Prepararation!

Ok, so a lot of people want to know how I went about organising this trip and where I got my info and tips from.

Lets start from the beginning...I have wanted to do this for a long long long time! And so I have been researching web sites on voluntary organisations all over the world. There are loads of them and I would suggest you look in to things before you go with an organisation or agency as I have heard some nightmare stories about placements with some orgs.

I chose IVI Volunteering Australia. The web site is www.volunteering.org.au - they have loads of different placements and are pretty inexpensive. Some places like 'cross cultural solutions' sound good and include activities in the placement but cost loads. I also thought about ivs - http://www.ivs-gb.org.uk as they are also inexpensive and all about the placement. The reason I did not go with them was mainly to do with the fact they did not have as wide a choice of placements as IVI. I was also in to 'drive india' which looked like a fab programme but then I thought I would just pay my registration and placement fees with IVI and choose all my placements with them instead of paying this with different organisations every time. Got to keep costs down! Plus the fact, IVI will make up an itinerary for you and will keep an eye on where you are throughout your travels - thanks Sonia! Also, two of the placements IVI gave me came through their partner organisation - www.fslindia.org.

With regards to buying my flights - you got to get an 'around the world' ticket, there are loads of different kinds and can cost as little as £860. I got one that would let me go half way round the world then come back the way I came as I wanted to do India and then come back and do Africa. I found the staff at Trailfinders pretty helpful, some seemed to know the score more than others.

visas - they tell you to go through this site or that site and someone or other will help you get a visa - forget it! The best thing to do is to get it yourself - cut out the middle man! For example, trailfinders offer this service at £20 a time per visa plus the cost of the visa, all you need to do is send them the application form, passport, your photos and the cost by postal order. HOWEVER, you would do exactly the same if you went straight to the consulate and save the unnecessary £20. I would advise you send your documents by 'registered delivery' and put in a prepaid 'registered delivery' envelope with your documents - makes the whole process go a lot smoother unless you are going to the consulate yourself. Note for those going to Australia - you can get a tourist visa on the internet - ETA for about £15 - it has a shelf life of a year and when you are in Australia you get 3 months in the country. New Zealand is a bit more hospitable to us brits and let us in the country (tourists) for up to 6 months (I think its 6 months anyway!) gratis.

Insurance
I got my insurance with ACE Backpacker Travel insurance, it was pretty cheap for the under 35's! I was so happy when I found this, when your hitting 32 it seems you are too old for some of the stuff considered for the 'young'!

General
I found www.hostelworld.com pretty good for finding cheap accomodation in asia.

For info about health and getting yourself ready -
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo - this is a great site

immunisations
Go see your doctor and discuss what you need. It can get a bit pricey for immunisations, but they are so worth it and so be prepared and try to save a bit extra to cover this cost! I mainly got my vaccs from my doc and from Brownlee travel clinic at Gartnaval hospital off grt Western road.

Books
Don't leave home without your rough guide or your Lonely Planet. I found the 'Gap year' and the 'First Time around the world' guides pretty helpful.

Bits n bobs
I have bought loads of stuff for going away including -
Deet 55 - mosquito repellant (best stuff)
Avons Skin so soft - they say its good as an insect repellant (not sure if thats only for the midgies in Scotland!)
Mosquito net
Sleeping bag (that goes pretty small - got to save space!)
paracetamol, immodium, etc, etc!
Water purifier
trekking shoes
trekking/waterproof sandals
a few clothes - mainly those that take the sweat away from your body!
Some books and gifts for the kids I will work with.
A decent ruck sack.
Photocopy of all my paperwork & passport(also leaving a copy with my family)
And of course a Scotland rugby Shirt - got to fly the flag!