It Begins at Five

The journey begins with all the pomp one can muster at 5 in the morning. The sluggish wake. Struggling to work out why an alarm is going off. The confusion as to why my room is so tidy. Then a slow realization triggered by spotting bags packed by the door. Before I know it I am soon exchanging a series of sentimental grunts with Dad as I pile my few worldly possessions in to the back of Mum's car to start me on my way. A cursory glance at the time quickly raises alarm; "there is no way I can get you to airport in time". What a great start. Much to my elation this statement seemed to kindle ambition for success rather than stem as my mother races us through Wellington's waking streets. And just as well. Plane ticket acquired five minutes before boarding commenced, bag checked four, and arriving at the gate by the time zero eventually decided to roll around.

So this is the start of my escape to The Orient, hitting Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. For company(/amusement) I am travelling with Craig, Morgan, Dustin, Mots, Tom, and Tom's girlfriend. (I sincerely hope Tom's girlfriend does not read this post revealing I have forgotten her name, and that I couldn't be bothered to switch tabs to Facebook to subtly rectify this gap in my memory). Most of us are old school chums from Wellington College and I imagine we shall spend most of our time exploring the local sights and so on.

Great pains have been taken to ensure this trip goes smoothly, the fruit of vibrant discussion and deliberation...ok, that was a lie. The first 48 hours are sorted at least. Craig has booked an extravagantly flash hotel in Ho Chi Minh city to get us started ($10 per night I'll never see again) and - I am loath to put this in print as this will probably void my excuses for forgetting - I have been charged with sorting a loose plan for the first few days and then suggest the next destination. Suggestions welcome, readers.

Anyway, bidding a fond farewell to Wellington and all of her beloved inhabitants, it's been a blast as always. 'Til next time, adieu.