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!

The Backpacking Adventure

I am eagerly anticipating the much-needed arrival of summertime. An end to the bleak,cold weather will also signify an end to the AS Level Exams, and I have ensured that all of the hard work and adaptation to change will be subject to a sizeable paying off come the 23rd July.

Do I trust the British weather throughout the coveted, fickle British 'sunny-season' these summer months.
No. No way.
I've taken things into my own hands.

This summer, my best friend James and I embark on a two man backpacking mission, with our Saturday jobs having already produced the fruits of two one-way flights from London Gatwick to Zagreb, Croatia and two return journeys from Mykonos, Greece to London Luton two and a half weeks later. Though perhaps shy of a full on, gap year adventure of a lifetime, this is set to be one of the defining moments of our lives so far.

How are we getting about inbetween? Here, there, and everywhere, thanks to the wonders of an Interrail pass that will grant us exclusive free access to every train in Europe.

Eager Beaver - Attempting to book my pass so far in advance that the  Interrail site wouldn't allow it. So much for saving up for it!

I am literally bating my breath for planned excursions to the renowned Hobo Bear Hostel on the first night in Zagreb, through to sea-swimming, beach bumming and and island hopping in Greece, through to sampling the apparently impressive nightclub scene in Serbia.

http://belgradeatnight.com/clubs/

Above is a small sample of our plans. We are banking on a lenient age identification process throughout Eastern Europe! There are hopes to sightsee, take night trains, have a crack at jetskiing and other watersports , go camping, and check out Tomorrowland and Off  festivals in Poland and Belgium. Any oppurtunity that comes our way for activity, we're taking it. Such oppurtunities are begging to be grabbed onto, and we are quite prepared to do so!

 Hostelbookers has shone light on remarkably cheap accommodation. Also I may have somewhere set up to stay with a family in Romania for free, which is a godsend. A fine opportunity to return to my rude introduction to alcohol with the fabled local brew, plum soika, along with some of the best food I have ever tasted, upon my first excursion to Romania.

Having someone as ill-advised and adventurous as myself there will be truly excellent. I've thought about this trip a ridiculous amount, and personally can't wait for the (mis)adventures to begin!

James and I will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of an adventure certain to reach epic proportions.