Think first – pack later…or pack first – think later???

Just a wee posting for now to say that I’m tres excitamundo about Friday’s departure.

Spent a wad of sponds in Boots but for the most part they were all essential. The good thing about being a seasoned traveler (if you don’t mind me saying so) is that it becomes really easy to plan for things. I remember the first time I went away…filling my shorts with sheer terror at the thought of what I was doing. In fact, there was a moment when I stopped packing and stared at the mess in front of me and thought, “What the hell am I doing?” Funny to think back and remember that moment 🙂 This feeling stayed with me right from the packing, to the journey to the airport, to saying cheerio to my family, to walking through to the gate, to sitting in the wrong seat on the plane to finally arriving in my hotel and having a mini panic as the realisation of where I was and what I was doing. The best piece of advice is that I think every traveler thinks that at some point and in fact it makes for some of the best memories.

I know thing have changed now for different reasons…mostly because I’m a bit sick of air travel ha ha. Not that I don’t enjoy going away its all the darn queuing that’s involved. All I can think about is getting to my first destination and my first beer….mmmm beer…. 🙂 This time the thing that will change the most…packing light. This time I mean it too, not like the other times when I say that and end up packing things that I never needed or used! This time I shall succeed mawhawhahahahaha!

…found the best milkshake bar in the world today just around the corner from work! It takes a lot to beat Ninja’s in Koh Samui but I think it might be close!

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Part 1….vaccinations!

Ah crap. The part the I hate the most.

I can’t really complain that much seen as I’ve had so many over the years that I’m lucky enough not to have frequent bootster jabs. However, its been a while since I had some and it caught up with me. I recently had to register with a new doctor which is always a pain in the arse. For some reason I find the routine of filling out medical forms really tedious and strangely handing over the urine sample really does make me blush – now that I find really weird!

The best part of it though is getting to boast to the practice nurse about where you’re going to. I always find that the practice nurse really good to talk to as they always seem fun. One of them once said to me that it was a joy to have me come along – not for the sadistic enjoyment of sticking a needle in my arm but for actually dealing with someone that has nothing actually wrong with them. Anyhoo, this is your first chance to big up your journey to someone who doesn’t know you.

I know that I will probably need a Typhoid booster and most likely Tetanus booster also. Bugger. Its always good to be prepared and coming from a family of ultra prepared super travel the world people, I would recommend getting all that you need and more. Being healthy when you travel is vital and something that you should always take care of. Remember you have to take your body home with you in a reasonable state of repair and not just showing off the glossy new paint job and braded hair (if you’re going to Bangkok that is!)

The most useful place that I found on the web to research what types of needle you need stuck in your arm is:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/vaccines_index.shtml

In the meantime to cap off this quite distressing post here’s what I’ll be thinking of when there will be needles thrust upon me…

Cop yas laters…

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