- When do you leave?
December 2006
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months
- How much have you saved?
US $20,000
- How old are you?
24
- Nationality
USA
- Where do you live now?
San Francisco, USA
- Occupation
Manager
- 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
- Have you traveled around the world before?
No
- What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
USA to Fiji Fiji to NZ NZ to OZ OZ to Thailand and SE Asia Thailand to UK and the rest of Europe
- 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 that I've aspired to do for a very long time and the time was just right to finally pull the trigger. I felt like the longer I waited the more likely it'd be that I'd end up in some other pressing commitment that would prevent a trip such as this from ever taking place. Whether it be a girl, a career, or more school holding me at home I knew that something was creeping towards me day by day; something that would prevent me from having an experience that so few ever really experience.
- What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Dying. (hahaha) Honestly, not too much. I really don't know what to expect. I try not to think about aspects of the trip that "scare" me. Obviously it's very important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with a trip of this magnitude, but mostly, I try not to dwell on them.
- Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Yes. Everyone has been wonderful with the exception of a few of my superiors at work who seem dissappointed to see me go. Still, even they seem excited for me and have been supportive of my decision.
- How much planning and preparing have you done?
Winged it a lot
- What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Backpack. Jeans, light jacket, t-shirts, shorts, hat, 1st aid kit, water bottle, camera(s), soccer ball(deflated) w/pump, sandals, shoes, rock climbing shoes, power adapter, journal, passport/ID, plane tickets, book(s), sunglasses, a small(packable) daypack, a few other small items. I'd say my camera, passport, plane tickets, and soccer ball are the most indespensible.
- 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?
Honestly, I don't know. My expectations are simultaneously huge and non-existent. The experience itself is the most important part for me.
- If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
A quote from my grandfather years ago. "Never plan ahead, you never know when it will rain."
- 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 is at the moments in our lives when we are the most lost that we find true direction. It's corny but true.
- What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
Dunno, I'll get back to you in a year.
- Why do you like to travel?
Haven't really done it too much before this, but I guess it's mostly because I want to see and do as much as I possibly can while my ticker is still tickin'.
- What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Go big or go home.