Jeff's Around the World Started traveling July 2012 - plan to be on the road until May 2013.

About jhanks24

Top of Germany - Zugspitsche

Retired (at least for now) My goal - to travel around and simply enjoy myself for a year.  I started by being an International Volunteer in Tanzania - teaching English to kids. It was a fantastic experience. Loved Africa and being near Moshi - with Kilimanjaro looming over you everyday - makes you realize how tiny you are in the world. Moshi was a great place to start my journey  - working with kids refreshes the soul, being able to go on Safari makes you a kid again. (July-August 2012)

Then - took off and went to Europe for 38 days. To do the trip I never did as a kid....go backpack through Europe. My main goal was to re-trace much of my parents trips in 1968-69 when my dad was stationed in Germany and my parents lived together in Augsburg and traveled a lot.  My father passed away while I was in Africa - I wanted to take his ashes back to many places he enjoined when he was stationed in Germany.  As a kid - I remember all the pictures I saw of mom and dad in Amsterdam, in Brussels, at Neuschwenstein...I want to see those places with my own eyes.  It took me almost 35 years to re-visit those place my parents had such fond memories of.  I stayed at hostels most of the way - no itinerary.  Started in Amsterdam...worked my way to Italy and back home.  Great trip. Learned a lot. Very eye-opening.

Now - 2 weeks from today - I'm headed to SE Asia. Never been - first time.  I will stay through April 16th.  So I have a good 2 months to run around.  Thailand, hopefully Cambodia and Angkor Wat. Vietnam. Maybe Indonesia and Bali  (Jan 24th-April 16th)