Alrite! I’m Shep, or Stuart Shepherd if you want to use my Sunday name! The United Kingdom has been my home for the past 27 years (yeah I’m getting on a bit!) but I’ve decided to leave the Island behind for 6 months and explore a bit.

This is me drinking a chiang in Thailand in 2005!

Unfortunately most of the globe has been ‘discovered’ these days, otherwise I would be lookin to claim myself new territory, like Captain Cook did in the 18th Century. I guess it’s a bit easier for me on one of these new fangled airplanes, complete with today’s modern technology of mobile phones, internet, and iPods. Also I won’t be borrowing one of her majesty’s ships like Cook did, nor will I have a crew with me – probably for the best as Cooks crew suffered a 43% fatality rate when he charted Australia and New Zealand – although medical practices have moved on somewhat!

There are lessons to be learnt from Cook – he upset the Hawaiians he encountered when he landed on their island by taking their King hostage and subsequently started a brawl that resulted in him being hit over the head with a club to death – always be nice to the locals!

I can see why Cook wanted to explore, maybe it’s the British nature or the fact that we’re an Island based nation – the world is a big place and I want to see what’s out there. Not that I haven’t travelled a bit before – I’ve visited a fair bit of Europe and have been to the USA and Thailand – but the little I’ve seen has made me want more! Thanks to people like Cook I can plan my trip and know a bit about where I’m going!

Some common questions I’ve been asked about my trip:

Why now?
We’ll I graduated from Uni in 2002 and was lucky enough to get on the graduate scheme at BT where I’ve been working in IT for the past 4 years. I’ve heard plenty of stories from friends who have travelled and have always fancied doing it, and upon visiting Thailand in 2005 I decided that I wanted to do some extended travelling. Basically I’ve few ties at the moment and I’ve built up enough financial resource to go and do it – now’s as good a time as any.

Why Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America?
Why not really? Asia to New Zealand is a standard backpacker route so should be easy enough on my own – plus I really enjoyed Thailand so fancy seeing what other parts of Asia are like. I’ve always wanted to see the Great Wall of China and when Tom said he would be in Beijing in early November that seemed as good a place as any to start. Australia and New Zealand have been on my ‘to do’ list for a while too. South America will probably be the hardest place to travel, but hopefully I’ll be well into the traveller vibe by then – plus the MonkeyBoy is flying out to meet me for 6 weeks so he can protect me!

Are you scared of going on your own?
I’m more apprehensive than scared, probably when I’m on the plane to China it will dawn on me I’m going on to the other side of the world on my own! But then I meet up with Tom after a few days in Bejing on my own and we plan to travel down to Thailand/Cambodia together for a few weeks. I meet Phil in Australia for New Year which should be great fun, and Carol, Mum and Katie are coming over to New Zealand to meet up with me there. Russ and I meet in Ecuador for a 6 week adventure in South America. In fact thinking about it some time to myself might be scarce! Apart from that I’ve heard there are plenty of people travelling solo and its easy to meet new people on the way.

What are you most looking forward to?
All of it?!?! Of course I’m looking forward to seeing some of the main tourist attractions on my route: The Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, Ayres Rock, Sydney Harbour, New Zealand’s scenery, Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, and the Copacabana. Apart from that I’d like to get a feel for some of the countries I’m visiting – meet the locals, use local transport, learn a bit of the language, eat weird and strange food, etc..

Why do you want to volunteer for conservation work on the Galapagos Islands and what are you going to be doing?
I work in IT and I enjoy it, but I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors. When I decided to take 6 months out to go travelling I thought it would be nice to spend a month somewhere doing something meaningful – so why not spend some time working in the great outdoors? I picked the Galapagos Islands as it sounds amazing! There is wildlife there that is unique to the Islands, and the landscape is very varied and spectacular – the islands helped inspire Charles Darwin so I’m sure I’ll get something out of the experience!

I’ll be helping out on a conservation project that aims to help preserve the natural habitat of the islands and introduce new organic farming methods to the islanders. Depending on the station’s needs, my conservation work on the Galapagos Islands may include helping plant new crops, assisting in light building activities, or helping maintain the trails around the island.

If you want full details of the project click here.

Are you quitting work?
No, I’ve been lucky enough to be granted a 6 months sabbatical, thanks BT – have I mentioned the quality services and great customer service they offer?!?! I return to work in May 2007.

Will you miss home?
Of course! I’m away for the British winter – cold, wet, icy conditions – I’ll miss it greatly when I’m in a nice hot climate on a beach somewhere! I’m going to miss all my friends and family – but I’m sure 6 months will fly by, I’ll be back before you know it! I’ll miss being able to watch Coventry City! Hopefully I’ll be back in time for the promotion party!

If you want to know more feel free to contact me or visit my photo gallery – maybe I’ll bump into you somewhere on my travels!