Up, up and away...

Okay, I admit it - didn't take this one! I actually haven't left Australia yet (3 days to go), but I'm certain those seasoned travellers among you would be bored witless reading about the humdrum of required activities in the days leading up to a long trip away. So here is a preview pic of one very small part of the Suvarnabhumi airport complex in Bangkok, Thailand, complete with a Thai International Airways plane in the foreground. No prizes for guessing that Thai is taking care of the first leg of my trip, which should really be called a tripod, since there are 3 legs! Apologies to those aircraft experts who recognise that this is not a Boeing 777-200ER, which is what I'll be trapped in for the first nine and a half hours of my overseas marathon. I guess its a good thing I like purple...and orchids.

Preparing for countdown...

You would think that in amongst all these bits of paper and brochures commonly referred to as travel documents, that there might be a ticket or two. Apparently not! There are a couple of important reference numbers on a very bland looking piece of printer paper that will enable me to embark upon 6 international flights over the next few months. I spent a good six minutes at the travel agent's office this morning collecting this bundle, presented in a zippered wallet - no fuss, no fanfares. I learned that my luggage will have an itinerary of its own and that I am not required to collect it at either the Bangkok or Amsterdam airports where I will be changing planes. After checking my suitcase at the Brisbane desk, I won't see it again until I reach London. OH GOD I hope it's there when I arrive and that nobody's filled it full of weed a la Shapelle! There are now just eighteen days until take-off, some of which I will spend researching the details of international sim cards, taking medications overseas and restrictions for liquids in carry-on baggage. Nobody wants to appear on an episode of Border Security. Stressing much?