About our site: This website was specifically designed to keep an online diary of our travels that includes a gallery of photos. We hope that the website will entertain our friends and family and that it will take them with us on a virtual tour around the world!
About us: Eon Alers (a 27 year old IT/SAP specialist) and Chantell van der Merwe (a 29 year old Marketing and Sales Manager, currently unemployed), an Afrikaans speaking South African couple from Centurion. We are quickly moving towards our 30’s, and decided to embark on this adventurous journey around the World before settling down in our careers and personal lives.
On a trip to China in 2006, we met an elderly couple who have travelled the world. We were amazed at their stories and thought it impossible when they said it is a matter of making the decision and just following through: “Just do it”, as the Nike slogan reads.
And here we are, on our Round the World travels - planning, exploring, experiencing, and having an amazing time!
About our trip: We decided to fulfil a lifelong dream and travel the world. We started slowly saving soon after we decided that we will actually take this BOLD step, and with the proper planning, it all turned out to be more affordable than we originally anticipated.
With a few exceptions, we have planned to visit each country for about a month. This way, we have ample time to experience the rich culture and diverse people from each country.
The selection of countries we are travelling to is based on various factors including affordability, cultural interests, wish lists (i.e. Eon wanting to see Cambodia ever since I’ve known him) and also whether it fits into out RTW ticket.
We’re more interested in finding out what life is like in a given place than we are in seeing all the tourist spots. We try not to do too much research on a specific country, but to rather arrive, find accommodation and work our way through the country from there.
Chantell on the Ribbok hiking trail at Golden Gate, South Africa
Hi Eon and Chantell
My husband and I from Australia, have done this twice already, packing up and leaving for a year. We did it in 2000 and 2004 and planning to do it all again in Feb 2008. We both gave up and will give up work again. And we have never looked back. It has been the most amazing experience and now we are completely hooked. We plan to do this every 4 years. Looking forward to seeing how you go. We know you will have an awesome year. Good luck.
By: Christine on August 21st, 2007
at 4:38 am
Hi guys,
Best of luck on your travels. So exciting to be on your way after all the planning! Your web page is fantastic - looking forward to all the updates. Recommend a trip to Sapa in North Vietnam - it’s probably on the itenerary anyway. Planning my own trip at the moment - only 24 days to go!
By: Ursula Beecher on September 5th, 2007
at 10:03 am
Hi Chantell and Eon,
I really enjoyed meeting you during the Mekong Delta tour. I’m now back in Germany after just three weeks in Vietnam - really envying you for this perfect project. Please do keep documenting it so well - you will love to look back later on. I really love your pictures and stories and can only offer my humble website www.eiko.eu showing my travel experiences in Asia and Europe. Warm regards and hope to see you again sometime.
Eiko
By: Eiko Grieger on October 10th, 2007
at 10:35 pm
Hi Chanie
Hope you get this mail. I got your website from Melindie and I’m enjoying every picture. You guys definately made the right move to do this trip.
Have a fabulous time and dont forget about us here in South Africa.
Love and miss ya
Fatima (CTI)
By: fatima on November 22nd, 2007
at 12:34 pm
Hi Chantell & Eon,
You will well remember me as the Belgian guy you were spending Christmass eve in Dana. We also met the day after in Tatopani with Simon the Danish guy. Finally I am home again in Belgium.
I met Simon again in Beni the 26 of december, we travelled together to Pokhara (what a buss-ride), and had an amusing evening in Pokhara.
Hope you are doing fine. For sure I will keep following both of you on your trip on this site.
I have some pictures which I like to send to you.
Hope to hear you back.
Keep going!
Bart
By: Bart Mortelé on January 1st, 2008
at 6:13 pm
eon i know your work from photosig and i have to say your latest photos on your world adventure are outstanding! keep up the great work and enjoy every day - fantastic stuff. happy travels.
By: Blaize on May 7th, 2008
at 12:03 pm
Hi guys
Hope u are having a fanastic time. When are u due back in the best part of the world SA?
Safe journey furthur.
Laura
By: Laura on May 29th, 2008
at 6:40 am
Eon and Chantell,
You are just sooo brave and privileged and blessed to be able to make a “world class” dream come true.
Every picture is simply stunning - I’m struggling to decide what grabbed my attention most as I’m still clicking away… snowy-white salt lakes or tropical blue waters? and then again Cambodia seems really interesting.
Keep on enjoying and living the dream!
Best Regards
Yolandi
By: Yolandi on July 8th, 2008
at 9:53 pm
Hi Eon & Chantell
Ek volg nou al die laaste week die hele trip en kan net oopmond sit en lees en kyk na als! Daar is geen twyfel in my dat julle waarlik “LEWE” nie. Dis waaroor die lewe gaan. Mens lewe net een keer!
Ek sit in koue, materialistiese Londen en verloor party dae sight van die groter prentjie! Julle trip is vir my en my vrou ‘n inspirasie. Ons het al gedink om so iets te doen maar nou is dit baie meer relevant.
Chani, ek het op skool nooit gedink jy sal so iets wou doen nie. Ek het op skool self nooit gedink ek sal so iets wil doen nie. Dis hoekom jy vir my ‘n inspirasie is. Jy volg nie die norm nie maar volg jou drome! Dankie, dis vir my werklik ‘n voorbeeld en iets wat ek “admire”!
Julle moet laat weet as julle in Engeland is. Sal julle baie baie graag wil sien en gesels oor ‘n drink of twee.
Geniet julle trip. Ek volg al julle doen en late met baie belangstelling!
Cheerio
Henk
By: Henk Wasserman on July 9th, 2008
at 9:45 am
Hi Eon and Chantell
I guess you are in London by now? Enjoy the last days of your rtw trip..
I remember this situation (two months ago…) very well. Since then there hasn’t been a single day without thinking on our big trip. There are so many things that remember me of something we experienced in Asia and above all the nicest thing is to share it with John.
Thank you again for your wonderful website, it has given me lots of ideas for our next trip.
All the best for your return.
Regards from Switzerland,
Carla
By: Carla on August 28th, 2008
at 6:34 pm
Hi Julle twee (al ken net Chantell my) (maar Eon jy lyk net so nice)
Julle website is amazing!!!
Die fotos is fantasties!!! (MEER as dit, maar woorde verloor my) 
Die beskrywings by elke plek, vat my daar en ek kan my net image daar, (al weet ek dit was duisend keer beter).
Sterkte met al julle planne vir die toekoms en bly sulke positiewe mense! Ons kort meer van julle!
Groete
Charlene
By: Charlene "Vorster" on October 10th, 2008
at 4:26 am
I would absolutely LOVE to hear more about how you planned the trip, specifically with finances. I am sitting here thinking we could never afford to do something like this, and I would LOVE any tips you have on saving money and how to do this affordably. Thank you so much in advance, if you are so inclined to take the time.
By: Christie on February 13th, 2009
at 10:15 pm