This entry is a bit of a departure from the other two - its kind of only about one thing: Two multiplied by ten plus one....Romeo D-, actually no, add seven, divide by four, then minus another four. THREE. (2x10+1+7/4-4=3)

We began this trip around the Asia-Pacific as a three, but we won't be ending it that way. That isn't due to any mad bust-ups we've had along the way, it has always been the plan - Traveller 1 was to meet up with her boyfriend in Thailand for a kind of holiday add-on for a few weeks, whilst traveller 2 and I continue backpacking around this wonderful region of South east Asia.

From three to two.

Two thirds of what we were.

66.6% left.

Etc.

Naturally, this change in the group physics has an effect.
Being always together with the same 2 people or person, being forever in a state of financial constraint, being fairly time restricted too - can be both a comfort to share with others and an irritant.

THE POSITIVES OF THREE

1. The triangle thing
We all learned it at school, or at least we did at my school, triangles are the strongest of all shapes - no one side puts excess stress on another and each corner does its equal share of supporting the shapes fundamental existance. We three, most naturally, form a triangle.

2. Decisions get made
A system of majority voting applies - we don't have even numbers so when we vote (most often at least), two people will vote one way and one person the other, making decision making fast and allowing us to crack on with it - whatever 'it' may be.

3. There's always someone to play advocate
If two of the group have a disagreement, drama or even a falling out, there's someone there, impartial, to mediate and help the other 2 get over it and be bestest buds once more.

4. Mix of personalities bring with them a mix of preferences & experiences
I openly acknowledge that a diverse set of people will possess different fortes and interests and honestly, I embrace this and understand that to go places we should celebrate and take advantage of such variety of the strengths we three ladies posses - something I love in being part of a travel 'team'.

5. Comfort
Spending so much time with one-another, you become accustomed to each others most intimate behaviour and it can be a real comfort to feel that someone knows you, your preferences and your usual reactions. Trends develop to keep the unit ticking along nicely & I imagine we become much like an odd little family.

THE, ERR, NOT-SO-POSITIVES OF THREE
1. The triangle thing
Lets be honest, triangles are kind of the awkward little shape that no-one wants to play with from the toy box. Whilst strong on our own, we three small & relatively unimposing women are rarely approached by other travellers, who are either put off or intimidated by us & instead seem to seek friendship from pairs or much larger groups. I reckon it's something in our number and also how each of us (particularly traveller 1) can come across as a bit clique-y or cold to new people.

2. Decisions get made
Votes are cast and decisions made and like the green party, if your views are out of favour with most, your opinions & ideas become redundant as they are again & again rejected by the group. If you're often in the minority, your vote is wasted and you find yourself forever having to go along with plans your heart isn't behind. It can suck.

3. There's always someone to play advocate
...or lawyer for the prosecution. When the 'peacemaker' has bias and their own vested interest in a matter, it can feel like a two versus one assault, rather than resolution making. Neither of your companions will see things from your point of view & more, they're actively trying to break you down. It's horrible. All three of us have been guilty of it.

4. A mix of personalities bring with them a mix of preferences & experiences
This is certainly true, but when your views and personalities clash in areas sensitive to one of the three, friction will undoubtedly occur. Discussions we've had about religion (namely traveller 2's Catholicism), fidelity, nationality and moral & educational values have sparked not just interesting debate, but occasional resentment and tears. Before departing on this trip and certainly during our closest university years, I'm sure we all considered our life experiences to be similar; coming away now though has highlighted just how different our lives have been and given us each a sometimes conflicting appreciation of the places we've been and are planning to go on to.

5. Comfort/trends develop
As well as an ease being around one-another, naturally (or otherwise), characters will emerge, in our case: 'leader', loyal subject & subversive element. Most often it's traveller 1, 2, then myself, respectively (in Aus, then 1 & 2 trading places in NZ), filling these roles. Normally we muddle along fine playing our parts, but occasionally the leader is dissatisfied with the kingdom, the subject want new laws implemented, or the subversive plot revolution. A bit dramatic perhaps, but no-one is satisfied in their position for long - sometimes, for example, it'd quite like just to fit in more often.

You see, the positives and the negatives align. Profound isn't it? Ha!

Tonight will be our last with Traveller 1 (&boyf) before we go our separate ways for good - hopefully meeting for dinner & drinks on one of the gulf islands. I'm so looking forward to it - it's only been just more than a week, but its strange how much both traveller 2 and I miss her. Much of the time when we were a three I yearned to be a 'one'. Now we are a two, I'm craving the familiarity of our 'three' once more. Sods law isn't it? Either that or I'm contrary and never bloody satisfied...
nb. The image is a drawing traveller 2 did in the sand of the three of us on south beach, Koh Phi Phi :-)