“The Other Side of Things”… “The Big Trip Redux”… this blog has had many names in the past.

Here’s what you need to know: In 2007, I took a 10-week trip around the southern hemisphere. I knew this trip would be life-changing and I wanted to document it so I kept a travel blog. It was my first foray into any kind of writing outside of college papers and notes to lovers (both of which were mediocre.) I was barely familiar with my camera, I was not a pro. But I experimented nonetheless. I learned a great deal from this project and since then, my writing has improved, and so has my photography. I can confidently say, the trip and the documentation of my travels shaped the entire trajectory of my life.

Below you will find a series of blog posts that are considered, “The Big Trip Redux,” which were originally posted in 2012. This project was intended to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the original trip. Each post has updated photos, memoir-style commentary, and a link to the original blog entry. I never completed this Redux project, falling short of commenting on four original blog posts. I do hope to finish one day, and when that happens, you’ll find the posts here. And who knows, maybe one day this will turn into my travel memoir. You never know where my whims will take it.

Should you want to be entertained by a 25-year-old’s first attempt at travel blogging (and apparently, without spell check,) you can read the original blog here: The Other Side of Things.

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[1] A new blog series :: The Big Trip Redux

[Originally published: September 5, 2012] Exactly five years ago today, on September 4, 2007, I boarded a plane in Charleston, SC and ensued a 32 hour journey with the ultimate destination of Whittlesea, South Africa.

[2] Yes, I [was] in Africa!

[Originally published September 8, 2012] My first stop in Africa was to visit my friend Luke and his family on their farm. Harrison Farm is located near the tiny South African town of Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa.

[3] Rhinoceros, rhinoceri, or rhinoceroses...

[Originally published September 20, 2012] It's hard to believe that five years ago today I had just wrapped up my first African safari, visited one of the most famous wave breaks in the southern hemisphere, plummeted off the tallest bungee jumping the world (as of 2007) and straddled two oceans at the southern most tip of Africa.

[4] On the edge. Tasting Tannins. Mountains without chairs. Monkey junk. Karoo who?

[Originally published September 28, 2012] Back in 2007, the September 27th blog entry covered the second half of the South African trip my friend Luke and I took. We covered a lot of ground in 10 days, but the second half was jam packed.

[5] The Boma Glows at Night. The Reservoir Flows, sometimes. Lucerne and the Money Wind. Artists Without Sleep.

[Originally published October 11, 2012] Five years ago today, I had just finished up a 5 week stay in South Africa and was setting off to Australia. My blog posts around that time were wrapping up my time in ZA (short for South Africa) and also pondering what traveling in Australia would be like.

[6] Ascent to the Sails

[Originally published October 16, 2012] On Thursday, October 11, 2007, I flew into Sydney, Australia for the first time. I spent about a week in the city, in the Potts Point area, where all the hostels and backpackers can be found. I spent hours each day just walking, covering miles of the city, exploring, visiting, photographing and absorbing in all things Sydney. And, I did it all solo. Just me.

[7] Luna Park, Byron Bay and Brisbane

[Originally published October 23, 2012] Five years ago right now, I was traveling around the eastern coast of the continent of Australia, alone. It was amazing (except for some of my time in Brisbane.)

[8] A Sandy Paradise

[Originally published November 6, 2012] In November of 2007, I was traveling the eastern coast of the Australian continent. I visited a place called Fraser Island. It is the largest sand island in the world. This place is magical. My current words can do it no justice, so I will quote myself from 2007: