Video Blog? Video of Itinerary!

Testing of Video Blog... V-Blog!

100 Days!

With 100 days to go! Ive quite a bit to sort and do...


Medical Issues

Yesterday i went to see the 'Traveldoc' on Regent street to consult him about the jabs I still require. This place offers a 10% discount as I've booked through STA and is reasonably cheaper than my local NHS nurses practice. Heres how the remaining medical costs are racking up:

• Hepatitis B jab - £37
• Rabies - £47
• Yellowfever - £47

Plus malaria prophylaxis drugs: Melfloquine - £48

Jabs appointment for Monday 17th Nov...


Traveling Money

After considering several credit cards and Mastercard alternatives I'm looking at a STA travel Mastercard cash card, which is accepted around the world, has excellent security features and is designed for travelers. This should be a suitable alternative to an actual credit card, which I've never been to comfortable with the idea of...


Visas

I've also been looking at several sources of acquiring a NZ working visa. After scouring several websites and phoning for a couple of price quotes I've once again decided that STA's is economically the best choice, undercutting other prices by at least £20. A holiday visa is also needed for OZ at a small cost of £20.


Itinerary

Once again I'm considering adjusting my itinerary... this time to make it a little more flexible in places and allowing myself more freedom for traveling about, namely in New Zealand, allowing the possibility for me to visit west OZ and maybe Indonesia. After all, isn't that what travelings about? ~Being free!~ The adjustments would also make the South American part of the trip fit into the summer season better, tho i'm not quite sure where I'd end up around Christmas or new years... lol I may also end up in Rio in Feb 2010 for the greatest carnival on Earth ...

The alterations would be simple at this stage, with no loss of any deposits and the moving of a few flight dates. The inspiration for the changes came from several sources; an indepth conversation with Ben from the alley about traveling, discussion about how i like things to work and how I am as a person with John from Bistro and my own thoughts considering the whole point of me traveling and why I want to do this. The last sentiment may hold the answer to the big looming question about what I want to do after I've traveled...

South East Asian Jaunt

So, the Thailand trip has been paid for in full and my place confirmed! This cost me about £450, which is £50 more than i budgeted, but Stewart the guy sorting all my stuff at STA managed to get with a few bits of discounts et c. So thats sweet! Included for the price is Hill tribe treks, elephant rides, tours, accommodation blah blah blah..

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/TRM


Also a £100 deposit has been put down on the Latin American cross continent adventure trip... I have a balance of over £1500 to pay before the end of January tho... Ouch! looks amazing tho and includes lots of touristy passes, tours on top of cooks and porters, meals accommodation. The price keeps rising aswell.... week by week. I reckon the best decision was to put the deposit down asap and get it at that selling price.

http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SXMR

Need to learn some Spanish and get vaccinations done....


Planning....

Latin American Adventures

I've discovered that i can visit "The end of the world...."

Once Ive left New Zealand I hope to visit Chile in late September / early October for a couple of weeks, just before flying north from Santiago to Lima-Peru! on the agenda below it was listed as Argentina however, this will now be Chile,with a potential trip across the boarder into Argentina.

http://www.allsouthernchile.com/southamerica/punta-arenas-patagonia-chile/index.html

http://www.interpatagonia.com/paleontologia/museospaleo_i.html

http://www.interpatagonia.com/puntaarenas/hostels_i.html


In the southern regions of Chile (region XII) is Patagonia - Cape Horn. This area is the southern tip of American land, where the southernmost city of the world: Punta Arenas is located. The city has a longitude of 53°. The only thing south from here is Antarctica... So understandably this place is known as the end of the world...

Thailand trip to be paid for at the end of October, as well as the deposit for Latin America 'southern cross' trip.

Free talk at STA travel on November 3rd about Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand working visa to be sorted in November, along with medical jabs for:

• Hep B
• Rabies
• Yellow fever
• Jap Enceph

Lots of reading to be done!

4 months to go..

Finalised Itinirary

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore
20/02/09 - Fly from London to Bangkok

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/TRM
-Overland to Singapore

Australia, New Zealand
25/03/09 - Fly from Singapore to Cairns
- Overland to Sydney
05/05/09 - Fly from Sydney to Christchurch
- Overland to Auckland

Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil
22/09/09 - Fly from Auckland to Santiago
13/10/09 - Fly from Santiago to Lima

http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SXRM
- Over land to Rio De Janeiro
15/12/09 - Fly Home.

Countdown!

Today much kit was purchased from the Castle Mountain Moor camping shop for traveling! Including many vital items such as mosquito nets and insect repellent! :cD
These are Christmas pressies from the folks, which will be a big help! Just a few bits and pieces including; water purifying tablets, camera SD cards and walking sandals to be purchased now.

Dental check up went well and i shouldn't have to visit him again before i leave in Feb. nice to have something sorted and crossed off the list.

With Just under 164 days before i fly I finally have the funds to purchase my round the world ticket, along with travel insurance from STA travel!! :cO
This will happen tomorrow... can't believe this day has finally arrived. This brings me to my finalized flight itinerary that i want to book (In brief):

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore
20/02/09 - Fly from London to Bangkok
- Overland to Singapore

Australia, New Zealand
25/03/09 - Fly from Singapore to Cairns
- Overland to Sydney
05/05/09 - Fly from Sydney to Christchurch
- Overland to Auckland

Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil
22/09/09 - Fly from Auckland to Buenos Aires
13/10/09 - Fly from Buenos Aires to Lima
- Over land to Rio De Janeiro
01/12/09 - Fly Home