Part 1: On my way...
The days leading up to my departure were the usual mad dash and scramble to ready all my paperwork and insurance and anything else I cared to remember for the journey - then there was the small problem of my packing to navigate.
I guess deep down, it still had not actually sunk in that I was really going, and all this delaying was my subconscious mind trying to tell me something.
'Where do you think you are going?
Who are you trying to kid?
'Get back to reality!!!'
I'd spent several sleepless nights in my bed in a cold sweat staring at the ceiling. This was the normal pre travel nerves...it happens to everyone right?
Wrong!! ..I seriously considered not actually going through with it as waves of panic and nausea swept through my body so I decided to play Xbox to burn some of that excess nervous energy - It did not really help at all!
The next day I had a bit of a wobble, but deep down I knew this was the right thing to do, no matter how nervous I was. In truth I just about had a skinful of Swindon, everywhere I looked was a stark reminder of my past mistakes and betrayals of which were to many to mention - admittedly, I was being a bit harsh on myself but still, being served a cold helping of my failures every single day was just about all I could take.
I had to get away from this, and fast.
So that became my mantra leading up to my journey - every time the nerves started jangling, I thought of my recent bad experiences, and it worked.
Having only booked my ticket 2 weeks ago, I did not have a definitive schedule or travel itinerary, in fact, I had nothing - but as far as I was concerned, that added to the sense of adventure.
A flight to Singapore locked, and then to Manila, Philippines - after that, I was in unchartered territory, I knew nothing of my destinations with no accommodation booked. A few encouraging words from my dearest friends and family, even though deep down I sensed that maybe they all thought, 'Let him have his fun, he will be back in a week'
And there I was, Saturday 23rd of Feb 2013 - I said my goodbyes, holding it down pretty good.
There was an almost bewilderment on my departure, like no one knew quite how to react. Not only was this a brand new experience for me, it proved the case for my family too.
I was the one that normally waved everyone off when they went on their travels, I was the constant that was always home - but now this was my turn!
Never really thinking this day would actually come, it was sink or swim, now or never, or any other cliché I could think of.
My brother, and my awesome little nephew drove me to the airport and the 17 hour fight was on my mind in the car en route - there were few jitters on the way, but not as bad as expected really.
Outside the weather was miserable, like that was another reminder of why I had to get away.
All those miserable constant grey sky's and s*** weather gnawing at you for years, should have been reason enough to escape Swindon's clutches.
I decided to book the humungous Double decker Airbus A380 for my flight which in itself held a little excitement.
I heard the onboard state of the art entertainment was great, and was very much looking forward to experiencing it. When we arrived at Heathrow, I didn't really hang about, straight after checking in my bags and saying goodbye to my bro and super cool nephew, it was over to the departure lounge.
Surprisingly I was feeling relatively tranquil as I waited to board the huge plane, snapping a few pics of the beast in the process - It was every bit as huge as I had imagined on board, with ample leg room and space.
Watching the gorgeous Emirates Air-hostesses distracted me from the safety video, this was going to be my home for the best part of a day and my roomies didn't scrub up to badly.
Anyway, this was it, no turning back now, I was on my way - Asia here I come....
The flight was smooth and comfortable, with food and alcohol being free all journey, this was easy.
What was all that worrying about again?
Kicking off my shoes to get as comfortable as possible, I watched all 3 Lord of the Rings films, Spiderman and Skyfall, and we still had some time to go before we arrived.
I occupied myself with an onboard flight camera navigable on my monitor so I could see in front, behind, and below the belly of this huge plane as we headed east.
However hard I tried, I could not sleep, even though the chairs were comfortable with plenty of room.
Any way....fast forward 17 hours and we approached Singapore to land, It still had not really sunk in yet.
Bending down to put my Toms canvas shoes on, I encountered a problem.
My feet had swelled up like balloons and I could not put them back on!!
Meaning I had to get off the plane, walk through immigration, and collect my luggage bare foot before making my way to a hostel I just booked on a new App called Hostel world. It would serve me well on my travels..
The taxi ride there had me looking all around me at the modern skyscrapers and scenery, still doing my best to take it all in I felt overwhelmed for a few moments and had to compose myself.

When I reached, the cool staff showed me around the hostel and to my dorm where I crashed for my first nap in more than 25 hours, and then the excitement of actually realising where I was came over me.
I'm laying in my pod writing this mail suffering from jet lag and wide awake in the middle of the night.
Its' a great choice for my first hostel -
clean, friendly, and it reminds me very much of the big brother house, so my initial concerns over it were proven well wide of the mark.
If any of my hostels on my travels are half as good as this one, then I will be most happy. Everything is set up so people interact here.
Back packers are encouraged to eat and socialise together - quite a new experience for me. The Hostel is located in the heart of China town, surrounded by a snake trail of bright orange lanterns, quite a sight I can tell you.
The busy hustle and bustle and vibrant colourful atmosphere with wonderful aromas all added to the experience.
At first I tentatively wandered the busy streets alone, noticing people glancing at my tattoo's, but any nerves or apprehension I felt were quickly dispelled - Its quite safe.
People try to tempt you into parting with your money, not in a bad way though a good experience to prepare me for the far more persuasive Thai's I hear.
Everyone politely accepts the
'no thankyou' unlike some of my future destinations perhaps.
But I am still happy to savour and taste as many local dishes as possible.
Popiah, a Singaporean wrap with thinly cut spicy vegetables stood out for me - this was not your average iceland nibble Pancake roll.
Then the next dilemma of what to taste enters my mind - there is delicious food everywhere you look! After a brief pause I decide to try a local mango and papaya spicy salad, with ice cold thai green tea.
A good choice to help cool me down in the sweltering and sticky humidity.

After enjoying my afternoon snack I made my way back into the narrow streets of China town to explore further.
It became pretty apparent to me that the clothes I choose to wear that day were way to hot for the intense humidity, so it was time to sport some of the local fashion.
I purchased a 'Bruce lee esque' style light cotton outfit. This was much better, with the added bonus of offering me some cover for my tattoo's - so for now the staring stopped.
The next day I decided to wake early and try the backpacker breakfast experience. I apprehensively made my way upstairs to the dining area wondering what to expect - when I got there, it was already quite busy.
People looked quite normal helping themselves to the complimentary breakfast.
I did not want to appear the shy inexperienced noob, which of course I was so, I just tried to look cool and get stuck in.
Food was laid out on the large kitchen unit for everyone to help themselves.
Cutlery and plates were in the cupboards, food in the fridge, cereal, bread and fresh fruit on the table. Everyone was expected to wash up all the cutlery that they used.
A German couple, a Japanese girl with near precision cut exotic fruit, laid almost perfectly and neatly in a line on the table sat opposite me.
She nervously smiled and proceeded to almost apologetically eat her fruit.
Then more backpackers joined us, and seamlessly helped them selves like they had been living there for years.
This was what it was all about right?
and exactly why I wanted to travel.
I counted near 10 nationalities around the large table, none of them where speaking English, so I turned to my trusty iPhone and pretended to text.
Then relief, an english zen like hippy dude joined us - he made conversation immediately.
How did he know I was English?
Anyway, it was a welcome relief as he seemed a cool guy - we exchanged brief conversation before he turned to the Japanese girl and told her how beautiful she was - smooth!
She nervously giggled again and whispered 'thank you' before continuing to eat her fruit. I took that as my cue to leave, but not before following the back packers etiquette and cleaning up my mess.
Then after making my way to my fridge like air conditioned pod - it was time for my next exploration, the Indian Quarter......