5 years in the making!

we have liftoff (just out of Perth)

And here we are then, 12,290m up in the air at a cruising speed of 833kmh. We are flying flat and smooth, as the slightly rattled brain now is also. Its not everyday you have to say goodbye to two of the best people in your life and walk through a door leaving them behind. ANXIETY! Not the nicest thing in the world however once it subsides you can really relax. A half full plane, spare chair next to me, Johnny Walker, and the best ‘who did It’ movie ever made (mystic river) will also assist in that relaxing process.

So ‘travel’.. More than 5 years ago a friend and I travelled for the first time overseas independently to New Zealand. During my 3 weeks there I saw mixing oceans; shot fireworks between my legs; skinny dipped in the coldest, sobering water I have come into contact with; done the (almost) full monty on a public bar table; para-sailed; jumped off 3 perfectly good bridges, out one perfectly good plane; made 50 new friends in about 30 hours (some of which I have travelled with since); swung through a canyon; water tubed through a cave; learnt the famous haka dance; bathed in volcanic pools; white water body-boarded (yes not rafted); swum in Milford sound; and all of this I will never forget. I can imagine a lot of what I did in that wonderful place wouldn’t appeal to many people but I would be surprised if anyone could say they wouldn’t love to do at least 1 of these things.

I am someone who enjoys various forms and types of art, adrenaline, heights, meeting new people and seeing things I’ve only ever heard about from others. This being the person I am, this is why I am sitting in this several hundred tonne bird flying further away from said wonderful people. Since returning from N.Z I have yearned to travel in the purest form, and now that’s finally what I am doing. I am on my way to ‘live’ (temporarily) on the other side of the world (UK) and plan on later exploring most of it with the wonderful Rhiannon. I’d like to thank everyone that makes me the luckiest person on this planet.

First off all my family. I’ve received a great mixture of responses since booking this ticket from the insanely jealous to the ‘shouldn’t you get engaged first’. This is proof that we have a shitload of variety in our genes, which is a great thing.

Thanks mum and dad for everything (not going to dare start that list). You guys are perfect and I can’t wait to see you in a month or so.

Thanks little (older) sis, for looking after the fort (house, family, friends and girlfriend) for me whilst I’m gone, however I would prefer if you passed that responsibility to someone else at some point so you can come challenge me to a tennis match in say either Britain (a nice freshly mowed grass court) or Spain (fast low bouncing clay court). Nar stuff that! UK only! I got no chance against you in Spain.

Thanks Mama and Sils (and the ever great, ever missed Beepa) for giving me a home for the past 3 years which is, financially why am able to set off on this trip. I could not of done it without that.

Thanks Gran and Pop for everything. I can’t wait to get that speech translator and set off into countries where even the toilet signs are weird.

Thanks to the rest of my family and friends for everything you have all done for me. Whether it was a quick game of pong, post work froth, kick of the footy (that’s you Jimmy. Work on that bloody overhead marking! I expect to see improvement), help with car troubles, dinner, chat, WHATEVER! I can’t thank you all enough.

Finally thanks to the absolutely stunning, drop dead gorgeous, understanding, thoughtful, in a word ‘perfect’ Rhiannon. Thanks for letting me get on this plane. We share a great understanding of each other (g). Thanks for the gifts, support, drunken taxis, meals, washing and everything else that you’ve done for me. I can’t wait until we set off on the best year of our lives and soak up what this globe has to offer us. Thankyou all so very much.. Since you have all helped me in getting here its only fair that with today’s modern technology I keep you updated on my ‘Hiatus’.



having some duck and froth at Bangkok airport



Keep posted! Lots of love, MAH.