The beginning...

SEVENOAKS, KENT, UK - 29th September 2009

When I suggested creating a blog to chronicle my travels around the world, I did so expecting it to be shot down like a Jack Weavis chat up line, and receive a similar level of abuse in the process. As it turned out, however, the suggestion generated an altogether startling level of interest (almost certainly feigned, but startling nonetheless), and there seemed like no better time to get it going than at 25 past midnight... 6 hours before I depart sunny Sevenoaks.

Choosing the name for this blog gave me a surprising appreciation for the dilemma that must face parents when it comes to naming their kids. Once you've chosen, that's it - it's final, irreversible, and if you regret it later then its tough shit for you. The reality is that naming a blog is worse - as I've discovered over the last few years, kids' names have a get-out clause allowing parents to pull a fast one - if their first name sucks 2 years down the line then just call your kid by its middle, "backup" name and claim you always intended on doing so. Sadly, indeed tragically, the same doesn't apply to blogs. You type the captcha, click CREATE, and it's game over.

Thankfully, I managed to think of something that is both HILARIOUS and CLEVER, and will DEFINITELY continue to be so for the next 7 months. Slash, I typed the first thing I thought of that didn't sound like the Lonely Planet Mark II. Either way.

Aside from blog-name-choosing-based over-excitement, it has actually been a remarkably chilled day - all things considered. Most stuff was packed at ready by mid-afternoon, and aside from an hour-long scare where I convinced myself that I'd left my digital camera in Knole Park last weekend (it turned out to be in a box in my room), there was minimal stress. There was even time for another vintage episode of Pointless with the Judd guys still left in Kent, and the infinitely pleasurable experience of watching a "woeful Liverpool" get dominated by an Italian side who'd struggle to make the Top 6 in the Premiership.

But that's that for England - M25 traffic and Terminal 5 baggage handling permitting, 7 months of travel begin here. I guess the idea is that I post something here whenever I have something worthwhile to say - whenever that may be. I'd like to think I'm gonna have all sorts of interesting insights to share with the world, but realistically I'll probably just end up posting lots of internet links instead. But hopefully a few people will go out on a limb and provide some useful comments... if for nothing else but to keep me interested.

For now though, its time I got some sleep before my 6.20am departure to Heathrow T5. Next stop - Mumbai, India.

The DAILY ROD's Top Travel Tips:
#1 - Make sure your iPod is loaded with every song you're going to want - it's all you'll be hearing for a long time.