Don't forget

To make a packing list is not my only preparation for the trip. There are plenty of other things I need to think about:

·         Shots – What kind of diseases exist in the countries I will visit. Luckily I have traveled so much so I didn’t need any new ones. I have already taken “everything”.

·         Passport – Lots of countries requires that your passport is valid at least 6 months after you enter the country. My passport was valid until January 2012. My trip ends 31^st of August 2011, so I needed to get a new passport.

·         Visas – I have checked and double checked and as far as I understand the only place I need a kind of Visa is USA. Luckily you can get it on-line, so I took care of it a couple of weeks ago.

·         If you travel more than 45 days – you need extra travel insurance. (The first 45 days are included in the home insurance in Sweden). It is not cheap – I had to pay SEK 1620 (around USD 260) for my trip.

·         Luggage rules – these keep changing. I called Lufthansa to check what I’m allowed on this trip. For me it is important to know how much I can bring from Hong Kong, my last stop on the trip, where I will be shopping A LOT!!! By the way – I’m allowed to bring 32 kg. :-)

But the main thing is of course to book the right “packages” of activities and hotels. Thanks to internet it is so much easier to find these nowadays. But I have a few “rules” when I look for the companies I want to use:

·         How do they describe the “normal” customer? I like companies that attract single travellers in the age of 30-50. I have ended up on trips with too many youngsters and not only do I have very little to talk about with them, but their constant partying – well, I’m just too old for it.

·         Since I like to exercise, I prefer companies that grade the level of physical activities on their packages. Of course I try to book the packages that demand the most. This time my New Zeeland hike is the tough one.

·         I prefer travel companies that are doing “responsible tourism”. This means supporting the local people more than the international hotels/travel companies and to use a lot of public transportation. Usually it also includes possibilities to “hang” with locals, not only other tourists.

OK – I think that is enough tips for one day. :-) It is time to check how to pack.