My first blog entry for my travels! Actually my first blog entry ever! :) I've never tried this before because I never felt it was needed, I've usually kept personal handwritten journals, but for this trip, I have had so many people say that they want to know what I'm doing, where I am at all times (my parents of course), and what I am seeing. So naturally, with this wonderful world of technology I have decided to blog and post pictures. I'll keep everyone that is interested up to date as I go along!

So you may have noticed I am not in South America just yet. I am still 50 days away from it (yes I have started a countdown - I did looong ago!). I just wanted to be able to look back at the planning and the days leading up to my trip so that when I'm old, wrinkly and some what senile, I'll be able to remember the excitement and anticipation of getting ready to go.

It's been about a year in the making so far, so of course the anticipation is growing stronger now that its so close. Not to mention the stress! Lots of things have tested my willingness and dedication to do a trip like this alone. I'm sacrificing a lot of my normal life leading up to it just to save enough money to go. So even though this trip may not sound like much to some people, I'm considering this the trip of my life time and I'm proud to say I've done it all by myself and without the use of any credit! Who knows what's to come in my life for future travels but I am young, I have no ties (other than my dog...thank you mum and dad for watching him! xo) and I figure might as well get this off my chest while those things apply and while my body is capable of such treks!.... I hope!

So, here's the trip in a nut shell.... well a website! - http://www.oasisoverland.co.uk/trips/South-America/details/52/Kingdoms-Carnivals-12-5-Weeks-Lima-to-Rio.html 3 months of cross continent travel. 50% camping, 50% hostels and hotels. Relaxing on coastline beaches, rafting down rivers, treking through jungles, dune buggying over deserts to hiking mountain tops & glaciers. You can imagine my problem with packing for this trip! Not to mention how to fit it all into a 75 litre backpack!

So far I have pretty much booked and paid for about 90% of everything I need. Flight, Travel Group fees, Insurance, Backpack, Camping Gear & other supplies. I still need to grab a couple more random things like a jacket and maybe a sarong of some kind (What an outfit that would be! Sexy!) and then I also still have to get my travel shots. The rest of the money I need is for spending cash and back up money for emergencies. Still got a ways to go for saving, so now the last couple months here is crunch time and you'll more than likely find me sitting at home being a frugal hermit or working at one of my two jobs! Sitting at the lake or the beach and going on hikes and walks with Tyson has been my favourite hobby this summer... because it's free! But also cause it's awesome :) Gotta love BC for that!

Anyways.... I think that's just about everything up to speed for now. I will update a few more times before I go and then when I'm away, I'll update every time I get free wifi or we stop at an internet cafe. I'll be bringing my iPhone with me. But this doesn't mean you can text or call me! That would cost me a small fortune! It will be strictly for blogging, music and games for the long bus rides!

Alright, I'm out! Till next time! Stay posted! :)

Kim xo