Pat Short – Around-the-World Traveler

Pat Short is a 53-year-old fundraising manager for a children’s charity from Birmingham, England, who is planning a round-the-world trip in 2004.

I have reached a crossroads in my life. As I said before, wonderfully, blissfully divorced. My children have grown up and my job has run its course. So this for me is the ideal time. I have travelled to South America twice, and having met travellers there and talked to so many friends who have travelled, the bug has bitten and it is something I just have to do.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2004
• Age at departure: 53
• Nationality: England
• Location: Birmingham, England
• Duration: 6-12 months
• Occupation: Fundraising manager for a children’s charity
• Original budget: GBP 10,000 (approximately USD 28,000 in 2026 dollars)
• Regions: South America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Asia, South Asia, Middle East

The Route

Fly to Rio, Brazil in January, then overland to Venezuela and back to Rio for Carnival — about five months in South America — then New Zealand for a month and Australia for two. From Darwin, fly to Singapore and spend the remaining four months through Asia: overland to Bangkok, on to Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and into China, back to Hong Kong and on to Delhi, then Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, back into India, and home via Dubai.

In Their Words

Here's what Pat Short shared about their RTW journey:

What is your advice for other travelers?

Go for it – now…

What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?

This is all so new to me. I am told to pack the barest minimum and buy as I go. So that sounds good enough for me.

What is the biggest myth people have about round-the-world travel?

I don’t know – perhaps I’ll find out on my travels and prove them wrong.

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of GBP 10,000 would equate to approximately USD 28,000 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 75% inflation over the intervening years.