Nearly there! Only about 5 weeks to go - still a lot of planning going on. My new Lonely Planet book is already starting to look dog-eared. The old one almost fell apart! First stop in SA is Santiago, Chile for three days, then flying out to Temuco to start camping. Update more soon! Emily... read more

It's about 10 weeks until D-Day (departure day). Today I'v ebooked the last round of immunisations - rabies, flu shot, Hep A and Hep B. Knowing my luck , I won't get sick from the typical comunicable disesaes, I'll be hit by a speeding donkey or something similarly absurd.... The itinerary as it stands (for today)... Melbourne - Sydney - Auckland - Santiago - Temuco - Junin de Los Andes - San Martin de Los Andes - Bariloche - Ososrno - Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales - El Calafate - Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago - Buenos Aires - Concordia - Mercedes - Corrientes - Resistencia - Salta - Jujuy - Calama -San Pedro de Atacama - Uyuni - Potosi - Sucre - Santa Cruz - Villa Tunari - Cochabamba - ... read more

They say prior preparation and planning prevents piss poor performance - I reckon I must be almost researched up to the hilt. I spent a bit of time today reading about the area where I'll be working in Bolivia. On Saturday morning it's off to the Map Shop in the city to see what's available and then swing around to Kathmandu to pick up some items (like I need more luggage!). The panic mode is starting to warm itself up again - I've woken up in a blind panic the last three mornings........ read more