The Big One
In and around World
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Oh my God. I really am unemployed and about to go round the world.
I'm trying to stem a rising wave of panic as the reality sinks in. I have only the very vaguest of ideas of where I'm going and when.I've no idea what the following year will bring....
Of course these scary things are the same ones as make it so exciting; the humdrum of day to day life is nearly behind me and a whole new unknown future awaits.As they say. the world is my lobster.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler tonka
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1
SOUTH AFRICA - Cape Town
Hi there.
Well, It's finally a reality after months of planning and boring people to death about it. - I'm on my way!
I'm in Cape... Continue reading »
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2
Oudtshoorn
Arrived hot and sweaty but soon chilled out in this really relaxing place. I'm in Oudtshoorn, home to all things ostrich. It has a history of farmi... Continue reading »
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3
Plettenberg Bay
First impressions: a sea side resort for rich south africans.Frankly, this could be almost anywhere. It's pleasant enough but it's too much like a... Continue reading »
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4
Natures Valley / Jeffreys Bay
I'm actually in Natures Valley, right on the edge of the Tsitsikamma.
I arrived last night and was overwhelmed.I've just come from a se... Continue reading »
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5
Christmas in Cintsa
What a place for Christmas. Cinsta is a lovely unspoilt coastal area with very little here . Its a place people come in few numbers due to it... Continue reading »
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6
Coffee Bay
And i thought Cinsta was isolated! I'm here in a very rural S.A. There are two Backpackers at the end of a long dirt track and very little else . I... Continue reading »
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7
Port St. Johns & Port Edward
Port St.Johns is a small, rural coastal town with an almost entirely black population.It's approached through what i call ,proper, tarzan swinging... Continue reading »
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8
Port Shepstone
Yes, another port.
I'm here by mistake as the bus had no record of my booking and had no room to take me to my intended destination.
I'... Continue reading »
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9
Durban
Wow, a real change of pace.
Back into a big bad city after ages of relaxed and isolated spots.
Durban is a bustling City , with a bit o... Continue reading »
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10
Northern Drakensberg
Changed plans and stopped off in Northern Drakensberg as it was recommended and i think it was a wise decision.The view from the backpackers alone... Continue reading »
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11
Johannesberg
What a day.I got dropped off in town to get the bus- I had to wait nearly 2 hours.When it arrived I had to plead for a place as it was full .... Continue reading »
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12
SINGAPORE
Arrived groggy and bleary eyed after an overnight flight.I didn't know that was the best i was going to feel for a while.
I think the first t... Continue reading »
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13
MALAYSIA - Kuala Lumpur
Relieved to be here after 6 hour bus journey.
Dropped my bags off at homestay and went for a wander. I felt a bit off colour and by the time... Continue reading »
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14
Taman Negara
This, I was really excited about!
Visiting a Tropical Rainforest has been high on my wish list of things to do this lifetime! I can't believe... Continue reading »
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15
Cameron Highlands
On the way here I was trying to decide where to stay . I finally decided on ' Father's Guest House ' and what a good decision that was.... Continue reading »
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16
Pangkor
After an uneventful couple of days stop off in Ipoh , I arrived at Lumut for the 40min ferry ride to the island of Pankor .
On th... Continue reading »
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17
Pinang
I'm learning not to trust my first impressions of a new destination. I arrive hot , sweaty and tired and invariably don't enjoy my first day.<... Continue reading »
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18
THAILAND - Trang
After a long journey ,I'm here in The Land of Smiles , to quote the tourist blurb.
I wasn't sure I was going to make it. After the firs... Continue reading »
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19
Koh Lanta
Didn't have the greatest of starts here.I arrived via minibus and the agents wanted to take us to their bungalow instead of where we wanted t... Continue reading »
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20
Ko Phi Phi
I'd been warned that I probably wouldn't like ko Phi Phi...and at first I really didn't. Once on the jetty , theres the assault from touts for ' bu... Continue reading »
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21
Phuket
I got off the ferry fully intending to go and stay in Phuket town. On a whim I decided to go to Patong instead.Because I can.
The minibus sto... Continue reading »
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22
Similan Islands
Ok. I didn't stay on all nine of them. Only number 4 has National Park accommodation.
Many people visit the islands as part of a day tr... Continue reading »
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23
Khao Sok Park
I read in the guide book that this park was worth a detour , so thats what i've done. Well , they're not wrong. Stunning views of jagged limestone&... Continue reading »
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24
Surin Islands
Well , what can I say? I've had 5 of the most fantastic days on an island 60km off the West coast.
I went there on the advice of a... Continue reading »
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25
Ko Chang and a Visa run to Burma
There are two Ko Changs in Thailand. Mine was the smaller , yet perfectly formed one on the West coast of the Peninsula.
Ko Chang is onl... Continue reading »
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26
Prachuap Khiri Khan
First surprise when I got here was finding myself off the bus ,on the highway , seemingly in the middle of nowhere.I eventually I found a m'bike ta... Continue reading »
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27
Phetchaburi
I'm sure it's getting hotter. Until late a'noon it really is too scorching to walk outside for more than a few minutes.I'm sure I'll have no sympat... Continue reading »
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28
Bangkok
I was very glad that I arrived in Bangkok with John who has been here many times.It's not the easiest place in the world to navigate and such is th... Continue reading »
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29
Pattaya
Well, what can one say about Pattaya?
I'm a little lost for words and I had some idea what to expect.It's a place in Thailand that seems so u... Continue reading »
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30
CAMBODIA - Kaoh Kong and Sihanoukville
New day , new Country.On the bus I met two Aussie guys who'd done the border crossing berfore. That came in really handy as they knew e... Continue reading »
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31
Phnom Penh
The bus here was packed to overflowing , many folks going home for the Khmer New Year. Still , the roads were good and apart from the near head on... Continue reading »
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32
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a small ( but quickly growing ) town. New hotels are being thrown up at every turn .The reason for the boom is the temples... Continue reading »
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33
Phnom Penh again
I've tried to avoid retracing my steps but this seemed the easier option. Public transport is limited away from the major destinations so i've a co... Continue reading »
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34
VIETNAM - Saigon
What a mad and fantastic place! Hoi Chi Minh City( Officially HCMC but the locals prefer Saigon ) is a large and sprawling City. The streets a... Continue reading »
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35
Mui Ne
I can't imagine more of a contrast. I've swopped the hustle and bustle of happening Saigon for a laid back , low key beach resort.The perfect place... Continue reading »
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36
Dalat
We had one of those bus journeys I'd heard about. You stop every hour at some cafe in the middle of nowhere so the trip takes three times longer th... Continue reading »
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37
Hoi An
The last few days have been a real adventure.I got the bus from Da Lat where I met a 31 yr old Kiwi , Lee. We arrived In Da Nang hot and sweat... Continue reading »
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38
Ninh Binh
After a bum numbing 16 hours the bus spewed me onto the tarmac at 6am. There was a guy with a guesthouse over the road. It was cheap and clean so&n... Continue reading »
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39
Hanoi
After a thankfully short trip I found a guesthouse and thought ' that'll do' . On reflection it seemed a bit rundown and then had the awkward scena... Continue reading »
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40
LAOS - Vientiane
Laos is a smallish landlocked country , about the size of the U.K . Driving across it feels almost empty as we pass endless miles of greenery. Moun... Continue reading »
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41
Vang Vieng
A few of us from the last stop have met up in this small town thats become a travelers centre. There are so many guesthouses prices are really low... Continue reading »
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42
Phonsavan
There's a reason people come to this one street town and that's to visit the Plain of Jars. It's a large area dotted wi... Continue reading »
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43
Luang Prabang
The bus ride gave constantly changing views as it twisted and turned across the mountains . Unfortunately , many lao people seem to suf... Continue reading »
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44
THAILAND revisited. - Chiang Mai
It takes two days by slow boat up the Mekong to the border from Luang Prabang.It makes a nice change from all those bus trips and with lots o... Continue reading »
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45
Mae Hong Son
Well , this is unusual for me . I often stay longer in places than i expect to , this time tho' i've cut them short.
I arrived in Pai to find... Continue reading »
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46
Kanchanaburi
After the overnight trip I was a little bleary eyed , but by the afternoon felt awake enough to explore some nearby sites.
I rented a bi... Continue reading »
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47
Hua Hin
If I'd been a little more creative I'd have better titles for these journal entries. Instead of just putting the name of the town I could have had... Continue reading »
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48
Chumphon
This might be one of the briefest of entries.
I've very little to say about the town as I got there in the afternoon and was out early ( if... Continue reading »
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49
Ko Tao
On the boat over I chatted to some other travellers as is often the case . Once on the island we went for breakfast and decided to find a reso... Continue reading »
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50
Ko Samui
I hadn't planned to stay here at all , but as I had to change boats here and have an open ticket so on a whim I stopped here.
I'm in the... Continue reading »
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51
Songkhla
I've had a few days on the move , just stopping one night each time, so have lumped them all under the one entry.
After Ko Samui I stay... Continue reading »
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52
MALAYSIA - Kota Bharu
It was a strange way to spend my 43rd birthday. In the morning I got on a minibus with a bunch of Malaysians to cross the border.Conversation was n... Continue reading »
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53
Pulau Perhentian Kecil
The 3 days on this little island rate as one of the highlights of my trip so far.The fun started on the speedboat ride over. It was more like... Continue reading »
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54
Cherating
After an overnight stop in a musty rundown hotel in Kuala Terengganu , I made my way to Cherating.
I chose to come here by looking at places... Continue reading »
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55
Pulau Tioman and Mersing
We got the boat over the next morning to the large island of Tioman. First impressions weren't great as a huge mariner is under construction a... Continue reading »
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56
SINGAPORE 0nce more
Well , here we are at the end of the Asian adventure . It's gone so quickly.
It's a real culture shock after 5+ months.It's all SO diffe... Continue reading »
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57
AUSTRALIA - Sydney
Wayheh! Finally made it Down under and back to civilization.It's a sharp contrast to Asia and I found I was sad in a way to leave that simpler and... Continue reading »
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58
Newcastle
I got here late but it was clear this was very different to Sydney. The streets were dark with only the occasional restaurant to show the tow... Continue reading »
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59
Port Macquarie
The bus trundled in at some time after 1am.i headed off confidently in the wrong direction so got to the Y.H.A after 2. I'd been told keys and bed... Continue reading »
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60
Bellingen
When I arrived at this tiny town I wondered what on earth I was going to do here and was already mentally planning my escape. Four days later I'm s... Continue reading »
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61
Coffs Harbour
I'm back on the coast in a bigger town with nice beaches. It's warm enough to use them too , despite being in the middle of Winter. It's just the n... Continue reading »
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62
Ballina
After staying in the sprawling Y.H.A at Coffs with dozens of people , this is as differant as it could get . I arrived here late but still managed... Continue reading »
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63
Byron Bay
Byron Bay seems to be the one place that everyone comes if they're traveling the east coast.It's reputation as the place to be has spread far and w... Continue reading »
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64
Murwillumbah
Another little town.This one at a nice location on the banks of the Tweed river..
The main appeal of this spot is it's proximity to
Continue reading » -
65
Brisbane
After an overnight in Surfers , I completed my bus trip to Brisbane.
I'd been looking forward to this as I'd be staying with Steve and Sharon... Continue reading »
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66
Sydney
Back to where I started. I can't believe how quickly the last 4 weeks have gone.I've had a great time and know I have only seen a tiny amount of wh... Continue reading »
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67
NEW ZEALAND - Auckland
Auckland is both a region and city.And what an immediatly likeable city it is too.
It's a blend of styles , like the futuristic S... Continue reading »
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68
Rotorua
Having started my journey on the ' Magic Bus ' I'm now aware of the drawback of using this type of travel. As it takes passengers to tourist spots... Continue reading »
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69
Taupo
I'd been feeling a little rough yesterday and on the way to Taupo still wasn't 100%. What better way to perk up than with a 50ft high swing?<... Continue reading »
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70
Wellington
The journey to the nations capital took an enforced break as a lorry had overturned . I wondered how on earth it happened as the roads are virtuall... Continue reading »
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71
Nelson
Nelson is a nice little town. They're all little ,but this one has lots of nice views and officially is the sunniest place in NZ .It'... Continue reading »
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72
Greymouth
The journey here was broken up by stops at some tourist attractions , like the Pancake Rocks that ( with a little imaginatio... Continue reading »
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73
Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier
On route we made a stop at Ross. Once upon a time it was a busy place when lots of folks came to pan for gold and make their fortu... Continue reading »
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74
Queenstown
On route to Queenstown we were blessed with sunny weather so had great views of the Remarkables , Eyre Mountains and Lake Wakatipu.
I ca... Continue reading »
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75
Dunedin
Dunedin was founded by Scottish settlers ( Dunedin means ' Edinburgh of the South ' ) and they constructed buildings th... Continue reading »
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76
Oamaru and Lake Tekapo
From Dunedin we stopped just out of town at Baldwin Street. 'The steepest street in the world ' according to the Guinness Book of World recor... Continue reading »
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77
Christchurch
This is going to be one of the shorter entries. I've not been feeling well for a few days with man flu ( probably a cold ) so have either been in b... Continue reading »
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78
Kaikoura
I had two days in the coastal town of Kaikora. Enough to see some whales and dolphins with a bit of luck.
We got pretty close to several
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79
Napier
From Kaikoura it was back to Picton to cross into the north island. As i had come over by ferry , I took the opportunity to fly this time , es... Continue reading »
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80
Auckland again
After an overnight stop in Mt Maunganui it's back where i began in NZ.
I did get up the Sky Tower this time that gives great views... Continue reading »
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81
FIJI - Nadi and Robinson Crusoe Island
It hit me hard when I got into Nadi. The shock was overwhelming having come from NZ and Oz where i'd been cossetted with all the trappings of a fir... Continue reading »
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82
Beachouse , Coral Coast
I think i've struck the jackpot here. I only came here as it was the cheapest option . I wasn't expecting such a fantastic resort with a superb loc... Continue reading »
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83
U.S.A - Hollywood , L.A.
I was very sad to leave Fiji and my new friends at the Beachouse , but that's all part of traveling i guess. Before i knew it i was on a half empty... Continue reading »
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84
Venice Beach , California
Fun and games. The hostel is possibly the most chaotic and unorganized of any i've stayed in. Couldn't check in till 3pm and staff are clearl... Continue reading »
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85
San Diego
It was the first time i've used the Greyhound on this trip and as i remember , you get the more ' interesting ' folks on the buses. I was passing t... Continue reading »
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86
Home
And back where it all began.
It's hard now , looking back to think that i was so worried about this trip. I wondered if i was doing the right... Continue reading »
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