So, just two months from today we'll have started the adventure...I can't believe how quickly it's come around - a bad sign for how quickly it's going to pass! We're most likely going to be doing the Sail & Rail from Dun Laoighaire to London on May 22nd to make sure we've got a cushion day before departure on May 24th.
The information pack finally arrived from OzBus. It wasn't quite the lengthy document I was expecting, but it does have info on what Visa's I need to get sorted and some updates on what's in and what's out for the trip.
East Timor is likely to be removed from the itinerary as it's considered dangerous to visit at present. It's still on the list for the time being, but it's probable that we'll be flying from Bali to Darwin and skipping over the East Timor section of the trip. Myanmar is definitely off the list as OzBus have decided it's too unsafe for us to travel into and are suspending all travel into the country. It's a shame as it's the only place Mr Green really wanted a postcard from...but I'd like to make it back alive so I'll listen to the people who know :)
Because Myanmar is off the list we've got an extra flight on the schedule now (Kolkutta to Bangkok). It was never gonna be fully overland...but this makes a minimum of two flights now to get us there.
The other big change is that camping is off the table until we get to Australia. No camping in Europe so no need for a tent we're told - so my swish blue 3 man will be sitting at home unused. Damn my organisation and buying it way early! For the Australia camping the tents will be supplied...kinda makes me wonder why we needed to have our own for Europe if they already have enough for everyone but I'll let that one go :)
Our OzBus departure date (for anyone who wishes to come wave us off) is from The Embankment in London on Sunday May 24th @ 7am.
Visa wise..we've got 5 to get. From what I've read and heard from people this can take a bit of time so I need t get moving on it ASAP. Stupidly however I've only just applied for a replacement passport as my current one is up in March 2010 which will cause problems for entry into some countries. I got it in my head that I'd have loads of time to do Passport Express when I get back from Krakow (heading off next weekend for two days - I know..there's a recession on and I'm heading off randomly to London, Krakow, Oz etc). Thankfully the lovely people in the passport office said they'd be able to have a shiny new passport ready for me to collect this coming Friday in time for departure to Poland so I can get onto the Visa stuff as soon as I get back. Phew!
Vaccinations are all done...praise Jeebus...never been so happy a course to be over. I'll definitely be getting any and all boosters that will extend the protection for as long as possible to avoid having to get them all re-done if I need them again!
I believe the workday countdown is now at 31 days...sweet! I've still got a lot of stuff to sort out..but I'll get there in the end.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Facebook Group
Here's our Facebook group for the trip:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=33617750207
We're up to six members now! I know of a 7th person on the trip but he's not signed up to the group yet because he's not quit his job yet and he doesn't want work to find out that way. At Christmas, OzBus Mark said the trip was about 60% full so I'm expecting 20+ people minimum on the bus come May 24th.
It's nice to be in contact with some of the bus crew before we arrive in London..it'll be kinda like we know each other on the first day.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=33617750207
We're up to six members now! I know of a 7th person on the trip but he's not signed up to the group yet because he's not quit his job yet and he doesn't want work to find out that way. At Christmas, OzBus Mark said the trip was about 60% full so I'm expecting 20+ people minimum on the bus come May 24th.
It's nice to be in contact with some of the bus crew before we arrive in London..it'll be kinda like we know each other on the first day.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
March..April..May..
Nearly there! Only 42 work days left for me..how great is that?!? Not as great as Loonie who has less than 40...but really..who can complain with 42 ;)
I'm still waiting for the information pack from OzBus to tell us what we need to do before we go with regard to Visas etc. Had hoped it'd be here by now but there's no sign as yet... I'd like to chase them up on it, but reckon that'd probably be a bad idea. I don't wanna annoy them any more in case they (like Loonie has suggested) take out a restraining order for being too inquisitive and don't let me on the bus! So to fill the gap and give me something to do, I've mapped out what they suggest the itinerary might be on Google maps to see what it looks like. Check it out: http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102559618817735675944.0004622c05bde08b6a8ba&z=2
Still trying to figure out how to get to see as much as possible with the time I'll have in Oz and NZ but finding it more and more difficult with the more I read in my travel books. Wondering if a 10 day organised tour from Perth - Broome (and so missing Tasmania) is better than 4 -5 days in Perth and then heading to Tasmania for 3 - 4 days. It's like comparing kangaroo burgers and ostrich burgers..given that I've never had either..how am I supposed to know which is the better option!
Until I get the information pack I'm taking a break on organising and spending time trying to calm Loonie down cos she's starting to stress about all that's to be done (think I've made her worry unnecessarily!). The only plans I'm working on at the moment is to get my vaccinations finished. I'm almost done at this stage..only 2 more jabs left to get. I'll be very, very, very happy to see the back of my Tuesday morning GP visits :) She's lovely and all..but I've had enough of playing pin cushion.
I'm still waiting for the information pack from OzBus to tell us what we need to do before we go with regard to Visas etc. Had hoped it'd be here by now but there's no sign as yet... I'd like to chase them up on it, but reckon that'd probably be a bad idea. I don't wanna annoy them any more in case they (like Loonie has suggested) take out a restraining order for being too inquisitive and don't let me on the bus! So to fill the gap and give me something to do, I've mapped out what they suggest the itinerary might be on Google maps to see what it looks like. Check it out: http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102559618817735675944.0004622c05bde08b6a8ba&z=2
Still trying to figure out how to get to see as much as possible with the time I'll have in Oz and NZ but finding it more and more difficult with the more I read in my travel books. Wondering if a 10 day organised tour from Perth - Broome (and so missing Tasmania) is better than 4 -5 days in Perth and then heading to Tasmania for 3 - 4 days. It's like comparing kangaroo burgers and ostrich burgers..given that I've never had either..how am I supposed to know which is the better option!
Until I get the information pack I'm taking a break on organising and spending time trying to calm Loonie down cos she's starting to stress about all that's to be done (think I've made her worry unnecessarily!). The only plans I'm working on at the moment is to get my vaccinations finished. I'm almost done at this stage..only 2 more jabs left to get. I'll be very, very, very happy to see the back of my Tuesday morning GP visits :) She's lovely and all..but I've had enough of playing pin cushion.
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