This page is an introduction to my trip around the world in February 2012 visiting Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland and Los Angeles.

This trip actually started out as just a visit to Australia but, as Doctor Frankenstein once remarked, “it turned into a bit of a monster”.

Through the good offices of my local Thomas Cook it proved possible to go on a “Round the World” trip for the same cost as the London-Sydney flight.

There will be three sections covering:

• Japan - Tokyo and local area.
   
• Australia - Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
   
• New Zealand - Auckland.

My final stop in Los Angeles was just a short one to let my body recover from the long Auckland via Sydney to Los Angeles flight before setting out on the final stage back to London.  I had intended to wander around a bit while I was in LA but it was too cold to go outside for long.