One week to go!!!!

Am I counting down? You bet I am!! In exactly one week as of this moment I will be just finishing clearing customs in Singapore and heading somewhere for breakfast - the most local brekky cuisine I can find!

Given that my last week in Perth - in Australia! - consists of a run of days of 40 degrees celsius and above, accompanied by unusual levels of humidity, and that I'm working up until the day I fly out, I reckon my first day in Singapore will be spent at the waterpark in Jurong.

For just $1.50 SGD, you can spend all day lounging by the pool, getting smashed in the wave pool, or enjoying the several waterslides. It all sounds great to me!

So I'm sure some of my more diehard trekking fans are itching to see my gear list. Don't worry guys, it's coming! But with this oppressive heat (and my bedroom is above a garage that traps heat like a furnace, with no aircon in the house), I've been struggling to get all my packing and prep done in one go.

Last night, for instance: I was on a mission to get everything done, but half way through I had to stop and throw myself into a cold bath.

I'm a bit worried about hiking through SE Asia if this is a taste of what it's going to be like. However, if it's too unbearable, as soon as I cross into Malaysia I'll head for the cooler mountains. So it's all good. :0)

Back to my gear for a minute. I can tell you that everything I am taking fits into (or more to the point will fit into) an Osprey Stratos 34 litre pack. For those who aren't sure of pack sizes, it's basically a day pack. This is going to be my 'home', hopefully for the next few years, so I only ever wanted to take a pack that I could literally take anywhere, that wasn't too cumbersome or excessively heavy, was comfortable to carry over very long distances and for long periods at a time, and fit in all the necessities.

My gear list may end up surprising a few people, especially on how I managed to get it all into a day pack. However, the one thing I have been dilligent about - and even meticulous about - is planning what to take, and sourcing the best items from Australia and abroad.

Well, I need to put the computer down and get back to sorting and packing for an hour before getting ready for work.

But I want to leave you with something. Whoever comes across my blog, whether you've gotten one of my cards or stumbled across it by accident, if I'm in a place, or just about to get to a place, that you know well, either from living there or having traveled there yourself, I would absolutely love it if you left a comment for me about what I should see and do. What local delicacy I should eat! Or most importantly, who I should meet.

I'll write that statement somewhere on this site a bit more permanent than this scrolling post, but for now, just feel free to comment on this post if you would like to share your favourite experiences of Singapore, my first destination.

Stay tuned - my next post will only be a day or two away!!!

With less than 4 weeks remaining, the beginning of my adventure fast approaches!

It's now 2012. In just 29 days I depart our beloved shores for who really knows how long. I've handed out quite a few cards already with the blog address on it, so I figured it's time for my first post. And what better thing to write about than my thoughts on people and share the approach I am taking.

It appears that many things divide people: different cultures, religions, political pursuasions, appearances, and of course, language. But really it's only one thing that truly divides us: fear. And so, with that in mind, I believe that there are several things that connect people despite all these apparent differences. I believe food brings people together. Americans travel thousands of miles each year to carve a turkey together for Thanksgiving. Australians crack a tinny and throw some lamb, steaks, seafood or whatever is going on the barbie on Australia Day. There are examples of the 'breaking of bread together' in every single culture. Almost anywhere you go on Earth a valued guest is honoured with a feast or lovingly prepared meal. You can go all the way from Buckingham Palace to an outback camp to a hidden jungle village to see this is the case. So - food brings people together, and one thing I'm really looking forward to is experiencing new tastes and sensations, and new ways of preparing and sharing food.

Smiles also bring people together. Sounds a bit hippy-ish, but think about it; no matter where you go on earth a smile is a sign of good will. So smile more. I fail at this regularly, so I'm looking in the mirror as I say that. It's a fallacy that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile - you engage several more muscles smiling. However, the difference in the effect it has on both the person who smiles and the person the smile is received by is infinitely more valuable than that of a frown.

Acceptance also brings people together, and breaks down barriers. You don't have to like another person's position, but accept their right to that position, and walls may start to fall.

Finally, the willingness to try and understand. None of us will ever truly understand everyone's beliefs, practices or set of morals from around the world. But to simply TRY and understand goes a very long way. Everywhere you turn you seem to hear about all the bad in the world. All the wars, the hatred, the danger. But really, the world is a very beautiful place. And I can't wait to experience such incredible beauty as found in the landscapes and, more importantly, the people around this precious planet of ours. My goal will be to do my best to break down the walls of fear, both within me and in the situations I find myself in. To touch human nature itself, as often as possible, in as many forms and variations that I'm fortunate enough to come upon.

And with this approach in mind, I look forward with great eagerness and excitement to 4 weeks from now when it all truly begins....