Itinerary - first pass

We have pared down our list of places to visit, but we are still debating about some destinations. However, we feel that it is time to actually publish our itinerary. Hopefully, this will help us make some final decisions - feel free to pitch in your $.02 if you have input.

The week before Thanksgiving (11/13 - 11/17) originally sounded like the best time to leave, but as that date approaches we are feeling that it is too soon. Obviously we are getting the jitters. That part is expected.

First, we will head to Aukland, NZ. We will spend between 4 and 6 weeks traveling from the North Island to the South Island. Then it is on to Australia.

We'd like to make it to Aussie by Christmas and/or New Years. We will start in Brisbane and head South towards Sydney and then on to Tasmania. We've heard that the North part of the island will be in the rainy season, so we'd kind of like to avoid that and stay in the South. We'll have to learn to surf!

The Pacific Islands / Malay Archepelago are next. We'd prefer to be in Malaysia/Java/Indonesia by late January-ish. Depending on the "mud volcano" we may miss Java. Bogus!

After that, it is on to Southeast Asia in February. I'm looking forward to Thailand, but there are a few spots in this part of the world which are compelling. Cambodia sounds nice. So does Vietnam.

March should find us in China. Erin's friend Barb is going to show us some sites in the Sichuan Province. We may go into South Korea, but that depends. We are still thinking about Japan as well. The real factor in whether and/or for how long depends on expense.

Next, it is on to India. I am tempted by Punjab and Erin wants to visit Delhi. A recent acquaintance told us that we will be there far too late, because it will be so hot. April is too early for the monsoon and too late for spring. I'm still excited about it.

Turkey follows. This part of the trip seems so far away (May); please excuse the lack of details from this point on. Istanbul sounds amazing and I'm very interested in getting to see the bazaars and markets. Mmm - Turkish Delight!

We'd like to get to Cairo and maybe some Northern African countries (like Tunisia & Morocco). However, this would take time away from Eastern Europe, not to mention June also may be a hot time to be in Africa. We'd also like to see Greece and Bulgaria and Croatia. We will have to see how our funds are holding out by that point in the trip.

Finally, we are going to Europe. This is likely one of the most expensive parts of our journey, so it kind of depends on what our 'resources' are looking like at the time. We really want to see some of the Tour de France in July, and I'd like to see the Palio in Sienna in August.

J

Last Day of Work Jitters

Today is my last day at Disney. Unfortunately, my life of leisure will not be starting tomorrow. In typical Joey and Erin fashion, we have too many projects and too little time. House projects, thesis revisions, travel arrangements, packing, etc. all await me at home. The next six weeks will be fully packed with to do lists.

That said, this whole trip thing is becoming real. For the past year, it has seemed but a dream -- an often alcohol-tinged dream. I remain pleasantly surprised that what began as a "what if" conversation has developed into a "leaving in six weeks" reality.

Within the next week, we hope to post a tentative itinerary -- one that includes more detail than New Zealand for six weeks, Australia for six weeks, etc. We know that Erica and DaeDae plan to meet us in Italy and Mandi may see us in Northern Europe. We are still waiting for the rest of y'all's suggestions. There is a lot of world out there; we would love to see you along the way.

Erin

first travel post - me first

our jobs are near completion and the anxiety has crept in. erin and i are getting nervous as the end date approaches. the next few weeks will be filled with completing projects and planning and all sorts of other preparations (more immunization shots - ug).

i guess our blog should change with the times, so the new theme is travel. if we had to have a 'mission statement' for the upcoming year's worth of posts, it would be something like this:

• to inform our family and friends of our itinerary and adventures, so they can keep up with where we've been and meet us along the way
• to keep notes on the trip for ourselves, so that we will always remember this great big adventure we are about to embark on.

please feel free to comment on the images and thoughts shared here so that we are receiving as well as giving.

J