Before embarking on this journey I was somewhat apprehensive about our stop in Mumbai, a city with a population equivalent to the whole of Australia. So many stories about the heat and traffic and beggars, dead bodies and cows ... Well my brief story is all about the positives I experienced. A tour guide full of passion and enthusiasm for his home, being politely greeted by the schoolchildren also visiting The Hanging Gardens when we were there, the respect for ...

We left our temporary home away from home, The Arcadia, just after 9.30 this morning to join the cruise tour 'A glimpse of Kuala Lumpar.' Our tour guide Caryn was full of enthusiasm, stories and facts throughout the one hour drive from Port Klang to KL, even helping us learn some key local phrases: Terima Kasih = Thankyou Sama Sama = You are welcome Tandas = Toilet Our stops included the kings palace and Twin towers where Caryn insisted on this picture of us...

Bags packed and waiting by the front door for the taxi we've booked to take us to the airport, where there's a two hour wait after we check in. Feels like the middle of the night to me which may explain why this feels unreal. THIS is the day I've been counting down to for months with building excitement, and now it's here my overwhelming emotion is fear. This is the biggest holiday we have ever planned, with so many flights and destinations unknown I'm itching...

The skyline was dominated by a layer of smog smothering our view as our plane descended into Singapore just after 1.30. Thankfully a smooth transit from the airport to our hotel, Parc Sovereign Tyrwheitt, inside a pristine taxi with leather seats and a vanilla scented infuser facilitated a much better view of the city at ground level. Our hotel room is cozy, clean and comfortable and a great base from which to explore our surroundings on foot. After studying th...

On paper planning for seven weeks of travel with weather ranging from tropical to cold, and dress codes including casual, smart casual and formal has been a challenge but it seems straightforward. I've coordinated colours, made sure that everything I pack will be worn more than once, and thanks to my packing cells it's all sorted and ready to go. In reality my biggest obstacle is the 25 kilo weight limit. Looks okay but will it close without force and how much...