Debbie Ashby

1. When do you leave?
   April 2002

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

3. How much have you saved?
   AUD$40,000

4. How old are you?
   23

5. Nationality
   England

6. Where do you live now?
   Melbourne, Australia

7. Occupation
   Senior UNIX Operator

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?
   Yes

10. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
    We are flying from Melbourne to Bangkok. Spending a few weeks on the islands we haven't been to before (Koh Chang, Phi Phi, Samet). Then we are travelling overland into Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville) the into Vietnam. Travelling up the east coast of Vietnam and then into Laos (Luand Prabang, Vientiane) and then back in to Thailand. Then going through Malaysia (Perhentian Islands and Kuala Lumpur only) and flying out to Bombay from Singapore. Travelling all over India for 3 months and then 1 month in Nepal (Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp trek). Next it's back to the UK and Madrid before heading off to Mexico. Travelling overland through Mexico, Central America and the west coast of South America, ending up in Buenos Aires (god willing), to fly back to Melbourne.

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    I had done an RTW trip previously and I enjoyed it so much that I always knew I wanted to do another. Two and a half years and a lot of hard work and saving later, we are ready and raring to go!!

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    Flying! I know, it's irrational and unavoidable, but I have always had a fear of flying and the events of Sept. 11 have done nothing to help.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Definitely. My boss is doing a similar thing in the coming months himself. I work for a travel company, so everyone is into holidaying. They are really envious when you tell them where you are going.

14. How much planning and preparing have you done?
    Control Freak

15. What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
    Trying not to pack as much as last time as I had to dump most of it on the way 'round. Swiss Army knife is definitely indispensable, and probably my journal so I can keep writing.

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?
    It makes you appreciate how lucky you are to have grown up in the Western world when you see how hard it is for some people just to live day to day. I try and absorb as much as I can of their culture without forgetting where I am from. It will definitely change me for the better.

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

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?
    Laying by a nice pool in 5-star luxury, eating Western food, and socialising with other Westerners, to me is not travelling. The whole point is to experience things you wouldn't normally, to eat new food, to mix with unusual people and to enrich your mind with new sights and sounds. Some two-week vacationers do all this, but most do not.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    People think you must be really rich, but more often than not that is not the case. All it takes is some saving, planning and an open, adventurous mind.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    I like the adventure and the freedom to do what I want when I want. I am completely in charge of my own destiny for a few months. Its a challenge, it's fun, it's hard and the life experiences are invaluable. Plus, not working for a while is always nice...!

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Research your destinations well. Make sure you keep up to date on current situations in countries you will be visiting. Try and make a list of the main things you want to accomplish while you are away and stick to it. Budget well for each country you are in.

Like she said, Deb's been 'round the world before. You can read about that trip here.