Baby Steps - Part 2

Get your papers
Passport! Don't can't leave home without it!

A lot of people get a passport out of habit these days. After all, you need one to go even to Canada. I, however, missed the boat on this jetsetting trend and got mine specifically for this trip. Thankfully, the Aussies dig us, so a full tourist visa ($70 AUD) isn't required if you're planning a typical trip under 3 months long. All that's required is the handy, and invisible, Australian Electronic Travel Authority fee!

So, planning was the order of the day.. everyday.. for the entire month of December. I thought my head would explode from all the details, and it started to wear on my mood quite a bit. I mean, real life doesn't stop just because you're planning the most important trip of your life. There was still work everyday, bills to manage, family gatherings at the holidays, and lions, and tigers and bears, oh my!

I still didn't have money enough in December to apply for my travel goodies, but I did manage to get every other detail in order. You don't have to be rolling in dough to get moving on your plans. Fill out paperwork, keep an eye on the airlines, and spend those stressed-out sleepless nights reading about what it's like from through the looking glass.

Obviously, not everyone will be able to save up enough money in 2-4 months to afford the journey. So pick a realistic start-date for your planning. But if you are an earlybird-on-steroids, be sure to budget for rises in travel costs, and occasional shifts in government fees.

Most of all, have fun! Check out touristy sites, or buy a great book on Australia. Start getting in the mindset that will keep you from going nuts over the next year (yes, I said year.. and that's minimum) it'll take move your life to Oz.

Slang of the Day — Whinge verb. To whine, complain, or bitch. noun. hissyfit, a complaining tantrum. Usage: "She's (whinging / having a whinge) over stupid airline prices."