2014: Living the Dream
An ex‑colleague said to me just before we left the UK, “Mate, you’re living the dream.” And honestly… we did.
2014 will be etched in my memory forever: 20 countries, 27 flights, 68,000 kilometres, 8,000 photos, and countless moments that will stay with us for life.
From icons like Machu Picchu, Angkor and the Great Wall of China, to remote corners like Ocam Ocam Beach, Ko Wai and Lazy Beach. From the freezing nights of Swedish Lapland to the sweltering Bangkok heat. From the endlessly hospitable Uzbeks to Mr Blue Batman, from couch surfers to crazy Per‑Nils, and even the stray dogs we adopted along the way.
From 60p dinners in China to mutton permanently glued to the roof of our mouths in Mongolia. From Bangkok street noodles to Doug’s giant burger. From the sobering Killing Fields of Cambodia to a free night out in Shanghai.
We’ve packed in enough experiences to last a lifetime.
Travelling Like Charley Boorman (But With Less Budget)
At times we felt like Charley Boorman — travelling by absolutely any means available:
- camels
- tuk‑tuks
- horses
- trikes
- reindeer
- dog sleds
- snowmobiles
- buses
- bicycles
- songthaews
- vans
- taxis
- scooters
- dirt bikes
- trains
- kayaks
- ferries
- speedboats
- longboats
- bancas
- hitchhiking
If it moved, we sat on it.
We crossed cultures, languages, landscapes, climates — and of course, cuisines.
It’s Always About the People
As with any trip, it’s the people who make it. Fellow travellers, locals, the kind, the odd, the unforgettable — we’ve been touched by so many. Some encounters were heart‑warming, some bizarre, some best forgotten, but all part of the ride.
People often ask me, “Why do you travel so much?” or “What do you actually do when you’re travelling?”
I hope this blog has given a glimpse into life on the road — the uncertainty, the adrenaline, the border crossings, the new faces, the smells, the chaos, the joy. For me, travelling is still an addiction. Some people snort or inject for their fix — I just pick up a backpack and go.
Anya is now fully converted too. It was genuinely hard not to board another flight out of Southeast Asia and keep going for months. But at the same time, we were ready for the next chapter in New Zealand.
What Have I Gained?
Some people say they travel to “find themselves” or for a “spiritual awakening.” I have absolutely no idea what that means.
But you do learn things about yourself.
For example:
- I am now very fond of the bum gun. If you’ve never used one, it’s basically a high‑pressure hose for your backside. Saves paper, does a cracking job. Still haven’t mastered the drying technique, so probably won’t be using it at work.
- I’ve become addicted to spicy food. Before this trip, I was the guy who ordered “mild” and still sweated. Now I’m coating everything in chillies like a man possessed. No idea how that happened.
So yes — if you want to learn new bathroom techniques and develop a chilli addiction, save for 13 years, quit your job, and travel for four months. There’s also something about culture, scenery, people and food, but let’s not get distracted.
Best Bits? Impossible.
People always ask for the “best bit,” but every place gives you something different.
Still, here are a few standouts:
- reindeer and dog‑sledding in Sweden
- the Sacred Valley of Peru
- Ibiza Old Town
- Stromboli’s erupting volcano
- Song‑Kol Lake in Kyrgyzstan
- Mongolia — just… Mongolia
- the Great Wall
- the smiles of Cambodia
- pristine beaches and ridiculous sunsets
- and of course, the food — all of it
We’ve been spoilt.
Philosophical time
The dream isn’t over. Fulfilling one dream just creates more. I still have routes mapped out in my head: Uzbekistan, Iran, India, Nepal, Japan, Kamchatka, Tibet, Bhutan, East Timor… the list is endless.
When I look at a world map, I’ve covered a lot — but in reality, I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Those adventures will have to wait.
New Zealand: The End of the Road (For Now)
So here we are in New Zealand — our new home. It still feels strange saying that.
The last four months felt like another long trip, and part of me expected to fly back to the UK afterwards.
Instead, we arrived at Auckland Airport to freezing wind and rain. Not quite the welcome we imagined. Anya looked furious.
Thankfully, the sun came out soon after, and we’ve already slipped into the easygoing lifestyle here. There’s a big café culture too, which keeps Anya happy.
Of course, we need jobs before we can properly settle. Our shipment hasn’t cleared customs yet, so I’m interviewing in a charity‑shop shirt (Marks & Spencer, thank you very much), cheap jeans, and my brother’s mate’s shoes — two sizes too small.
The job market is decent, but Christmas slows everything down as the whole country disappears to the beach.
We’re renting a spare room from my brother’s mate in a lovely spot near the beach, overlooking the city and islands. We’ve already been to a Couchsurfing meetup and met some great people.
It’s exciting — but early days. We’re taking it step by step: bank accounts, tax numbers, driving licences. A Mr Planner’s nightmare, but for now I’m enjoying the unknown.
What’s Next
I’ll probably update this blog from time to time with news from NZ. I’m also thinking of writing the odd entry about highlights from previous trips.
For now, I hope you’ve enjoyed this ride.
Happy and safe travels to anyone heading off on their own adventures.
As they say in New Zealand: see ya later, bro.
