And so the trip of a lifetime comes to an end.

Sometimes it's hard to process everything we've seen and done over the last 6 and a half months. We can't believe how lucky we are. From developing to developed countries, from sea level to mountain tops and from both the inside and outside of planes (!), the views and cultures we've experienced have made this an unforgettable journey.

As if all this wasn't enough, we've met some really amazing people - locals and travellers alike, in every country we've been. I had my doubts about travelling with the same 10 people for six weeks (it's a long time!) and expected to feel maybe relieved as we arrived in Rio, but our Southern Cross group have been absolutely fantastic. Thank you for being the great travelling companions you are!

Finally, thank you to all of you back home and around the world for your messages while we've been away. Whenever we've felt homesick or weary, they've cheered us up no end. In return, we hope you've enjoyed reading the blog as much as we've enjoyed putting it together.

The good times, of which there were many, have more than made up for any low points we've experienced, but if we had to pick a few of each.....

Lowlights:

Dropping a 375lb rock on my middle finger (Rob)
Getting kicked by a horse (Rob)
Losing a beard
Bacterial, fungal and viral infections
2 and a half months of bowel surprises in South America
A 2 day trek through humid monkey-ridden jungle culminating in the promised Spa experiencing a power cut minutes before we arrived
Feeding the world's mosquito population
Being likened to both Kevin Costner and Chris Martin (Rob)

Highlights:

Hiking in Hokkaido
Torii-watching on a beautiful day in Miyajima, Japan
Gaining a beard (Rob)
Climbing the Great Wall of China
Sailing around the Whitsundays
The Blue Mountains
Skydiving over Lake Taupo
Doing the Tongariro Crossing
Kiwi spotting on Stewart Island
Everything about the Galapagos
Macchu Pichu, Iguacu Falls, the Bolivian Salt Plains
Colca Canyon
All the animals and birds we've seen
Finishing our trip in a beautiful hotel with a spectacular view over Rio
Travelling with both Kevin Costner and Chris Martin (Becky)

See you soon everyone. Put the champagne on ice and roll out the snack trolleys... we're coming home!!!!

(Feeling as though I've slightly taken over this blog, I asked Rob for his thoughts on the trip. After much deliberation, he finally decided on the following summary:
'It's been good....... and long.'

Thanks Rob!)