Today is the day! I'm ready to start my adventure in the big wide world, travelling solo for three months through South East Asia. As I prepare myself for the journey to the airport I can no longer say I'm nervous. I am filled with anticipation and excitement at what this trip will bring, the new friends I'll make and how much I will change and grow as an individual.

As I jump into the car the first song I hear on the radio is Aerials by System of a Down.

"We lose ourselves but we find it all. When you lose small mind you free your life"

The lyrics seemed oddly fitting. I was off to lose myself in foreign countries, in the hopes that I would find myself in the process.

Despite my excitement the drive to the airport was a sombre one. It had suddenly hit me that I was about to leave my fiance for 3 whole months. Some of that time I would be completely out of contact.

Having opted to come travelling for three months with nothing but a 28L dufflebag and a small cross body day bag, I was definitely out of place in the check in line.

At the airport Sean and I spent some time in a bar and had a couple of ciders while chatting about life and my upcoming adventure. Eventually it was time for me to say good bye. I didn't want to.
I never thought it would be this hard to say goodbye to someone. I have never had any issues nicking off to far away places before. But this was different. I had the urge to just turn around and go back home. This is booked. This is happening. I'm locked in. I have to do this.
For the first time ever I had to fight back tears at the departure gate.

Life will be different when I get back.

Flying with Royal Brunei Airlines. I had managed to get a steal of a deal getting return flights from Ho Chi Minh for only $550. For the first time ever I think I am thankful that I have a dry flight. I decide that arriving in Ho Chi Minh after drinking on the plane probably wouldn't have been the best idea.

My flight from Brunei to Ho Chi Minh had been delayed so I arrived later than intended. Getting through immigration at the airport took so, so long. Definitely thankful for my little carryon bag now, it saved so much time.

Walking out into Ho Chi Minh I was greeted by the humidity of the city and the smell of stale cigarette smoke. My driver seemed to be in a bit of a rush, I nearly lost him in the run to the car.

I am glad I flew during the day and arrived at night. Ho Chi Minh by night was beautiful. The main streets were decorated with amazing lights that made the streets sparkle.

Arrived at my hotel: Saigon Royal Hotel.
It is nothing like the photos on the main website, and they have completed some renovations in the lobby to create a tour desk. The rooms are comfortable though and that's all I can ask for.

Once checked in I end up being boring, simply checking in back home to let everyone know I arrived safely and then heading to bed.