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My 2006 Around The World objective is to see those
countries I have not seen before and take in some special travel adventures, such as the Gobi, Aegean, and sail across the
Atlantic on a large schooner. Why not. I cannot take my money with me when I die, plus my knees and eyes still work,
so off I go. If I am broke in some years I will not care since as I stand in the soup kitchen line I will have a very
large smile on my face.
Now I am to start my new World adventure heading to Japan next
week.
Background & Preparation:
Ever since my Father talked to me about my Grandfather’s square
rigger sailing adventure in the Navy to Egypt and around Cape Horn and his own
interests in foreign countries I have kept my dreams of travel alive. I really started in 1961 with a summer trip to Europe for an international work camp in England. Naturally, after working three years following university graduation I decided since I had money in my
pocket, I was unattached, and my wanderlust kicked in – I took 15 months to go around the World. As fate would have
it, I met my wife Merrilyn in a youth hostel in Greece,
but it was five years later and many letters between us that I went around the World again to pick her up in Perth, Australia, and brought her home to California. We were married in 1976 and lived a full family life for 25 years caring for our two children, Ross and
Anna. Unfortunately, Merrilyn succumbed to cancer in 2001. Alas, I am on my third life, now retired. Hence, I certainly need
to see some new World lands.
Mongolia was one area I missed last year on my China-Tibet trip so this destination became my
focus. Then, why not just see Russia via the Trans Siberian Railway en route. Getting there I could stop in Japan to visit my friend Noboru whom I had met in a Japanese youth hostel on my first world
trip. Of course, since I end up in Europe I might as well see Eastern Europe
too. Bingo, another idea – why not charter a sailboat in the Aegean with my good friend
and fellow adventurer, Bob Westbrook and his wife Paula; and, so it is now planned to do so. How to get home was the next
so I wanted to visit some villages in Italy, France, and Spain
I had missed before since I now had the time. The finale to this world trip emerged to be a Trans-Atlantic crossing to the
Caribbean on a 300 foot luxury, four masted, schooner; what a way to go.
Preparation has been relatively simple – get the appropriate tickets
and tours and pack a few items in a backpack plus a small carry on pack. Of course, this time, my photos will be all digital
plus a small computer to manage the photos, my WEB page with the travel log, and email. It is amazing that these days one
can find high speed computer kiosks just about everywhere – so I can just plug in.
A long time ago I decided that a good back pack with only a couple changes of clothes, one good shirt and slacks, hat,
good boots, toiletries, and a couple of layers of jackets is sufficient to travel for one week or one year. I usually stuff in some small American gifts for friends I meet too. The KISS principal is the easiest
and best. If I have to hike a mile or two I want to make it easy to do so.
It is now Saturday, 5 days before I leave, and I have only to pack thinks
up. I had a farewell breakfast for my neighbors this morning so they will keep an eye on my house. Of course, there are a
few butterflies in the pit of my stomach, but I have done this kind of travel many times before – but, each time is
different with different excitement.
Onward. Enjoy my WEB Travel Log of Doug’s
– yet another trip Around The World to experience the many people and cultures of this World, to release the past, to
relax & enjoy, and to rejuvenate (again) my soul so that I become awake.
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