<b>Six months ago <i>Omar Fikree</i>, a backpacker from the UAE, set off on a trip around the world. He reflects on what he saw and learnt.</b> At the end of my six-month trip around the world, looking back, the most memorable moment is still the evening that I arrived in Rio and the journey to Ilha Grande that followed. The images of the favelas lit up on the hills as we drove to our hotel in Rio and the crystal-clear blue water surrounded by the most luscious greenery in Ilha Grande still bring an excited smile to my face. The reasons for this are now clear to me: it was the start of my journey and I had never been to South America before. I was eager to experience something completely new. I had been slightly concerned about the safety of Brazil for travellers; such initial worries about South America and some other destinations that I visited seemed to fade, however, as I drew closer and closer to the end of my journey. My confidence increased with each month that I travelled as a result of all the people I met, the places I stayed in, the new things I learnt and the thoughts I had by myself during the quieter moments of my travels. I found that you don't have to learn lessons the hard way if you learn from others and do your own research. For example, while staying at the Copacabana Hostel in Rio, I had heard that armed thieves had robbed two hostels not far away. Having learnt about some of my friends' negative experiences in Brazil I was not in the least surprised. I was, however, neither fazed nor scared about the possibility of getting into trouble. I truly, firmly believe that it is vital to gather reliable information in order to find safe places to stay. Even though James and I had not planned accommodation for the majority of our trip in Brazil prior to setting out, we had a Lonely Planet guide that listed a number of hostels to stay in, and before we booked ahead we did some research on whether the places were in safe neighbourhoods and whether they were adjacent to any main roads because busy streets with lots of people wandering about tend to discourage criminals, for example. As a result we always felt safe. In Thailand, I also ventured into new territory and, in Phuket, I found myself in a foreign place without a familiar face to keep me company for the first time. There I learnt that trust in people could go a long way when I met some very welcoming Filipinos who insisted on taking me to places I would enjoy - and would not have found without them - on their motorcycles during the evenings. This is not to say that everyone can be trusted: before deciding you need to make sure you spend a bit of time learning a few things about them. I would have probably fallen for the scams that tuk-tuk drivers play on tourists in Bangkok. However, because I'd read a paragraph in my guidebook about the typical con tricks that some tuk-tuk drivers use to lure tourists into their trap, I avoided such unfortunate occurrences. I remember meeting two Australians in Patong who were tricked into believing that the Grand Temple in Bangkok had been closed and they did not realise that they had been fooled until I told them so. As a result, their Bangkok vacation had been spoiled because they left Bangkok after only one day without having seen the best sights the city has to offer. My skiing breaks in Australia and Switzerland made me realise how valuable old friends and family are. I never felt lonely during any part of my trip but there were times when I wished that I had someone who is dear to me to share some of the experiences that I was enjoying on my own. I was sure that they would have enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. The memory I have of calling my brother and cousin while thoroughly enjoying an inexpensive and delicious meal at a restaurant on the seafront in Phuket is still vivid. I can remember telling them how much they would enjoy the same trip if they ever decided to take it in the future. If there were a restorative highlight on my journey it would definitely be my stays in New Zealand and Colorado. In these places I saw the most beautiful scenery that I've ever come across, and there is something very therapeutic about being surrounded by green mountains and breathing in such fresh air. It was in New Zealand that I had the most time to reflect on my life, both past and present. It is also there where I thought most about the tragedies that I had faced the previous year with the death of my friend and aunt as well as my father's remarkable strength in fighting through his illness. I was also overcome by a feeling that was completely new to me after attending a number of my friends' weddings in different parts of the world. I used to - and to some extent still - dread the thought of getting married. Maybe it's because I am not quite ready for the responsibility that would come with it. However, when I witnessed the commitment that my friends made to their loved ones, I felt a surprising sense of excitement and happiness. In Fiji, I learnt that media can be very damaging to a place's reputation. Yes, it is true that Fiji is going through political turmoil, however, having ventured to the islands, I discovered that there is more to the country than its politics. It is one thing to read about a place in the media, but completely different visiting and experiencing it. Thinking back on the trip as a whole, I believe it's the best thing I have ever done. What's even more rewarding is that I could not have chosen a better time to do it thanks to the start of the economic recession as well as the personal feelings I was going through when I set off. I now feel completely refreshed and even though the financial situation may not have resolved itself, I feel ready to go back to work, see my friends and share my stories with them. The trip also made me think hard about my life in London and it seems likely that I will move back to the UAE soon. One very important lesson that I learnt from speaking to all the different local people I met along the way is that everyone has some criticisms of their own country. I've never had any major problems with the UAE, but for some reason I have stayed in London for longer than I originally planned. This could be because at a young age I wanted to be in a large city and not one that is extremely communal, where there is always at least one person you know wherever you may be. Perhaps I've stayed in London for the past five years because I needed a bit of an escape rather than a life where everything you do affects your reputation. Like people, no country can ever be perfect. Despite their own minor disagreements with their countries, however, the people I met always seemed to acknowledge that home is where the heart lies and it is therefore a shame to turn down the opportunity to contribute to your own country. With the UAE still developing, I have now started to feel the urge to be a part of its growth and success. I also urge my fellow Emiratis to go on such a journey because travelling is one of the best, and most fun, ways of learning about life. In Colombia, a lot of my Arabic friends were under the impression that staying as I did in hostels in Brazil was a ludicrous and very dangerous idea. I disagree. The number of people I met in these hostels had far more interesting stories to tell than the majority of rich kids you'd find at a five-star hotel. After sleeping in uncomfortable beds and sharing a room with a bunch of strangers, I can now truly appreciate my day-to-day life and the comfort in which I live. I remember initially feeling such pity for the slum dwellers in Brazil. However, they never pitied themselves and seemed to enjoy every moment of their lives just as much as I do. Such is life: you have to accept what you're given and what can be taken from you. Once you come to terms with that, you can be the happiest person in the world. travel@thenational.ae