Henry Becker
Round-the-World Traveler Round the World Travel GuideYour One-stop Source to Plan & Book Around-the-World Trips
I guess the biggest influence would be that I had someone that shared the same dream. What got me into this type of travel was a prior backpacking trip through Europe. I met great people and had a ton of fun learning about the world, other people, and me.
The trip has made me a more self-assured and assertive person. There was not a day that our little team of two did not have to get up and work together at understanding ourselves, each other and our surroundings. This kind of environment fosters personal growth.
People should RTW for the experience, the bragging rights, and the reality that the person with the most experiences wins. Wins what, I do not know.
One- or two-week vacations are too touristy by nature of the fact that time is short. With a desire for maximum fun one- or two-weekers tend to have too many package deals.
Henry and his wife Tracy, post-wedding and pre-backpack – but not by much.
August 2000-July 2001
31
US$26,000
USA
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
We left on our trip during the boom time but returned to massive layoffs, struggling stock market, and a dot-com blowup. The job search took three months to land a solid job in my field. As for the affect on my career, I pretty much picked up where I left off. I guess you could say my career was held in suspense. The only adverse affect was incomes have decreased due to the lay-offs.
Our route was westward from Baltimore. The countries visited were (in order): Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, India, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, Spain.
The short version of why we took this trip could be summed up as 50% wanderlust and 50% hating being chained to a desk.
Gerard, the owner of the Funky Green Voyager hostel in Rotorua, New Zealand. Besides being cool as all get-out and a great talker, he helped us get tickets to the Auckland v. Wellington Rugby match in "The Tank" in Wellington. As well, he helped with the play-by-play at the game.
Just Enough
My 1-liter Nalgene bottle that made it through hell with a ton of scratches. Didn't break!
Wool sweater, wool socks, the 1 or 2 extra t-shirts, the water filter, mosquito net.
I feel more in tune with the world. I have a better understanding of diversity in practice, not in lip service. As well, I realize how fortunate I am for my family, friends, and the gross amounts of excess we Americans call necessity.
The best single decision I ever made.
We are not currently planning a trip but have the idea that in a few years we want to see South America and Antarctica. As for another RTW, not at the moment but perhaps as a retirement plan.
People should hit the world long and hard because when you are on your death bed you will probably not be wishing for more work or your corner office.
There are necessities and there are wants. The difference became crystal clear.
That it cost so much or too much.
Because I always wonder and I love movement. I am kinetic.
GO!! No matter what your budget. Pack light. Bring the best rain jacket you can find. Don't let a possible regret come to fruition.
