Objectives Update

Monday, July 15, 2013

Before leaving the UK we both sat down and thought about what we wanted to get out of our big adventure and we posted them on chipofftheoldlbog.com, so we couldn't get out of them at a later date. So 6 months into our big trip how are we doing?

Ross's Objectives

Horse ride in as many countries as possible along the way
So far Ross has managed to horse ride in Mongolia, Cambodia, Thailand and Bali. He is also planning on riding in Australia and New Zealand.

Achieved

Snorkel in the world's best reefs
Ross has managed to snorkel in Nha Trang Vietnam, Raya Island Thailand and attempted to snorkel in Bali, 'attempted' as if it was a life or death situation! We are planning to spend a few days on the Great Barrier Reef just before we depart Australia, and Ross can't wait to jump in :-)

Achieved

Finish the Hard Rock Café Nacho challenge as a starter by the 50th café!
Managed to complete the Nacho challenge way back in Poland although we don't think the portion size was as big as normal! We are now at Café 49 but there aren't any more café's on route that we haven't already visited. We might have to change our plans post New Zealand to make sure we hit the 50th Café.

Achieved

Survive another Full Moon party
Unfortunately with having to depart Thailand earlier than planned as our transport was repossessed we weren't in Koh Samui at the right time for our Full Moon party. At the time we were disappointed we wouldn't be able to experience another world famous Full Moon Party but on reflection after our over indulgences in Pattaya and Phuket it is probably best that our liver's weren't put through another night of Thailand's exceptional nightlife. By the way we have almost been dry since leaving Thailand, initially by choice but now we are in Australia beer is sooo expensive it is just becoming prohibitive.

Failed

Travel to 25+ countries
We are currently in our 16th country. It doesn't look like we will hit 25 especially with dropping out the Philippines. But watch this space as we might have a change of plan coming up very soon.

Hope to achieve before returning to UK

Run a 10k in both the Northern and Southern hemisphere
Ross failed well and truly on this one. This is not an excuse but it hasn't been easy to find the time to go running. During the first month or so of the trip it was sub-zero conditions and then the mercury climbed to over 30°c. We did do some serious training in Phuket to offset the night time indulgences but we didn't manage to do enough to run a 10km. As we have already left the northern hemisphere unless we change our plans post New Zealand, unfortunately Ross can't redeem himself on this one.

Failed

50/50 - not a great result so far!

Sonya's Objectives

Snorkel in the world's best reefs
Sonya managed to Snorkel in Nha Trang, Vietnam and Raya Island, Thailand but she didn't even leave the boat in Bali as she values her life and didn't fancy drowning in the crazy waters. When we get to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia she is really looking forward to spending some time swimming with the fishes!

Achieved

To learn about the local cultures
We can safely say that travelling through China during their New Year was a learning curve and definitely ticks the box for learning about new cultures. We have also travelled through many countries where Buddhism plays a very big role in people's lives. People prey so openly to Buddha and have so much time and respect for their culture and beliefs that Sonya can't help thinking that we should be doing more in our country to stick to our beliefs, culture and religion. Sonya has loved learning more about it and has even more respect for other people's beliefs.

Achieved

To meet other like-minded people who have a passion for travel
We have met so many different people on our journey so far and we all have at least one thing in common.... a passion for travel. It's been really nice talking to like-minded people and chatting to them about their own experiences. It's also a great way to grab some ideas from people who have already travelled through some of our future destinations. Some of the tips can be really useful and can often save us time and money. We have also offered advice along the way too. We are sure that we will come back home from this trip with lots of travel friends who we have shared experiences with and understand all of the reasons we are here in the first place.

Achieved

To come home with a lifetime of memories and stories
So far we have practically written a book with all of our adventures! These are stories that I'm sure we will treasure in years to come and it's great to know that we will forever have these stories to remind us of the antics we got up to both the good and the bad. We have made some awesome memories so far, the question is will we be making a lot more? The simple answer is.... YES! Try and stop us.

Achieved

Try lots of local cuisines along the way and try and not come home the size of a whale
It's a well-known fact that Sonya loves food but since leaving the UK she hasn't gone mad with the different cuisines that we have come across. Apart from some bars of chocolate on the Trans-Siberian Sonya has avoided the dark stuff. We eat a lot of fruit and 'generally' we choose healthy options for our meals, so for this reason and the fact that we are quite active Sonya is more than confident (than Ross) that she won't be coming back the size of a whale! (Fingers crossed) Although it has to be said we will be going to a couple of chocolate factories and so she can't guarantee that she won't be scoffing her face with the free samples! :-)

Hope to achieve before returning to UK

Try and not turn into one big freckle - this will be difficult!!
When we were travelling through Vietnam and Cambodia Sonya was definitely losing the battle and started to turn into one big freckle, the heat was so intense and the side effects of Doxycycline (malaria tablets) was causing us both to be ultra-sensitive to the sun. Since we stopped taking the tablets and started applying sun cream like a military operation, we seem to have cracked it and Sonya's freckles are not taking over anymore! With any luck she should win the battle :-)

Hope to achieve before returning to UK

50/50 at the moment but hope to achieve everything before we get home.

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