Here's where we get a chance to answer
any questions you may have about our trip. Send us a question and we'll
answer it as soon as we can.
Q: What made you
do it?
A: We knew we wanted
to travel when we left the UK to move back to the US.
When we first started planning our travels, though, we
were thinking pretty small, like a month or so in Europe.
Once we realized how cheap an around-the-world airfare
is, our plans grew up a bit. First we were thinking Asia
and Australia, then we added Africa. Every time we thought
that maybe we ought to be a bit more practical, we just
repeated our mantra...once in a lifetime opportunity.
Q: How can you afford
it?
A: As it turns out,
it's not that expensive. An around-the-world ticket, stopping
in 6 different countries on 4 continents was only $1500
per person. While this is not nothing, it is pretty cheap
considering what you get for your money. And staying in
areas like Southern Africa and Southeast asia can be pretty
cheap. You can rent a beach hut in Thailand for about
$5 a night and meals can be had for $1 or $2. Most of
our big expenses are the upfront costs like insurance,
gear, vaccinations. Once that's paid for, though, the
difference between 3 months on the road and 1 year on
the road is relatively small. At least that's what we
keep telling ourselves.
Q: Aren't you afraid?
A: Sometimes, but I
think it's just our heads playing tricks on us. Things
to worry about fall into a couple of categories:
First, there's always the chance you could get clumped
over the head or robbed at gunpoint or something. But
is this really any more likely in Bangkok than in London,
Boston, Chicago or New York? Um, I don't know actually.
Second, getting ripped-off/hustled or having our stuff
stolen. This is more likely, but that's what insurance,
padlocks and a healthy dose of common sense is for. A sense
of humor will help a lot too.
Third, disease. This is real and I've got an arm full
of holes to prove that we're doing something about it.
"Armed with mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, clean
syringes, water purification systems, our intrepid travelers
head out into the world..."
And last, messing up our careers. Who cares. Talk to me
about that next year.
Q: How did you decide
where to go?
A: We had a few ideas
going in, as well as a couple of must do's like Barcelona
and Australia, but mostly we read a lot of books and looked
at other travel websites like this one. Then it came down
to fitting our ideas into what the around-the-world tickets
allowed. That said, we still only have a rough sketch
of our trip. We know what countries we're going to if
only because we needed to book airline tickets. But once
we get to a country or region, we'll mostly be playing
it by ear, relying on local information and insights from
other people.
Q: What are you
bringing?
A: Not much, that's
for sure. One backpack each and a camera case. We've done
a lot of thinking about this and expect that we'll overpack
anyway. Fortunately, we come back to London after a month
in Europe so we'll be able to readjust our load based
on our experience in Europe. A couple changes of clothes,
rain gear, fleece, a few books, first aid kit, pair of
boots and sandals and some other outdoor equipment will
be about it.
Q: Where will you
stay?
A: Depends on where
we are. In places like Europe, South Africa, Australia
and New Zealand, we'll most likely stay in youth hostels
or something similar. In other parts of Africa and Asia,
we'll probably do some camping (especially on safaris
and treks) and a few beach huts as well. I have no doubts,
though, that we'll sprinkle in a few nice hotels now and
then just to stay sane and keep clean.
Q: Nice photos,
can I get copies?
A: Yeah. Our photos
will be held on an external website called dotphoto.com.
If you want some copies, you can order from the website
and they'll print them and send them to you. They seem
fairly cheap.
Q: Are you worried
about how you'll readjust to reality when you get back
to the US?
A: I'm worried about
not wanting to come back and not wanting to work again.
We've talked to others who've done this and have found
a variety of stories about returning to reality. Some
people get right back into it while others get really
bummed out. Others still find their lives completely changed.
I guess in the end as long as we make our decisions together
we'll be ok. Should be interesting.
