"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step" - Lao Tzu

So it begins....at the end of March I will heading out to start a solo trip, lasting 21 weeks where I am looking to visit between 8 and 10 countries around Asia.

First stop, Nepal where I'll be heading into the Himalayas on the Everest and Annapurna Base Camp treks. I think its something like 200 miles of trekking at elevation ranging from 12-18,000 feet (to put that in perspective, the highest peak in Colorado just cracks 14k). Though I'll be there during climbing season, I won't be tempting my fate at any of the peaks, but rather will be sticking to the well beaten paths, with the aid of a sherpa guide, heading to the base camps of the tallest mountains in the world.

From there its off to SE Asia, and thats where any plans that my trip may seem to have go out the window. I'll be heading "where the wind blows me", but will hopefully make it around Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. My big sis will hopefully be meeting me to hop around Cambodia for a couple weeks in between my stops to the famous beaches and jungles south of Bangkok.

Since my route in SE Asia is probably going to be heading away from the monsoon the entire time, I'll then be heading back up to Bangladesh.....because, who doesn't like a little rain in their vacation? Or its because I'm heading that way to see Kate who'll be teaching there for the next 18 months. My goal is to relax and recoup from the constant traveling that I'll be doing around SE Asia since this will be the only stop where I'll be in one place (Chittagong) for more than a few days. My days will hopefully be filled with volunteering at the school where Kate will be teaching and splashing in every puddle I can find with local kids, and I'm sure there will be plenty.

Finally I'm heading to Japan for the bullet trains, sumo wrestling, temples/shrines, sushi, and of course authentic wasabi (which apparently only exists in Japan, who knew?)

So thats going to be my life for the next 5 months, and as Kenny Chesney says...."I've never wanted nothing more"