Travel Essentials Ideas

“At 21 I thought I had done everything - I couldn’t have been more wrong” - The Traveller.

Travel Ideas

It is easy to get into a travel / adventure rut - been there - done that; got the T- Shirt or just the same again and again. Here are a few things we do to try to “spice” it up. It doesn’t have to be serious - it is just for fun! But you can start to find and do things you never thought possible, or indeed probable. Don’t forget to scroll down to see some travel maps.

Inspirations for our travels.

One day in the 1970’s a neighbour pulled up in a flash new car, it was a red Ford Cortina Mk 1 1500 GT. and our mother remarked “you should see how the other half lives” - it is more an expression of “they’re doing alright for themselves”s and a bit of obvious jealously thrown in. I didn’t really understand it at the time, and it stuck with me as I got older, and then became my “mantra” eg I took it literally - “you should see how the other half lives,” and that is what I have set out to do. Not to see everything - but just how the other people in the world live, get by, thrive or fall. One thing I have discovered is that we are all pretty much the same the globe over. We all want a little bit more - not a lot - but just a little to make life a bit easier. We all hate paying taxes, dislike our governments (however good or bad they are) and most of us try to do the right thing; we are not so different. But there is a big difference about how we go about it, and what makes us “tick”, so maybe you should see how the “other half lives” as well?

Ripleys- Believe it or not?

This was a major source of inspiration, when we found a 1940’s -50’s? book (it is the Travel Museum collection) in the loft, battered and minus its covers. There were illustrations of ladies with lip rings - and neck rings and unbelievable stories, that couldn’t possibly be true? And now we can say at least some of them are! We have seen for ourselves. This book has been a big inspiration for our adventures. You can also find an Ethiopian clay lip ring in our cabinets of curiosities - believe it or not? Ripley’s have several museums and an excellent aquarium in Toronto, itself well worth a visit.

Go on a “Burkes” connections tour

It could be a person or a book, real or fictional - it doesn't matter. In the late 1970’s there was a BBC TV show that was run by James Burke called Burkes Connections where they linking seemingly unrelated items were linked together; it was fascinating stuff. We have used this theme as an inspiration for our travels - linking events - people and places, and here is a few that inspired us.

Count Dracula

We have followed a book - The mythical Count -Dracula from Dublin to Whitby to Transylvania and Bran Castle, and found out loads of interesting and real stories along the way, including the story of one of Queen Victorias daughters who had her heart buried in Transylvania - Queen Maria, proving the fact is often stranger than fiction. Count Dracula was written by Bram Stroker who never to our knowledge visited Bran Castle, let alone Romania. The real life Count Dracula is often touted as Vlad 111, a hero of Romanian culture, for fighting the Ottterman Turks, but also know as Vlad the Impailer on account of him impailing prisoners as a warning to others, and it is this which possibly an inspiration for Bram Stokers book? Bran Castle was actually a boarder tax point and had very little to do with Vlad other than he was incarcerated here for a few weeks.

We found out about the real defenders of Ancient Britain the Catuvealuni Tribe - Once the largest and most powerful of the 12 tribes of Celtic Britain. We went wading through muddy fields, trying to tie up topography with stories, from Castles in Rochester and possible forde sites to Richbourough in Kent. We followed King Cractacus their revolutionary leader from Colchester and Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, to London, and onto Kent and the Roman invasion site, looked an anciecient track ways along the North and South Downs, debunked the BBC’s theory that the Iceni led the defence of Britain, the were a decade and hundreds of mile out of date. Read Tacticvus and internet surfed, followed battle fields across England to Wales, and the links between the Silurians and Orvadice tribes of Wales.. Stomped around hill forts, until we found the battle field described by the Romans, and the site of King Caractacus last stand, flew out to Rome to follow the story across the Palatine, and back to Glastonbury to tie it into the possibility that King Caractacus could be the origins of the legend of King Arthur, and that the “Hollywood” version is 100’s of years too late, and makes no sense when you understand the real events and time lines. The great thing is when. you start to follow a trail is that you see what you see and find out what you find out. There is no guide book, no you must go and do this or do that - it is your adventure and you follow where it takes you!

We followed the Duke of Wellington - Arthur Welsley - from Dublin to London to Belgium, onto India, and to Wales and back to London, it is fun following in the footsteps of such people with interesting and varied lives, and your learn so much more than the two dimensional pages that history books can tell you. seeing the lie of the land, the heat, the cold, the conditions that they must have had to ensure, starts to make history come alive. It is like experimental archeology, you live and breathe it first hand.

We also followed in the footsteps of the great explorers, Amund Edmundson, Franklin, and Peary. Being on the ground makes so much more sense of it all, and experiencing a tiny glimpse into their worlds and why they did what they did. How could Scott and his team have “allowed” Captain Oates to step in a blizzard and certain death. When you experienced a little of their hardship and desperation it all be comes a lot clearer. It is easy to criticise from the sofa, we do it is well! but sometimes you just have to get out there and see, smell, and feel it for yourself. To hear a Tiger “chuff” and the involuntary hairs on the back of your neck stand up - primal fear - to smell a water, sniff the air, to be hunted by a wild animal - to no longer be the apex predator, it is life changing stuff.

  • On Pen-Y-Fan on one blustery day my favourite hat blew off and so I chased it - almost off the edge of the mountain. It was raining and wet, I nearly didn't stop - and I thought how stupid it would be to die for a hat. In short if it is precious to you - leave it at home. Don’t take anything you can’t afford to lose. We could fill a book of precious necklaces ripped off by scooter gangs etc. Leave it at home.

    At Ice Camp Barneo close to the Geographical North Pole, a guy dropped his mobile phone into a pool we had built trying to take a photo, he then fell in fully clothed. It was -40c - if it had been anywhere outside of “camp” you would be looking at a dead man walking - is a mobile phone really worth your life? Don’t die for a hat - or a phone for that matter.

  • If you are abroad - let them take it. We were mugged in a street distraction robbery in Ethiopia in Addis Adaba. They got away with $100 USD- it could have been a lot worse. We could have have been stabbed - lynched (if you start wading in) - let it ride. This has happened once in 40 years of travel and 100’s of countries so put it in context. We had zip pockets - spread cash, so if you loose, try not to lose it all.

  • We are reiterating this because it is important. Losing your temper will not help anyone - least of all you. So Don’t. I know you may be tired - emotional, but keep it real. If you can’t - make an excuse and leave - calm down. Grab a coffee or whatever. 9 times out of 10 by the time you come back the “petty official” has gone and then you won’t have a problem. It is like a referee - it is very simple - they are right and you are wrong. Even when they are wrong they are right and you are still wrong. Smile and wave, if only we could take our own advice right.

  • I’ve got a photo of the boarder - yay! I’ve got a strip search and a very angry boarder guard now refusing us entry. Just don’t - not only are you endangering yourself, but potentially every one else who is with you.

    I remember coming through EZLN (revolutionary) checkpoints in Chiapas Mexico, and yes they look amusing dressed in Mexican wrestling masks, but do you really want to risk taking a photo? Pay you 200 pesos “fine” and move on.

Some Don’ts

Some Do’s

  • Yes it’s late - you’re tired and they are being totally unreasonable. But keep your sense of humour - in few moments they will be gone and so will you - is it really worth a dust up? Sometimes walking away and coming back will make a difference, or they may have been replaced! It might be you have been dumped by the airline and everything has not gone to plan. So what - smile and wave. It will all sort itself out in the end.

  • This is just stuff we pack - that works for us. You will have your own favourites. I’ve known people to travel with kettles and tea bags, and indeed cup a soup and pot noodles along with some PG tips often makes it into the bag, particularly in Scandinavian countries where the pound or dollar doesn’t go as far as you would like. Nothing. wrong with a bit of cost saving.

  • Believe it for not they have shops abroad - you can buy stuff! So don’t over pack on things you can get anywhere, but some things like camera memory cards, Duracell batteries or good quality ones, medicines etc can be hard to get / impossible. Back stuff up and don’t take anything you don’t want to loose. Have a photocopy of your passport, spare photos - you’d be surprised how often they come in useful. Spare sunglasses are another one, we always carry a spare hat. If things don’t go to plan, and they frequently don’t - don’t worry about it - that’s often when the good stuff happens and real adventure begins.

  • You are in someones else’s culture - try to understand a little about it, and be respectful. We don’t get it right all the time, but a few words in the language or understanding what hand gestures to use - or not! The OK scuba dive symbol is offensive in many cultures for example. Cover up in places of religion, don’t wear offensive or political T shirts, carry political slogans, be quiet and try to avoid poking your camera into peoples faces. Some cultures will be offended / you are stealing their soul if you try to take a photo. Read up a bit before you go if you can. Don’t get drunk and loud and if you do be prepared for the consequences! they might not be to your liking.

What we use

  • We prefer hard cases, they are easier to pack, and you can wheel them along. They also keep you stuff dry when it pours with rain and they are on top on the bus. I’ve got a trendy soft bag = I’ve got soaking wet clothes! Soft bags have their uses and we use them when they are needed, sailing, expeditions, rail journeys - basically anywhere there is water. Northface and in particular Orlieb bags are waterproof. Soft bags are great anywhere that space is at a premium - a yacht or underseat of a sleeper train for example. You can also squidge them into place. We have many different bags depending on the need. the journey or adventure. Try to avoid overly flashy ones that say come and rob me - aluminium for example (they are also very heavy). You may need a posh bag for that 4 or 5 star hotel (be aware that many places abroad 4 star is really 3 star). We use good quality bags, and have only ever found two (so far) indestructible bag. The rest regardless of how much you pay all get smashed by the airlines or their ground crews eventually. Here’s what we currently use.

    Zero Haliburton - zip case - medium 70 plus countries and territories and battered but never broken. Takes everything you need for several weeks. organise with packing cubes takes 2 large folders and 6 cubes - plus boots and junk. Our go to bag. You can also sit on it whilst you are waiting! It was recommended to us by an airlines bag repair centre after Emirates had smashed our Remova case in. It was a good recommendation - we have never looked back.

    Remova - cabin bag - zip hard case, polycarbonate - redicuously expensive - it is value for money. 50 plus countries and territories it is fine and still looks good, unlike the larger versions which are all broken. We had a set of 3 - the two large ones have spilts - welded - but not nice.

    Man Bag - Samsonite small shoulder bag - on 2nd one after 1st gave up the ghost (zip went) after 100 countries and territories. We finally understand what ladies have been doing with hand bags all these years - they are indispensable!

    Osprey 35 litre back pack - usually instead of Remova cabin bag. 2nd Osprey bag, first one still works, just didn’t look nice, the old one was slightly smaller at 30 litres.

    Kipling duffel type - soft pull along - with hard bottom compartment. will fit on Trans Siberian Express under seat if you don’t over stuff it. Packing cubes are an essential with this bag. Also you will need 2 TSA locks. It won’t stand upright which is a pain, so you have to lean it against the wall the wrong way around. Other than that great bag.

    We also have for expeditions large North Face duffels, (3 off various sizes) and a Mountain Hardware ultra lightweight expedition duffel which we used at the North Pole. Not robust but lightweight means you can take more stuff! We also have Musto soft bags for sailing and various specialist scuba bags, which have large plastic zips etc as metal ones corrode with the salt.

  • Lightweight Eagle Creak (ripstop type) Packing cubes. These are essentials - you will be organised - never messy and its easy to find stuff. We colour code ours. Red underwear, Green T Shirts and Shorts. White accessories, gloves hats etc. We have 2 shirt / trouser folders in rough order use, as as we use items - one becomes dirty and one clean, ditto the packing cubes - makes it so much easier. We also have a lightweight laundry bag we can velcro up, one wash / sunscreen bag, and one medium bag (red so you can find it easy), and one tech bag - cables, chargers etc.

  • They have doctors abroad - so don’t go crazy, and be mindful common medicines at home may not be available, or you might only be able to get out of date medicines in some countries. This is what is in our medi-bag - yours may be different, and you may have allergies or serious reactions, so this is not a recommendation, just a list of what we take for adults.

    Always seek medical advice from your GP or Travel Clinic first.

    Warning - Check on Opoids / Opiates - some countries will put you in prison for many years if you have them, even over the counter medicines such as Co-codamol which contains codeine (morphine). We have now taken these out of our general medical bag, but do take them to remote locations where they are allowed.

    Personal Medi Kit

    Get advice, make sure you know what you are doing, and what you can and can’t take together, before you take it. get yourself First Aid at work trained as a minimum or remote first aid trained if you need it. You might need a bigger kit! - check dates and clear the crap out now and again.

    This is what has worked for us over 40 years of travel. We have only had to seek medical help twice in this time (both Anaphylaxis shock), so if you getting worse - see a doctor - as soon as.

    Equipment

    1 red (easy to find) 26cm x 12cm x 6cm mesh front zip bag eagle creek. (all this fits in this small bag) Nail file (hotel type), offset - tweezers good quality metal. plastic zip bag for dirty stuff. Leatherman Squirt 5.5cm small knife, pliers, scissors - screwdrivers, nail file, crown cap opener. 1 pair latex free gloves. 1 pair good quality sharp metal scissors - 9cm curved, with plastic tip cover. Thermometer electric.

    Random

    3 spare passport usable photos x 1 passport photocopy, 1 BIC biro, 1 pencil. 3 pairs ear plugs. Small removable - mirror is on the wash bag. 1 lucky coin with a hole in it, in case you get really ill.

    Situational

    Covid test kits x 7 - lateral flow

    Pain and Cold relief pack

    We take 12 aspirin- sorts out sore throats, mouth ulcers etc. (Bonjella is a gel aspirin for the same) 1 pack 12 paracetamol for pain and 1 pack 12 nurofen (Ibuprofen) for inflammation. 3 lemsips for colds. 1 pack day and night nurse (tablets). 12 Sinus pain relief tablets. These really help.

    Bites and Stings

    1 14ml after bite (baking soda). 1 blister line of Piriton (anti histamine). 4 Repel anti insect / repellent sachets. 1 cortisone cream small tube, also general skin conditions.

    Guts and Bottoms Pack

    6 loperamide / imodium. 5 sachets Dioralyte rehydration body salts. 6 10ml tubes of Gaviscon anti acid. Sometimes you can let it go, sometimes you just have to block it up. The body is ejecting it for a reason.

    Mouth Teeth Ulcers Gums

    Lipsalve SP30, Bonjela 15ml, mouth ulcers, 1.2ml Zivirax cold sores, 6 interdental - 1 pack floss. 1 dental tooth pick (metal). 1 Aloe Kote plus .25oz tub.(tiny) for sunburned lips and mild cold sores.

    Ears

    Cotton ear bugs x 6

    Cuts and Blisters

    12 plasters (various sizes Hypoallergenic). A crepe bandage (sprains etc) 1 small and 1 medium bandage - in date. A blister pack 6 padded plasters. silicon soft - Pack of safety pins.

    Specialist (Remote Travel).

    Self medication should only be done with advice from a GP or travel clinic. Most cruise ships and the like will have doctor on board, so if you don’t need it leave it home.

    Malarone Antimalarial if needed such as Atovaquone / Proguanil (Malarone) but get advice on what you need and what works for you. Antimalarial can have nasty side effects.

    Acetazolamide is for altitude acclimatisation, prescribed only - doctors or travel clinic. Ideal to support at altitude at over 3500 meters, but slow acclimatisation works best.

    Azithromycin is an antibiotic medicine of a type called macrolide antibiotics, used to treat bacterial infections. Same as ciprofloxacin seek medical advice first. Prescription only. GP or Travel Clinic. Can be used to treat a range of ailments, chest, ear, Pneumonia , lymes disease (ticks) https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/azithromycin

    Ciprofloxacin 1 pack of (can get from your GP or a good travel clinic), but check medical advice first, as it can have serious side effects. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic for serious bacterial infections - we use it for serious stomach issues, bit it works on a range of bacterial infection form chest to conjunctivitis. It works when everything else doesn’t! https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/

    Steri-strips

    Temporary means of holding deep wounds together - painless stitch free, and less scaring.(makes you look a bit less like Frankenstein than with stitches either side a wound. But see a medic as soon possible as you might need internal stitches. Useful in jungle or polar environments where medical helps could be days away. We have used them, they work a treat.

    Haemostatic Dressing

    Temporary means stopping serious bleeding. But see a medic as soon as you might need internal stitches / internal bleeding. Useful where medical helps could be hours away. Often used in war zones - it was developed for gunshot wounds etc.

    Please do check with your GP / Travel Clinic and country you are going to as to what is legal, and to make sure you are not going to do yourself more harm than good.

  • This is mainly aimed at men, but most will work for ladies too, plus any specialist sanitary / ladies requirements.

    The Bag

    Life Ventures - Hangable (pull out hook) wash bag (with detachable velcro mirror). 2 main compartments and a zip pocket.

    25cm x 15cm x 7cm. this takes everything else not in the Man Bag and Medical Kit.

    We also have as pulls on the zips 2 twist lockable micro S (3.5cm) carabiners with gate - ideal for securing hats, keys / back pack zips in markets etc. We have 2 more on the Man Bag and 2 on the Ruck Sack - they are great.

    Random

    1 coin with hole in it for good luck. 3 plastic clear zip bags. 1 film canister empty and 1 plastic sample jar. 6 Zeiss spare lens wipes. 4 spare ear plugs 25 - 35 SNR. Duracell Ultra Power. 2 AA and 2 AAA spare batteries. (these can be hard to get abroad especially good ones)

    KIt

    1 small needle and thread sewing kit and spare buttons. 1 one size fits all bath plug - emergency. 1 Sea to Summit titanium fork / spoon (Spork) and a serrated knife (butter eating). 3 trouser turn up bungy cords. 1 pipe cleaner bungy cord - holds lights - cameras etc in place. Short length para cord (bracelet).

    Shaving

    1 Braun - battery shaver - we have used these for 25 years. They work fine, it is just a buzz off don’t expect a great shave. Duracell AA batteries lasts 3 -4 months, replace with new before you travel. 1 kings shave 15ml shaving oil, and 2 new BIC type disposables. as emergency / to give away. Or go hairy!

    Ablusion - Washing

    They have soap shampoo almost everywhere abroad and even in suprisingly run down places too.

    We only take Lush solid shampoo honey and ginger - leaves hair great, does body too. No risk of spillage. Comes in a tin 6cm x 6cm. Last months! (with short hair).

    1 small non perfumed soap - wash in an emergency and to do laundry in an emergency. 1 small 30 ml posh shampoo if staying in non posh hotels, for a luxury day or two.

    1 new boxed unused toothbrush and small toothpaste (to give away or emergency use).

    1 NEUTROGENA® Clear & Defend - face wash - as some perfumed soaps are really nasty. Also helps keeping spot free.

    1 non perfumed hotel soap - can also be used for laundry. Or better still use the laundry, or pack enough so you don’t need to.

    Anti insect - Anti Sun

    1 Microweave head net. 6 Deet wipes (More in medibag and day pack) and 1 x 100 ml incognito deet free repellent. or SMIDGE midge repellent 100 ml. DEET works but is awful stuff. It melts plastics (sunglasses) and burns skin, but sometimes its the only thing that works. - Sunscreen first - deet second. 1 once a day Calypso SPF 40 150ml and 1 Riemann once a day SPF 20 or 30. 200 ML lotion. We use this dingy sailing / scuba and have never been burnt. It is the best. Plus if needed 1 200 ML in a plastic bag in suitcase. and 50 ml SPF 50 in man bag as back up.

  • Travel Vaccines

    We have pretty much a vaccine for everything over the years. Check the Country specific advice and Vaccine advice which changes as we learn more about them. Some are now for life - such as Yellow Fever” and some become for “life” after a number of boosters such as “tetanus”

    Some clinically vulnerable people - immune suppressed etc may not be able to have certain vaccines or will need medical advice before they do.

    We keep ours up to date as a matter of course and keep a record of what we have has and when, useful as frequencies and advice change.

    Ones we keep up to date

    Flu - SARS 2 (Covid 19), Hepatitis A (faecal matter) tetanus, diphtheria and polio, then whatever we need country specific, such as Cholera.

    Some have had are no longer needed such as Smallpox.

    Many Yellow Fever prone countries will not let you in without a Yellow Fever certificate. Ours is very old - it still gets you in - it is for life.

    Some are situational for example we have had rabies (handling bats) and Hepatitis B (blood borne ).

    Others such as Tuberculosis - TB (BGC), Measles, mumps and rubella, are typical childhood ones in the UK.

    Vaccines are also now available for Japanese encephalitis, Meningococcal meningitis, Tick-borne encephalitis

    You can find out more about vaccines from the UK National Health Services or speak to your own health service.

    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/jabs/

    Not all diseases can be vaccinated against so try to avoid being bitten.

  • Braun Alarm clock - BC08 Digital Travel Alarm Clock - easy to read and set alarm - hard to mess it up, even after a few beers. Loud and gets louder! Back up of phone for not missing flights, boats etc.

    Charging Cables (Halfords fabric) feel nice - 1 long D, 2 short D & C and 1 Apple Type - charges most things. Block converter with multi country connections, we haven’t been anywhere it hasn’t worked, with USB outputs. Beware some cameras Nikon P1000 type will not charge from some USB outputs and need to go direct to mains to get the volts / amps they need.

    Reinmann P20/30 Spare sunscreen if needed. 1 x 200ml. It works for us even in and out the water. Spare insect repellant. 100 ml.

    CRKT Folding Knife. Small 3 inch tanto blade skeleton knife for cutting chopping etc. Very sharp, keeps good edge.

    Mini Speaker - sometimes its nice to dance around the room! We use a tumbler selfie bluetooth in wood - small sounds ok and looks great!

    Diablo Torch. - insanely bright. Variable 1100 - 1700 lumens. Gets hot, short battery life. But when you need it its like having a car headlight to hand.

    1 USB / USC convertible flash drive, blank - useful to get / transfer stuff.

    Garmin - in reach Mini 2 It is very small. GPS and Track back, with SOS feature via call centre, just 9.5 x 5 cm. Direct satellite communication, two way messaging, weather forecasts, digital compass. As with fellow Yellow Brick beware of military / spy connotations. Most useful feature is trackback. Slaves to app on the mobile phone for easier use of the features. Can also be used as a Scuba SOS with a water proof case, and replaces / supplements our 121.5 MHz Dive SOS.

    YB Yellow Brick - Tracker / Website. Direct satellite communication. Automatically sends your position, at present times, and allows you to send and receive short text messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. used with our Mini iPad it is a complete communications device. Beware of military / spy connotations. Does not use wifi or GSM network so will work when mobiles don’t - anywhere! We used it at the North Pole, and have a lovely track of the Trans Polar drift.

    Occasionally - power bank - but airlines (understandably) are getting fussy* over these. (Hand luggage only now). Power limitations may also apply - check with your airlines.

    *Runaway exothermic reaction with huge amounts of smoke and 1000c heat might explain it.

1970 Countries visited in. Blue

Why not pin a travel map - this is ours from the 1970’s - blue is where we had been - Europe & The Caribbean, including France (our 1st and likelty many others, but shortly after Jamaica. But it was probaly our crazy familiy European road trip of 11 countris in 14 days which started our travel mania!

1980s- blue is where we have been - we added North America and Scandinavia at this point. We still haven’t been to Alaska - just the way the map colours in. Alaska is right at the top of our list!

2000 - blue is where we have been - we added South America and Central Asia. We thought we were tremendously well travelled at this point and had pretty much been everywhere!

2020 - blue is where we have been - Global domination! Well almost - Every continent and ocean and both poles including the Geographic Noth Pole. but still more to see and do and some great ones left on our list including the Grand Canyon, Igacu Falls, Easter and Gallapagos Islands and not forgetting Alaska - you can never stop exploring……

2010 - blue is where we have been - travel really expanded adding in Africa and much of Europe and Asia . 2013 saw our 100th country and our last continent - Oceania!

2023 - Travel Map to date - and. a few planned filled in for the future. Over 150 countries and territories makes us one of the most traveled people - but there are many more travelled than us, and a growing list of people who have been to all 195 countries (including observer states). It was somthing like 96 countires when we were born - which shows the fragmenting and dynamic nature of the how we divi up the world. Some we will never (Unlikely) go to - most dangerous - war torn / dictatorships (although we have been to our fair share of these), but we never set out to “conquor” the world - just see how the othe half lives - we have almost done that!

Our travel started really with a a game of seeing a country of every letter of the alphabet (good job we don’t live in Armenia) A-Z and oddly we still haven’t finished this one and have O - Oman still to do. Maybe because when we have the game is complete - but we have many more “games” to play and adventures to be had.

Whats Up Next?

People often ask what’s on our list and where will be go next - and sometimes it is not obvious even to us - maybe next up is Uganda / Rwanda and Kenya to see Mountain Gorillas - and as you can see we have large bits of Africa mising and most of it we will probably not go to. We would also like to go to Bora Bora, Tahiti and The Cook Isles more for R&R than adventure.

Algeria is on the list and looks an interesting and perhapes less well tarvelled path, as is Taiwan, Madagascar and our dream destinations; the fabeled North East Passage, The Sea of Okhost, Commander Islands, Scott Huts in New Zealand Antartica and the almost inobtainable South Pole - but you need deep pockets - we shall see.