Thursday 25 December 2014

Home sweet home

The final month


My usual routine for writing this blog throughout the trip has been to update every fortnight for 2 reasons. 1 - no one wants to read about someone else travelling around the world every day for 19 months and 2 - my sanity. I broke my own rule with the last 4 weeks being combined into my Grand Finale, mainly because I did nothing other then sit on the beach or beside a pool relaxing, reflecting and running around doing the Christmas shopping for all the family. After leaving Nick in Nha Trang I flew via Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok to meet up with the Madventure crew who had been travelling throughout South East Asia also. We rendezvoused back up in the lively area of Khao San Rd in the middle of town and I spent the next few days catching up, swapping stories and seeing a ping pong show which was actually a bit of a let down despite James and myself hitting balls around the establishment into waiters and patrons alike.

My resort at Koh Samui

From here I was supposed to join back up with them and travel down to Singapore but I had had such a great time exploring by myself I decided to see out my last days flying solo. From Bangkok I took a flight to Surit Thani and caught the ferry over to Koh Samui where I got a full week in the 1 place which was a bit of a novelty. Here I just got to read, watch movies and eat out at nice restaurants whenever and wherever I liked.

The same went for Bali where I flew to next and spent my final 2 weeks. Not much to mention for the blog unless you want to know what I bought my nephews and my brother for his kk present.

My pool in Bali where I whittled away many hours

The Bali memorial


Final dinner for the Madventure group 

The night before my flight back to Australia I got a final catch up with the crazy Madventure bunch that had driven all the way from London over the last six months. I was lucky enough to spend 3 months with them from Tajikistan through to Thailand and had a blast. There were some tough times on this trip but many more great ones. To finish off we ordered some pizzas and had a pool party, listening and singing to music before I had to say my last goodbyes.

Reunited with Jess in Brisbane before heading home

Before flying back to Melbourne I had a very important stop to make. This little lady above who travelled around Africa with my last group had done quite the number on me. After 4½ months apart I was reunited with Jess and got to spend 2 nights catching up and checking out the sights of Brisbane. Although we had to say goodbye again I've got the feeling it wont be as long between visits this time.

Surprised by the whole family at the airport

On the 24th December I touched back down in Melbourne where this journey began 19 months and 53 countries earlier. Here I was surprised by my entire family and I must admit I got a bit emotional. An incredible journey. Hopefully I have learnt a few things throughout my travels that will make me a better person. The 1 thing I have learnt is how lucky I am and what a lucky country I live in to be able to do what I've just done.





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