The magnitude of going travelling for 2 years, covering SE Asia, Australia, South and Central America is exciting yet nauseating at the same time.

The reality of escaping routine is not as gleeful as first imagined, nor is the prospect of being in Nicks face for 24/7. I am already thinking of escape strategies and how best to keep my mental health stable!

On the other hand, I am so excited that I'm afraid my heart will burst If I got even more excited. Seeing all the different cultures, ways of life, historical remnants and tasting all the different street food and finding a day or two to lie on a beach and catch some sun rays! In addition, meeting some very lucky people along our travels ie. Tyron and Fifi in India, my parents in Thailand and other lucky people!

Now that we have 12 days until departure, yes I have a countdown app on my iPad each day is a hurdle and one day closer to departure. I also have a to do list which is getting smaller by the day.

The 2 main questions that we have been asked so far is 'what are you most looking forwards to?' or 'which 5 countries are you most looking forwards to?'.

For me; Helen -

I am most looking forwards to learning how to live without routine as hard as that may be; one of my friends (you know who you are) refers to me as Monica from Friends for my love of cleaning. I am also looking forwards to learning from Nick how to live for the moment as since moving to London things get really manic and I find myself having to book a simple drink with a friend weeks in advance! Those of you who know me well will know me for my organisational skills and....I keep getting told you can't be organised while travelling......

The 5 countries that I am looking forwards to are:
1 - Borneo for the wildlife and scuba diving in Sipadan which is supposedly rated the no 1 dive site in the world!
2 - The Philippines purely for the food, culture, sandy beaches and Nicks 30th birthday.
3 - India purely because I have always been fascinated with their way of life since visiting the Andaman Islands in 2006.
4 - Vanuatu, again for scuba diving purposes, I really want to dive the President Coolidge which again is highly regarded as one of the worlds best wreck dives. I have a list of must visit dive sites....
5 - The Galapagos, for it's serene setting, wildlife and I hope to meet George the Tortoise (a pinta island tortoise and apparently George is the last of the species). I feel sad for him as I'm not sure whether he will ever find love or have babies :(