The former Hurlstone Agricultural High School student, who grew up in Kentlyn and Leumeah after his family migrated to Australia from Russia in 1992, has spent most of this year travelling all over Asia.

Mr Kruchkoff swapped his IT job for the adventure of a lifetime in March.

Now, seven months later, he has been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China , Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.

He emailed the Advertiser from Georgia last month and was headed to Ukraine and Russia.

``I'd read about famous travellers and wanted to see some of what they had seen,'' he said. ``My philosophy is that living/seeing one country is like picking up a book, opening to a random page and not reading the whole story.

``I have learnt a few phrases in a few languages. I met some of the happiest families living in the poorest conditions in Asia and after spending time with them I realised that family and friendships bring far more happiness than material possessions.

``I learned to sing karaoke in Vietnam and to dance in the Caucuses. I learned the art of toasting in Armenia and found that in Central Asia and the Caucuses, guests are treated with the highest honour and learned to treat all guests I meet with not only the highest respect but also to invite them into my home, feed them and give them a place to rest.

``In my travels, I've learned to make excuses for the many marriage proposals I've received, it seems everyone has a daughter, niece, sister's-friend's-neighbour's-dau ghter that is unwed and looking for a husband.''

Read the full story in the coming weeks of the Advertiser.

To follow Ivan Kruchkoff's travel blog, visit www.moka.com.au.