Tuesday 11 March 2014

What I want to get out of my trip

So my last entry was pretty matter of fact (I wasn't thinking straight due to drinking too much.... I know, story of my life). I should really have started by telling you why I'm going travelling.  Well, this year it's been 20 years since I left school (yes I am THAT old). When I left school I went straight into work (good old Beaver Travel...yes that really was-and still is- the name of the travel agents I worked for back in Elgin). I've always worked since then, even when I was at Uni I worked and quite frankly, I am tired.  I've had a twitch in my left eye on and off for the last year and it's doing my head in!  The last few years have been pretty challenging for me and I'd love to just have some time off where I don't have to get up in the morning with a number starting with five or six. If you don't know me that well, I am not really a morning person.  Don't get me wrong, I love getting up and not wasting the day but I'm not always at my best in the morning (especially if I've not eaten, as some of my work colleagues will know).  So it's been a big decision for me to take more than a couple of weeks off, quit my job where I've been for over six years and step into the unknown.  I've decided to write this down so I can refer to it when I'm away, and when I get back.  What I am hoping to get out of this trip is:


  • Reading more.  I love reading but just never seem to have the time (and Facebook is far too distracting!)
  • Trying new foods and eating more healthily.  My job has meant that I'm not always that healthy (especially recently having to eat cream cakes!).  I need to be a bit kinder to what I'm putting inside my body
  • Learn about different cultures. Really get to know and understand what life is like for people in other countries where they are not as privileged as we are in the UK
  • Meet new people. I love my friends to bits (that's you by the way!) but travelling will allow me to meet people from around the globe and share stories and experiences
  • See wonderful sights. I love going to see places of history and interest, something that would have bored me to tears as a child but as I get older, I'm finding that I'm fascinated by history, buildings, people and places.  
  • And finally (this is the biggie), decide what I want to do with my life.  I have been pondering about moving closer to my family in Scotland but feel torn as I love my friends down here in Leeds and Manchester.
So that's what I want to get out of this trip. Time to forget about day to day things and just have fun for a while. Time for me.  

Jackie x

Saturday 1 March 2014

Flights booked!

Ok my first blog, bear with me.

So it's official. I have told work and I've booked my first set of flights!!!! Wish I wasn't feeling so cloudy headed from drinking wine/cocktails last night but I got carried away with the excitement! So yes I have decided to take a year out and do something I should have done years ago, go and explore more of this amazing planet that we live in.  My itinerary (subject to change, but will be roughly this):

19 May Manchester - Bali, spend 30days in Indonesia
18 Jun Malaysia 2 weeks
02 Jul Thailand 2 weeks (travel south to north)
16 Jul Laos 3 weeks
06 Aug Vietnam 4 weeks
03 Sep Cambodia 2 weeks
17 Sep India 6 weeks (1 week of this in an Ashram)
29 Oct Thailand 3 weeks
19 Nov back to the UK.  Then:
26 Nov UK - Lima (Peru)
04 Dec Ecuador 3 weeks
25 Dec Columbia 2 weeks
08 Jan Brazil 6 weeks (possibly go to the Rio Carnival)
19 Feb Argentina 5 weeks
26 Mar Chile 3 weeks
16 Apr Bolivia 2 weeks
30 April Peru 1 week (Machu Picchu)
07 May Back to the UK

Hopefully I can make my cash last this long but will see what happens!
I'm going alone but hoping to meet up with friends along the way.  If anyone would like to join me, let me know. Just to warn you, this is going to be a backpacker trip so don't be expecting luxury!

Exciting and scary times ahead.

Jackie x