Check Box

Those who know me, know I love to travel.

Those who really know me…know I love planning the trip!
Ah yes, the sweet, sweet, comfort of a check list. God, how I love something to tick. Give me a check box and a red pen and I’m in heaven!
Planning a trip is exciting at best. You are going away, leaving behind routine, familiarity and the daily grind. What will you find when you get there? How will each day unfold, who will you meet, what stories will you tell on your return? Will you have frost bite, a suntan, sore feet or a blown-out credit card? The unknown is exciting, sometimes a little dauting, but always fluid and unpredictable.

But for me, one of the best bits is the planning…the preparation. I’m not talking about organising every moment of the trip, far from it. I love stepping out each day afresh, embarking on Christopher Columbus style exploration! What I’m referring to is the little things, that in my Virgo mind, make the lead up to the big event so enjoyable.
There are so many things to list!

Transport and schedules. What time, what day? Flights, trains, buses, Tuk Tuks, Autorickshaws, transfers and courtesy pick-ups, all require careful deliberation and research. Well, you’ve got to get there... right?
Tickets, documents, passport, visa. Can you imagine? All those forms, those little boxes and drop downs on the online Applications…
Accommodation: So many options! So many Apps to assist you in this task. Booking.com, Trivago, Hotels.com to name but a few, however have you contacted your accommodation direct, price match maybe? What about your brother’s, partner’s, uncle’s, friend of their cousins, sister’s, mate who works at Flight Centre…can they find you a deal? How far is the accommodation from the airport, lake, ocean, snow, shops? Does it include breakfast, parking, turn down service? Pay when you arrive or deposit upfront?
If you are like me then no trip can be organised without consulting your favourite weather App! This can be done months in advance using historical information, then closer to the date. Truly. Especially if travelling light, you simply cannot take your entire wardrobe.

For my upcoming trip to India I am travelling with 7Kgs carry on. For two weeks. That’s it, that’s all, no more! So naturally I need to carefully plan, list and re-list exactly what I will be taking. Will it rain? I’ve checked the weather…probably not. Will it be very hot or cold at night? Possibly. What shoes will be best? Which luggage will I use? How much does it weigh? Is it comfortable, multipurpose, weatherproof? Is it safe, lockable, pick pocket proof? What about a day bag…?

Call me crazy, however the above is pure bliss. Hours spent researching topics such as “the best lightweight travel jacket” and “will it rain in Timbuktu in February?” all soothe the savage best within me.
When I get to my destination, I am free. Free of worrying if someone is pinching my passport from my backpack in a crowded train station, not concerned with the rain, dust, snow, sand – I have the right shoes, I’m not burdened with wheeled suitcases on a desert safari, or freezing in a cotton T-shirt when Melbourne weather throws a chilling winters day at me in mid-summer!


I’ve done my research, made a list, checked it twice…let the adventure begin!