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Day -14: This is partly a diary that we can look back at to remember our trip by, and partly a resource for other travellers who might be thinking of heading off on their own big trip. In that spirit, I thought it might be useful to include a checklist of all the preparatory things that we’ve needed to take care of before departure.

• Save money
• Buy travel guides (Lonely Planet)
• Develop rough itinerary (which continents, how long)
• Investigate air flights - costs, availability, frequent flyer possibilities
• Investigate local travel options - train, bus, hire car
• Talk to friends who’ve done it before and factor in useful advice
• Finalise rough itinerary (which countries, how long)
• Inform parents
• Book major flights
• Quit jobs/ arrange leave without pay
• Visit doctor and get any necessary vaccinations
• Check passports are in-date
• Check entry requirements for each country
• Get passport photographs taken (8 each)
• Apply for visas
• Transfer work mobile phone number to personal account
• Obtain permission from real estate agent for sublet of flat
• Advertise apartment and car for friends to mind while away
• Select friend to sublet apartment
• Select lucky car minding friend
• Check and finalise car insurance, roadside assistance and registration
• Add car minding friend to authorised list of drivers on car insurance policy
• Review travel gear requirements
• Buy travel computer, camera, webcam
• Buy travel clothing - pants, shirts, wet weather goretex gear
• Buy travel shoes/boots
• Buy backpacks
• Buy any necessary travel gadgets (but don’t go overboard)
• Set up travel computer with software (especially Skype)
• Test out any camping gear to make sure it’s all in working order
• Review financial arrangements and put in order
• Appoint tax agent to obtain tax return lodgement extension!
• Contact friends in countries to be visited and organise catch-ups
• Catch up with as many people as possible before you leave
• Wrap up affairs at work and organise handover of ongoing matters
• Book first night’s accommodation
• Organise work farewell
• Organise farewell drinks for friends
• Review foreign money requirements
• Cancel services - e.g. internet, foxtel, home phone
• Pack up house
• Move things to storage location
• Pack backpacks
• Pack carry-ons
• Leave for airport
• Kiss the missus

The list is not exhaustive by any means. Feel free to leave a comment with any extra suggestions.

Some interesting questions arise in relation to the order in which these things might be done. For example, should one quit one’s job before or after informing one’s parents? It’s impossible to be talked out of something reckless if you have already done it.