Me and my boyfriend first decided to go round the world about a month ago. Since then there has been frantic planning - deciding where we want to go, for how long, budgets etc! But now, since the tickets have been booked and fully paid I decided to start this blog in the lead up to our departure.... 22nd September 2005!

My name is Natalie, I'm 18 and come from the wonderful Shetland Islands. At the moment I'm working as a temporary Health Promotion Administration Assistant at our local health board. I finished school last year and took a year out before University to go travelling. I've always loved travelling - I lived in Dubai for 7 years and have been to Australia and America, plus places in Europe. I'm so excited to go away!

My boyfriend is Brian. He's 24 and has a honours degree in Journalism. At the moment he is working as a graduate placement at the Shetland Museum. This trip will be Brian's first time abroad, and we're so excited to be having this amazing experience together!

Anyways, this blog is gonna be filled with photos, details of where we are and what we're doing, and maps to track our route in each place we go.

Enjoy...