Hilary Thain's Trip at a Glance
| | |
|---|---|
| Departure Year | 2003 |
| Duration | 1-2 Years |
| Route | Across Russia on the Trans-Sib Railway, through China into Hong Kong. From HK through SE Asia and on to Australia. I’ll then be spending a year in New Zealand with a working holiday visa, not sure which way I’m heading back yet, might see if I can get a holiday visa for OZ once I’m out that way! |
| Budget | A Fair Bit (~ in 2026 dollars) |
| Age at Departure | 29 |
| Occupation | Marketing Assistant |
Route
Across Russia on the Trans-Sib Railway, through China into Hong Kong. From HK through SE Asia and on to Australia. I’ll then be spending a year in New Zealand with a working holiday visa, not sure which way I’m heading back yet, might see if I can get a holiday visa for OZ once I’m out that way!.
2026 note: Route information from early 2000s travel planning; current conditions may differ significantly.
In Their Words
When do you leave?
June 2003How long do you plan to be away?
1-2 YearsHow much have you saved?
A Fair BitHow old are you?
29Nationality
ScotlandWhere do you live now?
Bathgate, ScotlandOccupation
Marketing AssistantIs 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 meHave you traveled around the world before?
NoWhat is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Across Russia on the Trans-Sib Railway, through China into Hong Kong. From HK through SE Asia and on to Australia. I’ll then be spending a year in New Zealand with a working holiday visa, not sure which way I’m heading back yet, might see if I can get a holiday visa for OZ once I’m out that way!Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I’m fed up with the 9-5 lifestyle. Want to experience some of what the world has to offer and hopefully figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life before I come home!What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Creepy Crawlies!Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Everyone is very supportive. Everyone wants to come with me and they all say that I’ll never come back! I’m not sure if that’s a hint!How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just EnoughWhat are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
I’ve got a 55l rucksack and I’m hoping to have less than 10kg in it. I’d like to leave space for shopping along the way!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?
Hopefully I’ll come back more confident and less materialistic. I take a lot for granted just now and I’m sure this will change. I also hope I can make up my mind about what to do with my life after my travels!If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in on
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This profile was originally published on BootsnAll. Budget figures have been adjusted for 2026 context.