Wake me up before you go go!

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I thought that it might be an idea to give any valuable kernels of information that I have gathered along the way in relation to planning for my year around the world:

Internet:

Scour the internet, over and over again. Be sure to bookmark any websites that you find interesting as in a months time you will forget what you have looked at and trying to find that website again is near impossible.
Some indispensable websites:
http://www.travelfish.org/
http://www.travellerspoint.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa/
http://www.gapyear.com/

Blogs:

You should also check out people’s travel blogs, here’s a few that I found enjoyable:
http://www.thirteenmonths.com/
http://www.bronek.org/weblog/
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Dekka/
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/stickyrice/
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/the-soul-cultivator/

Books:

I also found the Rough Guides “First Time Around the World” to be very helpful and informative in the planning stages, also bought the “First Time around Asia”. Another book that I bought recently, as I am coming closer to my departure is the Lonely Planet guide “Southeast Asia on a Shoestring”. Even though I am also going to Australia and New Zealand I have decided that I wont be buying my guidebook for that until much later as they are pretty heavy!!

Flights:

It is really hard to plan your flights, there are just so many wonderful places to go and so little time/money to do it. One definite thought that is shared by many travellers is don’t try and do to much. It is more enjoyable to experience one place completely, than to get a brief unfulfilling experience on many places that rarely delves beneath the skin the culture. When I originally started planning the trip, I wanted to do everything, Africa, North & South America, Asia and Australasia. In the end I decided that I would like to sink my teeth into South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand this time around and then maybe in a separate trip do the Americas. After all, you shouldn’t have to travel only once in your life, it should be a natural continuous experience.

I tried to plan my trip online, but in the end I found the best way is to go into a specialist travel company, they are really knowledgeable and chances are your representative has been to the places you have been already…so they can give you hints and tips that those “in the know” can only answer. I went into trailfinders in Dublin and they not only got me much cheaper flights than I had priced myself directly, but the also gave me tons of advice. ie. Keep a fake wallet as a decoy to would be robbers, what checkpoints are allowing travellers through, what the weather will be like, what people will try to do to rip you off and how best to avoid it…all important stuff for the lone female traveller me thinks! It is probably best to go in with some idea of where you would like to go though, just so that you can make the best of your time. I used various websites like http://www.statravel.com/, http://www.roundtheworldflights.com/cheap-round-the-world-tickets.aspx/ and www.oneworld.com to make possible itineraries. Also used the weather website http://www.weatherbase.com/ to make sure I wasn’t planning on visiting any monsoons along the way!

Other Modes of Transport:

Of course flying isn’t the only way to get around, you could take some other more interesting modes of transport. I thought about different options like trains, boats and buses, but in the end I though I would make my way over there by plane and then I would travel by other means when I was there.
Here are some great ways to discover the earth:
By Boat:
http://www.7knots.com/cgi-bin/list_boat.pl?view=803/
By Bus:
Although Im not sure If I would be able to stick the same people from Europe all the way to Australia by land, surely there is a chance of a lord of the flies incident, you find yourself tucking into your bunk mates arm or something haha! http://www.oz-bus.com/index.html/
By Train:
This is one that I would love to do one day, just seems like such a great trip, also would love to stop of in Mongolia, looks like such an amazing place http://www.trans-siberian.co.uk/site/

Shots:

When travelling in South East Asia it is essential to make sure you are updated with a number of vaccines. I went to my usual Medical Centre as they do Travel Vaccinations. I found that the “Travel Bureaus” were alot more expensive. I got the following shots:
Hepatitis B € 28.00
Revaxis (Combined DIP+TET + POLIO) €30.00
Viatim (Combined HEP A + TYPHOID) €65.00

Visas:

I decided that I would be better getting as many Visas along my way as possible as a.) They cost less and b.) I would like to keep my travel arrangements as open planned as possible. The only visa I got before hand was my Australian Working Visa which you can apply for online which is handy enough http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/index.htm/
I don’t need a visa for Hong Kong which is my first port of call, while there I will get my Vietnam Visa http://www.inm-asiaguides.com/hongkong/ehtrans.htm/
When in Vietnam I will get my Cambodia visa and so on….

Insurance:

I researched Insurance extensively and I found that the best deal was with my bank. They were one of the cheapest and the cover cash and baggage as well as Winter/Extreme Sports, even Bungy Jumping! Always read the terms and conditions carefully as you can really be screwed over by Insurance Companies. Some websites in my order of preference: http://www.aib.ie/, http://www.travelinsurance.co.uk/, http://www.travelinsurance.co.uk/, http://worldnomads.com, http://www.insurancebookers.ie/, http://www.trailfinders.ie/

Shopping:

Of course there are some things that you just have to get before you leave…then there are things that you could more than likely get along the road alot cheaper.
Bag:
One essential that you absolutely can’t leave home without is the good ‘ol Backpack. This is DEFINITELY worth spending a bit of money on. I bought one a couple of years ago that did the trick, but seriously was not good enough for my needs. It weighed far too much before you even put anything inside it. It was top loading which was inconvenient. It wasn’t lockable at all, meaning it was a free for all if you left it unattended…not that I would be doing that, but you can’t have eyes in the back of your head. Also the main hip buckle broke when an over zealous Croatian threw it off the van.
I also injured my back recently so decided to invest in what would be my turtle shell for the next year. Went to the Great Outdoors a really expensive hiking store in Dublin. The friendly staff helped me to pick out a nice pink and grey number. Every part of it is fully adjustable to mould to your body completely. Its brilliant, it is 65l didn’t want to go too large afterall I would have to carry it. It has a detachable day pack and loads of compartments inside, inluding one for your documents which I think is brilliant seeing as by the time I finished my last trip mine were tattered and bruised!
Toiletries:
I have an amazing array of toiletries normally, so trying to downsize has been the hardest part. Apparently its alot cheaper to buy these while traveling, also my friend had the unfortunate accident of all her shampoo exploding all over her bag. Not the kind of surprise you want to start your travels with! Things that I am bringing from home include Shampoo & Conditioner, I have to take extra care in looking after my hair, because it is dyed blonde. Also going to bring sun factor, because I am quite fair and need a high factor. Toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, anti-perspirant and deodrant. Will use my shampoo as a shower gel and my conditioner as a shaving cream.
Medication:
Have to get Malaria tablets, was toying with the idea of not taking them, but figure its just not worth the risk, I have a friend who contracted Malaria and its a serious problem. In Ireland there is a drug scheme where you don’t pay any more than €58 in any month for drugs if it is on prescription. My doctor kindly put everything that I need on the prescription. This includes, head ache tablets, anti-histamines, anti-diarrheal, anti sickness, pill and anti-inflammatories(have back trouble).
Clothes & Essentials
Not buying many new clothes as they will more than likely get wrecked anyway. Might pop into Pennies(A cheap clothes store) to buy some extra plain tops and skirts, but other than that I am sorted. Will pack enough clothes for one week as you can wash your clothes along the way. The majority of clothes will be small tops and skirts, also some longer skirts for when I want to visit temples. Also going to invest in a good pair of supportive sandles for when I go trekking/walking. Other items that I will be bringing are a money belt, a waterproof capsule for when I am swimming, digital camera, SSL Camera, Pack of Cards, Journal, Unlocked Mobile Phone, Ipod, Travel Speakers, Quick Drying Large Travel Towel, Blow Up Pillow, Sleeping Bag, Ear Plugs, Hand Bag, Lightweight Rain Jacket. I will probably have a more extensive list for ya when I actually pack my bag in three weeks. For all the inspiration on what to bring go to the invaluable website www.onebag.com
Well thats all the tips that I can think of for the moment. I will be sure to update in the coming weeks as I am sure that I will realise that I have forgotten to do loads of important things!

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Photos

Wide Awake!
I'm awake and ready to get the hell outta here!

Comments

[nomad_ninja]

thanks for the info
thanks for all the information that you have posted here...