DAY 26. Tbilisi International Airport. There is nothing more important in my life than my wife and son. And nothing more valuable to me than having quality time with Padma and Joseph. Padma and I have had 24 years of quality time together but having quality time with Joseph has been elusive. It isn’t easy being a father.

For 20 years Joseph has probably only known me as the mean old ogre who is always yelling at him to get out of bed, finish his homework or take out the rubbish.

And yet for 20 years he has heard his old man tell stories of adventures in far off lands. And as I told those stories I yearned to once again discover some little known land. Nothing to me could me more satisfying than combining my thirst for new adventures with my profound desire to share that experience with my son. And Georgia proved to offer everything I was looking for.

For 26 days Joe and I shared adventures which neither of us will ever forget. We made friendships which will last our lifetimes. We’ve scaled mountains together and stood before some of the most magnificent displays of nature on Earth. We’ve tested our physical endurance and mental toughness together. And we’ve gotten to learn about each other far from our cozy environment at home in Australia.

I shared this experience with Joseph, the man, and left Joseph, the boy, behind in Australia. Joseph inherited nothing from me in terms of physical features – his mother’s genes overwhelmed mine – but I could see on this trip that he is indeed a much younger version of his father as he showed a keen interest both in learning about new cultures and in appreciating the magnificent work of Mother Nature. He dove into Georgia headfirst and welcomed all she had to offer.

I suspect a lot of 19-year-olds would rather die than go on an extended trip with their father. But Joe was on board from the first mention of a Georgian trek and for that and for the 26 days of quality time with my son, I am forever grateful.