Sima Cutting is preparing for an around-the-world journey starting in 2002. Ready to explore multiple continents and experience diverse cultures.
Snapshot
- Departure: 2002
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Age: 22
- Location: Cambridge, England
- Occupation: Admin assistant
- Traveled before: No
The Route
I start in India with my dad, after three weeks he goes home and I stay for a month more, then I fly to Thailand; dunno how long I’ll be there. Then I’ll make my way overland to Vietnam and Laos, back through those countries to Thailand to get the train to Malaysia. (I was gonna get a boat from the south of Vietnam but have been advised there are pirates in the sea!!! Apparently the train is great – should be an experience!). Then I go from Malaysia to Indonesia, to Singapore and I fly to Australia for Christmas and New Year.
In Their Words
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I went to India in my year-out and wanted to go back as I loved it and felt I could’ve stayed longer! I think the reason I’m drawn to Asia in the first place is because we had a family friend who used to go to exotic places for her holidays and backpack, and she’s a keen photographer and I’ve grown up in awe of her photo album. I also loved studying religion at school and saw documentaries about Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism that fascinated me. I also want a challenge! I wanna go somewhere that’s hard work – dunno why!!
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
The bureaucracy – having something wrong with my visas or getting caught up in something political I don’t understand and can’t handle.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
I need some! I think that that’s something I’ll come back to either a month before I go or when I get back…
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
I dunno, we were told a lot of stuff that often ended up being true… that it’s lonely maybe – people keep asking me how I’m going to cope alone for a year, but I know I’ll meet people fairly prompt! Another thing I was looking forward to in India was sitting on a bus with goats; never saw any animals on any public transport!
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 that I become less lazy and more focused on what I want and how I’m going to go about getting it… I also want to become more confident in myself. I DO NOT, however, intend on “discovering” myself!
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Well, while I say I haven’t planned lots, I’m a bit anal about my lists and have drafted and redrafted packing lists despite it all being months away!! I can’t possibly list what I’m taking – too long, but it’s as sparse as I can do it!! I learned from the last trip!! Only a few clothes. My first aid kit/medicine bag will be the heftiest. I’m asthmatic and have allergies, so there are a few essentials. I am taking a bed sheet and towel, which I didn’t do last time – as the ‘micro-towel’ we took was crap!! and I got bed bugs because I kept coming out of my sleeping bag in the heat! I think a couple of books will be my favourite items, which I will trade as I go…
2026 Context
- Southeast Asia backpacker infrastructure has grown significantly, with better accommodation standards and higher prices than in the early 2000s.
- Digital nomad visas have transformed countries like Thailand and Vietnam, increasing costs but improving connectivity.
- Visa situations have shifted: India now requires advance visa applications, and overland routes are more restricted.