As the date gets closer we find it helps to have a lost of things to do and when to do them, then you can cross them off and feel good that you haven't forgotten anything.

Here is an example of our countdown schedule:

February 2004 (8 months to go)

• Booked outward-bound flight and Delhi flight to Bangkok plus two organised trips. This set the itinerary for the first part of the trip.
• Booked insurance at the same time as flights. We got six months and we may top up if necessary.

July 2004 (2 months to go)

• Get first round of vaccinations.
• Apply for China visa.
• When got China visa apply for Nepal visa.
• Finish buying all required clothing and equipment.
• Get backpack fixed.

End of July 2004 (6 weeks to go)

• Organise leaving party for friends and family.
• Get India visa (we will get all other visas while travelling).
• Visit the dentist.

August (1 month to go)

• Final vaccination visit.
• Hand in notice at work (hooray!!!).
• Hand in notice on rental lease of apartment.
• Start to sell furniture.
• Practice packing backpack and buy all medical supplies.
• Have leaving party!

Beginning of September (1 week to go)

• Finish work, have work leaving do.
• Pack up all furniture and goods taking with us to the UK. We have decided to ship the majority of our belongings and just airfreight the really important stuff. We will be storing it all at Andrew's parents. It takes three months to ship and 2 weeks to airfreight.

Last few days

• Move into Andrew's parents after cleaning up rental apartment and handing keys in.
• Arrange for phone, electricity, water bill to be stopped and bills forwarded.
• Terminate mobile phone contracts.
• Make goodbye emails and phone calls to friends and family.
• Phone airline to check flight still going ahead.
• Pack the backpacks so we can check if we are really missing anything.
• Leave photocopy of passport, flight schedules, approx itinerary, insurance with parents.

Saturday September 11th

• WE LEAVE!!!!