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TManTrek.Com: Terry Lynch's Trip Around the World |
Editor's Note: Merry Ol' England was such a loving landlord, that Terry's ancestors fled Ireland like rats from a slum fire. Terry's grandfather, and great-uncles fled to where there were jobs: the USA, Australia, Tazmania, New Zealand, etc. Terry has a place to stay on his travels, due in part to this speading of the Irish race throughout the world. Perhaps had England been nicer, Terry would now be visiting Essex, or Canterbury. But lucky for him, they were bastards, and thus, Terry's trip around the world.
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So I am off and my round-da-world trip begins. After 8 immunization shots, a 15 hour flight, and countless bon voyage drinks at the bar - I arrived in Sydney tired, grouchy, but in ideal condition to drink some beer with Chesty Australians.
First stop in Sydney is my travel agent. Since Australians are some of the most experienced travelers in the world, one can typically purchase a multi-continent ticket for much less if you originate in the Down Under (only problem is you need to physically be here to get the ticket). So after two days of finalizing itinerary, airline rules and regulation, visas, and how to avoid French people - my lovely travel agent Cara and I are finally finished. So, here is my itinerary to date:
Sydney (9/9) to Melbourne (9/13) to Christchurch NZ (9/21) to Auckland NZ (9/24) to Osaka Japan, overland to Tokyo (10/1) Beijing China, overland to /Hong Kong (10/17) Bangkok Thailand, overland to Vietnam (12/9) Katmandu Nepal (12/27) Delhi India, overland to Bombay (1/13) Cape Town S. Africa via Hong Kong (1/21) Johannesburg (2/9) Nairobi Kenya (2/19) London (2/23) Cairo (2/28) Barcelona Spain (3/3) Istanbul Turkey overland to Munich (3/20) Dublin (4/15) Cuba (4/22) USA!!!!!
Now my itinerary is not finite. For example, I may choose to bypass North America altogether and travel throughout South America instead (depending on budget and if my friend Roberts is still "Big Pimpin" in Lima come next April). I can also change dates at no charge and destination changes (depending if the airlines fly to those destinations) cost $75 US.
The ticket is called One World, and is through American Airlines and their partner Airlines (Qantas, Iberia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lan Chile, Lan Peru, Fin Air, and Aer Lingus). Basically anywhere those airlines fly is an destination option. It works like this: you choose the amount of continents and one world allows 4 stops within each continent. A One Way ticket counts as a stop within each continent, and flights within continents is already included in the ticket. I looked and many different options and this one provided the most destinations and flexibility at the cheapest rate.
Now many people have expressed interest in joining me during certain legs of my trip. I completely encourage this, but if your idea of roughing it is crashing at a Hilton with the window open we may have some problems. I plan on sleeping in crowded hostels where mosquito netting is mandatory, and all the locals refer to me as the "white devil".
So that is the gist of it. You'll be happy to note that I will be representing my culture to the highest degree with my wardrobe such as:
Also, an advantage to this website, maintained by my brother Chris, will allow me to concentrate on the road. This is better than me sending out e-mail, and crowding your inbox with photos carrying captions like "This is me holding a monkey in Africa!" or "Here is a picture of my Sherpa in Nepal before he robbed me blind".
Last thing, I cannot be reached on my cell phone seeing that I launched it into the Sydney Harbor yesterday (very therapeutic). My next issue with have "Teaching Australians the meaning of 'Bling Bling' and 'Westsieeeede" as well as "How to piss off French people everywhere you travel".
T-Man
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