To Do List/Panic List
Posted on 04. Aug, 2010 by Kirsty in Planning
Right now we’re in a weird stage of preparing for our trip, on one hand we fly just three weeks today but on the other I’m still working full time and Kirsty is on holiday (yup, she’s on holiday 3 weeks before we leave for the ultimate unlimited holiday).
The problem with this is, we still have plenty to do but not a lot of time together to get things sorted. So in order to ensure everything gets done that needs to be, Kirsty did one of her favorite things and created a list.
Take a look…….please tell us what we’ve missed??
General
Packing
Decide how much of my stuff Poi is willing to carry (none)
Pack Safety
Get malaria tablets
Try malaria tablets
Buy medicine that is legal in all countries we are going to
Sign up to foreign consulate website
Travel insurance
First Country
Get Chinese Visa
Decide where we want to go in China (we have a few options)
Money
Exchange money, how much and what currency
Sort out bank accounts – Close accounts.
Tell banks we are going travelling – no fraudsters have taken the cards
Decide where we are going to stash money
Bye Bye
Say goodbye to all our friends and family
Get drunk a few times and cry (Kirsty)
Flying
Go to the airport
Check in
GO!!
Many of these tasks are already underway but just need completing, we’re not that unprepared I don’t think, I say that now but I know we’re gonna be running round all over the show come the last few days…..all part of the fun?
Title Image: Flickr – John.Schultz
An English couple travelling China and South East Asia since August 2010. 
ayngelina
04. Aug, 2010
Don’t stress so much about medication. I took 6 months of immodium only to realize that every country has it. Before sailing to Colombia I stopped by a pharmacy to get motion sickness pills (gravo) and they let me buy them by the pill for ten cents each!
Kirsty
04. Aug, 2010
yeah, we’re just taing the basics, but one of the things that is readily available in the UK is illegal in Dubai which is our stop over!
I think we’re only taking malaria tablets for the first month and then finding their versions out there.
Verity
04. Aug, 2010
I’m sure you already have but did you get all your vaccinations updated? It’s so cool that you are going so soon!
Poi
04. Aug, 2010
Yeah we did, about the only thing we had sorted nice and early.
It’s very very cool! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather
05. Aug, 2010
There will inevitably be last minute things to do, but you’ve thought so much about the trip and it’ll all come together
Take plenty of deep breaths and be proud of yourselves — it’s NEARLY HERE!!!
What are you doing with your mobiles? Can you take them with you or do you have to end your plans? Mine was really old and I was out of contract and on month-to-month and just canceled it. Fun to have an Aussie mobile now
Poi
05. Aug, 2010
We plan on taking cheap phones with us and getting the local sims if we think we’ll need them. As for our phone contracts at home they are both nearly up so we’ll just pay them off before we leave.
Pamela
05. Aug, 2010
Just go with the flow and have fun with it! We’ll see you in Asia!!
Poi
05. Aug, 2010
You will indeed, see you soon!
TravMonkey
05. Aug, 2010
Sounds like most things are sorted! You can decide where you want to go in China when you get there, that’s one of the great freedoms of travelling for a long period of time.
Personally when it came to mobile phones I left mine at home, it’s a good feeling to disconnect yourself from technology when you travel. There are plenty of internet cafes of you have withdrawal symptoms!
Have a good trip!
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
Poi
05. Aug, 2010
Thanks very much!
The phones will probably only be used for contacting each other and even then we might not bother buying sims for them until we setle somewhere for a while and feel we actually need them.
Andi
05. Aug, 2010
Sounds like you have everything that is essential on the list! Enjoy your last 3 weeks with friends and family.
PS Make sure you have your passport and tix.
Poi
06. Aug, 2010
Thanks for the tip Andi!
I plan on enjoying these last weeks a looooooot!
Matt Hope
05. Aug, 2010
Good luck with your final preparations. These last days can be a bit stressful but just think about what you are working towards!
Poi
06. Aug, 2010
Thanks!
I try to remember that all the time – anytime I get a bit annoyed (it takes a lot) just remind myself where I’ll be in a few weeks – doing whatever I want!
Lauren
07. Aug, 2010
Gotta 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) the suggestion to just chill. And when you’re tempted to stress, KNOW that everything is going to work out. It always does
“Stay calm and carry on”.
OK and maybe put packing on the list a few times. I know it’s said a lot, but seriously pack LIGHT. We’re 9 months into our journey and STILL find things to ditch every week. Put an easily mailable box together for the stuff you think you *might* need. If it turns out to be essential, a family member or friend can send it your way.
Have a great time on your adventure and enjoy these last weeks right where you are…
Peace,
Lauren
Poi & Kirsty
09. Aug, 2010
I think calling this a panic list might have given people the wrong impression, we’re not worried at the moment, we’re both very relaxed people so hopefully that will continue and we won’t suddenly burst into tears on our last few days here.
I’ve tried packing already and plan to do it a few more times yet, hopefully including less stuff everytime. Thats a great idea about the maybe box, I’ll have to act on that one.
Thanks!
Poi
Kirsty
11. Aug, 2010
Good list. Seems like you’re planning without over planning. The best part of the list is the last entry – GO!! Once you hit the road these little things you do now will mostly pay off but a zillion other things will come up too. Planning on the road can be fun as well.
Good idea to get your China visa now though. I got mine in Hong Kong and, while it was mostly hassle free, it was still annoying to have to go there to get it first.
Enjoy! I’m looking forward to reading more.
Poi & Kirsty
16. Aug, 2010
I agree the best one is the last entry!
i was surprised how little hassle getting te visa was, literally posted it and it came back 5 days later!