September 2011

The clock is ticking and M and I have a keen sense of how close our adventure is! We are both very excited, but are on opposite sides of the organisational spectrum. M's chilled, planned, lists are being ticked off. I'm more likely to be found rushing around finishing my oil paintings, digitalising photo albums (they'll stay in the UK), learning how to be a Zumba instructor (an essential thing to do before a big trip), putting the house in order so tenants stay happy, visiting the ex-in-laws, trying to work out what will get packed and shipped to NZ, what friends will have and what will go to the charity shop, and learning Spanish...I think the fact that I go to work while M works from home has a big part to play in this! Anyway there is a lot still to do, including purchasing our flights from Canada to Peru (to date, late purchases have worked in our favour). Dates are being adjusted so that M can get a triathlon in

The plan, so far, is...
5 October: To Vancouver
A couple of weeks to visit friends and head up into the Rockies.
Then down to Peru and on the Inca Trail on 29 October.
Bolivia - Lake Titicaca, the salt plains and La Paz.
Chile and Argentina - Start by heading down to Patagonia via Mendoza, up to Buenos Aeries and then to Iguassu Falls.
Canada take 2
11 April: To Auckland
Then Japan and back to London (currently booked for end of July, but likely to change).

As well as being excited, I do feel strangely nervous. I don't recall any nerves before my last big trip, but then I guess a few years of being settled and sensible have gone by since then so there's lots that I'm leaving. Amazing friends, my cockney family, career, house... But then the thought of hitting the road with M, trekking the Andes, dancing Tango and galloping over the Pampas soon put those nerves away. And then there's the return to NZ to look forward to!