World Tour 2005: A Family Adventure
In 2005, after two long years of Tony working without a break and Joanne grieving the loss of her mother, we decided it was time to recharge our batteries. So, we packed our bags, grabbed the kids—Naomi, 14, and Hamish, 11—and set off on a three-month world tour that would forever fuel our family’s passion for travel. Here’s a snapshot of our unforgettable adventure!
First Stop: Hong Kong
We started our trip in the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. Enjoying the street markets combined with the tasty food, it made for an unforgettable start to our adventure. We took a memorable walk along the Dragon’s Back, a stunning trail offering panoramic views of the coastline and islands, and we caught up with an old friend from our London days, reminiscing and enjoying the city together.
Australia: The Land Down Under
After a week in Hong Kong, we jetted off to Australia, starting in Sydney. One of our first adventures was an eventful trip on a friend’s yacht, navigating the iconic harbour. We marvelled at the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge before venturing into the choppy Tasman Sea. The yacht was horizontal to the waves, resulting in some very queasy tummies!
From Sydney, we made our way up the East Coast. In Brisbane, we hired a camper van and set off for Port Douglas. Along the way, we stopped at Fraser Island and the Whitsunday Islands, where we dived into the Great Barrier Reef’s wonders. Viewing the reef from a helicopter was breathtaking.
Our camping experiences varied from basic to luxurious, with one campsite even boasting en-suite shower rooms! We navigated the red roads of the outback in a 4×4, facing a minor crisis when our car broke down in the middle of nowhere. Tony, ever the hero, managed to fix it, and we continued to Alice Springs, where we brought the luck of the Irish with us as the town experienced its first rain in seven years on the day we arrived.
We marvelled at the majesty of Uluru (Ayers Rock) seeing both amazing sunsets and sunrises. We trekked through Kings Canyon before heading to Melbourne where we caught up with an old school friend and enjoyed camping trips surrounded by kangaroos in Halls Gap.
After five weeks, we reluctantly left Australia but were excited for our next destination.
New Zealand: The Adventure Playground
In New Zealand, we hired another camper van to explore both the North and South Islands. This country was a playground of adventure sports. We went skiing, kayaking, white water rafting, and Naomi braved the original Hackett bungee jump! A very memorable moment was when we almost got stranded in Milford Sound. Hamish overheard a conversation in the toilets about a convoy leaving before avalanches hit. We joined the convoy and were the last van to escape before the area was cut off for a week!
Our three weeks in New Zealand flew by, filled with thrills and breathtaking landscapes. It was definitely a place we would be returning to.
USA: From Beaches to National Parks
From Christchurch, New Zealand, we flew to Los Angeles, crossing the international date line and living the same day twice. We had breakfast in New Zealand and ended the day cycling along Venice Beach—7000 miles away!
Our American leg of the tour was packed with excitement. In Vegas, we stayed at Circus Circus, enjoying a ride on the rollercoaster inside the hotel! We then drove to San Francisco for a fascinating trip to Alcatraz. Yosemite National Park was a highlight, with Tony nostalgically pointing out all his old climbing spots. We also marvelled at the engineering wonder of the Hoover Dam.
Homeward Bound
Our epic journey wrapped up with a flight back to London and then on to Dublin. This incredible trip not only recharged our batteries but also sparked a lifelong love of travel in Naomi and Hamish. From the vibrant streets of Hong Kong to the wild beauty of New Zealand and the iconic sights of the USA, every moment was a new adventure.
We hope our story inspires you to embark on your own travel adventures. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored and trust us—it’s worth every minute!
We’d love to hear about your travel adventures! Drop a comment below and share your favourite travel memories or your dream destinations.
Happy travels!
