I am Thompson Boy

Current Location: Middle of Aegen Sea heading to Pireas Port, Greece So Santorini came and gone with just a blink of an eye. I don't really don't know what to say about the whole experience, there are plenty of highs and then some lows and I am still deciding if that place is worth the hype at all. Everyone I knew seemed to have something to say about that place - go this place, eat that, take this tour, don't forget to go to another island etc etc and not being cocky and all, I took none of it because most of it just cost me more money and more importantly time that I don't have in the Schengen area. I am trying to get out of Greece as soon as possible and even that I ended up wasting one day in traveling time. My next stop will be Albania and I can't wait to get back to normal prices even though I am still trying to figure out how I will be doing this since I don't have any Leks (Alabanian currency). Anyway enough about Albania already, going back to Thira...

Current Location: Middle of Aegen Sea heading to Santorini, Greece What can I say, it's amazing feeling to be on my way to visit one of the world's most popular island, Santorini that appeared in virtually almost every damn bucket and top 10/20/50 must see/visit/romantic/expensive list ever out there. The truth of the matter is that while you only see the sea-scapes and the blue top white street postcard perfect pictures, someone in the process somehow forgotten to mention that getting there is less than romantic. First thing first, you need to figure out your options between taking a ferry (cheaper) or flying over there. The former takes up to 8 hours depending on the speed and price. I went for the cheaper (€38 one way) but less rocky ferry even though the faster and faster here being just relative is still 5 hours. Won't even talk about flights because of the price during summer but that saves you tons of time, a mere hour. Being on budget and traveling long term...

Current Location: Athens, Greece My God, I am so behind updates that it is no longer funny. I took a really nice overnight bus from Istanbul to Goreme and you might not think much of Turkey's transportation but damn it's good - free tea/coffee with water and cake. There's entertainment, every seat fitted with a small monitor and free WiFi! The reason why I am so behind is that I had too much to do and met so many people and it was so much fun. I thought I could catch up with blogging in the sleepy town of Selcuk but boy was I wrong. Out again with people and I was so sorry to leave. Right now I am writing this on a top bunk bed in the centre of Athens and pretty worn out to be honest. Took a morning flight out from Selcuk and arrived here by late afternoon. I am a little sad to keep on parting ways with really nice people but that's just the way it is. It's my journey and no one else can really come with me. Ok, no more sad stories, back to Goreme - basically a to...

Current Location: Istanbul, Turkey So my first leg of 150 days in Europe has just started in Istanbul and truth to be told, it gets lonely at times and I am dying to talk to people. I mean I need to tell someone the marvels of the harem and the beautiful sites and not keep it to myself or pour everything on Facebook that can get annoying for people reading it at work. I mean if I were them, I would be like what is wrong with this person and what he has to complain, living his dream and all while others can't. The thing about hostels is that while it's great to meet people, you don't always hit it off with other travellers and especially those in a group. That's one thing good about going through it alone - you can't hide behind a group and more aware of your surrounding and desperation makes you reach for others. I am about to meet some local folks that I found on Couchsurfing so that should be interesting. Istanbul have been amazing from the start - no one told ...

Hi Jaime, You might not know me but I have been following your blog since it was featured on Mashable . My name is Daniel and today is my last day at work. I am 33 this year and will be going on my first long term trip to Europe and South America starting in July. This trip will take 6 months to a year. Two years ago when I first went to India. I was bitten by the travel bug and realised how amazing and how big the world is compared to my problems at home and I don’t think I will be happy if I die not seeing all these wonderful places that I see on TV all the time. I have been a Nat Geo freak since I was a kid, dreaming about places like the Amazons and Egypt and its beautiful pyramids (though this trip won’t take me to Egypt but I will be there, one day). I thought you should know that because of you , I took the first step nearly a year ago. I found the courage through your experiences and also after learning how much you have spent. The biggest misconception out there is ...

Tufts University announced they’ll pay students to take a gap year between high school and college because the experience makes them more motivated and worldly. You’re probably thinking: That’s awesome! I want to take a gap year to be motivated and worldly, too. But I’m not a recent high school grad. (Cue silent tears behind gray cubicle walls.) When you're established — or early — in your career, it can feel like the gap year ship has long since sailed. You're officially in the workforce, cursing your cousin’s wedding for eating into your two weeks of vacation. But no matter where you are in your career, it’s never too late for a gap year .  Continue reading here...

If only there's less traffic but that's quite impossible considering that the world is overrun by people and kids and school holidays and such. #cameronhighlands

Backup my laptop at work with everything I worked on for the past 7 years. Another thing off the list. A few thousand more things to be completed. Credit: http://travelling-images.blogspot.com/2013/09/vintage-travel-poster.html

I am sure by now you would have seen some of your friends or friends of your friends holding this blue sign that reads: "You Should Be Here" etc, looking smug etc in their holiday pics and it's like what is it all about? Well, ladies and gentleman, let me introduce Dreamtrips by World Ventures - the latest thing that is sweeping through the country and the advertising community. I guess it's more rampant here because advertising people just want to spend and do everything fun and most of them could because marriage rates are pretty low. But let me get back to this scheme. It is without doubt MLM. It's not like MLM is a bad thing necessarily. Alot of direct selling and insurance etc one way or another are based on this model. You join as a member to get better deals/earn money or when you recruit someone, you earn something and your downliners will contribute to your earnings once they recruit or sold something. And so it continues. For most people, they just w...

How you do condense a life of numerous clothes, comfort, accessories and things for your face and hair and stuff? You know the drill. The answer is of course NOT by carrying a 100 litre bag. Even a 60+10 to me now looks and sounds absolutely mad. Disclaimer: I do own a 60+10 and it's heavy to death, top loading which is a hassle to look for things and not the most comfortable when you are lost trying to look for that hostel. I was mad enough to carry one when I was visiting Vientiane on a short half day trip before going back to the airport again to fly off to Luang Prabang. So back to my new bag - everyone thought I was mad to finally settle for 40 litre even though the 55 is extremely tempting with zip off daybag which is like value for money. But after reading the reviews on this baby, I am convinced that: 1. Front loading bags are the way to go 2. The smaller the better - yes esp for long journeys. If it's short then by all means carry all your shit. You will only suff...

It's been way overdue, but I was always curious about the exact amount spent. After all, those days I don't have tracking apps and wasn't so anal about every cents and dollars spent. So here goes. All based on the exchange rate a few years ago which was NZD1=RM2.5. Now should be RM2.7. Flights to Auckland via Emirates - RM3395 (could have done it slighty better for eg: cheap AirAsia flight to Melbourne and then connect to Auckland with Jetstar) Jetstar Airways Pty Lt Melbourne (flight from Christchurch to Auckland) - RM86.55 Jetstar Airways Pty Lt Melbourne (flight from Auckland to Queenstown) - RM559.83 Car Rental - RM273.18 Petrol Tekapo - RM36.90 Petrol Wanaka - RM28.57 TOTAL: RM4,380.03 Glacier Explorers - RM362.50 Queenstown Gondolo ride - RM67.50 Auckland Zoo entrance fee - RM62.50 MITRE PEAK CRUISES MILFORD SOUNDNZ - RM204.84 TOTAL: RM697.04 Absaloot Hostel - RM83.63 Te Anau Lakeview - RM76.27 JailHouse Hostel - RM91.57 Mt Cook Lodge - RM97.02 TO...

God, that's like really fast. Felt like I have not done alot of things and truth to be told there's a lot of things left to be done. 1. Mock packing - trying to do a few rounds of those to see what else is missing or what else is not needed. 2. Settle my bank account/finance - need to open a new account actually. Something I can do anytime. 3. Decided against an international driving license. Don't want to be bothered driving. 4. Still undecided on which pair of shoes and bag to take.....I know...I know.... 5. Settle the hostels at least for a few weeks ahead. 6. Cleaning up my space in office and home 7. Print some additional passport pictures 8. Backup my files and shit 9. Get more music And some other stuff. I am just being lazy and it's Friday and I am just too lazy.

It's not easy, hasn't been easy and still not easy for me to say no to beautiful clutches and bags. I am right now down to just 1) Balenciaga clutch - only because it doesn't have much resale value and the color and size is amazing for anything. It's also hardy meaning I can throw it around. 2) Coach clutch - Bigger size than Balenciaga, no logos and in a bright red with vertical stripes across. Probably wouldn't fetch much at resale but to buy a new one would cost me alot more. 3) Givenchy Pandora - I tried parting with this baby a few times without much success and truth to be told, it is a very versatile, unique and useful bag to own. Right now wished it was in any color than chestnut or almond (as it was called) I really want this because of its size and it's Céline for crying out loud. You don't need any reasons. But not buying it means I can see more of this and Italy