I left without a purpose. But it wasn’t long into my senior gap year year when a purpose was soon to reveal itself. It was in the Pilbara, the middle of the Australian outback. There was a rumour good quality bed linen was being dumped by the truckloads. The outcomes of this discovery proved to be not only far reaching, but one of the highlights of the trip. Two years later, I have returned to the ...…[read more]
Author: Chris
Come along to the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club 4pm THIS SUNDAY, 3rd of June where I will be talking about the My Senior Gap Year travels, the book, experiences and just for a general meet and greet, and Q&A. I’ll bring along my special freshly baked beer cake, as mentioned in the book! ...…[read more]
You name it, there’s a specialist for just about everything. There’s dermatologists, radiologists, pathologists, etc, etc. In fact there’s hundreds of these …ologists. But have you heard of this one….? I first met Dr Lorel Mayberry in Thailand during My Senior Gap Year. Highly regarded as a lecturer in sexology at Curtin University, Western Australia, she has one other major passion. It is the work she does with disadvantaged people in the northern mountains of ...…[read more]
Scandal has always been centrepiece to many of our most esteemed and respected throughout history. I was one of the guest speakers at the recent annual Rotary International District 9800 Conference in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. The district conference is a major event in the annual Rotary calendar. Hosted by the District Governor and his wife, it brings members together, united in the cause of implementing its many and varied services to the community. District 9800 ...…[read more]
I wrote in the Top Ten Travel Tips Report how people think an around the world trip, for the length of a senior gap year, would cost a fortune. The reality is, it can cost less than living in Australia. Your home can contribute considerably to your travel costs. If you rent, one option is give up the lease. If you own your home, rent it out. Travel the world on a pension! Another popular option ...…[read more]
Only in the Northern Territory…. well actually only in Australia. Most other countries celebrate their national day with a day of grandiose pride. Their celebrations reflecting a colourful rich historic past. Not ‘ere mate. Naaah, we’re still arguing over which date we should be celebrating. Though May 8 seems to be getting strong support. Mainly because it sounds like maaaaaate. (For you non Australian folk, “mate” translated to other languages is friend, buddy, pal. The ...…[read more]
….but the ride across Sydney Harbour Bridge in the morning made it all worthwhile. I was on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, when I called my mate Holmsey about coming to Adelaide. He said he was just at that moment checking out buying a touring motorbike in Sydney. Purely on a whim he said. Tongue in cheek, says if he bought it would I ride it back. I was thinking of going via Sydney anyway to ...…[read more]
I must have come up with a hundred reasons why I shouldn’t be taking this gap year. You know, that Mr Logic I’m here to protect you and keep you safe voice inside your head. The one that keeps feeding your head with sensible reasons not to do things. What for 12 months? Travelling solo. Nah, you’re too old. What if you got ill. Had a heart attack. No one would have a clue where ...…[read more]
I wasn’t game to look down, but I was sure my knuckles were as white as. It wasn’t so much the trucks we were weaving in and around, it was the speed at which were doing it. I had been waiting to meet the rest of the trekking party. The two day trek would take us through remote Myanmar villages. Suddenly a motor bike pulls up in front of me. I’m ushered to get on ...…[read more]
It was a five hour trek through the mountains of north eastern Myanmar. Our destination for the night, a remote village. There’s a certain mystique about Myanmar. Its rich history that goes back 13,000 years. Its rich treasures of temples, pagodas and stupas spread across the landscape. A mix of gleaming gold domed structures that jut through the trees. The ancient remains that turn rich red with each setting of the sun. A country that ...…[read more]