Sometimes luck is on your side. This year I was blessed with an opportunity to circumnavigate the world, visiting seven country in 25 days - for free. (Hate messages can be sent via the 'contact' section of the page). For your enjoyment I have selected a few of the thousand or so photos I took, enjoy.

The odyssey started in Japan, which hadn't changed a bit since I was there just over a year ago. The people were still some of the friendliest you'll find, the food was still as delicious and fresh as ever, and Tokyo was just as much fun.

We did the usual eating, drinking, shopping and sight seeing. The highlight had to be the tiny little bar we found in Akihabara. It was decorated with vinyl album covers and had one of the best beer selections I've seen. The barmaid was more than willing to recommend her favourite brews and didn't disappoint. According to the locals who spied our line of beers, we were tough Australians and they were weak Japanese who would fall over after three beers. None of them hung around long enough for us to find out!

Soon enough it was off to Seoul, in the Republic of South Korea. Unfortunately, we had planned the trip in the wrong order as it was hugely disappointing to travel from Tokyo, an Asian city of such fun and friendly people; to Seoul, a busy, dirty and infinitely less friendly city. The one consolation was that I had spontaneously become a millionaire, in Won.

Even so, Tim and I eventually found Rodeo Street; according to the locals, the young and hip part of town. We were there early in the week so the bars were quiet, but our initial opinion of Seoul gradually softened as we discovered the friendly side of life in Korea.

And of course, the three days we spent there were fueled by Korean BBQ dinners. I have had them before but once I had learned how to devour the feast traditionally I found it much more satisfying, and addictive!