So here's the start of it.

I have one plane ticket and 6 months to spend all the money I have (which isn't much) and get round as many countries as possible. At the moment I have on the hit list, India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, China, Australia and the USA. Oh, and possibly some skiing afterwards should the miracle happen and I have some money left!

With now just a week to go, all the planning from the last month is coming to an end and I suddenly find myself realising this long awaited trip is about to start. Yet worringly still not panicking. I have to get through my graduation first and the inevitible proceeding ball before I even think about getting to the airport. Of course the planning has gone as smoothly as expected. I've been having arguments with the IPS (Identity and Passport Services formerly the UKPA - Politics!) about the Embassy in the Costa Rica giving me a dodgy passport which the Americans won't now accept as a valid entry for no more reason other than the guys on the immigration desks having to type my name into the computer instead of scanning it!! Seriously, that helps security HOW?! So for the start that cost me the price of a brand new passport - the third in the life of one! That followed by the impossibility of getting a couple of visas more than three months in advance mean I have to get them on the way somehow.

I have managed to persuade Steve to come on the adventure with me and so for some stupid reason we're throwing ourselves in the deep end and flying into Mumbai (Bombay) for the start of the monsoon season on the 25th June. I do love a challenge!

So this is the one and only post before I jump on a 747 so my next contact will be once we've acclimtised in India so I bid you all farewell and see you all at Christmas. Adios amigos!