Swimming to South Korea

Two years ago, I was midway through the application process to join the R.A.F as a physical training instructor, when I suddenly wondered what exactly I was doing.  At the time, I was working to earn enough money to travel and my first trip took me to Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.  Every second of that trip inspired and excited me, although the month that I spent in Thailand is probably the reason that I am now living and teaching in Asia.

Bangkok Streets


As it was Asia that set my pulse racing and my head spinning, I returned and found work knowing that as soon as I had saved enough money, I would be on a plane back, so that I could begin to explore more of this fascinating continent.  My next trip started back in Thailand which was the platform to travel further south, head out to the islands and then on to Malaysia before exploring Indonesia. 

Bangok City

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Toa


Travelling in Asia is almost impossible to describe in words or display in pictures simply because there is an energy and vibrance that cannot be captured - but it absolutely has to be experienced.
  On returning home, I realised that the energy I had experienced in Asia was nowhere to be found and so in hindsight, my application to join the forces was like accepting a sense of security - in essence the very antithesis of what makes travelling so spontaneous and wonderful.
I remember returning home one day from one of the final interviews, knowing that I was close to accepting a job and a life that I actually didn't even want. I went to bed that evening my mind juggling different ideas and trying on prospective jobs for size.  I was staying with my Grandparents at that time so dreaded trying to initiate a conversation which basically would amount to "Actually I don't think I want to join the R.A.F but what I really want to do is travel and teach around the world".  Both my grandparents have always been there for me without question or judgement, so it wasn't really a surprise that they were so supportive and encouraging and so this journey really began at their breakfast table, 63 Well Street, Torrington.


Finding a job was relatively straight forward even though I could find barely more than a sentence on the city - Yeosu, where I would be living. Still it mentioned 'stunning coastal scenery' and the picture they sent me looked breathtaking....

 ..so I went for it!!  To this day, I can't tell you why I chose South Korea ahead of China, Japan or Taiwan but for the first time in months something felt right. 
  What was to follow can only really be described as a frantic barricade of paperwork,documents, certificates and visas.  Even after numerous setbacks, I still somehow looked like I would be on schedule to arrive in Korea (the deadline they gave me was the end of February 2009) until that is, my passport went missing at the South Korean embassy in London.  After ringing them several times a day consecutively they must have got pissed off because they confirmed that they actually did have my passport, that it had been stamped with the necessary visa and that it would be sent in the post that day. It arrived on the friday morning as promised and as soon as it did, I booked a flight for Saturday afternoon.
  At the airport I can honestly say that my emotions consisted of excitement and enthusiasm rather than nerves and apprehension.  It was at that point that I remembered something which my father had told me in the weeks leading up to my departure.  In basic terms he told me that there are three types of people in the world - those who are drowning, those who tread water and those who swim.  It was a basic sentiment although at the airport, I couldn't help thinking that only a few months before, I was so close to treading water but now I had chosen to Swim - to South Korea, then I remembered I had a plane ticket so I headed to gate 42.  The Journey had begun....