19 days to go! Suddenly, we're in the teens!
Preparations have now shifted to the more practical and tangible aspects.
1. I GOT A CAMERA!!! We purchased the Canon 550D this weekend (Rebel T2i) and I've been feverishly reading the manual and playing with it. We also decided on a slingshot bag to put all the different bits and pieces; plus the point and shoot cameras into.
2. We pulled down our bags from the attic today and realised that we have a LOT of bags that are broken. DH and I spent the better part of this morning checking all the 21 bags (yes, 21!!!!) and turfing out the ones with broken zips and holes. We are now left with 10. For this trip, we plan to take 2 carry-on trolleys. DS will have one, DH and I will share one; leaving us with the slingshot for the cameras, and my handbag. We will also take 2 check-in bags; one a 27" trolley case and the other an international sized carry-on trolley case. I'm thinking of packing a soft 25" bag inside the large trolley for all the shopping I know we're going to do and will only make my mind up when I get round to packing (which I'll do around the 25th of April) if I take it or not. In the event that we purchase another 27" case in America
(this will happen even if we have the soft bag with us or not!) or have delicate items that we want to take as carry-on, we have the additional smaller bag as back-up.
3. I've been working on the Mousekeeping envelops and have ended up decorating them with Aussie animals and reptiles. They are pretty much finished now and that's one less thing for me to worry about.
4. I'm stressing about shoes. I had planned on taking my sketchers (closed shoe) to walk around the World; my crocs for the pool and resorts (and as a backup in the event of rain) plus a good pair of sandals for "going out" purposes. I'm now starting to think that I might need to buy a decent pair of walking sandals....
5. I've been printing out all my accommodation reservations and car hire details. Somehow, I've printed 3 copies of all the non Disney accommodation confirmations - and I'm still missing them! Oh well, back to the printer next week!
6. I'm starting to write the addresses and contact details of all the places we want to visit. I'm also starting to look at Google Maps and working out best routes between A and B. I'm also printing out the routes and will decide if I take the paper copies with me (later).
7. I'm writing down all passport numbers, insurance numbers and reservation confirmation numbers in a separate place. This way, if I lose the paper copies, I'll have the back-up numbers on hand without having to find an internet cafe.
8 I've checked our US electronic tourist visa and they are still valid.
9. I've also started purchasing toiletry items e.g., shampoo, bandaids, aspirin, wet ones, tissues etc.
I'm going to need to take copies of our passports and other documents and leave them with DH parents this week.
I'm also going to have to complete the Australian Foreign Affairs travel plans on-line in the event of an emergency; so that the Aussie Government know how to find us.
I'm also going to have to start pulling summer clothes out for DS and working out if they need to be washed (again) or ironed.
Oh - eating plan
and exercising? We'll find out on Monday.....