Week Thirteen Wrap Up

Another big week on the road! The end of this week marks my three-month anniversary of hitting the road way back in June, which feels so long ago now it’s hard to believe it has only been three months. When I think back to that first flight to Hawai’i I’m a bit overwhelmed by how far I’ve come in that short space of time. It has certainly been eventful.

Week Eleven Wrap Up

This weeks wrap signals a couple of big milestones for me – both the end of my few short weeks in Alaska and the end of my few short months in the United States. As I write this from Mexico City I feel slightly strange that eleven weeks could have passed in such a blur, but when I really stop to reflect on how much I have achieved in that time I realise it has actually been pretty incredible. 

Week Ten Wrap Up

Alaska: The Final Frontier. Oh, no wait, sorry that’s space, and that’s William Shatner’s line. And yet, if the overly developed Western World had a final frontier, Alaska would surely be it. This is one of the last places where pure and utter wild exists within such easy reach of airports and major cities. This stunning landscape surrounds me and I get the distinct sense that it barely even notices humans are walking upon it. 

Week Nine Wrap Up

Weeks nine, ten and most of eleven of this journey are something I’ve been looking forward to since planning for this trip began 15 months ago. I’m in Alaska, living an existence surrounded by the most basic and thrilling elements of nature. Alaska, in the most basic summary I can provide, makes you feel glad to be alive. 

Week Seven Wrap Up

I can scarcely believe it’s the end of another week! For the last few weeks in fact time has absolutely flown. Despite the fact that these weeks have had a somewhat slower pace in terms of moving around they have been some of the most fun I’ve had so far.

Week Five Wrap Up

This post marks the end of another eventful week, the passing of the one month mark of my trip, and the first full week I’ve spent anywhere since Hawai’i back at the very beginning. I am thankful for the slowing of the exhausting pace of the last five weeks! 

Week Four Wrap Up

It’s hard to believe that four weeks have already passed by in such a short space of time. Days pass at a different rate for me at this point in my travels (which also helps to explain why this post is late…sorry!). I have lost track of days of the week, I’m completely unaware what the date is most of the time, and the only reason I seem to remember I have a flight or train trip coming up is the helpful reminder from my Google calendar…

Week Three Wrap Up

Week three started with a very early morning L ride to Chicago airport, followed by a nearly missed flight (damn that US airport security!), and finally landing in Austin, Texas, for the start of my week in the deep south. 

Week Two Wrap Up

The week started with a flight into LA after a relaxing week in Hawai’i, a long wait at the bus station and a bus ride to Venice Beach. I was staying at the SameSun hostel, a very popular one right on the beach and it felt like party central. The stop over in LA was just for 24 hours, so although I really dislike Venice Beach it’s a close option for LAX layovers and there’s so much going on it ensures you’ll have plenty to do for the day. 

My packing list is complete…

If you’ve read my post entitled “Packing Preparations” you’ll know I’m a fan of the carry-on only packing revolution. Carrying just 7kgs in a tiny backpack you never have to strain to lift, put under a bus, or worry about it making you stick out – yes please! That to me sounds like the dream way to travel compared with a larger, heavier bag.

Sure, there are some concessions to be made on what can be put in the bag as a result of carry on size, weight, and liquid restrictions. These don’t really bother me when I weigh them up against the comfort of a smaller bag.

It’s not an isea everyone is comfortable with, and I have definitely received more questions about how on earth I’m going to fit everything I need into a carry on sized bag. In fact more often than not the response I get is “WHAT?! You’re crazy” followed by their other questions.

So how am I going to do it? Read My Packing List and find out!