About

This blog is a record and a reminder of (some) my travels and contains some realtime and some ‘backblog’ posts. Sometimes the days are too busy or I try to add context by researching additional information and the “homework” just becomes overwhelming – the blogging process comes to a halt mid-trip.

Some trips like China and Tibet I’m just worried that whatever I decide to publish may inadvertantly get me into trouble. Others I travel with companions and worry that I don’t want to intrude on their privacy – publishing components of their private holiday that they would rather not share with the world.

In a world of video, vlogging, instagram, tiktok etc the written word has become almost obsolete. If it can’t be said in a 1/2 minute ‘story’, prefereably accompanied by video – you’ve lost your audience. If that’s you – move along. I’m going to bore you and waste your time.

As much as I love travel documentaries – especially first person narratives – Johanna Lumley, Sue Perkins, Simon Reeves, even in a way Rick Stein’s travelling cooking shows – there is one host that stands out – Michael Palin.

Michael has written companion books to his extensive BBC series and I absolutely love these – this blog is in a way inspired by these books – part diary, part “What we did during our holidays” essay – hence my reference to “homework”.

As input to my travel experience I obsessively research my destination of choice – Books, movies, YouTube videos – Documentaries and Vlogs – I have my favourites – DK Eyewitness Guide series, Rick Steves (Books and documentaries) and my guilty binge “pleasure” – Wondrium’s video platform – incorporating “The Great Courses” series. In some way the preparation is more fun than the actual voyage. I’m working on that.

In September 2020 it was confirmed that I was on the autism spectrum – Aspergers. To me it was like those 3d pictures that was on trend in the 1990’s – it’s all a mess and then this picture appears. Once you ‘get it’, it all makes sense. A very late diagnoses – a reframe of 48 years required.

The obsession with whatever the ‘next destination’ was – as my ex called it. Collection of information – hell yes, guilty!

Aspies are not supposed to be good with travel and unfamiliar situations – but what to do if TRAVEL is your “Special Interest” or the gateway to your special interest e.g. “Ancient Civilizations” – temples, pyramids and ruins.