South East Asia

I haven't blogged for a while, working full time as a designer affords little time to go out and experience things that are actually worth sharing with the wider population. Fear not however as I have taken a not-so giant leap into the unknown and booked some flights to South East Asia. 

I plan on touring the region for a mere four months and would like to revive my dusty blog to share with you my (hopefully) interesting experiences. 

I have a rough itinerary which will take me through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, where I will have a trusty Lonely Planet guidebook to attend to my needs. I will be staying in hostels as I want to meet all sorts of interesting people. 

Like many people, I have wrote and re-written a kit list multiple times, but this seems to be an ever-changing thing and I haven't been too strict with it. After all, you can get pretty much everything that you need for a fraction of the price out there and anything that you do not need, can be easily sent back home!

I cannot offer any advice yet on what to take but here is a rough list (subject to change) of what I am taking:

• First aid kit (plasters, antiseptic wipes, Paracetemol, Ibuprofen, rehydration sachets, diarrhoea tablets)
• Sun cream
• Contraceptives
• Wash kit
• Insect repellent (all containing DEET)
• 1 pair of trail running shoes
• 1 pair of flip flops
• DSLR with additional memory cards, battery and CPL Filter
• A5 notepad with 2 pens
• Travel towel
• Cotton sleeping bag liner
• Mosquito net
• Passport
• Money (cash, cashcard & credit card)
• Money belt
• Flight details
• Additional passport photo's for visas
• 5 pairs of pants
• 3 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 1 hooded jumper
• 2 vests
• 1 pair of linen trousers
• 2 t-shirts
• Phone
• Chargers (Phone, DSLR, Adapter Plug)
• daybag (cheap backpack from Topman)
• Selection of dry-bags to categorise items in bag
• 35-45l bag
• 2 Coded padlocks
• Torch (I don't want to be the git who turns the light on when everybody else is sleeping in the hostel)

This seems like a lot and I will probably cut this down after I have actually packed to keep it very minimal and light. 

Anyways, I'm going to re-pack and make sure that I have everything that I need, I will keep you posted once I have access to a computer when I am out there!

LEJOG

I've just finished a Lands End to John O'Groats Charity Ride. it has taken 9 days and now i'm shattered, after Graduation on Friday i shall be off on holiday for two weeks, I hope to continue working on various pieces of work over the summer.

One of the B&B's that i stayed in on my charity ride made use of an old Victorian era servant bell system. it linked every room in the building to one room in the house using copper wiring. I thought that this was a fantastically nostalgic look back at a practical inter-space communication system. i have been inspired to recreate something similar!

Finished My Degree

Yesterday was results day, i'm excited to inform everyone that I have finished my degree with 1st Class Honours. I am excited to begin life as a professional artist and have lots of projects that i'm itching to get on with!  for now though i have to prepare for a charity bike ride across the length of the UK! I plan to get straight back into the thick of things soon after!