- When do you leave?
June 2003
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months
- How much have you saved?
Still saving – should be about £5000
- How old are you?
24
- Nationality
England
- Where do you live now?
Gloucester, England
- Occupation
Boring Job!
- Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
One more paycheck and I'm gone
- Have you traveled around the world before?
No
- What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Fly to Calgary - travel overland to Vancouver seeing the National Parks (Banff, Jasper) and the Rockies. On to LA - to travel around California & Las Vegas, Grand Canyon - Yosemite, San Fran etc. Then a couple of weeks in Samoa. On to New Zealand, then to OZ - hopefully working in OZ, and finally on to Vietnam!
- Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I met up with some friends in Singapore in August 2001. They were on the last leg of their rtwt - and I wished I had gone with them. Had a fantastic time travelling overland through Malaysia and up to Bangkok. Decided shortly after that to go for it!
- What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Feeling totally alone, as I am going on my own.
- Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Everyone is very supportive; most people comment on how brave I am for going and that they couldn't do it - but would love to!
- How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough
- What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Haven't decided what to pack yet; toying with the idea of not taking many clothes, as they are heavy! There isn't much that is indispensable. A camera? The tickets, my passport! Most things can be replaced.
- 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 hope it will give me the confidence to do anything I want to, and a major sense of achievement.
- If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Really excited and also nervous.
- 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?
A round-the-world trip is a real adventure. You are not tied to anyone or anything. You pick and choose where to be and how long to be there; it's a very liberating feeling.
- What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
Ask me when I've done it!
- Why do you like to travel?
I love seeing new places, being around different people and I hate the idea of living a sheltered life in the comfort of familiarity!
- What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Think positive and have faith in yourself. If I can do it anyone can!!