Howdy all. Well, the year is chugging along here, and well it’s announcement time – this year I am taking the chance to travel AROUND THE WORLD! That is the big travel project on the cards, touch wood, for 2025.

My first ever solo trip in 1999 was an around the world trip, taking in over 20 countries and igniting the fire of passion for travel. That was a seven month trip. In 2004 I went for 10 months again around the world. Those are the two times I have completely circumnavigated the world. In 2025 I have long service leave and combined with my annual leave I will have a little over four months, the longest I have travelled, to go around the world again.

I’m very fortunate to have a job that allows its workers long service leave after 10 years, I am not sure if it’s something that happens in other countries. But I have been eying this off for a few years and especially since I travelled from Dhaka to Dakar in 2023. And now the countdown is on.

I’ll be heading off in the middle of April, although blogs and vlogs will take a couple of weeks to circulate I daresay as I do like to get ahead so that I can keep the posts coming regularly. I will be more up to date with exactly where I am on Instagram.

In 1999 and 2004 I travelled the more traditional way around the world, that is I travelled with the rotation of the earth from Australia to Asia to Europe, America to home. I thought I would mix it up a bit this time and go the other way. This is likely to result in increased jetlag as I am flying anti-clockwise. For example, you can get on a plane in the early hours of the morning in Melbourne and arrive in Europe on the same day. Go to sleep a little early, get a good night’s sleep and wake up ready to go the next day. It’s just a stretched out long day because you add eight or nine hours to it. Flying the other way just totally confuses the body.

Anyway, we shall see. My first flights will take me via Auckland to Santiago. I’ll be taking so many new airlines (although none on that route) it will be a great chance to review and experience what the world has to offer. Unlike in previous round-the-world trips I’ve booked the flights separately, whereas previously it’s been on a ‘round-the-world’ ticket. As I type this post I still have the last couple of flights to book. The majority of flights are in Economy but I have been able to use points to get a couple of Business Class flights in there as well as my first ever Premium Economy.

The itinerary, well, it’s not 100% finalised but it includes all continents bar Antarctica and Australasia – but in that case I start and finish in Australasia and so Antarctica is the only continent that doesn’t feature. I’m planning to spend the most time in Africa. I’m planning to visit perhaps the original Theme Park. I’ve got a bunch of visas I need to organise too!

At the moment work has been really heavy so it’s hard to see this trip as exciting. At the same time I know there are so many things I need to do before I go, things to book, it’s all overwhelming. I’ll be turning a certain milestone also as I travel which was another reason I wanted to have a big trip. And this is what I’ve chosen to do.

One last goal on top of crossing off a few bucket list items (three) is to hit 100 countries, I’m presently at 91. I am not a huge counter of countries, but this is a goal I’ve had my eye on for a little while now.

Anyways, that’s the plan and as much of it as I am prepared to share with you as I am a big believer in jinxing oneself. Until April I’ve got a lot to recount from Korea last year and more, as well as a bunch of home spun vlogs on the YouTube Channel. So plenty to share in the meantime!

Thanks for popping by! Take care wherever you are – and May the Journey Never End!