in Dodge’m Cars and all the hits and crashes on Team Darby (with Lana) that later I let Harry and Darby convince me to go on the No Limit ride, 42 metres high, crazy spinning and flipping as we pulled 5gs.
Harry and Darby couldn’t get enough of the rides.
Established: 1848 (Modern India, 600 AD for Medieval India)
Population: 1.27 billion (2018 Estimate)
Religion: 79.8% Hindu, 14.2% Islam
Capital: New Delhi
Order of Visit: Fifty-First
First Visit: 20 April 2015
Last Visit: 02 May 2015
Duration: 16 Days
Highlights: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Swarda (small village), New Delhi Slums, Kerala backwater experience
Places Visited: New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Sawarda, Kochi, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Cherrai Beach
India Journal Entries
History and Geography
Covering 3,287,263 square kilometres India is a country in South Asia bordered by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east.
What I Experienced
India is one crazy place, so many people, really hot temperatures, infrastructure that breaks down regularly (6 power failures in 3 days in New Delhi), terrible poverty sitting right next to extreme wealth and an immense history that saw India the most wealthy country in 1600s. It hard to sum up India, confronting it can definitely be, especially in the largest cities. The locals seem to be cricket obsessed (I was in India during the Indian Premier League 20/20 competition).
The north and the south are very different. While the north has the great sites, the Sikh Temples, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and lots of palaces it’s culture appeared very different to the more laid back south which seemed at times to have a pacific island culture to go with the humid temperature. In the south I got to experience a Kathakali cultural show, seeing the precision of the performers and the colourful attire, in particular the face paint, made you feel like I was back in the 1600s.
The Hindu wedding celebrations appear to be something else. I only got to watch a few from outside the events but they are loud, colourful and go on for days. I also got to see a Bollywood film which seem to love signing and dancing with very proper women being courted throughout.
In a small village I got to play a game of cricket with the happy children and in the south in some places the locals all wanted their photos taken with me a white man, telling me how few non-Indians visit some of these areas.
I did get sick in India, I don’t believe you can avoid it when visiting but taking care and medication can limit the damage.
India was the last well major country I haven’t visited, I never many people who had been there many times. I left it this long due to the extreme weather and the reputation of visitors getting sick but I’m glad I finally did go.
Standing in front of the Taj Mahal and the baby Taj Mahal, seeing magnificent forts over 500 years old, seeing elephants up very close, happy children, great marble and gem craftsman up close and the great contrast from poor to rich, to fast paced and sleepy paced country areas is something that has taught me a great deal.
Nathan's Insights 