Legacy

What were you born for??

In this cruel world of suffering and refugees and homeless people and war and taxes and divorce and hatred and PMS and Trump you can’t help but wonder why it is you turned up on this here planet… right?

I mean, whether we like it or not, we’re adding to the problems. 

We’re simply another mouth to feed. Some more footprints of carbon. 

We’re the ones having bad days and mood swings and frustrations. We’re the ones cursing the check-out counters for the back log of elderly people taking an hour to buy half a litre of milk. 

We’re either the bosses other people hate or we’re the ones spreading hate by bad-mouthing our bosses.

But what are you living for?? Why are you here?

We all won the sperm race. We’re all alive today. 

We forget that there may be a reason for that.

It’s easy to simply exist: eat, sleep, work, facebook, repeat. 

It’s easy to hang out with this or that sort of person. It’s easy to relax in your comfort zone. It’s easy to simply be. 

But is that living??

In staunch contrast to the gawking beauties of the islands of New Zealand, I’ve seen more pain and hardship than I have in a long time. I’ve been more confronted with death and pain and suffering than I’d like. It’s bought me a few tears and break downs; but it’s also bought me back to life.

Sometimes we get so caught up in comparing ourselves and our abilities with others. It’s easy to think that we’re not good enough or that our lives are meaningless. 

We’re selfish, but often self-loathing. 

We’re rich in so many things, but we all call ourselves broke. 

We’re too scared to give for fear that we won’t have enough. 

We’re all too scared to try things, just in case we fail.

But if you have legs; go places. 

If you have eyes; fill them with beauty. 

If you have a voice; sing, laugh and yell for joy. 

If you have friends and family; hug them often. 

If you have dreams; chase them.  

If you have life; make the most of it.

One day we’re all going to die. The question is, what legacy are you going to leave behind??

Ted Talks

Well, it's about time Adeena finally let me say something! Jeepers!! - I get lugged around the freaking planet for four and a half years and dragged through all sorts of shit being tied to bicycles and motorbikes and yachts and then she goes and shares her side of the near death experience (because lets be honest, every adventure has a near death experience) seeing some positive light and being all optimistic about our failed suicide attempts that I tried to talk her out of... what the flip?

Central Coast, Australia

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Somewhere, Vietnam

Martinique

Colon, Panama

No, I think the only reason she keeps me around is because nobody else is stupid enough to venture out with her. Don't get me wrong, she really is a lovely girl; but she's clearly flipping unlucky, or got terrible karma, or something!
I mean, how many people do you know who have been shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island, been attacked by both dogs and pirates, fallen into a volcano, had far too close for comfort unplanned encounters with sharks and lions and komodo dragons and molestorisers and a leopard and cassowaries, been involved in 8 motorbike and 9 bicycle crashes, lost their rigging and got stuck at sea for months...!? The answer I'm sure you'll agree is one: Adeena.
Actually, I'll be honest - the only reason I stick around is because I can't run away - my legs are stuffed!

You don't have to look hard to see how I've deteriorated over the years

No, I really don't get it! She's on this big mission to flightlessly travel from Australia to Spain and after 5 years and a month, she's 3944 km further away than she was when she started.
Yes, okay I'll give her credit - she's gotten close - she's dragged me through some 27 countries and we've been around the world once, but how do you just miss Spain? It's right in the middle!

And don't even get me started on accommodation!
Adeena's happy to sleep in a cave or on a beach, or in a weed plantation, or a cinema, or restaurant, or on a strangers floor - but that's only because I'm her freaking pillow. Give me a night at the Hilton for once?? Although they probably won't let her in - she doesn't have shoes.

A bar in Malaysia

On a stranger's floor in Lankawi when she lost me for 3 days.

This is not okay!

Yes this looks like an ideal setting, but after the sun disappeared, this transformed into a bed for the night.

Adeena's definition of luxury accommodation: camping

Yes she got me my own passport - but I know they're thinking it every time I walk through border control- "Wonder what he's laced with?" - Right? No normal grown up carries a teddy my size with them unless they're up to no good. Do you know what it's like to be scanned and dogged and constantly probed by weird men and hairy ladies in uniforms?
And on that note too - it's thanks to her that I've had so many run ins with the law and it's upholders.

Orange isn't even my colour!

Okay, it's not all bad.
I've seen and experienced some amazing things that most people can only dream of.
And being the cute furry co-gypsy has some perks

I'm not normally into men, but I'll tolerate this kind of thing

No, it's a hard life being the side-kick; but Adeena promises that this year will be different!
It's only January and she has already locked in 2 flights (which is a lot for someone who doesn't fly), a bicycle tour, a family reunion, and a shower.
She's even talking about finishing both her circumnavigation and this crazy mission to Spain.
It might actually be a good year.
No, stuff that, it's going to be freaking fantastic! 

When Even the Gypsies Settle

gypsy

ˈdʒɪpsi/

noun

1. 1.

   a member of a travelling people with dark skin and hair, traditionally living by itinerant trade and fortune telling. Gypsies speak a language (Romany) that is related to Hindi and are believed to have originated in South Asia.

   synonyms:

   Romany, Rom, chal, chai, gitano, gitana, tzigane, Zingaro, Zigeuner, zingana, didicoi; More

2. 2.

   informal

   a nomadic or free-spirited person.

   "why should she choose to wander the world with a penniless gypsy like me?"

   synonyms:

   Romany, Rom, chal, chai, gitano, gitana, tzigane, Zingaro, Zigeuner, zingana, didicoi; More

So why did I spend so much time in Port Stephens??? 

- you ask.

That's why!