Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

Well I've not been online for a while (long story, but I unexpectedly lost net access for 2 weeks!) but I have being making progress. I have insurance, traveller's cheques, all my jabs are complete (that's 12 in total, yes that's 12!!!). I've dyed my silk sleeping sack - could I be happier with the results? Erm, no...

I was dyeing to see the results!

I still haven't organised my rucksack and regrettably, I will not be all packed by tomorrow evening, which was my goal: to be ready before I go to Cornwall on Saturday, so my last week at home would be 100% fun and games!

Oh well! I do have a 65l rucksack already which I can use - I did want to downsize to a 45l, but it would leave me no room for extras and I really can't see what can be left out. I know seasoned backpackers say travel light, but I am already! Seriously, we are talking 4 shirts, 2 t-shirts, 2 skirts and a week's worth of underwear - and that's for the entire year!!! Admittedly, that's still about double the recommended clothing quota, but halving it wouldn't make much difference. "Pack light" they say, then give you a list of essentials, all of which are heavy and bulky. So you do the math...

Anyway, it'll be fine. I still haven't read that monstrous pile of library books (it'll never happen) so that makes me panic, just like the night before all my University essays were due in!

I have got a new hobby though, one that I wish I had discovered months ago, but one I am extremely glad I have found before I leave to travel the world...

...Geocaching!!

I've already found 5 in 2 days, and I know that there is one about 500m away from our hotel in Bangkok (not to mention another 150+ in Sydney!) So now I have to buy a handheld GPS... as if the budget wasn't stretched enough!!!

Not Long Now!

3 weeks to Cornwall, that's just 6 weeks to Bangkok!!!

The Bangkok accommodation is booked - I found the hotel online, which by all accounts looks fantastic from its website, but is brand new, so it hasn't been possible to find any reviews. It could be an utter shambles when we get there, but I guess that is all part of the adventure! If it does turn out to be as good as we hope, then it'll be a great start to our stay in Thailand, having a balcony overlooking the Chao Phraya river, with a rooftop pool! And only a short walk from the Grand Palace!

iThink iNeed more iPod iTems!

Got my iPod very promptly on Friday, so that's loaded up now, I just need to relieve myself of even more money to buy a protective case, mains charger and camera connector for it! After that, there are no more major purchases left now, except for insurance. I was going to sort it out yesterday (honest!) but their phonelines are only open Monday to Friday, so I'll get onto it tomorrow (promise!)

I'm doing well, I'm organised and staying in control, but a few nerves are setting in - it's going to be great, but I am going to be away for at least 11 months, I won't see my family or friends in all that time! This trip isn't going to be easy, it'll be a huge challenge, but it will be a trip of a lifetime!

Gadgets Galore!

Got a new camera last weekend - a lovely spanking Canon PowerShot G9!!! Thought I may as well push the boat out, you know, this being a trip of a lifetime and all!

Just need to take a photography degree now to understand the hefty booklet that comes with it. "No, it hasn't got many languages in it" I remarked to a friend, "It's all English in here!" Shame the weather is being somewhat pants this week, or I'd be out giving it a test run. Still, it'll certainly get used in Cornwall in September, so I should be a PowerShot whizz by the time I depart for Bangkok.

I'm just waiting for a leather camera case to arrive from another website, plus I've finally ordered an iPod, so by the beginning of next week, I should be starting to load on my CD collection and "Learn Spanish In A Week" - you know, for the Americas! Plus, this little device is going to be my lifeline out there, a handy place to back up the many thousands of photos I am sure to take.

Not much to do now (still haven't got travel insurance, but I will I promise!) - the jabs are going well, nine down, three to go! The next one is due on the 21st, then the last two a few days later, so all will be complete before the end of August. How organised am I?