A Manifesto For Our Travels We are NOT selling our house and everything in it By the end of September 2014 , we had packed up, sold, stored or donated most of our possessions. It felt great to simplify, downsize and decide what was really important to us. A bit like the question, if your house was on fire what would you grab? Interestingly, after a lifetime of a ‘professional’ working life, Liz reduced her clothes to one plastic tub. Con sold off his ‘other’ bikes - the ‘Finke Desert Race’ KTM and his occasionally used Aprilia track bike. His 1973 immaculately restored Kawasaki 900 was spared and placed into special storage. He consolidated his other projects into a shipping container and a trailer. Pretty soon we were gleefully homeless, jobless and relieved of our superfluous stuff. But we were off on a very long lap, From Drouin to unknown destinations,. Australia to SE Asia, Central Asia to The Middle East and Europe. London was the destination. Why Roostersoverland? When we met one of the first things we found out about each other is that we were both born in the same Chinese year; yes we are both roosters. Roosters love laps of honour! Hence the title Roostersoverland was born. If you know anything about people who are Roosters under the Chinese Zodiac, then everything about our travels makes sense. The Journey The journey began as a Melbourne to London, 12 month overland trip. Time out. A break from normality…to be returned to. Twelve months later, 12 countries later and 37000 km later we have still got a lot of the world to see. We have a life and is there a life to return to? For Con, the destination is still London. Liz is just happy exploring cultures and connecting with other people, promoting religious and cultural tolerance. “I love the fact that so many people from all over the world can connect on my facebook site.” Any seasoned nomad knows the foolishness of setting a destination! It has also become a journey within ourselves. We have questioned what it is we wish to return to? • Cluttered lives of consumerism and adding to the world’s environmental woes. • More stuff • Routines – roosters don’t like routines • A life where sunsets and shooting stars are shut outside. • Did I mention STUFF? Our little list of lessons along the way: You create the world you live in. Unless proven otherwise, approach everyone as if they are well meaning and good. You will not be disappointed, anywhere in any country, by any religion or culture. People around the world just want to live their lives, free from poverty, war and political interference. The media is responsible for perpetuating much of the cultural and religious misunderstandings in the world. Australian media is very parochial. Australia is a very, very lucky country! There is such a thing as ‘Travel Fatigue.” 21st Century travel is very different to 20th Century travel. So what now? This trip has become a chance to explore options. No job, no house I can go anywhere! And the motorbike can go anywhere – on ferries, on ships, on planes and overland. I feel so privileged to be able to really explore my passions; writing and photography. After 12 months of travel we still had a ways to go to London. Xmas was looming and I realized I really missed my family, especially my two sons. So it became a race to reach Dubai in time to leave our trusty DRs and to fly ‘home’ for some family time and also to restore the coffers with some seasonal work. Nothing like a trip home to Australia to test our mettle. This adventurous life is great, but family is where the heart is! Anyhow, we do plan to take off again and wave goodbye to our families. But we will be back, getting ready for our next adventure whatever that may be. We both are now looking past this trip to what next. But first, we must get to London! A Manifesto For Our Travels We are NOT selling our house and everything in it By the end of September 2014 , we had packed up, sold, stored or donated most of our possessions. It felt great to simplify, downsize and decide what was really important to us. A bit like the question, if your house was on fire what would you grab? Interestingly, after a lifetime of a ‘professional’ working life, Liz reduced her clothes to one plastic tub. Con sold off his ‘other’ bikes - the ‘Finke Desert Race’ KTM and his occasionally used Aprilia track bike. His 1973 immaculately restored Kawasaki 900 was spared and placed into special storage. He consolidated his other projects into a shipping container and a trailer. Pretty soon we were gleefully homeless, jobless and relieved of our superfluous stuff. But we were off on a very long lap, From Drouin to unknown destinations,. Australia to SE Asia, Central Asia to The Middle East and Europe. London was the destination. Why Roostersoverland? When we met one of the first things we found out about each other is that we were both born in the same Chinese year; yes we are both roosters. Roosters love laps of honour! Hence the title Roostersoverland was born. If you know anything about people who are Roosters under the Chinese Zodiac, then everything about our travels makes sense. The Journey The journey began as a Melbourne to London, 12 month overland trip. Time out. A break from normality…to be returned to. Twelve months later, 12 countries later and 37000 km later we have still got a lot of the world to see. We have a life and is there a life to return to? For Con, the destination is still London. Liz is just happy exploring cultures and connecting with other people, promoting religious and cultural tolerance. “I love the fact that so many people from all over the world can connect on my facebook site.” Any seasoned nomad knows the foolishness of setting a destination! It has also become a journey within ourselves. We have questioned what it is we wish to return to? • Cluttered lives of consumerism and adding to the world’s environmental woes. • More stuff • Routines – roosters don’t like routines • A life where sunsets and shooting stars are shut outside. • Did I mention STUFF? Our little list of lessons along the way: You create the world you live in. Unless proven otherwise, approach everyone as if they are well meaning and good. You will not be disappointed, anywhere in any country, by any religion or culture. People around the world just want to live their lives, free from poverty, war and political interference. The media is responsible for perpetuating much of the cultural and religious misunderstandings in the world. Australian media is very parochial. Australia is a very, very lucky country! There is such a thing as ‘Travel Fatigue.” 21st Century travel is very different to 20th Century travel. So what now? This trip has become a chance to explore options. No job, no house I can go anywhere! And the motorbike can go anywhere – on ferries, on ships, on planes and overland. I feel so privileged to be able to really explore my passions; writing and photography. After 12 months of travel we still had a ways to go to London. Xmas was looming and I realized I really missed my family, especially my two sons. So it became a race to reach Dubai in time to leave our trusty DRs and to fly ‘home’ for some family time and also to restore the coffers with some seasonal work. Nothing like a trip home to Australia to test our mettle. This adventurous life is great, but family is where the heart is! Anyhow, we do plan to take off again and wave goodbye to our families. But we will be back, getting ready for our next adventure whatever that may be. We both are now looking past this trip to what next. But first, we must get to London!