The Sebastian Chronicles: Golden Brown All Over

Yo.

Life as a beach bum bear is pretty snazzy. Having returned to the suitcase for the remainder of the journey to Koh Samui I was starting to get a bit worried about ever seeing daylight again.

The ladies didn't take me to the beach at first, and they were overrun by lizards and shark-type slime fish. Coincidence? They learned from this (despite Trixie's claims that she likes lizards, I will break their evil spell soon).

A life of leisure suits me. A bit of sunbathing does one the world of good.

I also bought myself a new shirt, pointedly involving elephants to remind Tallulah that I'm still the cute one on this island. I especially like that it has an elephant bum on the back of the T-shirt.

I declined the offer of sunblock because of the stickiness issue, but may have had a bit too much sun. I started to go a bit crispy, but with every faith that it would fade into an attractive freckle pattern later.

Sure enough, now you can read me like a Magic Eye picture.

The Sebastian Chronicles: One Night in Bangkok (then three more)

Thank goodness our hotel had a balcony.

We greeted Bangkok with a good long snuggly sleep, which is where I come into my element. Other elements were not so kind. The fur-lined and fur-covered are not designed for the tropical monsoon, and I refused to go out in Bangkok lest Trixie drop me off the express boat. She was melting in the heat and it only takes one butterfingers moment to lose a bear in the Chao Phraya.

However, we were able to enjoy a few precious sweaty evenings on the balcony, watching the lights pop on all over the modern heart of the city. Trixie and I got bitten by mosquitoes (I'm delicious), which is the downside of staying outside at dusk. It was a magical end to my days of lounging around the hotel, drinking the free water.

Trixie and Tallulah were clearly in high spirits when they packed up for the last time, and forgot that they shouldn't put me in the case if they were going to have me on the train. I have to admit, I'm quite glad as I would have ended up with them at the snake farm and I feel that my famed courage may have deserted me when confronted with a cobra. Not many pythons in the bear forests of northern Europe, either. Unfortunately, this ended with a rather undignified liberation from the depths of the suitcase, culminating in an improvised forceps delivery. I trust that Trixie and Tallulah read my expression of disapproval when my head popped free.

I'm a very forgiving bear, despite being sorely tried, so I let Tallulah have a cuddle (Trixie had to endure my silent judgement for a few more minutes) and read the bit in First Time Asia about travelling with others, as I peered out the window.

Next I'll tell you about my island adventures. Stand by...

The Sebastian Chronicles: Hitting the Road

Sebastian again.

Things have taken a sinister turn. Settled into case for flight but so far there has been no movement and I have been in here all night.

Trixie promises we're leaving in twenty minutes. See you in Bangkok. I hope

It's dark in here.

Hello????

The Sebastian Chronicles: Stuff(ing) from Plan Central

Yo.

Here goes - another online pre-departure check-in. Though due to some anomalies with booking through BA and Qantas we can't actually check in online pre-departure... I don't understand everything Trixie and Tallulah say, and quite honestly I tune out a lot (though I feel calling me "cloth-ears" was an unnecessary slur; it's not like I can help it). However, they don't seem to be talking nonsense so I'll take them at their word this time.

I am, however, pleased to report that all hotels have been booked. Overnight trains, too, and I'm one excited teddy to be travelling first class on one of our sleeper excursions. Sadly, the second trip brings a demotion to second class where I will have to travel with the masses. Luckily I am known for my forbearance. Get it? ForBEARance? Never mind.

On a longer trip with fewer tight connections, I'm sure Trixie and Tallulah would be more adventurous and head off into the unknown, but on this brief sojourn I'm relieved that all is in place. Just a couple of daytime trains to go, which can't be booked until nearer the time.

The girls have their visas, too. I don't have a passport and I'm a bit concerned about whether this is OK. I don't want to look silly and ask, though. Someone has to maintain dignity on this adventure, especially when it looks increasingly likely that we'll have one hanging off the boat yelling, "SEXY DOLPHINS" and one trying to practise her German in Bangkok. Even more when we're all going to the opera in the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE! To see the PEARLFISHERS! Sorry, did I get overexcited?

In any case, we're going to be Bizet.

Geddit?

Fluff ya later.

Sebastian.

The Sebastian Chronicles: Pre-Departure Paws for Thought

Yo. Sebastian here.

My friends over at Re-Learning American seemed keen to get in touch again, so I thought I'd pop in before the serious packing commences.

Glad you can join me us on my our adventure. Trixie and Tallulah need a big strong bear to accompany them. Just between you and me, they tend to read maps upside down and if I have to listen to Trixie argue with her GPS one more time... well, it won't just be Jesus who's taking the wheel, if you know what I'm saying.

I want you to know that I'll take good care of these girls, as much as any one bear can. I'm the security conscious one among us, and I intend to make sure that their wallets are zipped tight and their money belts are securely fastened. This may not only be about security, I admit. I like to travel in the luggage to warn off any prying fingers as we make our way through the airport, and I have no intention of being wrapped in a sarong and crammed between a stuffed kangaroo and a lacquered monk's bowl, staring down the business end of a didgeridoo. The Christmas shopping in New York was bad enough.

But I digress. I'll keep the ladies under control, and in return they promise I will see more than the daily pillow-fluffing routine. Personally, I'm hoping for some pink dolphins, and a tan.

If you don't hear from Trixie and Tallulah for a while, safe to assume they've been eaten by a bear. Follow me on Twitter to find out where I bury the leftovers bodies.

Bear out.

Are We Bearly There Yet?

Sebastian is a loyal teddy bear and travelling companion. He stays with me through illness and nightmares and never complains when he gets flung out of bed. When I take him travelling he usually stays in the hotel room, but on a recent trip some of his friends insisted that he get a few outings.

Here's a picture diary of a trip to New York City.

Ouch!

The St Patrick's Day Parade Saga, in which Sebastian watches the parade, roams the West Village (he's bear-hemian), discovers the green cocktails, overindulges in green beer and suffers in the digestive sense.

Despite this temporary setback, he pushed through the hangover to triumph as one of the last finishers of the half marathon (little legs, you know)

He wrote some postcards.

He made friends with the NYPD who let him pose on their car, and a clingy toy soldier at FAO Schwarz.

He bought his first souvenir.

Became all cool when hanging around the business hotspots in midtown.

But when he went to Times Square he rediscovered his childlike wonder.

Yes, all of this sounds a bit crazy. But on our forthcoming trip, Sebastian will be keeping everyone update via twitter. So, for minor bits of news and a heads-up whenever this blog gets updated, follow him here!