Where and Why...

It was probably spring 2002, back in our first year of study at the University of East Anglia that we formulated our plans to go on an extended holiday after graduation. We had originally intended just to travel around the USA for 3 months in September 2005, as I had talked with Kate about how much I'd love to see America one day. This was, by the way, years before that annoying advertising campaign about how we've all "seen the film," and should therefore feel compelled to "visit the set". I seriously question whether watching J-Lo in Maid in Manhattan could really make you want to visit New York. The bog, to puke your guts out is more likely. But to be honest, the said campaign actually hit the nail on the head, despite some of its odd film choices: I wanted to see in real-life so many of the places I'd seen on the small and silver screens throughout my life. It probably seems desperately sad to want to visit a country based on the TV and movies it produces and exports, but I have a good excuse lined up, I assure you! All about being a product of my environment and stuff... actually, it really isn't that good. In fact, forget it. Maybe I'll come back to it in a later entry. I get the feeling I'm losing some of you, so I'll just get on with it.

Soooooooooooooooo, we were going to head to the States in the autumn and planned to be back in time to tell our tales around the Christmas dinner table, our stories of course enhanced by loads of John Smiths and too many bottles of White Zinfandel. However, over the years of watching Neighbours when we should have been studying, it became clear we really wanted to visit Ramsay Street, and maybe some other places in Australia - I'd heard there was an interesting rock that people sat and stared at. Also, viewing that beautiful Peter Jackson movie REALLY made us want to visit New Zealand - although I'd be shocked if anyone else who has seen Bad Taste didn't also feel drawn to such a wonderfully picturesque and geographically diverse country. I also have an uncle who moved to Thailand a few years ago, giving up a career in property management to work with yachts in Phuket. It seemed crazy, if not downright rude to not stop by for a visit on the way back to the UK.

So, with these three essential stops added to our game plan, our 3-month America Tour metamorphosed (I swear that spelling doesn't look right!) into a nearly-9-month World Tour. We added a few interesting-looking stops along the way in the form of Fiji, Malaysia and Singapore. The aim is once more to be home by Christmas - those cans of John Smiths and bottles of White Zinfandel are just having an extra year to chill, the same as us really.

Andy.