Ben J West Australia
Introductions; about me…umm, be interesting Ben.
Gosh, this is harder than it sounds. Maybe I’ll try a list:
- I detest conflict and avoid it fiercely unless someone is being racist, sexist or beard-ist.
- My favourite quote is “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional” Impressively my parents practice it.
- Milk and no sugar. Lattes do not count.
- Since I was four my nickname has been ‘Westy’…occasionally ‘Testies’ and ‘Festy’.
- I was born in the seventies, my music taste is stuck there.
- Anyone who starts conversations with ‘What do you do for a crust?’ will be a complete bore.
- Sport bikes, not Harleys.
- Wasabi coated peanuts; a gift from god.
- I can put a condom up my nose and pull it out of my mouth.
- Once upon a time I was so stressed I would regularly throw up breakfast.
- Despite trying to face this fear I get highly agitated around cows.
- I regularly tell the important people in my life that I love them. They already know. I also hug close friends, sometimes passersby. Not those awkward, half hearted man-hugs but proper from-the-heart-dude-you’re-brilliant hugs that would cause weirdness if I winked afterwards.
- There is no way that I can take an angry Indian or Hispanic person seriously. I have tried but always start giggling.
- Currently my transport is a loud motorbike, I love this.
- Many things I do scare the heck out of me. I’m afraid of missing out due to fear and this is part of why I push through.
- I once rode a yak for a dare.
With my introductions finished I will get back to keeping you updated as I travel the world to climb things then jump off them, act inappropriately at random and talk my wife into really pushing her comfort zone.
Great stuff Ben:-)
Download my app….and try the “find a pharmacy” button. You never know when you need it traveling around Australia….lol
Calin
Thanks Calin was rather excited about the top landing. Re: your app where can it be found?
Have just come across you blog. You’ve given me a chuckle and I love that in blogs.
You’ve got yourself another follower.
Great to hear Lew, welcome board mate
Cannot wait to have a good look through your blog and live vicariously through all your South American travel adventures.
Welcome aboard Sarepa! Sadly many of my best South American adventures are not on this blog as they feature heavily in my book which will be released this November.
Oh ben! I started your book this morning and haven’t moved off the couch since! An amazing journey and I don’t rregret not doing my housework or communicating with my children all mmorning. Thanks for a wonderful read
That is great to hear Andrea! Glad you are enjoying the adventures…this is but the tip of the iceberg so more to come
Christ the Redeemer statue photo is very funny! And yes, I was looking for a pic of Jette as I am at the moment on page 193 of The Red Rucksack and absolutely loving it – awesome read, great story-telling!
We’ve got to do an interview for South America Living soon, before new owner takes over next month… my new site has next-to-nil stats (is more a portfolio thing and really new) so wouldn’t be that great to get the word out on the book – but an interview would. Anyways – you’ve got to put your email on this page (partly why I clicked) and list your other good stuff too so folks can easily find it! Just a thought!
Email me at molly (@) mollymchugh.com and we will get something up soon, the book is a great read for anyone planning an adventure but especially one in South America. best, Molly
I love your website! Great design and very inspirational! Just so you know, I started your book today. I got very excited when I read the chapter list and saw how many travel destinations we have in common. I can’t wait to get to the South America section

Arianwen recently posted..Outback Ballooning in Alice Springs
Thank you Arianwen! The same guy who did my book cover gave me some brill graphics to use on my recent site upgrade (You mee him in the paintball paragliding chapter
) Enjoy!
Hi Ben(fellow pharmacist)
Came across your book & website a few months ago when my next door neighbour(mother of Richard, Jeremy & Rob) lent me yr book.
Glad to see your life is going well & you are following your dreams. PS Nursing homes & Websters suck!!
Kindest Regards, Kaye Rickwood
Follow your dreams Ben; Life is way too short.
Hi Ben
Just touching base with you. How is your lovely family going & the erstwhile white-coat career? These days (after 35 years) I think that Phcy is getting much too hard, never mind that I am brilliant with warts & tinea (LOL) – apparently we all need extra accreditation to prove our worth. Never mind, I will see out my phcy days being a label Nazi (MUST be on straight!!) & checking scripts & paks – who would have thought there were so many varieties of little white tablets!
Cheers to you & yours, Kaye
PS Have you ever worked with a more brilliant person than Carol Z?
Mate, are you still alive? Would love a catch up phone call at some stage.
Hope all is well
McBride