As the trip draws to an end, Michelle suggested it would be a good idea for me to put my thoughts and experiences down. Or to put her way... "To actually contribute something to the blog!".

So here are my musings on the trip, what has been a lightning 10 months, some highlights and lowlights and thoughts to the future...

Those who know me reasonably well know that I can be someone who gets settled at work and in the UK. I enjoyed my job, often working long hours, and enjoyed the golf when UK weather allowed. Sometimes I even went out onto a real golf course, instead of hitting thousands of balls to refine my swing at the range!

So it was a shock when a year or so ago Michelle said "let's go travelling again". I initially thought "not again...", having been on a 8-month 'once in a lifetime' round-the-world trip in 2004/2005. After a little discussion, Michelle made me realise that we were at the ideal stage in our lives to do this - no children, already own house/cars/everything we could need, still young enough to do the exciting (and at times crazily dangerous!) things travelling would entail. And as Michelle said, "we may not get another chance".

So despite having to give up my job, my gorgeous Mercedes C-Class (still miss her), a heap of share options and my regular routine of browsing the web and online shopping every day (at home!), I slowly warmed to the idea.

I must at this point acknowledge how lucky I am to have someone like Michelle to point out the balance I need in my life. Who persevered in convincing me how great travelling would be for the mind and soul (and stomachs and suntans) and to avoid the regular grind of the UK. And who did so much organising to make the trip as fantastic as it was. I would have a very mundane life without her - which isn't a bad thing - but certainly would have not seen as much of the world or participated in the various activities she calls 'fun' - sandboarding, sledging down volcanos, biking the death road, scuba diving all over the world etc. I initially default to 'No' when she asks me to try some new extreme activity, either because it is expensive or downright dangerous, but I'm normally the one with the biggest smile on my face after we've done it. Thanks Michelle!

We had decided on 7 months off, to increase the likelihood of a sabbatical being granted from my job (which it wasn't) and to try to prevent getting addicted to travelling overseas and not wanting to come home. I had really enjoyed S.E. Asia last time, so was keen to go back again. Wasn't so sure about South America, you tend to hear quite a few bad stories on the news, but the opportunity to head across to Easter Island / French Polynesia / Sydney for New Years made it seem worthwhile.

This is certainly a lesson for not letting preconceptions about a place prevent you from going there. South America was stunning. I'll never forget the scenery and trekking in Patagonia, the steak and wine regions in Argentina, seeing Machu Picchu without the clouds, the salt flats of Uyuni, the view from Christ the Redeemer over Rio etc. Sure there were inconveniences at times, especially some of the bone-shaker buses we took which made us grateful to arrive at our destination in one piece, and planes from the 1950s/60s that seemed held together by rust. But after visiting we both said we would love to go back, and explore the many places that other travellers told us we must see!

On that note, one thing I will miss is the traveller crowd. Not necessarily the traveller community, that would sound a bit too 'hippy', just the vast number of like-minded people we met on our trip. It just seems so easy to meet and talk to people, exchange stories and tips on places to visit, where to eat... after a few days talking it can feel like you've been friends forever! So different from back in the UK where even looking at strangers risks a punch on the nose, let alone trying to strike up a conversation with them. Perhaps travellers are happy because they are seeing amazing places, and sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences, whereas people you bump into in the UK are probably grumpy as they are heading into work! And it always rains in the UK!

What have I learned? That the world is a BIG and beautiful place, and I need to get out more and see it. Also to be grateful for the simple things (a roof over my head, clean running water, the basic services and amenities we take for granted in the Western world). Plus Michelle and myself can work together as a team to overcome any obstacle. We seem to have complimentary skillsets so whilst that may mean we're not 100% alike, we can pick each other up when we are down and think of different ways to solve any problem coming our way.

So, am I happy to be going home? I suppose I was always thinking about the inevitable day, whether early May as originally planned or our extended end-July finish. It took me a few weeks to really get into the routine of travelling, but after that transition I was then able to relax and enjoy it. It made me eager to absorb every day and experience, and capture those feelings so I could recall them back in the UK. I'm not unhappy about returning home, we have the 'anchors' in the UK of a house, car and family and friends. But when sitting on a fine sand beach (or in a turquoise sea or at a world wonder or at sunset with a beer in your hand!) it can be emotional knowing what an amazing experience you are having, and that in the blink of an eye it will be over.

That is what hurts, realising you are living the best days of your life, at probably the best age, and that time goes so fast and is the one thing you can't control.

Thanks again to Michelle for such an awesome trip and for being such a great travelling buddy. You're amazing - I love you.

P.S. Some of my favourite observations and photos below...

Favourite Michelle quote:
(When snorkelling in Gili Meno and hearing the lunchtime call to prayer)
"...That Mosque is so loud! I could hear it underwater. All the fish must be Muslim by now!..."

Most ironic observation:
That in Gili Air, which like most of Indonesia has incessant noise from chickens and cockerels at all hours, someone chose a "cockle-doodle-doo" electric alarm clock! I mean, you're hardly going to wake up when your alarm is the same as all outside noise from 5am! Pointless!

Most painful injury whilst travelling:
This should really be my fractured ribs from sandboarding, which were painful for 1-2 months and caused real problems carrying my rucksack and doing any activities. However, nothing compares to the agony of toes rubbed raw by snorkelling fins that are two sizes too small (try looking for size 13 fins on a small Indonesian island) and worn all day! I have two matching 'holes' (and future scars) on the fourth toe of each foot. They never heal because I'm constantly in and out of the sea and the scabs fall off.
Ant and mozzie bites were flipping annoying in the Gili Islands too, although they only seemed to target me and not Michelle. Perhaps I smell nicer.

My cheapest haircut:
Mandalay (Myanmar) - I think it was 30p! The local hairdresser loved being able to work on a Westerner, in fact I had two people cutting and one person cleaning my face! Shell didn't bother cutting her hair all trip - hippie!

Top 3 frustrations:
1. Lack of manners in some places (can't expect everyone to know British etiquette, but in some places ANYTHING goes!)
2. As a Western tourist being given deliberate misinformation or being seen as a walking bank
3. Inconsiderate tourists - those who Skype outside your room at 3am and party loudly every night (the same people who are only overseas for a party and spend all their money on beer)

Top 3 treks:
1. Patagonia - stunning
2. Inca trail - finally, seeing Machu Picchu on a sunny day!
3. Rice paddies in Bali, such lush greens against an azure blue sky

Top 3 'experiences'
1. Myanmar - the people are simply amazing. So kind and friendly, please don't ever change.
2. Patagonia trekking - fresh air, exercise, blue skies and stunning views.
3. Easter Island - it really felt like a different place on Earth. So unique.

Top 5 (could have been top 200!) food dishes:
1. Mango sticky rice in Krabi (served cold) and Luang Prabang (served warm like porridge!)
2. Argentina steak night with Aussie friends in Salta
3. Local indian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Awesome fresh naans, ate there so many times!
4. Manjar (dulche de leche) waffles and hot chocolate in El Chalten - just right after an 8-hour hike!
5. Carrot cake and Dadar Gulung (shredded caramelised coconut in Pandan pancakes) in Ubud, Bali.