Beginnings

 So, after a crazy summer, some spent in Cornwall living in a van - (a whole other blog which I will link to later when ready) & currently a garden shed :

My travel journey begins first, with deciding where to go. 

I was always keen on south East Asia in January - I hope to meet with a work colleague for part of it. He wants to go in January to beat the dreary winter blues. 

But Indonesia can be rainy in Jan so we decide on the Philippines. 

I consider staying in the shed until January but am seduced by the idea of more summer so I think about Australia and New Zealand as they will be going into Spring/Summer. 

Wow, such a long way. The other side of the world. Looking up suitable 'stop overs' Bali pops up - hey! Indonesia ........and the weather is a lot better there in September/October and I happen to have the little travel guide pictured above which i got from the second hand book store at work.

I read up on its History and culture and decide that I will go there first.

Possible Plan: 

End September - after daughter has gone back to Uni for her final year - Fly to Jakarta on Java since Sumatra is above the equator and actually is in the monsoon season then...but I will probably go for the cheapest flight

Mid October - Fly from Bali or Lombok to Oz for six weeks or so Oct/Nov

December - Fly from Oz to NZ

I suppose I will spend Christmas in New Zealand as its a long way to fly home - maybe my family could be persuaded to join me.........who knows

January - Fly to the Philippines then off to Singapore

Yes, I know what you're thinking! That's a lot of flights for a 'light footprint' and I really do want to travel as sustainably and as much over land as possible but I see no other way for those initial trips.

Once in Singapore I intend to only go over land and will attempt to make it to Japan by cheery blossom season - who knows

Practice Vlog - I'm bad at this - message sent to my sis about the shed: