Knowing there is an exciting trip imminent is an extremely wonderful feeling with mixed emotions of wonder, anticipation, joy but also quite a bit of fear and trepidation. I think those are good things but I cannot help thinking to myself, have I done the right thing?
Of course I have. It’s an absolutely fantastic opportunity so am hopefully making the most of it. But in the months leading up to departure, there is always lots of planning, shopping and paperwork to ensure it all goes smoothly and it is amazing how quickly time will run out before I board the first flight…
I am a little bit older than when I last travelled and although am happy booking into a shared dorm in a hostel because you meet so many great people, I have grown quite fond of having a little peace and quiet, privacy, own bathroom facilities and a comfy bed. So after any flight, I have booked accommodation for a day or so in a rather more ‘comfortable’ hotel, instead of a hostel to ensure I can acclimatise at my own rate and get a decent nights sleep before exploring.
I knew I was going to be away from England for up to a year, so I made optician and dental appointments to make sure I did not miss out any regular check-ups and to minimise the risk of any potential issues while travelling.
Quite early on in the travel preparation stage, once I identified where I’ll likely go and before I booked any flights, accommodation or tours, was to get the appropriate and necessary vaccinations . It is important to do this well in advance despite many of the vaccinations being valid for 10 years or life, but must remember to leave enough time for consultations and usually at least a month or two between appointments to allow the vaccinations to be fully effective prior to departure.
After having identified where I want to go, I checked the immigration requirements via British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and applied for any necessary visas to cover my entry and duration of stay. Quite a few countries now offer an eVisa which means I can apply for those whilst on route. I will also be monitoring the FCO website as I travel for any updated travel advice or restrictions.
Having decided on the fact that I am going travelling, it made sense to let my house out. This will help a little financially and ensure any fixed outgoings are covered without me having to worry about them too much.