My biggest travel dream to become a reality in 2023

A Circuit Around The World

“This 2023, I intend to complete a full circuit Around the world”

Introduction

For those who know me, it’s been my ultimate dream to take a career break and travel a circuit around the world starting and ending in my home city London. I have been unable to achieve this so far because right after graduating I went straight into work as I didn’t have the means to travel. Now I do have a bit of money, I now have commitments such as mortgages and bills. So ever since I have only been able to take short trips, from weekend getaways to a maximum of 3-week adventures. However for the first time, if all goes well, late 2023 I will finally take a short career break allowing me to achieve this venture, I’ve been dreaming of for a long time.

This trip was meant to happen in a much smaller capacity over 2 years ago for my 30th birthday. My plan was to take 30 days off with the sole objective of completing a loop around the world within that time frame. That was a carefully planned trip, a quick touch and go itinerary. Not much of an experience in terms of the culture of the places I was going to visit, but the experience of finishing my objective of completing the circuit. Everything was planned and ready to go however covid took over the world and all my planning went down the drain along with a bit of money that was already spent.

However now it seems that the world is getting back to normal albeit war, recessions and smaller outbreaks but hopefully its not something that would affect travelling.
So from now till my departure, I am hoping that there are no major events that will ruin my plans for this trip.

The Plan

My ultimate objective is to do the full loop around the world from West to East, starting from London, probably going down to Africa, then heading to the Middle East, then to Asia where I will cross the Pacific via Fiji to the Americas and then either straight flight back to London or fly to Europe first and then train it all the way back to the UK. Although I will plan a rough outlined route, I will not limit myself to this and will endeavor to be as open on my routes as possible. I will just need a little guideline to follow so I don’t get myself to a dead end where I wouldn’t be able to move forward on to my objective and undesirably backtrack wasting valuable money and time.

I have no current planned date for this trip but will probably be in the latter months of 2023, making sure that all aspects such finance, health and world safety are in good order. I will initially travel solo however I intend to meet friends and family along the way to join in certain sections of the trip, furthermore I am open to join other travelers routes if invited and likewise be joined for part of my venture if suitable with my onward journey along my circuit, not going backwards. Flights will mainly be used especially from one country to another but I shall take train, coaches and boats to venture domestically within a country, I will not hitch hike. Hostels and Long term lodges will be my main form of accommodation but all-inclusive tours like G-adventures, Contiki and other alike will be utilized at times and I would not exclude the odd resorts and hotels for a little treat from time to time. I’m not very keen in renting cars on my trips especially if I am alone, however if it is something that would make a location easier to explore I will be open to that option.

The Route

Below I have outlined the route which I might take, however as stated earlier I will not firmly stick to a planned itinerary and will be open to take other routes if it is easier, cheaper and more desirable.

• London, United Kingdom

  My home and my start location.

• Johannesburg, South Africa

  The first location of my trip and I thought to start it off with a G-Adventures tour as it would be easiest to time it. I might do a short safari tour venturing into neighboring countries such as Botswana and Zimbabwe but will eventually return to Johannesburg as its best connected to my next destination.

• Male, Maldives or Port Louis, Mauritius

  After I hope to do a stint in an island nation, most probably Maldives or Mauritius. I won’t be doing the high end resorts but hope to rent a lodge by the beach and experience the local life. This is a location I would probably want friends or family to join me.

• Doha, Qatar

  Qatar will be an important transit point for me. I don’t think I would stay here long. A place where I will probably book a hotel to recharge ready for my next location.

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  or
  Manila, The Philippines

  Malaysia may be a place I could give my wallet a bit of a breather. I will either stay in the city, go to a beach or to a rural area and experience a very simple life.
  
  Likewise the Philippines, the motherland and my home away from home could be used as a stopping point to meet the family and keep costs down as I own an apartment there keeping saving on accommodation costs. I am also able to go to the countryside where I again have access to family homes. As im frequently in the Philippines it won’t be much of a new experience but may be able to venture into new islands.

• Auckland, New Zealand
  or
  Sydney, Australia

  From Asia, I might head down to New Zealand or Australia rather than heading straight to Fiji.
  If New Zealand I would land in Auckland and make my way down to Wellington where I would depart the country. This country may prove to be one of the more expensive locations of this trip so a long stay might not be on the cards.

• Nadi, Fiji

  Fiji is another islands nation that I might try a local life, renting a lodge and living cheaply rather than resorts. However I have heard that Fiji can be a little dangerous so if that is the case then I might get myself into a hostel maybe rent a car and drive around the island.

• Los Angeles or San Fransisco, USA

  The American west coast will be my entry point back to the west. I have been told that a vehicle would be most advisable as places are very far apart.

• San Jose, Costa Rica
  or Sanitiago, Chile

  …and so we get to the back end of this adventure and I might decide do more experiences going into the jungles or just use this time for a more luxury retreat before I head back to Europe and ultimately back to London. I could decide to go to the Carribean instead, it all depends on how much the bank has at this time.

• Madrid, Spain

  If my energy, time and money are still available, then I might decide to cross the Atlantic into southern Europe first and then make my way up to London by train as a closing lap for this experience. I shall fly into Madrid stay a night or two maybe pass by Andorra, then make my way to France and then eventually back to London.

• London, United Kingdom

  Back at home where I shall leave about one week before I head back to work.

Message for Friends and Family

If you are looking for a bit of an adventure next year and haven’t got anything planned yet, please do not hesitate to join me at any point of the trip, it would be so awesome to see many familiar faces along the way.
Dont hesitate to message or call me and let’s make a plan.

Conclusion

So there it is…
My ultimate dream within reaching distance of making it a reality. Ive notified my intentions at work, saved up enough money and done all the ground work to make this trip happen. All that needs to happen now is save more money, research a bit more, apply for my visas and the rest is out of my hands.
Please do not hesitate to give me any pointers which may assist me on this journey.

Categories: Around the World, Blog, itinerary