Round the World Travel Guide
Your One-stop Source to Plan & Book Around-the-World Trips
After 14 months of being a computer network salesman, and deciding money wasn’t everything, Paul, 25, quit his job in the dull surroundings of deepest darkest Hampshire (UK) and moved back home to London, after 5 years away. Temping and trying to save, Paul has done some of the dullest work in the City of London (however all have provided free internet access, ahhh, how very useful!!), and now is ready for his trip.
With nothing solidly planned apart from 6 weeks in New Zealand and then onto Australia (with a Working Holiday Visa) where he plans to work for 4 months and then travel for a further 3 or 4. He will then be heading to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia in the New Year where he sees spending 5 months.
There are many questions to answer, such as:
So with regular updates, answers to these questions and many more, follow his travels here.
Catch Up On The Journey
Auckland, New Zealand
The last thing you need after flying for 23 hours is Customs going through your stuff.
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Dune boarding, dolphin watching and the people you meet in a hostel.
Wellington, New Zealand
Paul’s first earthquake and Wellington in a day.
Christchurch to Queenstown
Dealing with a crappy rental car to get to New Zealand’s Adventure Capital.
The West Coast – Milford Sound to Nelson
A four day hike in Milford Sound and some glacier walking.
Sydney, Australia
A shame to leave New Zealand, but Sydney so far is impressive.
Sydney Update
Work is pretty easy to come by and the Olympics are a popular subject of discussion.
Sydney Musings
Paul falls into the “Sydney Trap”, but it’s the Olympics that may finally force him to get on the road again.
Olympic Countdown
The city is gearing up for a two week party and Paul gives you a sneak preview of the opening ceremony.
Melbourne Mumblings
Despite not being the Olympic city, Melbourne is having its own party, kicking off the Fringe Festival with a huge street carnival.
Adelaide to Alice Springs
Picking up a ride at the hostel heading up to Alice Springs, stopping off on the way at Coober Pedy, Uluru, the Olgas and King’s Canyon, helps save a bit of cash.
Alice – Darwin – Cairns
There are some amazing places to stop on the drive from Alice to Darwin and that’s not even including Kakadu National Park.
Far North Tropical Queensland
Paul’s not sure what he’s doing for Christmas, but for the time being he’s content with scuba diving, staying in cool hostels and dodging cyclones.
Whitsunday Islands, Fraser Island and my Alternative Christmas
More scuba diving, some 4WD beach driving and the most surreal Christmas Day Paul has ever experienced.
New Year’s Eve, Surfers Paradise and Brisbane
If Xmas Day was wild, New Year’s Eve was awesome. Surfers Paradise has no soul, but Brisbane turns out to be a good surprise.
Singapore/Malaysia
A few extra days in Singapore as Paul begins his transition into Asia and then on to Malaysia.
Cameron Highlands, Thaipusam and Taman Negarra Park
Hiking in the jungle, an awful nightclub and the most amazing festival you could ever imagine.
The End of Malaysia and Into Thailand
After a few relaxing days on the beaches of the Perenthians, Paul heads to Thailand and spends some time, well…on The Beach.
Full Moon Parties and Bangkok
A memorable party despite the torrential rain and Paul finds Bangkok nowhere near bad as everyone had said it is.
Northern Thailand
A detour to Pia, a new appreciation for bamboo and preparations for the Laos leg of the trip.
Breakdowns, Delays and Overcrowding – The Joys of Travel in Laos
While patience is a handy virtue, Paul finds Laos to be an incredible country brimming with amazing scenery and wonderful people.
Vietnam – Home of a Million Organised Tours
Paul starts to see what other backpackers mean when they say that the locals only see you as a walking dollar sign.
End of the Road – Cambodia and Thailand
Paul is at the end of his trip, but he still has plenty of good things to say about travlling in Cambodia. Just don’t take the trains.
