As it gets closer to the start of my journey I’ve been completing final preparations for my trip. This has mainly been research about where I’m going, buying and sorting what I’m bringing, and organizing my travel paperwork and documents. I’ve informed my banks, set up my phone for international data and purchased travel insurance. The research and shopping has been fun, the paperwork, less so.

Since I seem to be getting a lot of questions about my journey I thought it would be useful to answer the big questions here:

 

Where are you going, exactly?

I started the journey wanting to go to Europe. I’ve been there before and want the chance to explore new countries and visit some favorites from previous travels.

However, cold weather sucks (and I didn’t want to pack all those clothes) so researching places that are warm in January like Oceania and Southeast Asia was my next logical step. This evolved into a trip where I follow warm weather around the world.

My plans can be broken down like a play: Part 1, Intermission, and Part 2. Of course, I expect some of this will change, but I needed to identify some of the countries to get the proper travel vaccinations.

I’ll be booking flights, trains and buses along the way so I can be flexible with how much time I spend in each location. So far I have booked three days in San Francisco, a week in LA, a week in Fiji, and my flight into New Zealand along with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Everything else can be booked later so let me know of any suggestions you may have!

 

What are you bringing?

Everyone has been asking me about how I plan to live out of a backpack. Here’s a picture of my bag, organized mostly by using packing cubes. Don’t worry; I had no idea what they were either. Basically they are strong but light bags to pack into that help travelers organize everything.

Clothing

My clothing has been split into two packing cubes. A large one holds: a dress, a romper, two pairs of shorts, five tops, pajamas, leggings, a sweater, and three long sleeve shirts that were headed to goodwill. I plan to ditch these after California. The smaller cube holds undergarments and two bathing suits. For travel I’ll be wearing a fleece zip-up, jeans, and sneakers. 

Toiletries

Everything I am bringing is carry-on sized approved so no need to check my bag. I’ll be purchasing more as I go. I’ve packed a shampoo bar, conditioner, soap and face wash, hair gel, spray and ties. I’ve also got contact solution, deodorant, a razor, some sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, and travel laundry detergent. While everything fits in my hanging toiletry bag (great for hostels!) I have to pack the liquid separately for airport security.

Technology

My tablet, Kindle, IPod Shuffle, and phone have all been updated with games, books, music and movies. I’ve also got all of the chargers, a converter, plus a backup battery. Other tech items include sleeping headphones, a flashlight and a selfie stick. There are also padlocks to secure everything in hostel lockers.

Other

Here’s the rest of the stuff I’m brining: casual shoes, flip-flops, a packable day bag, laundry bag, paperwork, passports, medicine, makeup bag, travel towel, multi-use scarf, sunglasses, deck of cards, earplugs, a journal, underwater phone case and my wallet.

 

 

What about vaccines?

 Vaccinations are recommended for travel to some of the more remote and exotic locations. So this meant shots for me. How I wish I were talking about a different kind of shot.

I had the erm “pleasure” of visiting a travel vaccination clinic for a bunch of vaccines. Once you get all of these jabs, they give you a ‘yellow booklet’ used universally to show every vaccine you’ve had along with some malaria tablets and antibiotics. If you plan to do a trip like this, don’t forget to budget this in- the vaccines aren’t cheap!

 

So that’s it: I feel prepared and excited and nervous. In just one week, I am going on an adventure…