Travel

I’m sure most of my lust for travelling comes from my Dad who’s been around the world on his ship a fair few times. Listening to his stories as a child, I dreamt I would one day see the things he had seen in the world. In my early twenties, I was strapped for cash so I could only dream and romanticize about distant lands. Mongolia, India, China, Easter Island seemed so far off back then. Most of these places were out of my budget so I never thought I’d ever get to see them. Spurned on by such programmes as Michael Palin’s 80 days around the world, and Ewan Mcgregor’s Long Way Round which both seemed to be thrust into my face at any given minute of the day at work. It was time to do something about it, so I saved hard for one year and picked a different type of backpacking. Gone was the idea of doing the ‘normal’ British backpacking route – Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, with a quick stop in NYC on the way home. No, I wanted to see what the world really had to offer. So for me, destination such as Siberia, Mongolia and Cuba seemed far more interesting and of a challenge.

After a year on the road, I returned home and returned to work, where I would spend my days gazing at Google Map and coming up with crazy ideas and places I wanted to see. My wanderlust grew even more absurd and out of control as I planned future trips into the unknown. Becoming a Dark Tourist by visiting Chernobyl and the horrors of Auschwitz. Seeing the beauty of Denali National Park – Alaska. Hiking the colossal Tiger Leaping Gorge – China, and to the more peculiar site of the Dwarf Theme Park – China.

Now, in 2011, I’ve come up with the stupid plan of cycling the Americas and maybe the world….. who know how far I’ll get.

Before 2007

Ibiza – Worlds largest parties.
Germany – Berlin Love Parade.
Poland – Vodka, Depeche Mode Bar.
USA – Miami, Key West.
Iceland – Northern Lights, Soup in Bread.

2007/2008

South Africa – Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Shark Diving.
Latvia – Shooting AK47s.
Russia – Moscow – London’s evil twin. Trans-Siberian, Lake Baikal.
Mongolia – Living with Nomads, Mongolian Discos.
China – The Great Wall of China, Tibet.
USA – New York, Yosemite, Grand Canyon.
Mexico – Tequila, The Copper Canyon Train
Cuba – Havana, Rum.
Belize – Caye Caulker.
Guatamala – Lake Atitlan
Ukraine – Chernobyl.

2009

Ireland – Overpriced Guinness, people saying “Top of the morning”. No, really, they did.
USA – New York to New Orleans. BBQ, Bourbon Street, Ground Zero Blues Bar.
Alaska – EVERYTHING.

2010