Andy Cannon

1. When do you leave?
   April 2004

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

3. How much have you saved?
   £5000

4. How old are you?
   28

5. Nationality
   England

6. Where do you live now?
   Reading, England

7. Occupation
   IT Test Analyst

8. Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
   I'll come back if they'll have me

9. Have you traveled around the world before?
   No

10. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
    India (possibly Sri Lanka), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, West Coast USA

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    I have lots of influences, a dad in an airline and some firly exotic travel as a child, an travelling uncle and other family overseas, reading "National Geographic", watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" too many times and a girlfriend who said "let's do it" !

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    Coming back !

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Yes they are all very supportive. I informed my company that I will be resigning in March and they were appreciative of the notice period so they can organise a replacement and handover period.

14. How much planning and preparing have you done?
    Planning is for tourists

15. What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
    My camera would be top of my list as I am a photography nut and would like to try and sell some work eventually. Apart from that, my swiss army knife is pretty handy !!

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 have a year to decide what I would like to REALLY do with my life. I have a serious interest in cultures, and Earth Science subjects such as Geology. I may go to Uni upon returning to the UK to get qualified and increase my chances of living and working overseas.

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    It is FINALLY going to happen !

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?
    The world is a very big diverse place and although various components are available to us (an example is culinary choice), nothing beats going there and seeing it for real and getting an understanding as to WHY people are as they are !

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    Once you get to x years of age you should be married with a mortgage and chldrean etc etc etc... you may only get one shot at life so live it ! When you are old it is good to look back on things you have done and achieved rather than regret missed opportunities !

20. Why do you like to travel?
    It broadens the mind and I like meeting different people.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Keep an open mind and go with the flow. Things you may not normally consider back home can change your life when abroad !