A-Z of Travel Preparation: Part 5
Continuing our summary of all the things to remember, and put in place, before we set off on our epic journeys in January.
Q is for Quitting The Job. In our circumstances this has not been straightforward and far from just a matter of handing in a resignation, especially for me, Phil. Having launched a business back in 1995, I then partially sold the company into a larger Group in 2007 but stayed on as Managing Director right through to current times. So, such issues as a notice period in excess of 12 months, co-Directors, investors, shareholding etc all had to be sorted. It’s been a long road but we’re nearly there.
R is for Research. Whenever and wherever we have travelled, researching the areas we are to visit is all part of the joy of travel, helping to build the excitement. All travellers love poring over books, maps and websites, seeking out places to go, things to do and things to eat. So of course right now we are doing exactly that, absorbing more and more about our first destinations in South East Asia.
S is for safety and security. Leaving the home we love for around four months at a time is always going to bring its own anxieties, and in truth there’s only so much you can do. So we’ve arranged a twice weekly visit to check the house, deal with mail, keep the place neat and tidy and, hopefully, looking lived in. We’ve done what we can, but it’s a worry which all mature travellers share.
T is for Transport. Some of our first destinations demand that, before entry, we have to prove that we’ve booked onward transit. So in some ways, complete freedom of travel is not possible and some things need to be booked ahead. We think we’ve ended up with a decent mix, with transit between countries now mostly booked and paid for, but internal journeys such as train or bus, we’ll sort out once we’re there. It’s another joy of travel: the feeling of boarding a ferry, pulling out of a city on a train; even claiming your place on a local tram or bus, are all things which make us feel alive.
2 Comments
Joe
More excellent advice, you guys. I can relate to the retirement of a business, Phil. I used the first year of my traveling “retirement” as a transition year to wrap up all the client and corporation issues. I also love travel research. For me, knowing something about an area or place ahead of time, makes my visit so much more interesting and memorable. Alas, it is also fun to wander away from your researched itinerary to find all of those unexpected pleasures. It must be hard to contain your excitement. Happy travels!
Phil & Michaela
Hi Joe, yes we remember reading that when we first started following your blog, regarding winding up your business. We really are counting the days now.