Dedicated to Mum

Sadly my Mum passed away this morning after a short illness and I thought it would be nice to dedicate this trip, and therefore this blog to her. I guess in many ways she also inspired me with my travels but maybe in a different way to the other people I've mentioned.

She set me on my way at the age of 14 by trusting me enough to travel on my own with the school. She helped support me financially, and she encouraged me to enter my first photographic competition ... which I actually won. From there on she always took an interest in my adventures, and loved to hear the smallest detail.

She shared stories of when she lived in Singapore as a child, and how she one day dreamed of going back to Asia. In 1996 that dream came true when she visited me in Hong Kong and pride of place in her study was a photo of her and my Dad with Hong Kong Harbour as the backdrop.

Two weeks ago she was so excited when I told about my plans to visit South America and even though she was quite ill asked if I would copy my full itinerary so she could read it. Siting here tonight its so hard to accept that she wont read my postcards, wont see my photos, and wont get to listen to my stories, but knowing she got to see where I was going is a small comfort.

God bless you mum and I know you'll be keeping an eye on me, and telling me to wrap up warm just like you always have.

Inspired By

To the right of this entry are a couple of links under the heading "Inspired By". I thought it would be quite cool to link to a couple of better known travellers ...

1. Michael Palin, ex Monty Python's and writer presenter of such shows as "Around the World in 80 Days", "Pole to Pole", "Full Circle", "Hemingway Adventure", "Sahara", and most recently "Himalaya".
   
2. Ian Wright, market boy turned travel presenter on Globe Treker.

I love watching and listening to the adventures and experiences they go through but my real inspiration came much earlier in my life. At the age of 14 I was lucky enough to meet two school teachers who would kindle my travel bug. Both taught at Swanley School in Kent, England.

Carlos Hood is a legend in his lifetime. History teacher extraordinaire who has recently retired having been given the "Freedom of the Town".

Chris Leeming my Geography teacher who introduced me to travel, photography and a love of the outdoors.

Both these guys were keen travellers who one summer holiday decided to take 10 school kids (including me) on an adventure holiday to Scotland. The following year they took us to the South of France, and the year after that back to Scotland. They taught me to travel, to camp, to hike, to cook, to take photos, and to drink beer !! More than that they taught me to appreciate and respect people, places and cultures. Two years ago I met up with them both and we shared our photos and our memories. I wish I had told them just how much they had inspired me. Maybe one day they will read this, I hope so.

Bedtime Reading

Got them !!

Dont they look good ... 3 Lonely Planet guides sitting on my bed just begging to be read. First Chile, then Bolivia, and finally Peru.

So What Next ?

So many things to think about ... what do I take, do I need visa's, how much money, where am I gonna stay ... time to trawl the web, and of course while I'm doing it buy the Lonely Planet guides from Amazon.

Two days later and armed with various documents I eagerly await the delivery of my books only to find out that the parcel company cannot find my apartment. Must be so difficult cos I live all of 5 miles from the depot and after all everyone else can find it. The only saving grace is that they are not in the travel businsess :)

Oh well I've agreed to pick up at the weekend so not much longer to wait. Then the fun really starts !!

The Plan

"A dream can be, a dream come true.
It only takes a spark from me or you"

One of my favourite quotes and its from a song that plays endlessly on Walt Disney's "Journey Into The Imagination" ride in Epcot Centre. So this is it, the picture that gave me the spark I needed. I've always dreamt of visiting Machu Picchu the famous Lost City of the Inca's and was casually browsing through a travel brochure and sorta stumbled on the South American section. Being somewhat impulsive the "dream" became "I wonder" and then very quickly "why not". Next thing I was on the phone cashing in my air miles for a flight to Brazil, and then working out a rough route around South America very quickly. So then the plan (and a little different from the route in the picture) is to start in Santiago and work my way up to Bolivia, across into Peru with Machu Picchu being the highlight at the end of my trip. I'm also planning to spend a couple of days in Beunos Aires on the way home.

I've booked all my flights (7 in total) and some accomadation, but theres still a couple of months till I go so no need to get stressed just yet !!

My Journal

A beautiful brown leather journal and a present from Natalie, a very dear friend. Embossed on the cover were the following 9 words ...

Heroic, Devoted, Poised, Earthy, Insightful, Warm, Charming, Enriching and Loyal.

Maybe it was more than just a present, maybe a hidden message, and certainly words that I would like to live up to. It looks so empty at the moment, and has that wonderful fresh smell of something new. Paper just waiting to be used, and me a traveller just waiting to depart, but before I do there is some serious organising to do.

The Journey Begins

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with one small step", and in this case that small step is the setting up of a journal. Having thought long and hard about if, and then how, I should record my journey, I've decided to use a mixture of modern technology i.e. this blog, and the more traditional (and possibly more reliable) pen and paper.

Who knows where this adventure will lead me, or what new experiences it will bring, but I hope to capture the sights, sounds, smells and even the tastes through my words. I'll see new places, meet new people, but above all I want to learn ... about myself and others.