I booked 5days diving with Suba Junkie spending a little extra to stay in their resort on Mabul island to avoid the long boat transfers to and from the island each day. I spent the first couple of days completing my advanced open water course, gaining more experience under guidance practicing buoyancy and navigation techniques, drift diving and a 30m deep dive. This prepared me for diving Sipadan one of the greatest dive sites in the world. Sipadan barrier reef ...

Before heading back to Kota Kinabalu I headed 25km north of Sandakan, to Sepilok which is home to an inspiring world-famous centre where orphaned and injured orangutans are welcomed for rehabilitation before returning them to forest life. There is an outdoor nursery, just minutes' walk from the feeding platforms, where abandoned toddlers are taught the building blocks they'll need to keep them alive back in the wild. I would definitely recommend a visit to the ce...

Arriving into Kota Kinabalu on my own was a little daunting at first. However it couldn't have been easier, everyone in Malaysia speaks good English and are willing to help you find you way. I was hoping that while I was in Kota Kinabalu to be able to continue my travel traditions and climb Mt Kinabalu but unfortunately due to an earthquake earlier in the year the peak is closed whilst they reconstruct the path until December which would have meant waiting arou...

Ben and I had an incredible two weeks in Thailand; exploring the south east islands Koh Samui and Koh Tao. We hired scooter (the most common form of transport here in Thailand) to get around the islands and of course I left the driving in Ben's capable hands! This definitely gave is a cultural insight into the daily life of the locals. On Koh Tao we stayed in an excellent villa slightly out of the main town with a breathtaking view, owned by Alan and Heidi at K...

After years of planning, saving and with all my Christmas presents wrapped I cant believe the time has come to say goodbye to my family and friends to set off on my adventure. I would like to thank everyone close to me for all their support, helping me to make this trip possible. Those of you who know me well, will not believe that my bag weighs only 13kg - surely there is something I have forgotten! Over the next 8 months I will visit South East Asia, Australia...