We're on our way home

This is the last entry for what has been a short blog. Still, it’s been fun writing it. Our 38 days turned into 15, but I reckon we’ve not been idle for a single minute, except for when I was sleeping off the effects of whatever it is I had. It is truly amazing how much sightseeing you can pack into two weeks, and this has been one of our best holidays ever.

We have arrived safely in Doha from Munich for our one-night stopover before we head home to Melbourne. We saw a doctor in Munich yesterday, at the request of the travel insurance company, and I was given a clean bill of health. It’s a pity we made the decision to return early, but we made this decision on the information we had available to us at the time, a time when I was feeling quite awful. In any event, Germany’s not going anywhere soon and it gives us the perfect excuse to return to finish what remains unseen.

The culture shock in Doha is far greater than we’ve experienced anywhere we’ve travelled. There are strict dress codes, which includes long pants and long-sleeve shirts. Considering it’s 36 degrees and 85% humidity outside, this doesn’t make a great deal of sense. We also managed to arrive during Ramadan, which means we cannot eat or drink in public during daylight hours. Actually, nothing selling food even opens during these hours. I don’t think Doha is the sort of place I’d want to visit for more than a day, and we’re already looking forward to Melbourne tomorrow.

And since this is the last blog entry, the final word is for Alison. Al makes most of this travel possible. Although we are both responsible for booking it all, it is Alison who makes certain we get here and get around. Her meticulous attention to detail means we always know how to get to our hotel, which platform to be on, and where the best eats to be found are. Without her, I’d be hopelessly lost. And when I was unwell, Alison was beside me every minute, making sure I was not suffering too much. I couldn’t imagine wanting to do this without my best friend with me, and that’s exactly what she is. I do feel I let her down on this trip, with my decision to return early, but she’s never once made me feel guilty or responsible. So, Alison, thank you for another memorable trip. Here’s to the next one.