It’s been a busy few weeks leading up to this big trip to Southeast Asia. We’re very excited; however, there’s this nagging feeling that not everything has been completed. We have a packing list. Check. Recommendations list? Check. To-do and prep list for the trip? Check. Visa and Passport list? Check. Cat sitter list? Check. The person moving into our home and their list? Check! Lots of checks and lists – but what are we forgetting? The two of us have gotten so used to travel that it’s become second nature and we can pack our roller boards with our eyes shut at 6:00 a.m. in 15 minutes flat. But planning to venture out for over two months has been something entirely new for us. Andrew is busy with work and preparing for this sabbatical. Thankfully, I recently took my own longer term sabbatical from work to take time off for awhile and prepare for this trip. For anybody planning a longer trip than you’ve ever taken, I can’t fully express to you how much I’ve underestimated how much more work will likely go into the planning and logistics (pending where your travels may take you, of course). I’ve debated sharing everything it’s taken to plan for this trip, but will think on that more for another time.

This past weekend saw some great progress, however. We were able to pack ~85% of what we need for the next two months, in the planned amount of space that we were anticipating. We’ll make a few adjustments over the next few days before we depart, but we both feel good about our current luggage, baggage, travel pack, backpack, and so on status. I’m not sure if the last-minute website orders for things we didn’t think of will end before or after we depart this coming Friday!

Travel safely our fellow wanderlusts!

Jeff