Parents Gap Year

Ep14. Kimonos In Kyoto, Naked In Ito - Tokyo, Ito, Kyoto, Liverpool, Bristol

Japan is Ann-Marie and Rod’s last stop, before returning to the UK to pick up their much missed son Max from uni, before Ann-Marie’s big birthday bash. In Tokyo, they experience the wonders of a digital arts exhibition, share an extravagant night out with Ann-Marie’s school friend Helen and her generous husband Hiro, sample the surprising female jet-settings of the Japanese toilet and the onsen hot springs in a traditional hotel in Ito. In Kyoto, Ann-Marie and Rod sample the exquisite food and architecture of the Gion district, famous for its geishas, temples and samurai warriors. And ahead of going home, Ann-Marie talks to solo traveller Rosie, about what it’s like to return to the UK after seven months of travelling! Contributors: Helen Butler, Hiro Hiraiwa, Rosie Hemming, Max McCormack Gray, Carmel O’Doherty, Betty Kennedy, Ann McCormack, Pamela McCormack, Izzy Gibbs, Sophie De Payronnet. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray

Ep13. Sister & The Whale Sharks - Porta Princesa, El Nido, Coron, Oslob, Moalboal & Boracay.

Ann-Marie and Rod face the madness of Manilla airport, where Ann-Marie’s sister Pam misses her connecting flight in a storm. Together they experience the vibrant nightlife and sunsets of El Nido and Rod shipwreck dives for the first time in Coron. But as they relax in the hot springs, Ann-Marie and Rod hear their beloved cat is very ill! In Oslob, they swim with enormous whale sharks and their guide Genil shares her own story of losing three family members during Covid. In Maolboal, Pam finds majestic turtles and they all share fun lake kayaking, swimming through the most awesome underwater reefs and the deepest clearest water between sheer granite cliffs. Contributors: Pamela McCormack, Sherman Monterde - snorkel boat guide, Genil P. Berggren - whale shark guide. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray

Ep12. Phi Phi Party & Pad Thai - Thailand 2 - Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi

Ann-Marie and Rod do a Thai cookery course before reconnecting with their Bristol friends Tegan, Albie and Luke, who has just lost his mother that morning. They chat with a Dutch couple, who sold everything to move to Koh Lanta, about how to run a business in Thailand. On Phi Phi Island, during Songkran - Thai New Year, they talk to two tsunami resilient survivors about their shocking experiences on that fateful day in 2004. Contributors: Amy Fu, Matt Zoeller, Ciara and Chloe Zoeller, Tegan Everett, Luke Everett, Albie Everett, Johan and Sabine Bogaerts, Beau and Toni - tsunami survivors. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray

Ep11. Turtles & Tannoys - Bali, Gili Isles, Lombok

Ann-Marie and Rod meet up with their newly tattooed son Sam, avoid being robbed by monkeys, share really fun times with two naughty boys on the Gili Isles and gain a great insight into life as a businesswoman in Lombok, during their most festive season.  Contributors: Sam McCormack Gray, Egy Madani, Dodi i Pandi, Yofy Satria, Yuli - Yuli’s Homestay owner, Kuta, Lombok, Betty - Ubud receptionist. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray

Ep10. Glow Worms & Intrepid Trekkers - New Zealand - Queenstown, Lake Tekapo & Milford Sound

At a hostel Ann-Marie and Rod meet some brave trekkers who share incredible stories of The Te Araroa trail they’re on, walking from New Zealand’s North to South islands. They are wowed by the beauty of travelling through the South Island on a road trip, and feel the heart warming glow of the glow worms. Contributors: Jude Newton Stock, Trekkers - Arjuna Welsh, Brandon Morrissey & Michael Andrews, Thomas Milenbrook - Glow worms guide Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray