Steve Melikean
Hello! My name is Steve Melikean and this page is dedicated to my travels around the world. I retired early 10 years ago and am grateful I will not have to work for the rest of my life. Along with my passion for travel, I like to SCUBA dive, work out with weights, read, and follow the San Francisco Giants. I was born in San Francisco and raised in Sunnyvale, approximately 45 miles south of the City. Whenever I am in the SF bay area, which is usually 1-2 times a year, I make it a point to see a few Giants games.
Last January (2012), I back packed Central and South America (Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador) for two months and had a blast. The trip was memorable not only because of the places I visited and the things I did, but also due to the wonderful people I met along the way.
On January 17th (2013), I will travel round the world (RTW), including New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and France. I also might try to go overland to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. I will return to Denver on May 14th . . . I will update this blog on a regular basis. However, other than a few visits to internet cafes in the countries I will be visiting, I’ll only have a small Samsung tablet to add posts. Anyone who has used a touchscreen* understands that it is immeasurably more difficult to type on this type of medium vs. a keyboard. Or, at least it is for me. Ha. Anywho, I will try to do the best I can informing family, friends and visitors of what I am doing while I travel. By the by, similar to how I try to live my life, I always have a Plan B with regard to travel. Why? Simply because people that are happy and successful ALWAYS have a Plan B.
*Addendum Jan 10th, 2013: I purchased a portable keyboard . . . I’ve had such a good response to my blog, that there’s no way I was going to be able to do coherent posts with a touchscreen. 🙂
Around The World With Steve 
Happy travels! I wish I could go with you, but I’ll enjoy seeing your photos along the way. We hope to be in Malaysia in May visiting friends. Be safe and have fun!
Yes, I am looking forward to this trip. Thank you for the comment TBM. I appreciate it!
Looking forward to your posts!! 🙂
We live for travel!
Me too! Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by Travel By Terry and so glad you enjoyed “Two Provocative Travel Insights from G. K. Chesterton” – http://wp.me/p2vQmR-zY. I wish you the best on your round the world travels.
The pleasure was mine. Again, thank you for your post. I’ll definitely stop by again.
Hi Steve, thanks for visiting my little travel blog. I’m following you now (I don’t mean if you look round now there’ll be a little yellow bear stood behind you) as your trip round the world sounds amazing.
You better not be following me (or, I might have to check myself into the nearest psychiatry or drug rehab center). However, if you mean “following me” via this web site, thank you very much.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am very glad you did, because I hope to eventually do an around the world trip, so your posts will be very helpful. I plan on looking at the preparation posts next.
I know what you mean about the touchscreen. When I post from my ipad, I sometimes discover (after publishing, of course) that my equipment has very helpfully changed some of my words, making me sound like English is my second language. I don’t mind that as much as my typos. They make me cringe.
Thank you very much Shelley. Ironically, I just got the portable keyboard I ordered earlier this week and it works perfectly with my small, but powerful Samsung Tablet. Consequently, I will have the best of both worlds – small footprint tablet and still be able to type competently (I have no idea how teenagers type on touchscreen phones and tablets). By the by, I am the same way about typos as well. 🙂
One other thing Shelley, I am very thorough when I purchase a product, i.e., research the web with regard to product reviews, best price, etc. You indicated that you have an IPad . . . I selected this product made my Zagg:
http://www.zagg.com/keyboard-cases/index.php#zaggkeys-flex+other
Inexpensive, small form factor and it works for both IOS and Android platforms via bluetooth.
Thanks for dropping by my blog and liking it. Good luck with yours it’s most interesting. I’m going to follow as I’m looking forward to hearing about your trip ‘Down Under’.
Thank you very much! Feel free to visit and comment.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and I’m glad you enjoyed it! I will be following your adventures abroad. I have traveled extensively, but mainly for business, but did the backpacking thing across Europe during college. I have been to Australia and believe Sydney to be the most beautiful large city I’ve ever visited. The people are lovely too. I still have ‘the one that got away’ in Sydney, and we stay in touch via Twitter. Ah, memories!
Hmm . . . The one that got away? Male species? Grin. Yes, I am about to post my last thread here before I go to New Zealand today and I think I have everything covered as far as preparations. However, ya never know . . . Something will come to mind that I forgot at 45-50 thousand feet in the air. Ha.
Thank you for visiting and feel free to comment . . . I love your blog as well. 🙂
Please post lots of pics from New Zealand…don’t know if I’ll ever get there! And yes, VERY male species(insert feminine growl here). I just couldn’t bring myself to move halfway round the world…long distance relationships are, as they say, difficult at best.
Yes, I agree about long distance relationships . . . been there, done that. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog…. and liking it. I found your blog very very interesting… keep posting, I’m looking forward for it and ya someday I’m also gonna commence my very wild adventure around world
You’re quite welcome! Yes, I found your blog interesting as well and I have added you. Take care!
I saw Nepal on your list. I wish you’ll not get bored here too…. I’m blogging since last week….. I feel good to meet such interesting peoples…. take care!
Yes, I had India on my itinerary, but the Visa requirements were a bit complicated, so I decided to go to Nepal instead.
I am awarding you the Versatile Blogger Award for the quality of your work. Further information is available at this site – http://wp.me/p2FYRz-9F. I hope your blog receives much-deserved additional visibility.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work. I will be following along. – Mike
Thank you very much Mike! I find it relaxing to journal and record my observations, unless of course, the internet connection is bad (gggggrrrrrrrrrrrr), then it’s a bit frustrating. Yesterday, I traveled south to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caverns. It was quite interesting. I am now in Rotorua, famous for their hot springs and will spend the day at one of the many spas in the area.
This is amazing, I’m so glad I stumbled onto your blog this morning! I look forward to reading a bit more as you make your way..
Blessings!
Thank you very much for the compliment! Yes, it’s been a blast so far and am enjoying the ride. I really like your blog as well Miss. D 🙂
Thanks, it’s hasn’t been public all that long since its really just my thinking place. 🙂 Glad you like it though!
Blessings!!
Hi! I nominated you for a Liebster award. Take a look: http://alliblair.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/liebster-blog-award/
Hi Alli,
Thank you for doing that. I just disembarked from a 15 hour train ride, so I may take awhile to respond to the prerequisite questions. Hope you are well!
🙂
And when you travel, often a plan C or D! 🙂
Exactly. This all ties into expectations and the “big guy” having a laugh at my expense when I start planning and getting ahead of myself. One reason why I prefer to “wing it” and let things unfold (albeit a certain amount of planning is required). The bottom line is that I focus on what I can control, e.g., attitude and my relationship with God (what’s going on with me) . . . the rest takes care of itself.
By the by, I was looking at your blog. Excellent stuff! You’re a good observer.
Thank you so much! Enjoy your adventure. I always find that travel does get me closer to the core of who I am–guess that’s why we all do it huh? 🙂
Hi Steve! Glad I came across your blog. Really nice to follow your trip around the world. I hope someday I’ll get to do what you’re doing now. Good luck on your adventure!
Hon, thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate your comment and it only makes me want to do a better job of telling my story on this trip. Again, thank you!
How exciting! I long to do something like this one day 🙂 Safe travels!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
And thanks for following my blog 🙂
I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. Congrats! Please see my homepage to find out how to accept the award and pass it onto fellow bloggers.
Thank you Jackie. I have been nominated for this award 4-5 times and I haven’t had an opportunity to address the award prerequisites until now, i.e., my RTW trip is almost ended (France is my remaining country), so I will probably complete the requirements upon my return. Regardless, again – thank you. 🙂
Here’s another one:
I nominated you for the Pirate’s Admiration Award. Check out the post below for details:
Jackie, you’re too kind! Thank you very much. 🙂
You’re too kind Jackie! I responded on your blog with much thanks for taking the time to follow me and more important, recognize my blog. I am truly humbled.
Hi Steve,
My name is KC Owens, I’m a college student and I love to travel! While cruising the Internet, I found your site and really enjoyed reading your posts. I have been to countries all over Europe with just my backpack and a camera. Since I am a college student and I have significant bills, it can be difficult to find ways to travel the world. However, I have done this several times, with less than ten pounds of luggage and while on a college dime!
I was hoping that you would allow me to write a post for your site to share my tips and tricks with your readers. I put a lot of time into my traveling, it is my biggest passion and I would love to inspire others by sharing my stories, mistakes and triumphs. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
KC Owens
Hi KC. Thank you for the comments. There is a reblog WordPress feature, i.e., write the blog post on your own blog and contact me when you have it posted and I will consider reblogging it on my site (which I have done on occasion). Give me a shout when you’ve completed it. Also, if you go to my blog, under the Around the World Preparation category, I have done a couple of posts about going solo and preparing for a RTW trip . . . https://aroundtheworldwithblade.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/why-i-am-going-solo-on-a-round-the-world-trip/
I am awarding you the Versatile Blogger Award for the quality of your work. I realize that it is a tremendous amount of work to accept this award and of course do understand if you do not have the time to do so! Jejeje, it’s taken me months to getting around to accepting this myself!
Congratulations! Keep up the good work. I enjoy your work immensely!
Please refer to the following for instructions:
Thank you very much Loca Gringa . . . Although I have won this award before and have been nominated a few times as well, it’s still nice being recognized! I hope you are well, as I love your reading your blog as well. Take care!
Yes, the awards do go around a bit. And as you said, it is nice to be recognized. I avoid participating myself but a little voice told me it’s time. Ridiculous as that sounds!
Have a great day !!!
Spot on! Yeah, I feel the same way too. Glad to see that you are still in the DR and having fun!
Good blog steve. it was good to meet you on your last day in ho chi minh
Dave, I have a question . . . Were you the person from the Channel Islands, Britain?
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill
Good quote . . . I agree.
Totally awesome! Will enjoy following your travels.
Well, I haven’t gone anywhere since SE Asia in December and January and Hawaii in February and March. Pandemic chased me away. I almost bought an ocean view home (2 bids that were turned down) on the Big Island. By that time, everyone had to get the hell out of Hawaii and shelter in place because of COVID-19.