The Global Tour: coming up to half time

Friends and Family,

Having now seen a bit of the world and snap-shooting some memories with the old faithful camera along the way, it's time to share a few to those who've made it here for a peek or two.


September 2004 took me to a good friend's house just outside of Venice where I stayed for a week for sightseeing and a night out or two with her Italian locals.

It was on to South-East Asia at the end of September, starting in Hong Kong to see the post Commonwealth region at its finest, and the reckless gambling of mainland Chinese folk at the Lisboa Palace in Macau. They have far too much money.

October took me quickly through Bangkok to the island of Koh Tao in the South where I learned to scuba dive and met some good people as we lazed by the bars on the picturesque shores of the Thai Gulf. A quick visit to the comparative ugliness of "package tour" Koh Samui diverted me to the infamous Full Moon party in Koh Phang-Nan; a fantastic night with people who are just out for a laugh (and buckets of Sang-Som, "M-150" Red Bull and Coke.)

Before long it was November, the first four days spent in mesmorising Cambodia and the Angkor complex of temples and shrines - probably the most breathtaking sites I've seen since leaving the UK.

A week in Japan was spent sifting through bustling Tokyo, cycling round the peaceful city of Kyoto and witnessing the sombre horrors beatifully displayed at Hiroshima's centre. Having only spent my seven or eight days there, it was clear that Japan's cities are incredibly varied and unique - all amazing places.

My 21st birthday was had at the Gold Coast, just south of Brisbane. I travelled with a friend from Saudi Arabia for three weeks around the East's major cities, making new friends in Adelaide and Melbourne, meeting old ones in Sydney, and having a laugh in the uber-relaxed town of Byron Bay.

New Year's Eve was spent in unsurprising fashion at Sydney's Harbour, where the fireworks were something to be marvelled at. And Field Day on the 1st January had some of my favourite DJs; James Zabiela and 2 Many DJs giving it some - a top couple of days which really hurt the wallet.

Claire and I met up in Sydney for a week, before I left the City for the beach of Coogee to live for three weeks with friends I made in Thailand and Australia.

The last part of January was spent in having fun in Byron Bay and a rough scuba dive at Julian Rocks before relaxing in Brisbane for the last days of my time in Australia. I need a job; someone will have the privilege of employing me when I arrive in Auckland in February.

That's the synopsis of the first five months of travel, nearly half way through the tour - it's been eventful, with good times, homesick times and more good times. Things haven't always gone to plan but one learns to deal with the uncertainties given to them as time goes on, and I'm glad to say I can look back on my travels with a smile and no regrets. I've had the opportunity to see some amazing things and I've made some great friends.

You can look at my past events in a bit more detail through the pictures here, hope you enjoy them.

Would be lovely to hear from anyone who's taken the time to pop in for a look - drop me a line, my email is "jzakzouk at gmail dot com" - just replace the "and" and the "dot", I'm sure you know what to do.

I hope you're well, wherever you are!

Love
Joe Zakzouk