Never say never, again.

30 September 2012

James Bond said it before, never say never. As told you earlier I wouldn’t be back in the Southern Hemisphere for quite some time, well, things have changed… I’ll be back for Christmas.

So, WTF I hear you say ? Well, there is no other word for it, I’m broke. I’ve got about a grand or two left, to finish the year, then all bank accounts will be drained, to the last penny. I need to work. So I gave it a lot of thought, along with Claire, and we came up with the same answer: back to Australia.

There was the New Caledonia option, where my consulting business is legally still open, and I still have working rights, but, the main nickel mine and therefore my main source of income is shut down due to a chemical spill, and won’t reopen before quite some time. Plus I kinda “sold” my clients to my ex-partners, eNova. So that option is not really viable.

There also was the option of going to Europe and get some work there, after all, I am still Belgian aren’t I? But the wages are pretty low in EU, and the chance of finding a job are close to none.

And then, Claire is in Perth, so where else would I go?

So that’s that. That’s the plan. After Cambodia and Laos in the next two months, Julie will fly back to Brussels early December, and I will fly to Perth. Hopefully by then Claire will have found a job, and I can re-apply for a work visa. Sponsored or non-sponsored, we’ll see. This will give us one whole year to refill the bank accounts, re-plan the journey based on our past experience, re-arrange the car as well with a rooftop tent and more storage inside, etc etc. Plus give Claire the chance to be more a part of the journey than simply accompany me on “my” journey. After a year, we’ll start again, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, etc, as planned. Or China, or I don’t know. I’ll let you know when we’ve decided.

What about the car then/ Well that’s the million dollar question. I need to find a place in either Thailand or Malaysia to store it for one whole year. Either a friend, or a friend’s friend, or I don’t know. This is where I need you now, let me hear your suggestions. Do you know anyone in South East Asia where I can park Troopy for twelve months ?

The Long Way Home, volume One, will end in December 2012, Volume Two will start in January 2014. Between the two, it’s not the end, just a pause.

But for now, let’s enjoy Cambodia and Laos, shall we ?