Overview
Six weeks after getting together with the Girl Next Door – known only as the GND for legal reasons – I invited her to join me on a jaunt through Central America.
Over the next six months we travelled through some of the most beautiful and tragic parts of the world.
Along the way we found out more about each other than we really wanted to.
Favourite Photos
Pinata Market, Mexico City: To the untrained eye they look like blow-up dolls. They are, in fact, pinatas.
There’s a whole market dedicated to pinatas in Mexico City. They have Simpson-themed ones as well as ones that look like the top Mexican wrestlers. I thought these ones looked like Emma Tom.
F.A.Q.
Are you and the GND still together?
Which was your favourite country?
Where can I see pictures of Judy Green?
What did the GND think of the book?
When is the eBook version out?
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London to Sydney overland. Regarded by many as my ‘classic.’ I must admit I have a soft spot for it too.
I liked the read but was in sympathy with GND. I wouldn’t want to climb volcanoes either. But on the other hand I never take a hair dryer travelling- or anywhere at all for that matter. You certainly would have been better off spending more time in Cuba, a place I have recently visited which I loved. You didn’t mention the fantastic Salsa music! The annoying thing about the book was the use of the wrong word several times e.g.”sight ” instead of ‘site’. Things a spell check would never pick up. Where are you going next? Jan Gray
Hi Jan – glad to hear you sympathised with the GND. I tried to be balanced with the annoying habits. The truth is, we were both as bad as each other.
I agree about Cuba – I wish we’d been able to spend more time there. It was one of my favourite places on the trip. Unfortunately when we went it was difficult to get visas so I figured it would be best to spend more time in Havana and soak up the vibe there.
Thanks too for alerting me to the typos. The publishers have proof-readers and editors who usually pick up those sort of things so I’m not sure what happened there. I’m currently creating e-versions of all my books so I’ll keep an extra vigilant eye and correct them.
Cheers
Peter
Hi Peter, Just finished your book – I enjoyed traveling along, albeit vicariously. I’ve been to a few of the places you went (Mexico City, Acapulco, Oaxaca, Pto Escondido, Playa del Carmen, Tulum & Pacific Costa Rica) but never on that slim of a budget. Congratulations to you both for making it work. And for being candid about how traveling and 24/7 togetherness affects a relationship. We all have our little idiosyncrasies. It appeared the GND didn’t have her own $$ and that definitely effects the balance. I believe anyone contemplating marriage should take a month+ off to travel together first and then decide. BTW, I could care less about volcanoes, but get me near water and I’m happy. But a hairdryer? no way….
At the end of the book there are directions to this website for slide-show etc… and a mention of “if you’re heading off to Central America or the Caribbean a few useful links as well.” I’ve looked around for those links but I’m not seeing them. ??? I’d like to see them.
Thanks again, I look forward to reading more of your books. Maybe an entire book about Cuba?
Saludos… Christina
Just finished reading this book.
A really fair account of what its like traveling with someone for a long time. How those once slightly annoying habits, become really, really annoying. Very amusing with lots of very good descriptions of all the amazing sights you saw along the way together.
I love your books, and cant wait to read the next one.
Thanks, and keep on adventuring, Julia.
You hit the nail on the head about Jamaica.Atitude overload is compulsory out there!
Hi.
Sadly my mad travel days are at an end. So I’m feasting on books again instead. I’ve been to a lot of places and travelled on my own most of the time. I’m just as happy though with my fiance and daughter. We are getting to see a lot of the UK together which is lots of fun. I have written a book and would love to see it published, but its fine that family and friends have read it and my daughter will too when she can read (15 months old). This is the second book of yours I’ve read and now I need to stock up on the others.
Thanks
Andy
P.S China is a my fave place and Thailand too.
Really liked it – compelling read as two journeys in one. Journey over land and through relationship with GND. Can see why you got asked about future with GND as you left it hanging!Liked Corny postcards and picture of you both at table – you with 8 empties and GND with one! Cheers!
loved, loved, loved this book!
Have never been to central america but really felt as though I was travelling along with you both!
Had to smile at the niggles in your relationship along the way, I have been married for 30 years and that’s exactly what we are like when away from home ( and yes, a hairdryer is pretty high on my list of essentials!)
Can’t wait to read the next book whilst also looking forward to my trip to Borneo next year!
keep the books coming!