Final Post: Lessons Learned

As my journey has come to a close I want to thank you all for your support! I'm still alive! And what an unforgettable trip with unbelievable experiences.  It's bitter sweet that this trip has ended but now I'll get to see you soon!  As a farewell here are some of my lessons learned.

Take time to slow down and reflect. Society speeds up the world around us by bombarding us with useless information that we can never fully process making us think and feel as if we don't have enough time.  Filter out the nonsense and take time to enjoy and really live in the moments that make us happy and then we'll realize how lucky we truly are.

A smile/goodwill goes a long way and can make a lasting impression.

Live in the moment. You never know if you'll get another opportunity.

Some lessons are better learned through 1st hand experience. And envy those who will get to experience for the 1st time what makes you happy...live again through their experience: the initial anticipation, the unknown, and the rush of adrenaline to remember what got you hooked.

When I first quit my job I thought to myself, "I'm putting my career on hold, maybe even setting it back" but now I realize if I didn't quit I would have put my life on hold, maybe even set it back.

Initially I thought this was more of a quarter life crisis trip, to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life in terms of a career while experiencing the world as a bonus. But as I continue through my journeys I'm realizing my priorities: my career does not dictate who I am. A career is just an extension of me and/or a means to justify an end. This journey is rather a means of truly understanding myself.

I believe that the key to humanity is to put someone else's needs before your own. Like a mother does for her child or a husband to his wife. To be able to put yourself on hold, to be selfless, that's what sets us apart.

This is very clique but, think before you speak. It's definitely easier to say than do. 

Random thoughts/quotes - throughout my journey

Every passing minute is a chance to turn it all around.

Sometimes the unexpected twists in life are the best.

Build memories - life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.

It's all too easy to climb the ladder of 'success' to a destination that isn't worth reaching.

The relationship trumps the issue.

Don't go through life; grow through life.

A temporary defeat is not a permanent one. In the end, it can be an opportunity.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.

With little risk there is little reward.

Autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward are the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying.

Outliers are those who have been given opportunities - and who have the strength and presence of mind to seize them.

Travel Tips - throughout my journey

The best places to meet people are on trains or airplanes. It's ideal because you're both restricted to a limited area for an extended period of time plus if you start off with a smile you'll almost always have an enjoyable conversations.

Buy hiking boots...they're waterproof.

Q-Tips...try living a week without them

No hassle credit card (aka capital one) = no transaction fees + no foreign exchange fees

A bank plus debit card with a large withdrawal capacity and no transaction or foreign exchange fees...definitely not BOA.

Not all trains supply food and refreshments (ex. Berlin to Krakow - 14 hrs) so stock up at fresh markets which are a great source for cheap fruits and nuts.

Late in the travel season book the hostel room that holds the most people. Not only is it cheaper, but you'll either get a room to yourself or get moved to a smaller room.

Having a natural sense of curiosity will take you a long ways.

Don't assume, if you're not sure ask.

Have a multi-purpose camera to visually document your travels, specifically shockproof and waterproof.

When deciding on long distance transportation try and utilize overnight means. You save valuable time as well as money (no accommodation necessary)

Hitchhike in trucks for long distances and overnight if you have the time. Not only is it cheaper but it's also way more comfortable. Most times you'll actually get to lay down. (note - this has only been tested in Africa and so applies accordingly)

When traveling at night, stick to the main transportation hubs or you could get stuck in the boonies in the middle of the night with no place to go and no place to sleep but outside (trust me...from first hand experience it is not fun)

Being able to speak English is key as it is the universal language. And being good at charades (hand gestures) is a plus.

Keep your head up or you'll miss out on what's in front of you (from my youthful basketball days - still remember the tip Paul).

Paradise at Coral Bay Resort

Sea kayaking through the mangrove trees.

Amazing food with a view.

Bungalow with a private beach.

WWII wreck diving in Coron

5 wreck dives including a tanker and a Japanese gunboat. Strong currents and low visability but despite that we were able to see lionfish, stonefish, barracudas, schools of tuna, and a giant school of napoleon fish spawning.

Lake dive with a thermocline was such a unique experience. Above the thermocline the temperature was a cool 20 degrees celsius but below it a blistering 36 degrees. And visually swimming in between the thermoclines is indescribable. Another unique feature was the silt on the lake floor which is so thick that you can immerse youre whole body in it.

Also spent a day island hopping in paradise with sandy white beaches and great snorkeling.

Not so Thrilla in Manila

Didn't have much expectation for Manila as I knew it was just a several day layover on my way to Coron. Toured Intramuros and Fort Santiago (nothing special in my jaded opinion...I think I've been traveling too long) and stumbled upon Aliwan which is a Philippines street dance competition and float festival. Not much else to see or do in the limited time I was there.

Eating my cake and loving it

Drenched in Bangkok

Shokran water festival. Three days of non stop water fighting. Ridiculous. No one is dry especially if you decide to ride a Tuk Tuk (highly recommended but be prepared to be soaked to the bone). Busted out the super soakers too. Brought back great memories from my childhood. So much fun, and exhausting. Wish I could've taken pictures but I couldn't risk getting my camera wet.

Disney diving in Koh Tao

Lounging and relaxation plus lots of Hulla (card game)...or is it Fulla? Korean pronunciation so no one really knows the true name. Doesn't matter though, when Hong and I bring it back stateside it's going to be called Rockn Rolla or Superstar!

Diving visibility wasn't great as there had been flooding several days before. What made the trip was the night dive: guiding a giant barracuda to it's prey with my torch, swimming with a spotted sting ray, spotting a hermit crab the size of a bowling ball (disclaimer - objects appear 33% larger underwater), watching the difficult to spot and intriguing Indian Ocean Walkman in action (fish that walks!), and with our torches off seeing the bioluminescence light up as we swirled our arms along the sea floor. Magical...Disney magical.

Vien Vieng

Swimming in the Blue Lagoon...

Caving with no flashlight. Just used the light from a cellphone and the camera flash. Eventually we figured that taking pictures of the area ahead and viewing it on the camera LCD was the best way to wade through the darkness. Not something I'd recommend doing. Genius in the act of utter stupidity. But we did end up getting some great pictures.

Finally! Elephants in Chiang Mai!

One day of rope courses and two days of jungle trekking.

Scooters in Pai

Rented scooters upon arrival. Makes traveling through cities so much easier and faster. First stop...waterfall. Ridiculously awesome.

Riding scooters was so much fun we decide to go back to Chiang Mai on them. 130 km and several hours of switchbacks and curves ended up being an unforgettable ride. 

Knock out in Bangkok

The front row seats for Thai Kickboxing were so worth it...

Fight number two, only one word to describe the winner (excuse my language), badass.  After getting punched in the face the eventual victor smirked, then proceeded to knock out cold his opponent. If I ever see him on the streets I'm going to give him a wide berth.

Read my first book during my travels. Don't know why I didn't start sooner.

Once in a lifetime experince in Phnom Penh?

 Visited S-21, the detention center where the Cambodian genocide began. Graphic. Felt sick. Wanted to throw up.

Followed that with the killing fields just outside the city where the genocide actually occured. The guided tour brought everything together. How could something like this happen? The one thought going through my mind, "why?" Sobering experience.

On a different note...

Pyongyang Restaurant...once in a lifetime experience. Some may say that by eating there I helped fund communism, but the way I see it insight was gained from the experience.

We had a surreal and very candid conversation with our waitress which blew away my assumptions and expectations of the North Korean people.  Talk of hopes, future aspirations, even relationships shed a light that they are just like you and me.  Came away with a refreshing feeling. Hard to describe, but I think it had to knowing that we, all of us, are no different when it comes down to the core. We may have been brought up differently but we are still one in the same.

The little things add up in Siem Reap

Reminded me of Khajuraho except on a larger scale and much more of a tourist trap.

 

The little things add up. A dollar here and a dollar there ended up costing a whole lot more than I expected. But I definitely miss the $1 fried rice...