Michael Hickmon - Around-the-World Traveler

1. When did you go on your RTW trip?
   April 2004-May 2004

2. How old were you when you took this trip?
   65

3. Including your air ticket and other expenses (from accommodation to souvenir-buying), about how much did your trip cost?
   $11,000

4. Nationality
   USA

5. Where do you live now?
   USA

6. Occupation
   
   Before your trip: Retired
   
   Now: Still Retired
   

   How did your travels affect your career when you got back?
   See Above

   What is the route you took/places you visited?
   Headed West, Hong Kong, Saigon, Siem Reap, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Casablanca, Madrid, Lisbon, New York and back home to L.A.

   Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
   The trip was a "Global Scavenger Hunt" organized by The Great Escape Foundation. They made all of the plans which were kept secret from all of the participents. It just sounded like fun.

   Out of all your experiences traveling around the world, what was the:
   

   • Best Moment
     Sharing it with my wife

   • Worst Moment
     None

   • Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
     Money

   • Biggest surprise?
     How friendly people all over the world are to Americans.

   Who is the most memorable person you met on your trip and why?
   The children of Cambodia. They have so little yet seem so happy.

   How much planning and preparing did you do?
   Just Enough

   What was your favorite piece of gear?
   My Kyocera SL300R camera. So small it will fit in any pocket.

   What did you bring, that in hindsight you could've left at home?
   Way too many clothes.

   How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
   This our second RTW trip and by now I feel like I can go anywhere with no problems.

   If you had to sum up your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
   For me it was life changing experience.

   Are you planning more trips and travels for the future? Are you planning another round-the-world trip?
   Yes

   Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
   It will change the way you think. You must do it.

   What is the most valuable thing you learned?
   If you treat people with respect and a smile they will treat you that way too.

   What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
   People hear to many stories about bad things happening to people in far off places, and they get scared. The most dangerous part of the trip was the drive to the airport.

   Why do you like to travel?
   Adventure

   What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
   Don't wait do it now. You never know what next year will bring.