Legend:

• Blue Bubbles: Destinations or stop overs
• Green Bubbles: Been there, done that, and on our way.
• Red Lines: Flights
• Blue Lines: Local Bus
• Green Lines: Overland Tour
• Pink Lines: Road Trip, Car Rental
• Black Lines: Train
• Purple Lines: Boat
• Yellow Lines: Hiking

In July of 2019, Sharleen and I will take Alyssa and Kylie out of school and embark upon a one year exploration of our world by visiting 25 countries.    The question comes up: “Why?”  Here is our answer:

The deleterious rate of change is mind boggling.  Mass extinction, deforestation, climate change, habitat loss, ocean acidification, loss of cultures and language, and fresh water loss litter today’s news cycles.    Politicians and governments wrangle with what to do and how to do it. Meanwhile things continue to change.   For sure the world Alyssa and Kylie will enjoy later in their lives will be different than the world Sharleen and I enjoyed early in our lives.   We want them to see and experience the world before it changes too much.  We want them to experience cultural histories from local perspectives.  We want to see how other people and cultures are facing these problems, and more importantly, what they are doing about it.   We want them to experience life outside their fishbowl, and gain an appreciation and value the beauty of differences.  Also, the world is full innovation, amazing treasures, and wonders. We want them to learn from diverse cultures and show them a world worth fighting for.

Here we are lovin’ it!

The general plan is as follows:

Country	Dates	Destinations
Australia	7/6/2019	Sydney, Brisbane, Yeppon, Canonvale, Forest Beach, Cairns.
Indonesia	7/19/2019	Bali, The Flores Islands, Borabadur, Yogiyakarta
Malaysia	8/3/2019	Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Borneo	8/7/2019	Sandakan, Sukao, Kot Kinabalu, Mulu Caves, Miri
Brunei (1) (2)	8/16/2019	Bandar Seri Begawan
Hong Kong (1) (2) (3)	8/19/2019	Kowloon, Hong Kong Island
China	8/23/2019	Xin Hui, Fenghuang, Zhangjiajie National Park, Beijing, Zhangye, Chengdu, Kunming, Heikou
Vietnam	9/18/2019	Ta Van, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Ho Chi Minh,  My Tho, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Mekong Delta boat to Cambodia
Cambodia	10/18/2019	Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
Laos	10/29/2019	Luang Prabang – Pak Beng – Huay Xia
Thailand	11/6/2019	Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Khao Sok National Park, Ko Mook, Ko Jum, Ko Kradan
Singapore	12/5/2019	Gardens by the Bay, Botanical Gardens
Maldives	12/9/2019	Dhigurah, Dhangethi, Mahibadhoo
India	12/23/2019	New Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Bharatpur, Agra, Vrindervan
Nepal	1/1/2020	Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park, Nagarkot, Dulikhel
United Arab Emirates	1/15/2020	Dubai
Jordan	1/20/2020	Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Madaba
Egypt	1/31/2020	Cairo, Aswan, Luxor
Zimbabwe	2/10/2020	Imire Wildlife Conservation volunteer program
Zambia	2/17/2020	Victoria Falls, Zambezi River
Botswana	2/23/2020	11 day overland camping safari
South Africa	3/4/2020	Kruger, Cradle of Humankind
Brazil	3/8/2020	Sao Paulo, Rio de Janerio, Iguazu Falls
Chile	3/24/2020	bus to San Pedro de Atacama
Bolivia	3/28/2020	Salar de Uyuni, Oruro, La Paz
Peru	4/7/2020	Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Iquitos, Amazon River Cruise
Ecuador	5/4/2020	Galapagos