I bloody love Google

Half an hour of sitting on Google images and I'm actually getting a little bit excited (imagine)!

Hello Galápagos in just a few days...

And thinking about sacking off the flight home from LA and whipping across to Belize and Cancún instead...jungle, ruins, wildlife and beaches has to beat concrete, car engines and the humdrum of London life...

Pre-travel to-do list

I have this thing for lists. It may not be my best quality but there's no point trying to hide it; a pretty notebook, a good pen and a useful list is my idea of an evening well spent. More than lists themselves, I like checking things off lists and revelling in that post-tick satisfaction...definitely going to be the token loser in my tour groups! 

Image credit: http://valerienorris.blogspot.co.uk/

Going travelling may be about fun in the sun, going new places and meeting new people - but it also requires a great deal of organisation. While this can get tedious after a while, you'll be grateful you put the effort in before you hopped on your first plane. Here's my pre-travel checklist (after booking flights, accommodation etc). Hope it's useful!

Documents

Check your passport is in date - at least 6 months left by the time you finish travelling. Arrange any visas (UK passport holders don't need visas for Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, South Africa, Hong Kong, Thailand or Cambodia - although this may change if you want to stay longer than 30 days). I had to apply online for an ESTA for the States which took about 10 mins. Kenya, Tanzania and Vietnam all require visas; make sure you get your Vietnam visa BEFORE you enter the country as you cannot get one on arrival.

Other countries may have unusual entry requirements, for example Australian immigration may ask for a recent bank statement to prove you have enough cash to support yourself during your stay (applicable for those on a working holiday visa).

Sometimes airlines flying you to certain countries, such as those in South East Asia, will ask to see proof of onward travel. People have been denied boarding when unable to produce a bus/train/plane ticket - make sure you're not one of them! Always check with the airline, and book a cheap ticket if you haven't made solid plans yet to ensure you'll be allowed onto the flight.

Speaking of flights, check whether the price includes luggage before you go. If it doesn't, pre-booking may be an idea, otherwise you could find yourself paying a premium at the airport on the day.

Vaccinations

Arrange in plenty of time before you go - see this post for deets. After my first rounds of Hep A (1 injection) and Hep B (2 injections 4 weeks apart), I needed boosters 6 months later which has given me Hep A immunity for 20 years and Hep B immunity - for travel purposes - for 5 years. Make sure your general jabs are up to date - I had to get a polio, tetanus and diptheria booster before leaving for Asia and Australia.

Bank stuff

Get yourself a back-up debit card. I'm already with Nationwide and went with Metro Bank for my second current account - while they charge for withdrawals outside of Europe at the moment it's free on the Continent, which will be useful for summer. Plus, they gave me a free phrase book for SE Asia - and a birthday card! Prepaid cards are also an option.

Tell your bank you are going abroad. This may not be necessary for debit cards but if you plan to use your credit card abroad, definitely inform them otherwise your card might get blocked.

Remember to pay off your credit card when travelling, whether you log on abroad (it might help to set reminders on your phone) or call in a favour from a trusted family member (I left all my bank details at home with my mum and brother just in case - carrying out bank transactions over dodgy wifi isn't particularly advisable).

If any fixed-term savings accounts are due to expire while you're away, it may be worth talking to the financial organisation in question to decide where your money will go - if you don't do anything it could be rolled over into an account with a terrible rate.

Make sure you have enough funds to tide you over for the duration of your trip (unless you plan to work), and remember to put money aside for emergencies too - travelling is unpredictable by nature!

Personal items

If like me you're half blind without your contact lenses, remember to order enough boxes to pack a few weeks before you go. Likewise for daily meds such as the pill. It may be worth making a note of any time differences (smartphones tend to have world clocks) to check what time you should be taking medication in the various countries you plan to visit.

Phone and car

Rather than sticking with your current contract and paying for data, calls and texts you're not going to use, get a Pay-As-You-Go SIM and top it up as you go. It may also be worth unlocking your phone before you go, especially if you're going to be settling somewhere for a while and plan to invest in a local SIM.

Since I'm heading off for 18 months now (gearing up for my Asia and Australia trip), I've decided to sell my car. This can take a while so it's worth setting the wheels in motion sooner rather than later. Remember to claim back insurance and tax where applicable. 

Travel equipment

Learn how to use any new purchases before you jet off. I spent about an hour trying to fit my camera battery into a new universal charger lying flat when it needed to be upright...duh. Get to grips with your camera (I also got hold of a new battery and spare SD card) and break in new walking boots to check they're the perfect fit.

Currency

This can generally be ordered in for the next day from the Post Office - no sweat! It's useful to go in a couple of weeks before though, just in case there's a problem - I went to Iceland in December and there was a shortage of krona so I had to spend a couple of days scouring Windsor and the surrounding areas for any spare Icelandic change (currency can also be converted at banks in your destination).

Keeping in touch

Set up a Dropbox account so you can store and share photos along the way. This also saves you having to upload thousands of snaps on your return and makes the loss/theft of a camera slightly less devastating. Make sure you know your Skype logins as there'll be lots of people wanting to hear all about your trip - if you have the time! You may also want to think about creating a blog to record all your memories and experiences - although take a notepad and pen too for when you don't have access to a PC.

Music

I'm perfectly happy staring into space on bus/train journeys and soaking up all the sights, whether I'm travelling from London to Leeds or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; however making sure your iPod is full and up-to-date may be an idea.

Write a will

Yup. Thanks for that suggestion mum! Really helping the nerves there - naaat. Just told my bestie who responded with 'Really?!!! Can I have your laptop and your books and that slanket thing?'. Any more requests?!

The day before leaving

There are some things you shouldn't leave to the last minute. These things you can:

• Check onto your flight & print boarding pass
• Charge everything - phone, camera, spare camera battery, iPod etc
• Make sure you have sufficient funds in both current accounts
• Put luggage tags/ribbons on your bags so they're easily recognisable
• Turn off roaming & voicemail (networks can charge if someone leaves a message while you're overseas - akin to receiving a call)

That's all folks! Please add things I've (inevitably) missed.

43 hours until I'm in the air...! Can't quite believe it.

20°C and I've got cold feet

2 days to go and I think there's something wrong with me...I'm STILL not excited! Being one of those people who tend not to get hyped up about holidays until I'm actually sat on the plane, I'm not toooo worried, it'll come - once I manage to hurdle the giant wall of nerves blocking the way. Had a bit of a wobble on Sunday eve; a 'what the hell am I doing' sort of moment. It was a tough day to be fair - moving out of my lovely house in Windsor and bidding emotional see ya's to some VIPs in my life - which probably didn't help. I know everyone says the best way to travel is solo but I actually wish I was going with someone, even just for the first leg, to calm the nerves which are currently coursing through my veins and wreaking absolute havoc as I write! So yes, bit of a wobble - but as many of us know, you're your own worst enemy late at night and I woke up feeling a lot better about everything on Monday.

Okay. Enough wallowing. I reckon once I get there it'll be fine - lots of new things to see and do, my tour group to meet...and the anticipation part will be over. Plus (as I keep having to remind myself) I would much rather be globetrotting out of my comfort zone than stuck in the 9-5 rat race - an 18 month stint was more than sufficient! Depending on how this goes, I may not say no to setting up camp overseas for a little while...

In the meantime, I've got packing to do - up to 14.5kg eeek! Just a few more bits to throw in roll up tightly and position incredibly carefully to maintain some sort of order, and I'm done!

A first timer's guide to packing your life in a rucksack

Seasoned travellers are forever advising their less experienced counterparts to pack just the 'essentials' and that overpacking will only lead to feelings of regret - not to mention achy muscles. However, whittling your life possessions down to the bare necessities is easier said than done, especially when you are likely to encounter every possible climate and a comprehensive health kit is non-negotiable.

The list of things to take will look enormous at first and impossible to squish into a backpack - but trust me, if you've been relatively practical, especially when it comes to clothes, it WILL all fit (and this is coming from a girl who took an 18kg suitcase to Amsterdam for 4 days!). 

I finally finished picking up the last few bits and bobs for my travelling today, so I had my first real attempt at packing my bag, which I've been dreading for weeks! However, I am pleased to say that everything fits AND it all weighed in at a mere 13kg - 7kg under my limit. That's everything bar a couple of jumpers, a pair of PJs and a few other (lightweight) items. Totally chuffed!

Here is my packing list (bearing in mind I'll experience the rainy season, freezing cold and balmy spring climes). Feel free to add anything I've missed out...

Checked luggage

Sleeping bag (if you're camping; if you're in hostels may be a waste of space as they're generally not allowed for hygiene reasons)

Silk liner for hostel beds

Pillowcase
Backpack cover
Padlock (numbers and letters rather than keys in case you lose them)
Duct tape (to repair backpack if necessary)

Shoes and clothes

Walking boots

Spare laces for boots

Pumps/sneakers

Flip flops/Havaianas 

Sandals

Several pairs of shorts

Jeans

Hiking trousers (with zip off bottoms) 

Tights

Dresses/playsuits (versatile - good for day and night)

A week's worth of tops; T-shirts for shoulder protection

2 bikinis

Beach cover up 

2 bras

Socks (walking socks for hiking boots)

A week's worth of underwear
PJs

2 jumpers

Fleece

Light cardigan

Raincoat

Gloves

Thin hat

NB. If going on safari opt for olive and khaki coloured clothing. Black, red and bright colours attract mosquitos and tsetse flies.

Electronics kit

World adapter

Universal charger (includes car charger) 

Camera charger

Phone charger

iPod charger

Headphones

Head torch and batteries

Health kit (don't skimp on this!)

Allergy tablets (Loratadine is non-drowsy)

Ibuprofen

Buscopan

Insect repellent (tropical strength 50% Deet)

Sunscreen (at least SPF 30 especially for high altitude and temps)

Sunstick for lips
Aloe Gel/aftersun

Eye drops

Aspirin (useful for high altitude)

Acetazolamide (can be useful for altitude, get via prescription from doctor or steal spares from a friend if they're still in date)

Anti-bacterial hand gel or foam

Sterile cleansing wipes

Diarrhoea relief tablets

Rehydration sachets

Motion sickness tablets e.g. Stugeron

Malarone (for malaria, can get behind the counter at a pharmacy. Worth bearing in mind that other malaria tablets can make you more sensitive to the sun/mess with the pill)

Tweezers

Scissors

Nail clippers

Washproof and blister plasters

Bite cream

Safety pins

Everyday items

Contact lenses

Prescriptions (e.g. the pill)

Condoms

Tampons etc

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Make up (including waterproof mascara)

Make up wipes

Hairbrush, hairspray

Dry shampoo

Deodorant (compressed cans e.g. Sure) and body spray

Moisturiser

Shower puff

Mini shampoo/conditioner/shower gel

Razors

All purpose soap (this is amazing and can be used for hair, body, clothes and dishes! Most 'outdoorsy' places will do this, I got mine from Millets and Cotswold Outdoor)

Jewellery

Hairbands and clips

Other

Zip lock bags for toothbrush/electrics 

Plastic bags for dirty laundry/boots

Handbag

Hand luggage (small backpack)

Phone (something with an alarm clock)

iPod

Book (take one you're happy to swap on your travels)

Notepad and pens

Glasses

Sunglasses

Camera (with spare battery and SD card)

Mints

Loo roll/tissues 

Small mirror

Purse (with at least 2 debit cards, 1 as back-up)
Currency
Phrasebook

Bottle of water
Padlock

Travel documents (passport, proof of insurance, vaccination booklets, print outs of tours/hotel vouchers etc, photocopies of passport/cards etc, spare passport photos, list of emergency numbers/passwords)

Phew!

Word of advice: before you go anywhere else, head to Sports Direct to stock up - they have pretty much everything you'll need and good brands such as Karrimor are SO cheap. I got my walking boots for £30! Friends and family whose travelling days are over (at least for the time being) are also great money savers - I managed to nab a backpack, sleeping bag and silk liner which probably saved me around £150.

I've really lucked out with my backpack - as well as getting it for free from a family friend, it also opens out sort of like a suitcase (far less frustrating than digging blind or taking everything out to find a hair clip) and it has wheels! Thick shoulder straps and a decent waist/hip strap is important as well to take the weight off your back.

Helpful zip at bottom for sleeping bag/silk liner and easy access

Separate compartment for electronics, toiletries and health kit

Feel free to comment below if I've missed something off the list :)

These boots were made for walking

Ready to go - a month early! Bit keen...

31 days!