My first blog! :)

Considering I had a lot of time to kill tonight, I'd start on this. So after not much consideration, Michael and I decided to head to Europe late last year. Contiki proved the best option for cost and distance! See heaps of destinations in little time at reasonable cost. I guess it was harder picking what actual tour to go on. Euro Adventurer included a lot, and 37 days is quite a long time. I'm not sure how I'd go on 45 days, plus uni had to be considered! But I'm so excited because everything is happening all at once. I'll be having my 21st in Austria, along with many other Contikians all over Europe!

The cost of the tour is pretty standard. You can't save a hell of a lot unless you get the earlybird deals, and they do help in the long run. But definitely consider your flight options! Air Asia was a possible option for around 1k to 1.5k, but I've never heard any decent reviews. I'd rather travel in comfort and recover quicker, and also have a good feed and drink or two! I managed to get my flight to London on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong for 2k, pretty good deal for a well known carrier. It sucks about back tracking, but I guess we can have more figuring out the inflight entertainment! Travel insurance is a big thing to consider. Prices vary dramatically, as well as policies. I came to the easy conclusion of paying 50 or so dollars more to get full cover. Just peace of mind!

I've been reading a lot on the Contiki forums and peoples blogs to figure out what to take. I got an expandable suitcase from Strandbags for a reasonable price. Its medium size, and I figured thats all I need for summer. Definitely love the pattern! It was stand out when I'm waiting at Heathrow to collect it. I didn't consider taking a small suitcase with me, just a rather large day bag to chuck in change of clothes etc. Apparently I was crazy, according to a family friend. So I'll be using it to hold travel documents, extra clothes, etc. with me on the flight. Hopefully my main luggage doesn't go missing, but its just a backup! I definitely could not take a backpack. Unless I was backpacking, I didn't see the point. They can get quite heavy and I'm not exactly the tallest kid around! I got a shoulder bag for a day bag. Have to be a little bit fashionable... can't look like a homeless bum the entire trip! It's comfy, able to wear it across the chest and big enough to fit the essentials.

I pretty much got all my travel stuff from gogogear.com.au ...it's quite a good online shop with a big range. The Roman sleeping bag was the best idea! It isn't exactly palm but its small as you can see its pretty much the same size as my small laptop. It feels comfy and I have a fair amount of room to move. I had to buy a neck pillow. Those long trips always give me a sore neck, and I don't want to be lying on anyone's shoulder for too long! And its cute, pink and fluffy! I have read on every blog to take a water bottle. So I got 1L Nalgene bottle, and they seem to be pretty durable. I'd rather spend my money on beer then water! I got a slashproof Pacsafe money wallet. It is fairly pricey at $35, but I figured it is worth it. It's not big and bulky like my previous money wallet, meshed at the back so it doesn't stick to you under your clothes and can be worn around the neck or to the side. I purchased a combination lock and key locks to secure my luggage. I got a great tiny Pacsafe combination lock, and its quite hard to tamper with. I definitely had to get a pegless clothesline and detergent. I can't stand my clothes being damaged through washers and if I don't get a chance to get to a laundry matt, easy done! After purchasing my microfibre and beach towel, I felt I shouldn't have bothered with the beach towel. But I guess its just one of those things! Definitely be good for the beach in Mykonos or poolside! Microfibre towels are a lifesaver. Mine was fantastic last time I went to Europe, and it was winter!

I am definitely taking my laptop and a Pentax Optio digital camera. Laptop should be the easiest and cheapest way of communicating back home and backing up photos. I know I will end up with 1000s of photos by the time I come home. Best thing about digital cameras! I've decided to take a 2gb and 1gb memory card and upload the photos any chance I get. Definitely won't be able to get those memories again. I'm still figuring out whether to take a mobile. Roaming is expensive, and isn't really necessary unless its for emergencies to and from home. And I know I won't have the time for a good hour chat to the parents when I'm away! Email and Skype are two things I will depend on!

So everything is basically sorted except cash! Credit cards are a must. Quickest and easiest form of getting money! I haven't even bothered to consider Travellers Cheques. They're expensive and take a lot of time to process, and very, very outdated. I've been considering either the Travelex Cash Passport or ANZ Travel cards. ANZ is definitely looking more attractive with their rates, and I know my money is safe. Sounds kind of lame, but I couldn't find the issuer of Travelex, so I don't really know who is keeping my money. Definitely taking a few quid with me for London. Its going to be a struggle getting from Heathrow to the backpackers near London Bridge, and don't want hassles of trying to find an ATM in the airport.

I managed to find this backpackers on a Getaway episode one night. It's been like voted London's best backpackers for a few years and it seemed like our kind of place. Considerably cheaper than Royal National, more fun and still quite central in London. And I figured there'd be plenty of people to have a chat with over a pint about travelling. Or maybe a couple, considering pints and shots go for one pound at the pub! The company is St Christophers' and they're all over Europe. It should add more to the experience!!

A couple more months and the fun begins! Can NOT wait to meet everyone! Facebook has been great in getting to know everyone, and I'm sure it's going to be a top group!

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