Trying to prepare for an 18 month trip
Pete Writes: So its official, I am leaving the UK in 19 days…
However it still does not feel real, (I am sure it won’t until I step onto the plane at Heathrow)
So how do I feel?
Excited at the prospect of spending 18 months discovering new cultures, eating new foods, meeting interesting and wonderful people, NOT WORKING, seeing sights that I have only dreamt of and of course spending the ultimate amount of quality time with Chloe x (especially 24th Jan when we plan to make it official)
Apprehensive at not knowing what to expect and how I will feel about being away from home for such a long time.
Our plan is to keep you all updated with our movements, with photos videos and a few choice words 
It would be really good to hear from you so please feel free to send us messages and let us know how life is treating you in Sunny England.x
Chloe Writes: In less than 3 weeks we’ll be leaving the luxury and comfort of our house for 18 months and to say there’s a lot to do is an understatement, packing up the house is such an enormous and tedious task, sorting out stuff that I know I’ll never need and haven’t looked at in years but still cannot throw away. Trying to complete those last little jobs that need to be finished before we go… I say we but Pete has been doing a good job of finishing the fence and fixing the toilet flush.
Housey things are not all that’s on my mind at the moment. Trying to fit all the things I know I will definitely need, no doubt about it, into my tiny 40L bag is a challenge in its self. I eventually packed my bag (I can only be advised/nagged so many times by Pete till I give in and just do it), and I’m very glad I did. My extra large (frankly massive) toiletry bag takes over half the space in my bag, my clothes cube (a small fabric bag to put your rolled up clothes in) leaves my choice of clothing fairly limited to say the least and my trainers will have to be worn on my feet when travelling from one place to another. The thought of having my only possessions in a bag on my back for 18 months is a little scary but I’m sure I will get used to it.
Most of all, I am very very excited. I’m looking forward to experiencing different cultures, eating authentic food, going to new places and seeing some amazing sites, meeting people of different cultures, getting married on a beach to my best friend and soul mate (that’s quite a big one) and understanding what’s it’s really like to have the freedom to go wherever we like, whenever we choose. Yes there will be places, people and experiences that aren’t the best and spending everyday for 18 months together will be hard for us both at times, but I know it will be an amazing adventure x
Tags: Before we go
August 17th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Monkey
Just making sure it works and giving you a feel for more to come from me over the next 18 months.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Hi Guys, not long now, I bet its almost impossible to do any work! Anyway wanted to share a couple of travelling tips with you that we have learnt in the short time we have been away:
1. I didnt know that I was Mosquitoes favorite food til we arrived in New York, was bitten alive and to make matters worse I started having an allergic reaction to them and ended with large hard welts all over my body. To sort the swellings out went to a chemist and got “Piriton” an antihistamine drug. After talking to other people we were informed the best way to go is to stop the buggers biting in the first place. We were told to start taking Vitamin B1 on a daily basis. Apparently after about 7 days your body emits an oder that mozzies cant stand and so leave you alone. Would you believe I havent been bitten since. We checked on the net and B1 is completely harmless in large quanties and in fact also helps get rid of excess carbohydrates.
2. Dont use your MP3 player with earphones after swimming. Like I did, had a bit of water in my ears which unknowingly limited my hearing capabilities and so cranked the volume up to compensate. Woke up the next morning deaf as a post in both ears-scary. 3 days later my hearing has slowly returned, still have some tinnitus, which I hope will go soon. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Wow, sounds like you are having a time of it.
Thanks for the tips, not sure we can fit anymore in our bag, but will definitley find room for more tablets !!!!
Lovely to hear from you, can you re-send your links.
Pete and Chloe x
August 25th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Ah, forgot about the B1 tip! We tried that but to honest didn’t see much difference - doesn’t mean it won’t work, lots of people swear by it.
Not long to go now! Aaaaarrggghhh!
See you this evening!
Rupert x
September 1st, 2007 at 10:55 am
Hi babes,
Hope you had a good flight and are not to jet lagged.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:45 am
Hi guys
Hope you are having a fab time in the gem that is India.
Places to go -
Hampi - stay accross the river go you can get a coracle to the temples and go to the Mango Tree and have a Thali - they are the best. There is also a swing looking accross the river and rice plantations.
Madari - Stunning temples and the Gandi museum
Kerela - Cochin - Katakali dancing and gorgous fish! Munnar - just think PG tips but take a jumper. You can also do a backwater day trip from Vakala to Cochin (8 hours) and you get a thali served on a banana leaf.
Goa - Palolum - hippy retreat and a stunning beach
Hope your keeping safe
Lots and lots of love and hugs
Big Sis Nat XXX
September 4th, 2007 at 3:20 am
So both have finally arrived ! Different huh.
Enjoy the curries and people ! Bet you are hot without the FAN !
September 4th, 2007 at 5:35 am
Hi Mum & Tash,
For some reason Mum it seems that you posted your message from India, did you sneak into my bag or something? Flight was cool, most definitley the calm before the storm.
Thanks for the tips Tash, we going to some of those places so will keep them in mind.
Lots of Love,
Chloe x
September 4th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Hi Alex,
Yeah both arrived safe and sound, can’t believe the amount of people and NO PIES!!!!
Catch you later
Pete :o)
September 4th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Hi BABES,
The rtack tack are real cool. Yes live stock woders around everywhere what a culture shock a million miles from our luxurious Britain. When you go to Cochin go to the Sinagoge in Jew Town it’s stunning.
Whilst your there try a curry, as if!!!
No rude messages.
Loads of kissess.
MUM
September 11th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Wow! Great to see wot a fantastic time you are having. Alls well in sunny Plymouth!!!!!!!!!!? Kaden is walking now so we are in even more chaos than B4.
Enjoy your travels and take care.
love to you both from the Heard Clan. xx
September 11th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Hi, I love seeing the pics and the BLUE TOP!
That came in handy Chloe and you’ve both been shopping I see, getting into the cultural way of dressing. Love the one of you both on the mountain.
Keep them coming.
2 morrow we have an away day and John is making the currey and I’m making the pilau ( don’t know if I’ve spelt that correctly) anyway had to make enough for an army and have’nt lost my touch.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Hi Paulette,
Good to hear from you, and to hear that it’s Chaos as usuall in Plymouth
We are having an amazing time, eating lots of spicey foods and meeting loads of cool people.
Just to let you know if you post on the latest page, then it is easier for us to reply… Just scroll to the bottom of the latest update.
Hopefully talk soon, send our love to the Heard
Pete and Chloe x x
October 1st, 2007 at 7:31 am
Petrov and Chloe,nrnrJust got a quiet 5 mins at work inbetween peppering the board and talking s**t so thought I would catch up on your trip. Photo’s look amazing, loving the comedy Cows! Sounds like you are having a wicked time. Thought I should update you on the Heriatge progress: We won our 2 opening games of the season and went top for a week but then lost in the 1st round of the cup 2-1 (aet) and lost 4-0 on Sunday in the league but not bad for Div 3 newbies! Just gearing up for our office christmas bash. Looks like Karoke is on the cards if you fancy popping back for a night? I think I know the answer to that. Anyway back to work it’s almost home time. nrnrTake care of yourselves………and each othernrnrSi x
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:23 am
Hi Botters…
Glad to hear that you are still holding the mighty marker pen and putting up with the rest of the crew.
Shame you got knocked out first round, it must be the cup thats jinxed..
So top of the league for a week, nice.. good luck with the next match. and give nath a kick from me..
take care
x