The beginning.

My life so far:

I have recently turned 21, graduated from The University of Reading, and am back home working over the summer to save up some funds for my first travelling adventure. The small town that I call home, many call Nuneaton, and some call Birmingham's car park, is situated on the other side of the world to the destinations that I intend to visit. I cannot begin to imagine how different my quiet and uncomplicated life in Nuneaton is in comparison to the new one that I am about to start. The longest flight I have ever been on lasted 3 hours, and I have only visited 2 countries outside of the UK, both being in Europe. Call me crazy, and I may be slightly in denial, but I like to see it as adventurous. At university I met many amazing people including my 3 best friends who will be joining me on my trip around the world as I travel through Asia, Australia, New Zealand and America. 

Preparation:

I currently have a list of over 50 things that I need to do before I leave, and my flight is under two weeks away. As out of character that this is for me, I am not stressed yet and am just hoping everything will come together in time. All the main things have been done of course; flights, visas, backpack. It's all the little things that I am slowly discovering will be helpful as I read travel blogs and advice websites, that are left to get. Things such as sleeping bag liners for the budget hostels, photocopies of important documents in case they are misplaced, and rehydrating medicine.

On top of this long list of items that I need to purchase, I have had to have many jabs to protect me from diseases that I could pick up while I am away. It has been particularly difficult to find helpful advice about these vaccinations as everyone I have been to see about these, and I started looking over 8 months ago, have fobbed me off onto somebody else who has then done exactly the same. I never realised that there was a grey area when it came to whether taking antimalarial medication is necessary in particular places. After the experience I have had (I still haven't got my antimalarial tablets and still do not know if I need to take them for my trip from Bangkok to Singapore) I really do wish there was a black and white answer to which places antimalarials should be taken. One of the 3 uni friends that I am travelling with was advised that she did not need to take them, however, the other 2 were told to get at least 2 weeks worth. Very helpful. 

More importantly though, I am most worried about having my hair cut. I, like one of my uni friends who I am travelling with, get hot even in rooms where the temperature isn't even particularly high. This means that my long hair will not only get in the way but will cause me to overheat to a greater extent. I am, however, distraught at the idea of cutting my hair but I guess it's just one of those sacrifices I will have to make! Along with saying goodbye to family and all that ;)

This blog will be a place where I can share a collection of photos, videos, and crazy experiences as I, along with my 3 best friends, set off to travel the world for 8 months fresh from University. 

I will keep you updated as I travel through the most exciting time of my life.