Contemplation

I am back in Bangkok and back to the 'normal' routine of a lazy breakfast, a swim or the gym, a little bit of reading and relaxing, maybe the odd stroll around the city, a skytrain ride and an afternoon with Irene reading stories and playing games. A routine that I really shouldn't get too used to. With all this time to relax and the ever closer end to my travels, or at least this particular trip, I have been thinking about some of the things that I haven't done over the last year, or haven't done much. There is always an exception to the rule and most of mine happened in New Zealand but here are a few things that I came up with.

Work! Ha, it is over a year since I left my job and left Cayman and it is one of the best decisions I ever made. I did work aboard the Nautilus on my travels, and although it was the most physically demanding work I have ever done, and the best way to lose weight ever, it doesn't count as I got to dive every day.

Iron. Not a single thing. I think this is going to have to continue in my everyday life.

Laundry, washing up and other general household chores. I did use a washing machine in New Zealand, sweep out my hippie mobile and do a little bit of washing up whilst camping, but I was outside in beautiful surroundings so again I don't think it counts. It will be great not to have to carry my dirty washing around with me once I stop travelling.

Cooking. As with above NZ was the exception as I was camping and the camp sites and hostels are so well set up that there were often cooking facilities available. I have actually missed being able to cook, it is nice to have the choice to either go out to eat or to stay in and with so many lovely markets that I have visited it would have been good to have sampled a few more local delicacies.

Watched tv. A few places have had televisions and on occasion it has been good to catch up on the news, or chill out in front of a film. However, you can catch up on the news quite easily on the internet and to be honest you don't miss much by only tuning in every now and again.

Worn jeans. Wow! My jeans were my wardrobe, I'm not sure I can give them up completely but it will be quite heavenly to be able to open my wardrobe in the mornings and have a choice of what to wear rather than knowing all you have is 3 pairs of trousers and a few tops.

Driving. Again NZ was an exception and also my road trip across the US but on the whole I have done very little driving and have used public transport all the time. Another thing that I should try and carry back to my every day life, though I am not convinced I will be able to do so very succesfully.

Slept in my own bed. Everywhere I have stayed has been clean but there have been varying degrees of comfort along the way and on occasion it has been much cosier to snuggle into my silk sleeping bag liner than to sleep on rough sheets. I am looking forward to a nice comfy pillow.