We have tickets, rucksacks, a bellyful of malaria pills, but nothing more than a vague notion of where we are going or what we will do when we get there. Our initial plans were turned on their head when we realised that to get to Patagonia before it shuts for the winter we would have to travel westwards around the world. So in four weeks time we will arrive completely unprepared in Rio (the one in Brazil) to start our 30 week tour of South America, New Zealand and South East Asia. We have no foreign currency, no hotels booked and do not speak any of the languages of the places we will be visiting.
We are anticipating a few troubles along the way. Julian is excited by the prospect of steaks the size of dustbin lids in Argentina, Cath is vegetarian. Cath likes to tick off as many exotic species of bird as possible, Julian divides the avian kingdom into big birds and little birds. Julian likes crowds of people and exotic food, Cath gets scared at Victoria station in rush hour and is happy with a cheese and onion pasty.
Ok, we aren't expecting your sympathy.... But if you want to follow our travels to see how we cope then keep reading the blog, and please leave comments, suggestions and abuse as you follow our journey. We will keep it updated as often as possible as we hunt for whales in New Zealand (not literally, I think it might be illegal), search for the Orange Men in Borneo (the apes, not the Ulstermen), gaze at Sugar Loaf Mountain and generally scuffle around the world. In the meantime, it's Christmas in Sussex and Wiltshire for us, enjoy yours wherever you are.
