Liv's 2008 World Journey

I did it!!! 11 months on the road and i made it home- practically all in one piece! 13 countries, 18 flights, countless methods of transport, tens of near death experiences-but all worth it!

The last few legs of the journey included learning the AirAsia does not give out water for free-i also learnt that drinking water from the bathrooms on planes because you're too stingy to pay for it gives you an upset stomach.... It also included stopping over in Oz to visit a school friend Michelle and adjusting my ears to pacific twangs... Then arriving home i learnt that in a year, not much has changed apart from the odd bypass in keri and some restaurants appearing in wierd places in paihia....

Overall i've had a fabulous time and wouldn't have changed any of it for the world...

Here's some tips for future travellers that i've learnt along the way;

-Havianas are the best jandals- one pair for the whole year wearing them practically everyday-still going strong!

-Bring earplugs- roosters will be outside every one of your guesthouses in thailand

-Don't sit on the back seat of a dalladalla, your chance of escape dwindles down to zilch

-Take being called 'Fat' as a compliment in Nepal, because it is, seriously.

-Watermelon shake cannot be beaten from Chiang Mai

-If it is an insect that can bite, it will....or maybe that's just me

-'Resort' 'Club' & 'Mansion' are overused phrases in accommodation advertising

-Don't rely on signs e.g. The mosque will not actually be down 'Mosque St'

-Don't rely on electricity to stay on for important events-then you won't be dissapointed

-Don't think all your troubles are over once you find your bus and are on your way-knowing when to get off is even trickier

-Lao crickets are actually tasty!

-'Durabat' 'Battasonic' 'Panabat' and 'Energeezer' are not long lasting batteries, even if the shop keeper spends half and hour trying to convince you they are (i fell for it!)

-Taxi drivers primarily exist to rip you off (90% of the time)

-No virgin mary picture, buddha statue, plaque engraved with the Koran or prayer beads will save you on an african bus ride

-If there's a strike, DON'T go on the road!

-Take a friend with you to India-even if its just so you can get told 'She's the boss'

-Stay within Marrakesh walls if you don't want to get lost

-The swiss are useful for 3 things, Swiss army knife, Ragusa and Rivella

-At 5416m your lungs will shrink to the size of a snails

-African singing cannot be beaten!

-The best isreali food in the world in in Thamel, Kathmandu

-TAXI is the worlds most universal word in the world

-Two days after you get home you will have itchy feet again!-i now have the Iran Lonely Planet and have to restrain myself from going to buy a ticket there.

So i'm now rearing to go on another trip- luckily i had the persuasion tactics to convince dad to go to Switzerland in August-and i'm going too! That should ease some of the itch... I start Uni tommorow-and will be living here in Auckland for the next year- so those who i haven't caught up with yet, i'd love to see you! 027 3345 112.

Until next time!.... xx