Last week in Melbourne.

I can't believe that I'm finally here! Everything has been packed up; either sold or put away in storage and all I have with me are my clothes, some paper and inks ready for our departure Thursday week. It's been a long time since I've felt like I'm stepping leaping off the edge of the cliff into the great unknown but it feels great!!! Don't get me wrong - I have been very happy but I'm ready to do something new and exciting.

M and I feel very lucky that we're both at the same stage of our lives where we're ready to do something different, step out of our comfort zone and follow our dreams. A bit like 'Eat, Pray, Love' but we're still both very happy together and are able to support each other in fulfilling their potential.  We've been talking about this for the past 2 years. We may be away 6 months or 6 years - there is no definite plans. Whatever happens, happens but I think if we didn't do this now then we would regret it later on.

For M, he has had this dream of taking some time off from work and just writing a book. He has never lived overseas before. For me, I want to sketch everyday and paint BIG!!! I'd also love to use my product development experience and work with local artisans to create beautiful products which can support their local communities. And I also want to work on a gorgeous 'coffee table' book which centres around my art, travel, food and heritage.

Our first stop on our trip is Hong Kong where we'll use my Aunt's place in Sai Kung as our base. Then we have a few days booked up in Shanghai to see the Expo then 2 weeks in Phuket. After that, we will go wherever we feel like it. The plan is to first do a reckie around Asia for the first couple of months then we'll choose somewhere we like to stay for a year or so. It'll be a wonderful experience and the plan is that my blog will be like my visual diary!!

Chris xx