Hard to believe it has come to an end. What started out ten plus weeks ago – hell, more like 10 months ago when our planning really started — has come to a close. It started with lots of hopes and dreams and excitement, clouded by some last minute anxieties and worries…. the Super Typhoon (somewhat headed towards our first destination, Bangkok) was a big news story the night before our departure; there were anti-government protests going on in Bangkok; and we read stories of pickpocket “gangs” in Bangkok… all concerns…and that was just our first stop! Carol starting thinking “I’m really comfortable on my couch, why are we leaving?!!” Just last minute jitters…
Now, as I look back, this trip was beyond my wildest dreams…a magical adventure in all regards. Each destination of the five countries we visited, along with their sub-locations, was a really fun, interesting and exciting stop. We were blessed with great weather almost everywhere, in spite of it being the end of the “rainy season”. We met lots of great people, both locals and fellow travelers. The “no worries” mantra of the Aussies was easy to adopt.
The sequencing of our trip worked perfectly: we got in and out of Bangkok before the political unrest really heated up; had a nice break in exotic Bali; had a whirlwind criss-cross of Aussie land, highlighted by a great Thanksgiving and visit with David; real discovery and adventures in extraordinarily scenic New Zealand; and then a final reunion and family “chill” vacation with David in beautiful Fiji.
Our relatively minor travel hassles once we returned to the USA even had a silver lining as we got an extension to our journey and a visit to LA and Hollywood.
This adventure is over but the memories will last forever. It has wetted our appetites for more travel, but it’s gonna be one tough act to follow.
So, here are my farewell blog memories, as memorialized in photos. These are the people’s faces and market places, animals, valleys and vistas, and wonderful moments with Carol – and part-time with David – that will stay with me with or without the digital record … thanks for coming along for the adventure…it was one of epic proportions!
Billy
