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Published: September 21st 2005
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My Office
Looks very distinctive doesn´t it? Hi,
My name’s Nick.
I’m 30 years old and I live in South West London. I work for an IT company just outside London and I’m originally from Scotland. I’ve been living in this great World city for four years now.
I’ve always had an ambition to travel but for one reason or other have not done more than a couple of weeks at a time to any one place. I never did the “year out” that so many people have the privilege of doing before or after university. I’ve envied the freedom of having such a long time off to explore the World; to set off with a vague plan of where to go and what to do; then change plans as new opportunities come along.
I’ve seen a number of other people going on later life travels and it occurred to me that I could do the same. I’ve been saving up for the deposit on a house, but property has become so expensive of late that - perversely - it has become relatively cheap in comparison to do something like this. Besides, you only live once, are only young once and all that and
My Desk
Wonder if I´ll miss it... life and health can have nasty surprises so this seemed a window of opportunity.
Earlier this year, I took the plunge and asked my employers if I could take a six month sabbatical. They accepted straight away! Hmm, not sure if I should be worried about that...
Anyway, having found my freedom, I had five months to plan. I spent a lot of time looking at the globe and honestly, there’s not anywhere (almost!) that I wouldn’t like to go to. In the end, I had to prioritise. I drew up a list of where I’d most like to go and chose some of those destinations.
Meanwhile, I had heard that there were companies in India where you could do bona fide IT certification courses for a fraction of the cost in the west. I work in IT and India is the new “IT Powerhouse” that poses both threats and opportunities.
Anyway, I reckon I can only justify four months travelling for recreation. However, if I took one of these courses in India, I could justify extra time away.
Seems a bit crazy at first to spend some of a gap year studying, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I’ll get to spend six weeks living in Delhi and will still find a little time to visit some of India’s attractions.
So, my itinerary (all to countries I’ve never visited) is:
South America
Six weeks to get from Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile; passing through Peru and Bolivia.
I realize this is very little time to do all I want to do in these amazing countries but it’s all I have and I intend to make the most of the time.
New Zealand
An amazing country that I’ve always wanted to go and see. Living in London, I’ve met a few kiwis and one in particular has given me lots of hints and tips on what to see and do.
I also have family and friends of my father who I plan to see when I’m there.
Sydney
A two day stopover. I’d love to visit Australia properly but it didn’t make the final shortlist. However, as my flight to Thailand goes through there it seemed a shame not to get out for a quick look around.
Thailand and Laos
Nearly five weeks in all. I’ll spend a couple of weeks in the south, then a friend from London comes over and we’re going on an organized tour of Laos. Plan to spend New Year on the beach just south of Bangkok.
Hong Kong
My flight to India goes through here. Seems an excellent excuse (if one were needed) for a five day stopover in a fascinating place!
India
I’ll have a couple of weeks before my aforementioned course. I’ll try to take a quick tour of the famous “Golden Triangle” of Rajasthan before the serious hard study begins.
Then it’s back to London where I have to find somewhere to live again before going back to work!
I move out of my house today. I’m going to the glamorous location of a Travelodge at a motorway service station near Heathrow and I’ve got to be up really early to get my flight to Quito tomorrow.
P.S. If you’ve read this far, I have to tell you that I wrote that before I left but as the website was down, couldn’t post it. I’m in Ecuador now and more postings will come soon...
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Jane
non-member comment
Yeah!
Yeah Nick, strike while the iron is hot! I shall read your blog with great interest as you journey on. What good news about Rob and Lynn Love Jane