We’re going round the world!

Cat & Loz 1 - STA/Japan Airlines 0

Woohoo we’re going! STA have agreed to pay the difference as it actually wasn’t our fault that Japan Airlines misquoted them for our tickets. So, that’s it, we’re going and you’ll all just have to miss us lots and cope without us for six whole months.

More soon,

Love,

Cat & Loz xxx

Oh by the way...

(brrrrrring brrrrrrring)


'Hello'


'Oh hi Lauren, it's Amy from STA, just wanted to let you know we made a mistake, and despite you already paying for, and having the receipt and confirmation for your flights, the quote has gone up and you owe us an extra £600 per person, or you can't go.  Sorry!'

Now I'm no lawyer, but I'm fairly sure they can't do that.  Watch this space...

'I never considered myself a bandana person'

According to chapter 9 of our 'First Time Around The World' book, which is fast becoming my new bible, a woman should expect to take the following on a backpacking trip for up to 1 year in duration:


One T-shirt - if the t-shirt is a little longer it can double as a nightshirt 


One long sleeve polypropylene shirt - one that looks nice enough to wear into a restaurant - now - this one is a bit weird. I spent ages googling polypropylene, which seems to be a magic material that is 'wet wicking' and keeps you both warm and cool depending on the climate.  I'm dubious - sounds like witchcraft to me.  I went for plain blue in the end - the patterned ones looked a bit like something your gran would knit.


One micro fleece - if stylish it can be worn as a pullover in a nice setting - hehe it's baby pink, and makes me look like a marshmallow.  Think Loz has a white one, so we can be marshmallows together...


One budget, breathable rain jacket - just need a bum bag now to complete the school trip look.


One plastic poncho - big enough to cover your backpack -  99p!  Whoop.  That's so not gonna last... and we will undoubtedly look like giant condoms.

One thin beach towel or sarong - extra large travel towels work well - Travel towel - it's very cool, and very small with antibacterial properties apparently... is a bit weird, doesn't look like a towel at all 


One swimsuit - doubles as a casual top 


One pair of trousers - not black, but dark and dirt hiding - lightweight, wrinkle free, comfortable, fairly stylish and easily washable with good deep pockets.  I cheated and bought black... if they're dark enough to hide dirt, surely they might as well be black?!  I wet them (deliberately, with water) left them on the floor overnight to test the drying and wrinkling... drying not so hot, wrinkling ok...

One wrinkle free travel shirt


One pair of socks 


2-4 pairs of underwear - special quick drying travel underwear if possible


1 pair of sports sandals - don't skimp on these, reasonably stylish, supportive, stay on during swimming, not rot when out of water, allow you to run for a train.  I've found the nicest ones I can, but they don't seem to come in 'fashionable'.


1 collapsible hat - it's squashy - not sure how much good the squashing is going to do it.  I'm wearing it now- I love it.

1 bandana - too keep you cool on warm nights, cover your mouth to protect you from dust, use it to dry off in the shower if your towel is wet.  I bought 2... one needs variety.  As Loz said 'I don't think I'm a bandana person, I'm tempted to agree... and I look a bit of a prat in them frankly, but hey - I'm embracing the book.


1 wrinkle free travel skirt


1 pair shorts


I'm following the book to the letter, but am a little unconvinced about how much I should be trusting it.    1 pair of shoes?!  Really?  We've bought some fold up ones... and so far we are on 4 pairs.  2-4 pairs of pants?! That's less pants than shoes...  The list of the first aid kit is twice as long as the clothes list, so I guess if we have trouble we can just wear bandages.


It's not only the minimalist nature of the packing, but the fact that we're going to spend 6 months wearing pretty much the same outfit, and looking like either a marshmallow or a condom, or a prat in a bandana that is concerning me a little.  Look forward to the photos guys!  


All in all it's a small price to pay though - can't wait to go!!!

Cat xx

Around the world in 174 days…

The Plan

So we’ve finally booked our tickets (woohoo!) and we’re planning the final details and fun stuff like what activities we want to do while we’re there. This is a list of all the places we’re planning to go so if you have any ideas or suggestions let us know…

London

Tokyo

Beijing

Kuala Lumpur

Bali

Singapore

Bangkok

Hong Kong

Auckland

Sydney (& Great Barrier Reef)

Hawaii

San Francisco

Las Vegas (Grand Canyon & Hoover Dam)

New York

Washington DC

Niagara Falls

Boston

Miami

Orlando

Lima

Cusco

Nazca

Puno (Lake Titicaca)

Santiago

Easter Island

Buenos Aires

Iguacu Falls

Rio de Janeiro

London

Cat has skillfully plotted it all on a map so you can follow us as we go and we’ll try to keep you updated with what we’ve been up to and photos of the most exciting bits.

So let us know if you’ve been somewhere and have any fab ideas for trips or top tips and sights to see. We’re very excited and looking forward to going. We’re leaving on January 5^th and will be back on June 27^th. We’re hoping to try and meet up with people in London the day before we leave (January 4^th) so if you’re around and want to come and see us (or even come to the airport on the 5^th to see us off – we’re flying from Heathrow) then you’re more than welcome.

Look forward to seeing you all and please keep us posted with what you’re up to as well.

See you soon.

Love,

Loz x