What Everybody Ought to Know About Long Term Travel Preparation
When it comes to the human hierarchy of needs, I’m a textbook case. Food, shelter, friendship, love, respect of others and respect from others, all are being fulfilled. Growing up in Australia, fortunately, most of my essential needs were sorted out a long time ago. So, I moved on to savings accounts, credit cards, insurance policies, career, and a mortgage.
Seemingly, it’s all a “natural” progression through modern life.
However, as with most other 9-5’ers, my days were ultimately destined to become un-fulfilling, and pretty damn meaningless. The daily grind was now on repeat. I was forced to ask myself a question – is this what life is really all about?
Really?
No.
I needed to do something about it.
In just eleven days time, I will head off to see the world, long term.
Travel time again – off into the unknown, the chaotic, and the unexplained.
It’s about the journey, and the destination. There must be a final destination, somewhere. I haven’t figured out where, or when, it is. I’m not sure if the final destination is city or country, hot or cold, crowded or deserted. I’m certain the only way I’ll find out, is by starting the journey.
I read somewhere that travelling the world was easy, and cheap. I’m counting on that. Mainly because I don’t really have time for much research before I head off. There’s always the taxi-ride on the way to the airport.
I’m struggling to make a coherent point right now – but maybe that is the point.
When faced with the impending departure date for a journey of life-changing proportions, and a mile long list of things that need to be done in the next eleven days, there’s only one word that describes my preparation for long term travel, as well as my current state of mind…
Fuuuuuuck.
Nate.
* about the photos – taken on the streets of Perth, Australia. My home town.
hahahahahahahhaa
That is all.
;)
ha! I’m glad somebody gets a laugh out of me freaking out! ;)
HOW EXCITING!!! Just wing it, It’s going to be amazing xx
Oh, I will be winging it Scarlett, I’ve had no time to prepare. But, yes, it will be great!
But it feels SO good when you finally get on the road…you’ll feel great then, don’t worry =) Exciting!!!!!!
I’m looking forward to it Andrea, and I’m not *really* worrying (not too much anyway)!
Dude! Congrats on your big decision! I’ll be leaving on my own screw-this-corporate-bullshit-travel-round-the-world-for-a-year trip in 1.5 months and I can’t wait!
Will be shooting and blogging extensively along the way.
Looking forward to reading about your adventures!
Adrian
Cheers Adrian, and yes, I will have my Fuji X Pro in-tow, thanks in part to seeing your great photography with this amazing camera.
Good luck with your trip, 1.5 months is nothing, time will fly…
Major fuckery. But that’s the beauty of it all, you travel, you live, and you learn. And you get to tell the world all about it! I’ll be heading off for a career break in three months and it seems like such a long time, but I’ll feel the same way you did in no time. Take it easy!
Three months is not that long, my last three months have disappeared! Thanks for leaving a comment Antoinette, and I hope you have an incredible career break.
Nate, your passport is the main thing to ensure you have in eleven days time, the rest won’t matter when you get on the plane. Enjoy the ride mate cause you will have a blast! My next long trip is quite a while off, but damn I can’t wait to say screw you ever so politely to the corporate world when I do. In the meantime, I have a “2 weak” vacation coming up in early August to Malaysia and Singapore. Short trips don’t really cut it after a couple of long ones, but it is better than my cubicle!
Travel safe and I can’t wait to watch your trip unfold.
Cheers
Bec
haha “2 weak”, love it Bec! You’re right though, the passport is the main thing. A credit card or two should help as well. Malaysia and Singapore are two of my favorite places, you’ll have a ball there.
Thanks for the kind words, and I look forward to seeing you around here.
Good luck with your trip! Love that picture of the lady in the hat.
Hi Lorraine, that’s one of my favourite photos as well – and thanks for the well wishes.
Bahaha!! Well it’s only 7 days now – hope you’ve been hard at it! I finished everything except our tax returns before we left! I just scanned the docs and took them with us to do online. You’ll be fine – cant wait to find out your first stop!!
My favourite travellin’ mumma, you guys are an inspiration. Yes, I have been hard at it, all systems are go for Monday morning… you’ll find out where I am, very soon…
You will not regret it! Just deep breath and jump. =)
Thanks Christine…btw, whenever I see you online, I can’t help but think of Hawaii 5-0. You’re like the closest thing to a movie star I know ;)
Have a blast! I’m still building up the courage to take the plunge!
Do it Tommy! Take the plunge! Yes, I am incorrigible, and relentless, when it comes to advice like this ;)
As a woman who did a solo trip around the world, I KNOW how those days before the trip starts are the most turbulent, but there’s no doubt it’s worth it.
To prove it, I’m plotting my next trip around the world and I’m publishing a book about my last trip.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1177029084/if-your-dream-doesnt-scare-you-it-isnt-big-enough
Good luck! Can’t wait to see what you discover.
:-)
‘stine
Thanks Kristine, good luck with the plotting, and your book.
Suspense is killing me.. Where to where to???
Ahh Kieu…I’m trying to kill people with the suspense, you’ll need to check back here next week!!
You will be fine. I didn’t plan a damn thing. I arrived in Mexico and figured it all out. It is better to have no plans at all.
Great minds think alike, right? I agree, no plans at all = much better holiday.
My round the world trip had been christened ‘The Un-Plan’ as my partner and I will simply be heading anywhere and everywhere we fancy. We start in India, but from then on it will all be a magical mystery tour! I’m sure you will have the most amazing experience and I hope our paths will cross at some stage :)
Hi Hannah, I hope our paths cross as well. I’ve always wanted to go to India, and just might get there in the next 12 months. I’m pretty much doing the same as you – unplanning my way around the world, to wherever I decide at the time. Exciting times for both of us!
Know that 9 – 5 rat race for sure. :-) Wish you luck in your travels and enjoy it to the fullest Man. “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Disney
Thanks dude.
hahahaha …. love readings your posts and the pictures–especially of people–are beautiful …
Wherever in the world you are now, I am sure you have gotten over all those pre-departure jitters.
Cheers
Thanks Marje! Yep, I’m on the road now, and life is good. I really appreciate the compliment on my photographs, taken photos of people on the street is a hobby of mine, so there will be plenty more to come on here.
I never plan anything either, except perhaps what I want to see the day after arrive, playing it by ear from there. If I am landing in a big city I might have an idea of where I want to spend the first night though. I’m sure you have it all wired by now!
We have similar methods, Federico. Thanks for stopping by!
Good luck mate. I will be using you as inspiration.
Cheers Steve… good luck with your endeavours as well.