What happens when a 50 year old gay man is let loose in the world with a backpack almost no language skills including English and a fondness for naps

In and around World

January 15 2007 Fly from Eugene Oregon

January 16 Arrive Tokyo, Japan

January 25 from Tokyo via Kuala Lumpur

January 26 Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam

Travel overland through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore

March 2 Fly from Singapore to Denpasar, Bali

Travel from Bali to Java and back

March 24 Fly from Denpasar to Colombo, Sri Lanka

April 8 Fly from Colombo to Doha, Qatar

April 9 Arrive Mahe, Seychelles

April 15 Fly Mahe to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania via Nairobi

April 27 Fly Dar to Dubai

April 29 Fly Dubai to Istanbul, Turkey

Overland travel through Greece, Croatia, Tunisia, Malta, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Czech, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Britain

July 15 Fly London to Eugene

Route taken and entries by Real Traveler globalchoirboy

  1. 1

    First day on the road

    Tokyo, Japan | Jan 15 '07 | Reviews: 3

    Eleven hours in plane from San Francisco.  Be assured fellow travelers United Airlines is still serving warm dinners on international flights... Continue reading »

  2. 2

    A rainy day in the capital city

    Tokyo, Japan | Jan 16 '07 | Reviews: 0

    My 'ah ha' experience of the day was when I realized why Japanese signage always seems so busy.  They have at least 3 and sometimes 4 written... Continue reading »

  3. 3

    Onsen ahhhh

    Hakone, Japan | Jan 18 '07 | Reviews: 0
    Yesterday was Kamakura.  One of the ancient capitals of Japan.  Quite littered with temples and shrines - temples are Buddhist and shrines a... Continue reading »
  4. 4

    The Pola Museum and the train

    Kyoto, Japan | Jan 19 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Today was my last day in Hakone.  I even took time to do a bit of yoga this morning.  One last soak ( I swear it does wonders for the com... Continue reading »

  5. 5

    A day at the Temples

    Kyoto, Japan | Jan 20 '07 | Reviews: 0

    The weather here in Kyoto is so Eugene today.  overcast with a weak sun barely visible for a short while then overtaken by the early afternoon... Continue reading »

  6. 6

    Western food Eastern style

    Kyoto, Japan | Jan 21 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Here at the Tour club - my hostel they have a nice little suggestion sheet for finding the basic needs of the tourist.  One was a breakfa... Continue reading »

  7. 7

    You can't swing a painted Gheisa in this town without hitting a temple

    Kyoto, Japan | Jan 22 '07 | Reviews: 0

    The morning was a misfire.  I thought I was joining three young women to go to the market.  But they rejected me.  So I quickly reco... Continue reading »

  8. 8

    The Royal send off or all things Imperial and Katsura

    Kyoto, Japan | Jan 23 '07 | Reviews: 0

    My last day in Kyoto and my last full day in Japan was certainly my most scheduled day so far.  I had made reservations yesterday for the Kats... Continue reading »

  9. 9

    A quick stop in Kuala Lumpur then on to Hanoi

    Hanoi, Vietnam | Jan 25 '07 | Reviews: 0

    My flight on Malaysia Airlines was so nice.  They have the cutest staff and the food is very nice.  They give you full service.  Tru... Continue reading »

  10. 10

    A quick stop in Kuala Lumpur then on to Hanoi

    Hanoi, Vietnam | Jan 25 '07 | Reviews: 0

    My flight on Malaysia Airlines was so nice.  They have the cutest staff and the food is very nice.  They give you full service.  Tru... Continue reading »

  11. 11

    Putt putt beep beep - the language of the streets of Hanoi

    Hanoi, Vietnam | Jan 26 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I experienced The ups and downs of travel today.  I realized early that I had left my debit card in a machine at the Hanoi airport.  ... Continue reading »

  12. 12

    Calm waters and cool rocks - Halong Bay

    Halong Bay, Vietnam | Jan 28 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I booked a trip through my accomodations in Hanoi to see Halong Bay.  A two day and one night trip to this world heritage site.  With 13... Continue reading »

  13. 13

    Hue in a Day

    Hue, Vietnam | Jan 30 '07 | Reviews: 1

    Last night I boarded the train from Hanoi at 11pm.  My 'soft' sleeper was shared with 2 girls from OZ, Sharon and Matilda and a Vietnamese bus... Continue reading »

  14. 14

    Hoi An night and day

    Hoi An, Vietnam | Jan 31 '07 | Reviews: 0

    After running into two of my compatriots of the Halong Bay trip I ended up dining and drinking with them and their newest travel mates last night.&... Continue reading »

  15. 15

    Marble mountains and discos

    Hoi An, Vietnam | Feb 01 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I really don't know what the day will bring when I wake up here.  My only notion for the day was to talk to Kurt on the phone and go to the be... Continue reading »

  16. 16

    My Vietnamese boyfriend

    Hoi An, Vietnam | Feb 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I remain in Hoi An running out of money as my card remains somewhere in transit and Kurt is sending me money by Western Union but is so busy he has... Continue reading »

  17. 17

    Another day another story

    Hoi An, Vietnam | Feb 05 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Yesterday if I can remember yesterday was shopping day for my Vietnamese boyfriend.  I got the western union infusion of cash and Do picked me... Continue reading »

  18. 18

    As the sun sets over Hoi An I bid Adieu to my new friends

    Hoi An, Vietnam | Feb 06 '07 | Reviews: 0

    My credit card arrived after an entire week.  Just what I was told in the first place but refused to believe.  I have a flight this after... Continue reading »

  19. 19

    I am an American

    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Feb 08 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Now for my third try at this entry

    The one full day in Ho Chi Minh City began with a surprisingly decent breakfast from the Yellow House Host... Continue reading »

  20. 20

    Why didn't I say I went but didn't

    Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Feb 10 '07 | Reviews: 0
    I took a bus for 6 hours from Saigon to Phnom Penh.  My seatmate was an American living in Bangkok.  He was the ultimate ex-pat having lived... Continue reading »
  21. 21

    Another lost civilization another pyramid to climb

    Siem Reap, Cambodia | Feb 12 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I found a decent place to land for my time here.  10 foot tall ceilings.  what a difference a little height makes.  First off you ne... Continue reading »

  22. 22

    Angkor Wat by bicycle

    Siem Reap, Cambodia | Feb 13 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I decided to stay the full day here in Siem Reap.  Using the 3rd day of my 3 day pass for the temple sites.  I rented a bike from the gue... Continue reading »

  23. 23

    Maybe this is where Ken Kesey's bus belongs

    Bangkok, Thailand | Feb 14 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I got into Krung Thep or the city of Angels by 11am today and even felt a little like driving into another city of Angels that we know with the hig... Continue reading »

  24. 24

    the city of angels, buddhas and beer

    Bangkok, Thailand | Feb 16 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I spent my second night at my very noisy room.  With a good pair of earplugs and a realization that I have slept through the drum circle of th... Continue reading »

  25. 25

    Wat a day

    Bangkok, Thailand | Feb 17 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Last night was a noisy Saturday night on Rambuttri soi or Rambuttri lane which is the road I am staying on.  One street parallel to Khao San.&... Continue reading »

  26. 26

    And just when I was warming to Bangkok off I go...

    Krabi, Thailand | Feb 18 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Today,  Monday was a holiday in Thailand.  Most of the shops were closed.  Even Khao San road seemed deserted.  I went to STA t... Continue reading »

  27. 27

    The Andaman Sea and me

    Krabi, Thailand | Feb 18 '07 | Reviews: 0

    After the most restful sleep I have had in at least a month I started the day gathering info on what to do and where to go.  Elisabeth joined... Continue reading »

  28. 28

    Koh-ping with the islands of Thailand

    Ko Lanta, Thailand | Feb 20 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I woke up in after a night of pulsating heat from overexposure to the sun.  My first thought was 'I am so done with this town.'  I met El... Continue reading »

  29. 29

    A day on the mini buses

    Hat Yai, Thailand | Feb 21 '07 | Reviews: 0

    A quiet night enjoying the ambience of the beach life.  I can totally understand how people get 'lost' in this easygoing life.  There are... Continue reading »

  30. 30

    Hot dang I like Penang

    Penang, Malaysia | Feb 23 '07 | Reviews: 0

    At 6:05 I groggily come to and realize someone is pounding on my door.  I open the door and there is Elisabeth.  I was supposed to meet h... Continue reading »

  31. 31

    Taking the tour or going for a ride

    Penang, Malaysia | Feb 24 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I am leaving on the night train to Kuala Lumpur so I decided last night to sign up with Jim the owner of the hotel to do his tour of the island.&nb... Continue reading »

  32. 32

    The Birds and the Butterflies

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Feb 25 '07 | Reviews: 0

    The train arrived in KL around 8 am.  It was a quiet and pretty comfortable train trip.  Especially considering that the bed right across... Continue reading »

  33. 33

    From Cave to Monorail to Sentral Stesen

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Feb 26 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I actually slept much better than I expected given the crowd in this place last night.  We got up and had breakfast then I took off after a bu... Continue reading »

  34. 34

    Willie Wonka and the train to Singapore

    Singapore | Feb 27 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By the time I awoke Elisabeth had left for the airport and the Oranguatans of Borneo.  Good travels to you. 

    I spent the morning re... Continue reading »

  35. 35

    Singing in the rain in Singapore

    Singapore | Feb 28 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Woke up in this lovely condo to the pouring rain.  And it continued to rain all day long and into the night.  Strangely familiar and yet... Continue reading »

  36. 36

    What a difference and Island makes

    Kuta, Indonesia | Mar 02 '07 | Reviews: 0

    First thing I did when I got up is swim in that beautiful looking pool at Tom and Kathy's condo.  And it was lux.  Right across the stree... Continue reading »

  37. 37

    Little Altars Everywhere

    Kuta, Indonesia | Mar 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

    So where was I?  I seem to have fallen down into Alice's looking glass and now I am in another world.  One full of holy moments happening... Continue reading »

  38. 38

    Bidding Adi Adieu

    Kuta, Indonesia | Mar 05 '07 | Reviews: 1

    Bali is a combination of lush beauty, tropical downpours, the abundance of art, spiritual practice and taking the tourist for a good shakedown.&nbs... Continue reading »

  39. 39

    A day in the pool

    Kuta, Indonesia | Mar 06 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Having a full day of rain yesterday should have been plenty of time to read my PADI training book.  But no I still had to cram the last two ch... Continue reading »

  40. 40

    Arak Attack or Throwing up in Paradise

    Tulamben, Indonesia | Mar 08 '07 | Reviews: 0

    We left at 7 am from my hotel for the drive to the dive site in Northeast Bali.  My dive buddy, Louise and I had time to do a bit of studying... Continue reading »

  41. 41

    The culture vulture returns

    Jogjakarta, Indonesia | Mar 10 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I had to be up at 4:15 to leave for the airport at 5 and fly out at 6am for jogyakarta on the island of Java.  I had the strange experience of... Continue reading »

  42. 42

    Stupafied: dragonflies buzz Buddha's head

    Borobudur, Indonesia | Mar 11 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I set my start time for the day at the reasonable hour of 8am with my driver Adi.  That gave me time to have the young fellow here at the hote... Continue reading »

  43. 43

    I guess this is called going with the flow

    Jogjakarta, Indonesia | Mar 12 '07 | Reviews: 0

    I left off an important meal from yesterday's blog.  Last evening I had Adi run me up to the train station to check out tickets going east.&nb... Continue reading »

Mrs Random avatar Mrs Random on Dec. 22, 2006 @ 09:13AM said
Have a good time, and write often! It's going to be great to see your progress...

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