Preparation

The day has arrived, in less that 24 hours I will be on a plane heading toward Europe. As I look back on the events that have lead me to this point. I would take this opportunity to thank those that have helped me along the way, both small and large, material and immaterial. Thank you again, you know who you are.

Now on a more grounded note;
Packing is half done. Paper work and bureaucracy from the Australian end has been tied in a not so neat bow (I just have to post of my Tax Return). Passport and travel Visa done. Spending money has been transfered to a Euro Visa card. iPod charged. Work desk mostly clean.

Having dinner with the family tonight then off to the airport for my plane which is due to leave at ten to one in the morning.

It is 14 hours until departure.

Almost at single figure days until exodus and the final preparations are coming to there conclusion… almost. The minor tasks of getting a UK bank account and National Insurance number (the equivalent of our Tax File Number), only I have the same issues that I had with getting my Working Visa. Catch 22’s all over the place, but I am getting somewhere with it all.
Good things that have happened of late in regard to holiday preparations, I now have travel insurance until the 15th of March 2008. Travel insurance is an awesome thing, covering things that domestic insurance policies (note the plural) never cover or you pay so much that it feels like you are covering your past lives as well. So with me covered for terrorist hijackings and iPod theft along with European Union now allowing me emergency medical care when needed.
Yes now allow me, if you don't have travel insurance in the UK and rock up to an Emergency Room with say having a heart attack or suffering stab wounds they will not admit you, and you will die on the street... nice. This may be over dramatized, but still am glad I have insurance.

It is 10 days until departure.

The bag or luggage that I spoke about last post has been procured. A 'High Sierra' brand black/blue/grey thing. It is half way between being one of those hard case luggage bags with the telescopic handles and a backpacking on the back sort of thing. It has a day pack that zips on and off the front of said pack.
The day pack now also has a sew on Australian Flag badge attached by thread to the secondary pocket on the back of the pack (Australia Rocks!!!). More stuff to be done, but the main purchases have now been made.

It is 20 days until departure.

Now that the majority of the logistical stuff is done, next comes what to pack. I have been told that you always end up packing too much, so with this in mind I start constructing the list to what will enter my luggage of the next three weeks.
First off I need luggage, given I have never really travelled the need for high class carrying devices was never needed. Saturday is the day I go looking for the main container for this adventure.
The smaller items are slowly wending themselves my way. With my birthday just gone all said presents are travel related in some way, those items include;
A money pouch, a waterproof poncho, a sew on Australia flag badge, UK & Europe outlet adapters, a waterproof travel bag, a three fold wallet (its small, which I like), combination padlocks and a digital compact camera with a 4gb memory card.
Other items that have been obtained;
Passport wallet, iPod Camera Connector and hiking boots.

It is 24 days until departure.

I got my visa application back on Friday, and what craziness that approved the application. From August 24th 2007 to August 24th 2009 I will be allowed to work I the United Kingdom for 12 months with the rest of the time spent seeing stuff and not working. It’s a scary prospect in its own way, different continent, different country without all the usual support mechanisms of home.
Also on Friday the details and tickets for my Contiki tour, including a passport wallet, two pass tickets for the London Underground and my travel insurance policy.
This whole trip away thing is well on its way unstoppable way, now it’s a matter organising the small irritating stuff.

33 Days until departure.