Although Rich and I have been traveling sporadically since we first met 17 years ago, it's now been five years since we sold up, dropped out and started our new lifestyle as permanent travelers on "The Journey" as we call it. We have been so incredibly lucky in the experiences we've had, the places we've visited and the amazing people we've met.
Co-incidentally, we found our selves currently visiting family in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns in October, exactly as we did five years ago before we left Oz, so it seemed a appropriate time for a bit of a look back in pictures at some of the high points of The Journey. These are all photos we wished to use the first time round, but had to be left out due to space.
This blog was so enjoyable for us to make, and look back at the fun we've had- here's hoping in five more years time, we can chronicle a whole new batch of adventures!
Co-incidentally, we found our selves currently visiting family in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns in October, exactly as we did five years ago before we left Oz, so it seemed a appropriate time for a bit of a look back in pictures at some of the high points of The Journey. These are all photos we wished to use the first time round, but had to be left out due to space.
- Our first year was a bit of a whirlwind blur, with the new feeling of freedom still strange in our bodies. After some recovery time in some of our favourite places, we were keen to explore more of India........
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| Eccentric artist in Singapore, 2009 |
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| Monitor lizard, Malacca, Malaysia, 2009 |
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| Hornbill on Pangkor Island, Malaysia, 2009 |
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| The impressively large Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, 2009 |
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| One of many lovely Thai islands, 2010 |
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| Leaving Ko Chang, Thailand, 2010 |
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| Holi festivities, Calcutta, India, 2010 |
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| Starting young, India, 2010 |
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| Temple celebrations, Mirik, India, 2010 |
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| Waiting for toy train, Darjeeling, India, 2010 |
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| Sadhu, Assam, India, 2010 |
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| Gorgeous village kids, Meghalaya, 2010 |
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| Root bridge, Meghalaya, India, 2010 |
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| Stunning Himalayas, Sikkim, India, 2010 |
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| Buddhist monastery, Sikkim, India, 2010 |
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| Gorgeous mountain scenery, Sikkim, India, 2010 |
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| Beautiful dancer, Richenpong festival, India, 2010 |
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| Allahabad market, India , 2010 |
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| Ayodhya ghats, India, 2010 |
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| Bodhgaya ruins, India, 2010 |
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| The stunning Gwalior fort, India, 2010 |
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| Enormous Jain carvings, Gwalior, India, 2010 |
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| Bhojpur temple, India, 2010 |
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| Contemplative Rich on a train, India, 2010 |
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| Indian train, 2010 |
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| Ghat at Varanasi, India, 2010 |
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| Varanasi cutie, India, 2010 |
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| The wonderful town of Varanasi, India, 2010 |
- Year two saw us visiting some familiar places, many beaches and the new destination of Burma. An unexpected twist to the year was a 3 month trip to Canada........
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| Sunset off Perhentian Island, Malaysia, 2010 |
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| Our favourite rotis, Kuala Lumpur, 2010 |
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| Guesthouse, Ubud, Bali, 2010 |
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| Great friend, Fruitopia, Thailand, 2010 |
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| Resting under the eye of the King, Thailand, 2011 |
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| Gorgeous Thai girls in a festival, 2011 |
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| The classic lotus, Thailand, 2011 |
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| Fruit market, Cambodia, 2011 |
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| Phanom Banan, Cambodia, 2011 |
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| Nong Khai sculpture park, Thailand, 2011 |
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| Dinner! (for someone), Thailand, 2011 |
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| Buddhist temple, Nan, Thailand, 2011 |
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| A golden Buddha, Thailand, 2011 |
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| Scenic Inle Lake, Burma, 2011 |
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| Village women, Kalaw, 2011 |
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| Beautiful mango seller, train station, Burma, 2011 |
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| Inside sublime Bagan temple, Burma, 2011 |
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| Buddha babies, Bagan, Burma, 2011 |
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| Stunning scenery, Bagan, Burma, 2011 |
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| Enjoying the rare good weather in BC, Canada, 2011 |
- The third year was a fantastic exploration of the new Indonesian destinations of Sulawesi and Sumatra, with which we fell in love, and plenty of rest in the usual places in between........
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| Malaysian shop, 2011 |
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| Pantai Bira, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| Kids playing in a lake, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| A man and his chook, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| Hanging graves, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| Grave remains, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| Traditional building, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| Caught in the rain, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2011 |
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| Ko Bulon Lae, Thailand, 2011 |
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| Chinese temple, Penang, Malaysia, 2012 |
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| Old tile design, Penang, Malaysia, 2012 |
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| Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia, 2012 |
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| Chinese New Year fruit, Penang, Malaysia, 2012 |
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| Thaipusam festivities, Penang, Malaysia, 2012 |
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| Lake transport, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Lakeside village, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Coffee, Indonesian style, 2012 |
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| Rice fields, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Market fish, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Gunung Sibayak, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Orangutan, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Outside cave, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Overgrown building, Malaysia, 2012 |
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| Nakon Si Thammorat temple, Thailand, 2012 |
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| Phattalung temple, Thailand, 2012 |
- Year four saw the fascination with Indonesia continue, with our most adventurous travel yet in Kalimantan, followed by a 6 month stint helping our friend run his hostel in KL (of course with beaches either side to recover!).......
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| Little sweetie, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Village kids, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| River house, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Sun setting on Pelni ferry, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Rich on boat trip, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Mahakam river festival, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Kalimantan Christian carvings, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Baskets, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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| Beautiful young girl, Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2012 |
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A well deserved rest, Thailand, 2013
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| Us in Bangkok market, Thailand, 2013 |
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| Homeless man, Bangkok, Thailand, 2013 |
- Our fifth year was jam packed with activity and amazing new experiences, with India, Dubai, Iran, Armenia and Georgia taking up a full year's worth of adventure (with just a touch of R and R in Malaysia at the end!).........
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| Flower market, Calcutta, India, 2013 |
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| Street scene, Calcutta, India, 2013 |
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| Beautiful doorway, Chitrakut, India, 2013 |
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| Omkareshwar, India, 2013 |
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| Glorious coloured statue, India, 2013 |
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| Ghats, Omkareshwar, India, 2013 |
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| Quiet moment, India 2013 |
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| Beautiful little Nandi, India, 2013 |
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| River scene, India, 2013 |
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| Maheshwar fort, India, 2013 |
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| Detailed carving of musicians, India, 2013 |
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| Lovely, calm langur monkey, India, 2013 |
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| Inside Chittorgarh, India 2013 |
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| Pushkar building, India, 2013 |
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| Sai Bubba mural, India, 2013 |
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| Striking colours, India 2013 |
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| Camels for sale, Pushkar Camel Fair, India 2013 |
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| Bored girls waiting to perform, Pushkar, India, 2013 |
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| Tired pilgrims, India, 2013 |
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| Rich freezing in Jaiselmer, India. 2013 |
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| Musician busking for tourists, India, 2013 |
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| Old door and lock, India, 2013 |
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| Gorgeous doorway (one of many!), India, 2014 |
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| Temple detail, India, 2014 |
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| Stunning room in Bikaner Palace, India, 2014 |
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| Walking the wadi, Dubai, 2014 |
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| Mosque interior, Iran, 2014 |
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| Qeshm island architecture, Iran, 2014 |
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| Masked woman, Minab, Iran, 2014 |
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| Gorgeous cuties dressed up for a wedding, Chabahar, Iran, 2014 |
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| Baluchistan scenery, Iran, 2014 |
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| Baluchi sunset over ancient graveyard, Iran, 2014 |
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| Sufi man, Kerman, Iran, 2014 |
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| Rural scenery, Kerman, Iran, 2014 |
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| The stunning desert scenery in Kaluts, Iran, 2014 |
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| Amazing cave village of Meymand, Iran, 2014 |
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| Quaint doorway, Meymand, Iran, 2014 |
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| Lonely tree, Iran, 2014 |
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| Mosque doorway, Iran, 2014 |
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| Beautiful colours in a mosque, Iran, 2014 |
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| Carpentry shop, Yazd, Iran, 2014 |
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| More lovely scenery, Iran, 2014 |
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| Common sign in Iran (not supported by the population), 2014 |
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| Sal on a walk, Sangan, Iran, 2014 |
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| The stunning scenery around Masouleh, Iran, 2014 |
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| Masouleh village, Iran, 2014 |
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| Detail in an Armenian monastery, 2014 |
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| Unusual landscape, Goris, Armenia, 2014 |
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| Monastery door, Armenia, 2014 |
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| Tatev monastery, Armenia, 2014 |
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| Majestic Mount Kazbegi, Georgia, 2014 |
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| Spectacular defensive towers, Shatili, Georgia, 2014 |
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| Ruined tower, Georgia, 2014 |
This blog was so enjoyable for us to make, and look back at the fun we've had- here's hoping in five more years time, we can chronicle a whole new batch of adventures!
