Beginnings of a Backpacker

I have managed to uncover some great pictures of some of my first ventures outside of Europe. Hopefully this should give you a little insight into my original inspiration for wanting to work and travel worldwide, and my drive to make this a reality!

Vietnam - age 11
 Outline:
First trip outside of Europe, exploring Mui Ne and the legendary city of Saigon.

Atmosphere:
Mui Ne was an incredibly relaxed and idyllic coastal area full of vast and beautiful sand dunes, whereas Saigon was a bustling, humid Asian city with an incredible sense of vibrancy and purpose, as well as  richness in culture. The people never pronounced the ends of English words, with hilarious results (although massive respect goes to the majority of Vietnamese people for taking a wise variety of languages into their daily stride!)

Highlights:
Eating Pho at a roadside bar in Saigon watching the thousands of motorbikes go by.
Crocodile Fishing.
Shooting an AK47 as part of a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels
Sand boarding down the Mui Ne dunes into a river.
Bizarre introduction to the Victor Hugo worshipping, beautifully costumed Cao Daism
Witnessing first hand the devastating effects of Napalm through the eyes of the Vietnamese War Museum

Photos:

Shown around Mui Ne sand dunes by local kids after the white kid's dollar!

Fresh cut with the local barber!

Chugging it down at the pool bar!

Sand boarding  is a fond memory of an incredible trip that left a mark on me for sure.

India - age 13
 Outline:
Spending a week at a Corbett Tiger Reserve in Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh, then going on to hit the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Atmosphere:
Corbett was a quiet, cultural venture in incredible heat with absolutely beautiful scenery and surroundings. Delhi was busy to a suffocating extent, with lively markets left right and centre, and many tour guides spotting our ethnicity and battling to 'show us around'. Agra was a place of incredibly interesting temples and religion, the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, and a cushy five star hotel. I remember Jaipur as a kind of lovely, flowery haven, but I probably know nothing about the place seeing as all I can remember is swimming and having a  much-needed stellar cheese toastie!

Highlights:
Authentic Indian food was incredible, notably lashings Chapatti and aniseed candies. However, curry every day for breakfast lunch and dinner can wear thin, believe it or not, and I think at one point we went out to grab a cheeky Chinese! Typical tourists.
Piling into Jeeps for bumpy rides through all of the rich and poor districts of Uttar Pradesh. The financial diversity in India was astonishing.
Lemon tea and desperate, unsuccessful attempts by Indian salesman to ship us a brand new Kashmir carpet home!
Scouring through the markets, and finding some really interesting psychology books among the mix.
Hilarious venture into a "Westernised" bar.

Photos:

On the left, the hottest day I have ever been through (44°C) , so much so that our temple tour was cancelled midway through!

With my brother again, this time discovering the Taj Mahal! An incredible destination.

Nanithal, a vibrant Indian market town.

More pictures and experiences to be shared soon!

You have been reading up on the beginnings of a student culture junkie. If you want to check up on how I'm doing today, just take a look at my
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Thanks for reading!