My career break: Around the World 2006-2008.

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About this blog

After realising that the end of my job was the perfect opportunity to finally take a break and do some of the things I enjoy and see places my friends have visited I took the plunge and bought a round the world ticket. My route is starting from London, going through several countries in South America, then onto New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand before returning home, probably quite poor, but hopefully with some fantastic memories and into a job. In terms of an exact plan, I don't have one although seeing breathtaking scenery and monkeys, swimming in crystal clear water with an abundance of marine life, going mountain biking, climbing and bagging a peak above 4000m are on my 'to-do' list (recommendations welcome!)

• 1

  3 days to go...   Home, United Kingdom on Aug 12, 2006 0 pictures 6 comments
• 2

  Good news   London, United Kingdom on Aug 16, 2006 2 pictures 2 comments
• 3

  Made it safe!   Lima, Peru on Aug 16, 2006 1 picture 0 comments
• 4

  Finally sorted   Huaraz, Peru on Aug 18, 2006 0 pictures 0 comments
• 5

  Huaraz day 2   Huaraz, Peru on Aug 19, 2006 3 pictures 0 comments
• 6

  The best laid plans of mice...and me....   Lake Churrup, Peru on Aug 21, 2006 8 pictures 1 comment
• 7

  Back on the Armstrong Scale...   Huaraz, Peru on Aug 24, 2006 11 pictures 0 comments
• 8

  Into thin air......   Yungay, Peru on Aug 27, 2006 11 pictures 1 comment
• 9

  The longest bus journey so far...   Cusco, Peru on Aug 30, 2006 9 pictures 0 comments
• 10

  Machu Pichu   Cusco, Peru on Sep 4, 2006 21 pictures 0 comments
• 11

  Arequipa   Arequipa, Peru on Sep 6, 2006 7 pictures 1 comment
• 12

  Colca Canyon   Arequipa, Peru on Sep 10, 2006 20 pictures 0 comments
• 13

  The road to Bolivia....   Puno, Peru on Sep 11, 2006 2 pictures 0 comments
• 14

  The long and winding road to Bolivia   La Paz, Bolivia on Sep 13, 2006 10 pictures 1 comment
• 15

  Death Road   La Paz, Bolivia on Sep 14, 2006 5 pictures 0 comments
• 16

  In memory of the infamous Steve Irwin   Rurrenabaque, Bolivia on Sep 20, 2006 24 pictures 0 comments
• 17

  The Bolivians Strike Back....twice   Cochabamba, Bolivia on Sep 20, 2006 1 picture 0 comments
• 18

  Monkeys galore!   Villa Tunari, Bolivia on Sep 21, 2006 8 pictures 0 comments
• 19

  Back into thin air   Oruro, Bolivia on Sep 23, 2006 0 pictures 0 comments
• 20

  Sick of buses...   Tupiza, Bolivia on Sep 24, 2006 0 pictures 0 comments
• 21

  I'm in heaven!   Salta, Argentina on Sep 30, 2006 24 pictures 0 comments
• 22

  Still in heaven...   Salta, Argentina on Oct 2, 2006 13 pictures 0 comments
• 23

  It's a small small world....   Mendoza, Argentina on Oct 4, 2006 5 pictures 0 comments
• 24

  Many adventures....   Puerto Iguazu, Argentina on Oct 11, 2006 18 pictures 0 comments
• 25

  Big Cities...   Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct 15, 2006 8 pictures 0 comments
• 26

  Agressive behaviour at the football stadium...   Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct 16, 2006 4 pictures 0 comments
• 27

  Problems galore...   Barriloche, Argentina on Oct 21, 2006 6 pictures 0 comments
• 28

  Welcome to Chile   Puerto Montt, Chile on Oct 23, 2006 0 pictures 0 comments
• 29

  Navimag Boat trip   Puerto Natales, Chile on Oct 27, 2006 18 pictures 0 comments
• 30

  Torres Del Paine   Torres Del Paine, Chile on Nov 1, 2006 13 pictures 0 comments
• 31

  Moreno Glaciar   El Calafate, Argentina on Nov 2, 2006 6 pictures 0 comments
• 32

  Fitzroy Massif   El Chalten, Argentina on Nov 4, 2006 15 pictures 0 comments
• 33

  Back into Chile   Punta Arenas, Chile on Nov 7, 2006 4 pictures 0 comments
• 34

  Volcanos galore   Pucon, Chile on Nov 10, 2006 12 pictures 0 comments
• 35

  Ciao Sur America!   Santiago, Chile on Nov 12, 2006 2 pictures 0 comments
• 36

  Auckland   Auckland, New Zealand on Nov 17, 2006 9 pictures 0 comments
• 37

  Beautiful Beaches   Paihia, New Zealand on Nov 17, 2006 6 pictures 0 comments
• 38

  Way up North   Cape Reinga, New Zealand on Nov 19, 2006 17 pictures 0 comments
• 39

  The start of Stray   Haihai, New Zealand on Nov 21, 2006 11 pictures 0 comments
• 40

  Surf's Up....   Raglan, New Zealand on Nov 22, 2006 0 pictures 0 comments
• 41

  Being Indiana Jones again   Waitomo and Rotorua, New Zealand on Nov 23, 2006 6 pictures 0 comments
• 42

  Taupo   Taupo, New Zealand on Nov 24, 2006 6 pictures 0 comments
• 43

  Rainy Days   National Park, New Zealand on Nov 26, 2006 3 pictures 0 comments
• 44

  Get me off this bus!   Wellington, New Zealand on Nov 27, 2006 2 pictures 0 comments
• 45

  Welcome to the South   Picton, New Zealand on Nov 29, 2006 12 pictures 0 comments
• 46

  Abel Tasman   Marahau, New Zealand on Dec 2, 2006 11 pictures 0 comments
• 47

  Unlucky in NZ   Franz Joseph, New Zealand on Dec 5, 2006 20 pictures 0 comments
• 48

  Peace and quiet   Makarora, New Zealand on Dec 6, 2006 5 pictures 0 comments
• 49

  Dull Times Ahead   Wanaka, New Zealand on Dec 7, 2006 5 pictures 1 comment
• 50

  NZ's capital of adventurous activity   Queenstown, New Zealand on Dec 9, 2006 4 pictures 0 comments
• 51

  Back in the mountains!   Milford Sound, New Zealand on Dec 10, 2006 5 pictures 0 comments
• 52

  Dunedin   Dunedin, New Zealand on Dec 11, 2006 8 pictures 0 comments
• 53

  NZ's highest mountain   Mount Cook, New Zealand on Dec 12, 2006 2 pictures 0 comments
• 54

  End of NZ   Christchurch, New Zealand on Dec 16, 2006 14 pictures 0 comments
• 55

  Tasmania   Hobart, Australia on Dec 18, 2006 3 pictures 1 comment
• 56

  Devils, snakes, bouncing creatures, and penguins   Bicheno, Australia on Dec 19, 2006 9 pictures 0 comments
• 57

  Getting mobile   Launceston, Australia on Dec 21, 2006 2 pictures 0 comments
• 58

  Second best beach in the world?   Bay of Fires, St Helens, Australia on Dec 22, 2006 3 pictures 0 comments
• 59

  Disaster strikes again....   Cradle Mountain, Australia on Dec 22, 2006 3 pictures 0 comments
• 60

  Dodgy wheels   Melbourne, Australia on Dec 23, 2006 1 picture 0 comments
• 61

  Settling in to the Aussie Lifestyle   Melbourne, Australia on Jan 22, 2007 10 pictures 0 comments
• 62

  Living the 9-5 lifestyle   Melbourne, Australia on Feb 11, 2007 24 pictures 0 comments
• 63

  Keeping myself busy   Melbourne, Australia on Mar 2, 2007 6 pictures 0 comments
• 64

  What a way to see Sydney!   Sydney, Manly, Australia on Mar 5, 2007 12 pictures 0 comments
• 65

  Finally climbing!   Mt Stapylton, Grampians, Australia on Mar 12, 2007 7 pictures 0 comments
• 66

  What a sporty city   Melbourne, Australia on Mar 18, 2007 5 pictures 0 comments
• 67

  A tiring 24 hours   Melbourne, Australia on Mar 26, 2007 6 pictures 0 comments
• 68

  More sporting action   Melbourne, Australia on Apr 2, 2007 5 pictures 0 comments
• 69

  World Class Climbing   Arapiles, Australia on Apr 14, 2007 13 pictures 0 comments
• 70

  The end of the road...for Melbourne   Melbourne, Australia on May 7, 2007 16 pictures 0 comments
• 71

  Away from the city   Thredbo, Australia on May 12, 2007 8 pictures 0 comments
• 72

  In the capital   Canberra, Australia on May 16, 2007 2 pictures 0 comments
• 73

  Back in the big smoke   Sydney, Australia on May 20, 2007 5 pictures 0 comments
• 74

  Blue Mountains   Katoomba, Australia on May 24, 2007 7 pictures 0 comments
• 75

  Luxurious beachside living   Manly, Australia on Jun 2, 2007 11 pictures 0 comments
• 76

  Surf's Up   Byron Bay, Australia on Jun 9, 2007 8 pictures 0 comments
• 77

  Fully fledged diver   Byron Bay, Australia on Jun 12, 2007 0 pictures 0 comments
• 78

  The kindness of strangers   Brisbane, Australia on Jun 24, 2007 17 pictures 0 comments
• 79

  Here comes the rain again....   Noosa, Australia on Jun 28, 2007 9 pictures 0 comments
• 80

  World's largest sand island   Rainbow Beach/Fraser Island, Australia on Jul 3, 2007 13 pictures 0 comments
• 81

  Cool little place   Agnes Water/1770, Australia on Jul 7, 2007 8 pictures 0 comments
• 82

  Capricorn Dave   Rockhampton, Australia on Jul 8, 2007 10 pictures 0 comments
• 83

  Redneck city   Townsville, Australia on Jul 9, 2007 0 pictures 0 comments
• 84

  In the tropics   Mission Beach, Australia on Jul 11, 2007 4 pictures 0 comments
• 85

  What a let-down   Cairns, Australia on Jul 13, 2007 3 pictures 0 comments
• 86

  Settling into Paradise   Port Douglas, Australia on Jul 21, 2007 13 pictures 0 comments
• 87

  Living the Port Douglas life   Port Douglas, Australia on Aug 30, 2007 25 pictures 0 comments
• 88

  Last month in Paradise   Port Douglas, Australia on Oct 7, 2007 42 pictures 0 comments
• 89

  Amazing adventures   Darwin, Australia on Oct 13, 2007 41 pictures 0 comments
• 90

  Kakadu National Park and Katherine   Katherine, Australia on Oct 23, 2007 23 pictures 0 comments
• 91

  Robbers and life on a cattle ranch....   Batchelor, Australia on Oct 30, 2007 27 pictures 0 comments
• 92

  Remote Wilderness   The Kimberleys, Australia on Nov 7, 2007 55 pictures 0 comments
• 93

  Bit of a let down   Broome, Australia on Nov 13, 2007 3 pictures 0 comments
• 94

  The best national park in Oz   Tom Price, Australia on Nov 16, 2007 25 pictures 0 comments
• 95

  Ningaloo Reef   Exmouth, Australia on Nov 20, 2007 19 pictures 0 comments
• 96

  More snorkeling   Coral Bay, Australia on Nov 20, 2007 4 pictures 0 comments
• 97

  Dolphins and Blowholes   Monkey Mia, Australia on Nov 24, 2007 25 pictures 0 comments
• 98

  Another national park and generous English guys   Kalbarri, Australia on Nov 25, 2007 22 pictures 0 comments
• 99

  A foreign country and amusing shaped rocks   Perth, Australia on Dec 1, 2007 22 pictures 0 comments
• 100

  Ironmen   Busselton, Australia on Dec 5, 2007 19 pictures 0 comments
• 101

  Last few days in Oz and a new job   Perth, Australia on Dec 12, 2007 18 pictures 0 comments
• 102

  Closer to home   Singapore, Singapore on Dec 21, 2007 88 pictures 0 comments
• 103

  A warm welcome to Borneo   Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on Dec 22, 2007 8 pictures 0 comments
• 104

  Christmas with Orang-Utans, elephants and more!   Kampung Bilet, Malaysia on Dec 26, 2007 69 pictures 0 comments
• 105

  Dodgy diving but finally a lionfish   Pulau Sipidan, Malaysia on Dec 27, 2007 17 pictures 0 comments
• 106

  Mosquito hell   Sandakan, Malaysia on Dec 29, 2007 0 pictures 0 comments
• 107

  What a new year!   Kota Kinabalu national park, Malaysia on Jan 2, 2008 47 pictures 0 comments
• 108

  Huge caves   Mulu National Park, Malaysia on Jan 6, 2008 42 pictures 0 comments
• 109

  Pain in the proverbial   Miri, Malaysia on Jan 7, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 110

  More monkeys   Kuching, Malaysia on Jan 14, 2008 36 pictures 0 comments
• 111

  Another big city   Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jan 16, 2008 10 pictures 0 comments
• 112

  Last stop in Malaysia   Georgetown, Malaysia on Jan 18, 2008 6 pictures 2 comments
• 113

  Welcome to Thailand   Hat Yai, Thailand on Jan 19, 2008 11 pictures 2 comments
• 114

  The first of many Island   Ko Lipe, Thailand on Jan 22, 2008 15 pictures 0 comments
• 115

  Cool cave exploration   Ko Mook, Thailand on Jan 24, 2008 30 pictures 1 comment
• 116

  Tourist trap   Phuket, Thailand on Jan 29, 2008 16 pictures 1 comment
• 117

  Sweedes galore   Kao Lak, Thailand on Jan 31, 2008 2 pictures 0 comments
• 118

  Amazing National Parks   Kao Sok, Thailand on Feb 2, 2008 10 pictures 1 comment
• 119

  Amazing Diving   Ko Similan, Thailand on Feb 6, 2008 37 pictures 0 comments
• 120

  Education time   Kanchanaburi, Thailand on Feb 10, 2008 54 pictures 0 comments
• 121

  A different side to Bankok   Bangkok, Thailand on Feb 12, 2008 23 pictures 0 comments
• 122

  An indulgent valentines day   Trat, Thailand on Feb 14, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 123

  Last Island stop   Ko kood, Thailand on Feb 16, 2008 7 pictures 0 comments
• 124

  Why are border crossings full of scammers?   Koh Kong, Cambodia on Feb 17, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 125

  Party town   Sihanoukville, Cambodia on Feb 20, 2008 16 pictures 0 comments
• 126

  Back in a capital city   Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Feb 21, 2008 4 pictures 0 comments
• 127

  Cambodia's biggest tourist attraction   Siam Reap, Cambodia on Feb 25, 2008 39 pictures 0 comments
• 128

  Back in the city   Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Feb 28, 2008 0 pictures 2 comments
• 129

  Elephants and more waterfalls   Sen monoram, Cambodia on Mar 2, 2008 16 pictures 0 comments
• 130

  No money!   Kratie (Kracheh), Cambodia on Mar 3, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 131

  More waterfalls and some great food   Ban Lung, Cambodia on Mar 6, 2008 10 pictures 0 comments
• 132

  A sigh of relief   Don dhet, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 8, 2008 5 pictures 0 comments
• 133

  Enjoying Laos cuisine   Pakse, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 10, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 134

  Peace and tranquility   Tadlo, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 11, 2008 12 pictures 0 comments
• 135

  More waterfalls and a room with a view   Sekong, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 13, 2008 24 pictures 0 comments
• 136

  Waterfalls and gibbons   Paksong, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 14, 2008 7 pictures 0 comments
• 137

  Giardia strikes me down   Ban Na Hin, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 16, 2008 2 pictures 0 comments
• 138

  Village stay and boating through a cave   Konglor, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 18, 2008 27 pictures 0 comments
• 139

  Trouble in Laos capital   Vientiane, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 21, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 140

  Town full of fun, adventure (and lots of Lao Lao)   Vang Vieng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Mar 29, 2008 22 pictures 0 comments
• 141

  Almost gay Parii   Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Apr 1, 2008 1 picture 0 comments
• 142

  Slow boat journey (and more Lao Lao)   Houaxi, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Apr 3, 2008 13 pictures 0 comments
• 143

  Hill tribe trekking   Vien Poukha, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Apr 7, 2008 24 pictures 0 comments
• 144

  On my own again   Luang Namtha, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Apr 9, 2008 0 pictures 0 comments
• 145

  Monkey business   Houaxi, Lao Peoples Dem Rep on Apr 12, 2008 24 pictures 0 comments
• 146

  Songkran new year festival   Chang Mai, Thailand on Apr 16, 2008 60 pictures 0 comments
• 147

  Back in the big smoke   Bangkok, Thailand on Apr 21, 2008 5 pictures 0 comments
• 148

  Another amazing island   Ton Sai, Thailand on Apr 26, 2008 50 pictures 0 comments
• 149

  In transit   Dhaka, Bangladesh on Apr 28, 2008 3 pictures 1 comment
• 150

  Finally in Nepal   Kathmandu, Nepal on Apr 29, 2008 9 pictures 0 comments
• 151

  Another tourist ghetto   Pokhara, Nepal on May 1, 2008 12 pictures 0 comments
• 152

  Into thin air part 2   Gandruk, Nepal on May 2, 2008 21 pictures 0 comments
• 153

  A bit of a detour   Sinuwa, Nepal on May 3, 2008 3 pictures 0 comments
• 154

  Day 3 of trekking   Deurali, Nepal on May 4, 2008 7 pictures 0 comments
• 155

  Sleeping at the bottom of mountains   Annapurna Region, Nepal on May 5, 2008 35 pictures 0 comments
• 156

  Back down the valley   Chumrong, Nepal on May 6, 2008 21 pictures 0 comments
• 157

  New found friends   Tadapani, Nepal on May 7, 2008 5 pictures 0 comments
• 158

  Tasty food   Ghorepani, Nepal on May 8, 2008 35 pictures 0 comments
• 159

  Infamous Poon Hill and back down the mountain   Pokhara, Nepal on May 9, 2008 23 pictures 0 comments