Great, but can't wait to get home
Trip Start
Jan 26, 2011
1
19
Trip End
Mar 02, 2011
Stromness, Scotland, United Kingdom
Friday, March 4, 2011
I think I left Banchory with indecent speed - simply to get back to my home that I'd not seen for some three months. The car started first time, I could not sleep so off I went. A slight error in planning my journey meant that I had to really put my toe down to make it to the ferry on time. The snow is all gone and it looks as though we will have Spring. So, it was an un-eventful drive north I'm glad to say and I had time to ponder about all the experiences of the last few months.
I'm told that travel can broaden the mind and can even be life changing. It certainly opens your eyes to all aspects of life. For now I think it has also made me aware of what I have and of being very lucky to live where I do, I may have a new sense of ancient history, of peoples past and present, of horror and wonder and experience of a very different climate but I feel content.
Although this epistle has often concerned the places visited, my abiding memory is one of travel. It is about the constant moving on and living from my oh so perfect bag (see back to check on this). I sometimes felt quite old. There were two of us with bags on wheels amongst lots of back-packers many a time. A pleasant surprise was to find that there are very many people of more advanced years doing what we have just done. We met people time and again as we crossed paths and exchanged information. There have been so many boats of all shapes and sizes, so many rivers and crossings between countries, planes large and small, busses and trains of varying standards and even an elephant. There has been a wealth of cars and taxis but mostly I remember the walking and climbing. I may not be thin but I'm certainly fitter. It is when you are walking that you get a true sense of a place. You can stop and stare, smell, touch, listen and imagine. Many of the photos only serve to jog the more detailed memories.
I'm so grateful to have explored in SE Asia with a seasoned traveller. I would never have done all this alone and, indeed, solitary travel does not appeal to me. DC - you even got used to a bit more exposure on this blog eventually. Thanks so much.
Writing a blog has been a new experience for me. I've loved the fact that it has caused me to observe in a rather different way but also given me the opportunity to state things in my own way too. The contrasts have bombarded my senses and given me cause to consider and appreciate the good in life.
Facebook is not available in some countries so some folks will have had sporadic notifications. If you are interested just use the Travelpod site.
A final observation - SE Asia is littered with tired dogs that sleep in the sun but it has very few birds. My opinion is that they have been eaten, like the snakes, small furry things hens, ducks etc.
So...............Vietnam. Really? Yes! I've been there and done that.
