travel planning

By laura e via Flickr

When I travel:

• I buy the Lonely Planet guide to wherever I am visiting months before I travel.  
• I read the entire thing - making notes using colour coded post it notes.  
• I buy a travel journal and write down all of the things I want to do.  
• I record all of the useful websites I find.  
• I make an itineray.  I send copies of the itinerary to family (just in case).  
• I register on Smart Traveller.  
• I make copies of my passport.  
• I learn at least the basics of the language of wherever I am visiting.
• I talk to people who have been where I am going and get their recommendations.
• I scour the internet to make sure I won't miss out on anything that is "must-see".
• I record everything I do while traveling in aforementioned travel journal and paste in ticket stubs, lolly wrappers and anything of note.

I have been called crazy because of this.  I have been called anal, obsessive, nuts, mad.  People always remind me that things don't always go to plan.   But I don't totally lose it when that happens. I understand the nature of travelling and the need to be flexible.

So today I would just like to say that I am totally happy with my level of travel organisation.  Call it what you will!  Today (whilst I am helping my sister not freak out get ready for her first ever overseas trip) I am truly thankful that I am an organised kinda gal.  

It has always served me well.  

It's my New Years Resolution, baby!

Photo by Ommphoto

So this blogging thing is my New Years resolution.  Actually, my New Years resolution is more vague than that.  It is simply:

 "2010 is the year of doing things instead of just talking/thinking about doing them"

I don't usually make resolutions, but this year I felt that I really needed some motivation.  A goal.  It also seems that since having decreed the year so, I've been having similar conversations with lots of people.  They are planning holidays they've always dreamed of.  They are changing careers.  Going out more.  And maybe it's just the gleam of a shiny new year that makes us all think this way, but I have a feeling that this year is going to be awesome!  Because I'm going to make it so.

So for me, this year is about writing more.  Exercising.  Not being so lazy.  Joining a craft group.  Taking some sewing lessons (and end my fear of inserting zips).  Reading more.  Travelling.  And whatever else may arise.

It all starts in 51 days with a trip to Japan (that we had been talking about for months and months no less).  The flights are finally booked and our plans have begun.  It's exciting.  It helps to build this motivation and keep me on track with this resolution. 

I hope your 2010 is going to be awesome too.


JW