Temple of Heaven!

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Location:Fukang Nanli,Beijing,China

The gangs all here!

Everyone has arrived safe and sound! We had a lovely dinner last night then went for a stroll around central Beijing. It was a perfect night - the hustle and bustle of the hutong, the buds of cottonwood trees floating through the air, and the wind rushing through our hair on the back of a rickshaw. Loving China!








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Read more at kyletaylor.com

Location:Hufang Rd,Beijing,China

My neighbors!

These are my neighbors ALL THE WAY to China. Chaos has already ensued. GO TEAM!




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Location:Occupation Rd,Kyeemagh,Australia

Off To China

I admit, I've been TERRIBLY derelict here. Things I've missed:

1. Climbing Kilimanjaro
2. My Mom's Visit!
3. LIFE in Sydney

My excuse is a good one - I haven't been home for more than 5 days at once since the end of February. BUT, my wrongs are about to be righted! I'm off to China Friday with an amazing group of people fundraising for the Heart Research Centre. Look out for more glorious stories of all that is China. Head down, elbows up. It's go time!

In Bangkok!

After the first ten of 27 hours in transit I'm laid over in Bangkok! It's 2am and the airport is bustling! Onward to Nairobi in about an hour. 15 mins of free wifi. Woohoo!


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Location:Suk Thawon,Racha Thewa,Thailand

To Africa!

At the airport now about to depart for Tanzania and Zanzibar! Im leading a group of 11 women on a charity challenge as they climb Mount Kilimanjaro after having raised $130,000 for Kids Helpline!

It is the worlds tallest freestanding mountain and the highest point in Africa. Most have described climbing it as harder that child birth. BRING IT ON! I'll try and update as much as possible but instant updates will be on the Inspired Adventures Twitter: @inspiredadvntrs

For now, it's a boost juice and mrs fields cookie. Yum!

Wish us luck!

-Kyle

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Location:Departure Plaza,Mascot,Australia

NEVER Fly Tiger Airways

I awoke at 4:30am to head back to Sydney from Melbourne for a one-hour meeting before returning to Melbourne by 2pm just in time for an afternoon meet and greet followed by the conference President's Dinner where Justine and I would proceed to wine, dine, and be generally awesome.

My morning routine went off without a hitch and I caught a can in record time for 5am. The driver dropped me at Tiger's auxiliary terminal located 2 or 3 days walk from the rest of the airport, fresh drinking water, and any signs of intelligent life.

Naturally, there were two people to check in an entire airplane. Brilliant guys. Just brilliant. The announcements over the PA included things like: "Hi, okay, we are paging the four people who checked in but have not gotten on the plane to Brisbane. Apparently they don't want to go to Brisbane today.". They were made at ear-piercing levels that left all of us in line wincing while simultaneously plugging our ears.

My fellow passengers were attempting to check bags enveloped in plastic wrap and duck tape as large and as heavy as a small donkey. Babies were crying. Some weren't wearing shoes. The staff were clearly over the moon and job satisfaction was visibly sky high (read: sarcasm).








As I neared the desk the announcement was made that I would, in fact, not be traveling to Sydney this fine morning; something everyone had told me in jest (or truth, apparently) AFTER I had bought my ticket. Of course, what did I expect? After all, I was traveling from a leaping tiger to a paw print. That's never good.







The panic begins To set in immediately. I am flying to Sydney for only one meeting. One INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT meeting. I have a return flight that will go to waste. My phone has no reception thanks to the brilliant Vodaphone so I can't phone my boss to confer.

My instinct is to dart back to the other terminals located in civilization and find an alternative flight. I take off at full speed, arms and bags flailing.

I maintained this pace for the first several hours of my run but by the time I reached the other terminal I was panting, sweating, and wildly flustered.

Arriving at the Virgin ticketing desk resulted in being advised that all flights are full. Quantas lovingly offered me a one-way price equal to chartering a private jet, so that was out.

I finally arrived at the JetStar ticketing desk, lump in my throat and near tears. This whole skip back to Sydney was incredibly important and now here I was stranded by the powers of dreaded Tiger Airways.

I reached the counter and attempted to explain to poor Mary what was happening. The added stress of knowing the only workable flight was leaving in 35 minutes (with ticketing closing in 5) didn't help. "I me Sydney go now work Tiger bad meeting important broken phone airplane soon.". Mary looked at me, "I'm sorry, what?" I tried again. "Plane. No fly. Meeting. Sydney. Sad. Go now."

"So you need a plane to Sydney now for a meeting," she translated. I nodded.

Mary is my new hero. She managed to completely sort my entire drama out in under 3 minutes with 1 minute to spare before ticketing closed. She did this at a reduced rate (out of pity, I think) then raced me through security after having to run my credit card twice because I couldn't remember the pin. It was a tragic comedy of errors.

Thankfully, I made the meeting in no small part due to Mary. Tiger, you are the worst. EVER.

--

Kyle Taylor

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Location:Tullamarine Fwy,Melbourne Airport,Australia