Natasha Dunne - Round-the-World Traveler

1. When do you leave?
   
   May 2005
   

   
   

2. How long do you plan to be away?
   
   6-12 Months
   

   
   

3. How much have you saved?
   
   €9000
   

   
   

4. How old are you?
   
   30
   

   
   

5. Nationality
   
   Ireland
   

   
   

6. Where do you live now?
   
   Co Kildare, Ireland
   

   
   

7. Occupation
   
   Receptionist/Admin
   

   
   

8. Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
   
   One more paycheck and I'm gone
   

   
   

9. Have you traveled around the world before?
   
   No
   

   
   

10. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
    
    Bangkok,Laos,Vietnam,Cambodia, Malaysia, Sinapore, Perth (overland to Sydney)New Zealand, Fiji, LA, San Francisco and back home.
    

    
    

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    
    It's something I've always dreamed about and I knew if I didn't follow this dream I'd always regret it.
    U gotta follow your dreams!!
    

    
    

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    
    I'm scared I'll run out of money! Female travelling solo so there's the safety aspect too.
    

    
    

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    
    They're all supportive but some are worried about me going on my own. They think I'm a bit mad but also know it's something I have to do.
    

    
    

14. How much planning and preparing have you done?
    
    Just Enough
    

    
    

15. What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
    
    As little as possible..(but I haven't started packing yet!!)
    

    
    

16. How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?
    
    I think it's going to have so many positive affects on me, meeting new people and seeing interesting places can only be a good thing. I think it'll make me even more independent and a better person in some way.
    

    
    

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    
    Scared, excited and nervous!
    

    
    

18. 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?
    
    2 weeks is fine for a holiday, to get a break from it all, work etc. A RTW trip allows you to gain more insight into the people and their lives.
    

    
    

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    
    That it's too expensive. I think if there's a will, there's a way.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    I love to see new places, try different foods and see how other people live their lives.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    If it's something you really want to do, then just do it! You've only one shot at this life.