Thanks to everyone who has and will make this trip possible. Many people have asked how they can help me along the way. At this point in time, I am looking for your contribution of travel advice, connections with people you may know abroad, or simply a nice friendly email to say “hi.”

Later this year, I hope to finalize the process that will allow you to purchase prints of some of the photos I have taken along the journey, I am flattered by those who have already asked. So, if you are dying to find a way to support me or want to send me money, wait a bit, and buy a print or two. In the mean time, enjoy the rest of the website.

I would like to extend Special Thanks to:

My parents Richard and Dorothy Stoll and my brother Adam and his fiancé Jenni who have provided regular on-the-ground support back at home sending packages, filing my taxes, sorting my mail and generally keeping me connected, grounded and sane.  Your support makes this trip possible.

My family and friends for your support, assistance, guidance, and friendly emails before, during, and (hopefully) after my return. Your encouragement and friendship is what makes this possible, and despite my slow response time, I sincerely appreciate the notes.

The Rotary Foundation, The Noon Rotary Club of Iowa City, The Rotary Club of Tai Po, Rotary District 6000, The Rotaract Club of Tai Po, Rotary District 3450, Rotarian Jeff Bremer, Rotarian PP Louis Tang, Rotaract PP Sheena Cheng, PDG Alexander Mak, PDG Anthony Hung, and all my Hong Kong and Iowa City Rotary Friends for allowing me to serve Rotary in Hong Kong and abroad as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.

Most of the travel gear for my trip was outfitted by the amazing staff of Active Endeavors in Iowa City. Thank you to the crew there for all of your advice and suggestions. If you are traveling, hiking, or exploring, visit this locally-owned goldmine of travel gear and advice. Online at activeendeavorsonline.com or in-person at 138 S. Clinton St., Iowa City USA or give them a call at 319-337-9444 or 1-800-828-8802.

The University of Iowa and its numerous staff members who have helped me connect with fellow Hawkeyes.

John Bollwitt of sixty4media for programming and implementing the WordPress Theme on this website. John, you’re a rockstar.

Yasser Dahab, Karsten Temme, and your crew at Fresh Pursuits for your help in getting this website up and running.

Also, a thanks to all my generous hosts along the way who’ve given me a place to stay and a warm meal–its nice to feel at home far away from home (if I’ve forgotten someone in the flurry of locating a good internet connection), let me know.

The Coates Family – Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Iowa City, Iowa
Justin and Ali Weeks – Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jacek Pruski – Palo Alto, California
Louis, Margie, and Angel Tang – Hong Kong, China
Annette So and family – Hong Kong, China
Sonia Wong and family – Macau, China
Janny Leung and family – Hong Kong, China
Sheena Cheng and Family – Hong Kong, China
Ray, Grace, CC & Will Yip – Shek O, Hong Kong
The Zhang Family – Xun Zhou, China
Weijie Zhang and family – Singapore
Diana, Pam and the Ng Family – Singapore
Marie So and the people of Ventures in Development – Zhongdian, China
Kunal Anand and the crew – New Delhi, India
Shikha Khanna, Amit Dahiyabadshah and their poet entourage – New Delhi, India
Rajeev Kashyap and family – Hydrabad, India
Aswathy Kurup – Cochin, India
Manoj and Punimar Meta and family – Mumbai, India
Kate Munro and family – Akzeik Village, Kazakhstan
David O’Conner – Uralsk, Kazakhstan
Susan Bridenstine and Victor Rojas (and little David) – Yerevan, Armenia
Marketa Sonkova and Petr Trojek – Prague, Czech Republc
Pavel Trojek and Monika Kosulicova – Eching, Germany
Katie Coates – Heidelberg, Germany
Shelly Sarin – Heilbronn, Germany
Keith Nicholson – Flein, Germany
Forrest Meggers & Georgette Stern – Zurich, Switzerland
The Hagembe Family – Mr. and Mrs. Hagembes, Fridah, Mila, Julia, and Pauline – Nairobi, Kenya
Esta Maro & Wema – Dar Es Saalam, Tanzania
The entire village of Kamum, Zambia (especially Ba Alice, Ba Ruth, and Mr. Katolaka, the headman)
Millie Mwanza & family – Lusaka, Zambia
Tilungile Nshalintshali – Pretoria, South Africa
Lynsee Melchi – Pretoria, South Africa
Eric McDermott – Pretoria, South Africa
Annael LePoullennec – Cape Town, South Africa
The Hoe Family – Deborah, Philomena, Mickey, and Chatwin (and Jamie the dog) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Lau Family -  Choo Seng, Lilian Tan, Chiau Lin,  Jess Su Fung, and Jen Lin – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Citizens (all 9 of them) of Balladonia, Western Australia
The Yodphijith Family: Joe, Han, Field, Fame, and Fay -  Bangkok, Thailand
Ian McKinlay and Diane To – Hong Kong, China
Du Hung and the villagers of Diyi Village – Sichuan, China
Chen Luan – Shanghai, China
The monks and staff of Lotus Lantern Temple – Ganghwa Do, South Korea
Deokwoo – Seoul, South Korea
Nikki Guarino and friends – Seoul, South Korea
The Kim Family – Paju, South Korea
Ashley Lynd – Seoul, South Korea and Kansas City, USA.
Maya Kumar and friends – Singapore
The Hayes Family – Ooraminna Homestead Station, Australia
Jeeva, Kate and Jasmine – Melbourne, Australia
Stephen Roberts and family – Auckland, New Zealand
Gavin, Tina and Matthew Flower – Wellington, New Zealand
The McKinlay Family – Dunedin, New Zealand
David and Susan Campbell, Maketu, New Zealand
Keehan Family, Taupo, New Zealand
Warwick Thorburn and Family, Tauranga, New Zealand
Kay Clarke, Rotorua, New Zealand
Lynne and Chris Joseph and family, Rotorua, New Zealand
Libby Gairdner, Tim Anderson and Danae Cooney, Hamilton, New Zealand
Robbie Francis, Hamilton, New Zealand
Geoff Amos, Joey Korovata and the staff and family of Raikivi, Taveuni Island, Fiji
Seata, Elena, Valery, Vitale, Leonia, Alexis and Michael Senio, Nofalii, Western Samoa
Diana Bonsignore & Jim Crittendon, Waialua, Hawaii USA
Erin Effman, Deb & Dave Correia, Seattle, Washington USA
Maher Jafari and Nisha Pecolatto, Los Angeles, California USA
Zach and Lindsay Crittendon, San Francisco, California
Mike Kimball, Kansas City, USA
Nate and Katharine, Staniforth, Iowa City USA
Kami Graves, Astoria, New York, USA
David O’Conner and Niki Webb, Phoenix, USA

And thanks to those who have met me on the road, traveled with me, share a meal, shared a taxi, or shared a laugh—among other things. To me the biggest reward of travel is the people, and your company and friendship has made all the difference!