Checklist

- Vaccinations up to date - check
- 140 days of doxycycline tablets - check
- Tons of jewellery, clothes, books and other assorted paraphernalia sold at market - check
- 2 new pairs of glasses and 6 months worth of contact lenses - check
- Practical clothing: zip-off quick-dry pants - check
- Photocopies of passport, flight itinerary and day by day travel plan for mother's peace of mind - check

- Mini freak-out at the airport when I flew to Nelson for the weekend because in 2 months I'll be getting on a plane to leave forever - check
- Worried about how I'm going to live out of a pack for 6 months and not wanting to wear the same outfit in every travel photo - check
- Wondering if they have my favourite brand of peanut butter in Holland or if I have to post some to myself in advance - check
- Walked past a Max "extra 25% off all sale items" sale and didn't go in ....... check (sigh)
- listened to a travel podcast about French Polynesia and got really excited - CHECK
(www.amateurtraveler.com or find it on iTunes)

49 working days to go

It's the new year and suddenly it seems a whole lot closer. Laura's countdown is less than 3 months now, with mine not far behind. Starting to get serious and looking at the last few major items on the checklist: travel insurance, new glasses/eye exam, dental checkup (let the good times roll).

I survived the test voyage aboard Windsong. Had a great sailing trip wth Bill & Yvonne out to Great Barrier Island and back, rough seas on the way over but beautiful once we got there, and nice & peaceful coming back. Discovered that "Sea Legs" anti-sea sickeness tablets actually put you to sleep quite promptly, despite rolling seas. That knowledge will be stored carefully for future use. Have already purchased some tablets.





Don't know how I'm going to live out of a pack for 6 months!! I refuse to slum it and use 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner. Something else will have to stay behind.

49 WORKING DAYS TO GO. BRING IT ON!

Route Map

Hi everyone and welcome to my travel blog.

Here's a map showing exactly where I'm going! Modes of transport indicated where possible. (Note the coolest part: Tahiti to Hawaii over the ocean!) Most of SE Asia will be done overland with the exception of an internal flight from Vientiane to Pakse (Laos) to save time and hassle. Travel in China will be on a photography tour with Ewen Bell and Grasshopper Adventures - check out his website Photography for Travellers on the links bar to the left.

Click on the map to enlarge.