Launching 2012 Eat, Write, Eat (and Kiss) Tour 2012

Distance Traveled:   2600 kms (BNE-MEL-SYD)

Flags Collected:   0
Time Difference: +1 hours (from Brisbane)

Soundtrack:   Slash Self Titled, Them Crooked Vultures Self Titled, Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie

Currently Inspired by:   Henry David Thoreau.  Particularly "A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting."

Stacks:   A couple of trips in a shopping centre, followed by nearly knocking over the table at Red Lantern.  Nothing too serious, and no bruises yet!

Words written:    Zero of any significance 

'Tis the day before I leave for Thailand.  The tour kicked off with four days of fun and frivolity in Lady Melbourne with the always delectable Ms Amanda Roberts and terminally adorable Mr Tim Carolan, followed by two days of culinary feasting in Sydney with the strange and wonderful Mr Daniel Radman.  Next update will be from Thailand in a couple of weeks, providing I can get there and stay there, with the flooding that is going on!

Someone recently referred to what I was doing on this trip as an "early life crisis".  Initially I had some problems with that description - three to be precise - however when thinking about crisis in its original use as "a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point", it actually seemed quite applicable.  And the 'early life' part?  I suppose I can live with that.  Magnanimous, no?

I feel there should be some pomp and ceremony for the official "launch" of this tour so, here goes:  I hereby declare the Eat, Write, Eat (and Kiss) Tour of 2012, officially open. *smashes bottle of champagne on something* 

I will be sending out group emails such as the one you probably just received, with links to these latest blogs and favourite photos.  The remainder of my photo albums will be posted on facebook for any of my fb friends to see.  If you don't have facebook, then too bad I'm afraid!  That's where they'll be.  If you do have facebook but are not my friend on it, then why are you reading this message right now?  Shoo! ;)  Seriously, add me if you haven't already.  I will have a different album for each city, but I will also have my side projects.  Anyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am with food.  I have started a food album on facebook and will be showcasing awesome dishes from all over the world!  Also, I am attempting to get photos of myself kissing or being kissed by 500 people in the year I'm away.  This album is rather prosaically titled "500 Kisses".

Those forward thinking individuals with Skype who shall from now on be referred to "my travel buddies", I shall be speaking with you soon either via video or via IM.  Again, if you have Skype but we are not each others' contacts on it, add me: natalieo78.  It is how I will be doing the lion's share of my communicating over the next 12 months.

Of course you can still email me at natalieo78@hotmail.com and use my current mobile 0406 125 830 which is really just for receiving texts.  It is unlikely I will ever answer it if it rings unless we have arranged something beforehand, and if I don't need to respond right away then I'll probably reply via email.  However, feel free to send important info, freak out messages about tsunamis, political demonstrations etc. If I end up buying sim cards in countries I am staying in for a while, I will advise of those numbers.  However I don't know how often I will be bothered with this.  

Don't be afraid to email me the excruciatingly boring details of every day life back home.  I love that stuff! Not joking.

Below is my itinerary. Come and visit me in:

11 Oct 11
Sydney - Bangkok - Phuket


19 Oct 11
Phuket - Bangkok

Random travel through Thailand

5 Nov 11
Bangkok - Phnom Penh

Tour and random travel through Cambodia


Approx 24 Nov 11
TRAIN Phnom Penh - Hanoi

Random travel through Vietnam

23 Dec 11
Hanoi - Bangkok - London


2 Jan 12
London - Marrakech


Random travel through Morocco


1 Mar 12
Marrakech - London


11 Apr 12
London - Munich - Budapest


Two weeks through Budapest, Prague, Croatia
Two months in Italy


29 Jun 12
Rome - Toronto - Portland

10 Jul 12
Portland - NYC


Approx 25 Sep 12 (Depending on money / visa / success of publishing!)
NYC - LA - Auckland - Sydney - Brisbane


*LOVE*
N