When I shared it with Bart, that I was going to travel around the world, I knew that his calling was to join me along the way. It was just a crazy idea, but it stuck with him. His approach was as simple as that – ‘when a great adventure is offered, you simply don’t refuse it’.

He flew to China and we got to spend another two weeks together. The crossing from Shanghai to Osaka took us 45-hours by boat, and then we rock’n’ rolled through Japan visiting the historic town of Kyoto, Yokohama and Tokyo.

The mixture of the ultramodern and the traditional was incredible. A blend of neon-lit skyscrapers and countless temples. We experienced different cultures, saw Mount Fuji, talked to local people and strolled through street markets. Then, I set off to San Francisco while he worked his way back home.

When I’d collected Bart from the airport in Shanghai the other day, I couldn’t quite believe that he made it. When he returned home, I missed his 24/7 company. Knowing that someone was always around to talk late into the night or share a meal was a nice thing. The friendship and emotional experiences had been remarkable.