Our Timeline
This has been both and exciting and difficult thing to do. A year traveling through the world. Where do you go? Why? How long do you stay? Is 3 weeks enough time to experience Indonesia? I’ve never been to Cambodia, so how long is long enough to experience what the country has to offer? What DOES Cambodia even have to offer?
Our trip started out as 3-4 months. We thought it was a long time to take for a trip, but soon found that there was more we wanted to do and see. Originally, we were going to take a trip to the Cook Islands to get married, then go to both New Zealand and Australia. Then we started to say things like “you know, we might not come back to this part of the world for a very long time, while we’re here, so we should also see . . . “. That is how 3-4 months turned into 6-7 months. Then before you know it 6-7 months turned into the current schedule of 13 months. We joke that we might find some really great jobs working on a boat in the South Pacific, or in a hostel somewhere in New Zealand and just stay forever. You never know what the future holds, maybe someday. For now our trip has been changed, modified, extended and adjusted several times but we feel this is the final version. Airline tickets are now booked so we won’t be straying too far from our current travel course.
With every question answered another question rises. Christine has done a phenomenal job developing the itinerary. Several places she has visited before and gets excited when talking of her past adventures. Though we have our flights and travel dates, not everything is planned out. Some of our activities will be finalized well in advance, some will be planned on the plane or bus and some will just happen as the day unfolds.
It’s going to be a great trip.
Here is our outline so far:
July 31, 2009
Grab the backpacks and passports baby! We’re off!
Aug 1, 2009
Las Vegas / Grand Canyon / Palm Springs / Los Angeles
Aug 23, 2009
Cook Islands (Rarotonga and Aitutaki)
Sept 1, 2009
WEDDING DAY! ! ! ! !
Sept 15, 2009
Auckland, New Zealand – travel through both islands
Nov 10, 2009
Melbourne, Australia – Tasmania / Ayers Rock / Alice Springs / Cairns down to Sydney on the Greyhound
New Years Eve
Sydney, Harbour fireworks ! !
Jan 6, 2010
Bali – Indonesia – Island tramping
Seminyak / Kuta / Jimbaran Bay / Ubud
Feb 2, 2010
Singapore – Malaysia / Thailand /Myanmar / Laos / Cambodia / Vietnam
June 8, 2010
Cairo, Egypt – Explore the Nile
June 16, 2010
Athens, Greece – Mainland exploring / Island hopping
Santorini / Crete / Piros /Mykonos
July 2010
London, England – Wales / Ireland / Northern Ireland
Sometime in September 2010
Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland ! !
The Next Day
Find a flat & a maybe get a job?
I’m so happy that your going on this trip.
You guys are going to have such great time.
I love you man,
your brother
How excitement! Maybe I will come to your wedding in Cook Islands
I can give you lots of ideas about Oz and of course around Asia. Let’s skype soon or you can plan when you get here!
luv ya’s xx
Aaron
What intricate planning! You have an incredible brain Christine! Your beauty can be misleading, yes? Paul, you are very lucky to have this woman in your life! This is very exciting and I love your website. I look forward to following along.
So happy to see more Americans going Briefcase to Backpack! We look forward to following your journey and will be sure to share with our readers. And hopefully you’ll have some tips to share for others contemplating this experience! And congrats on the wedding – what a wonderful way to celebrate your life together.
Hi Michaela -
Thanks for finding our website! It really means a lot to us. There isn’t much to see right now since we leave @ the end of July. But as our trip develops, so will our site.
I really like “Briefcase to Backpack”, there’s so much useful information and entertainment all over the site.
I’ll be a frequent visitor, I only hope we can find anything worth contributing.
Paul
Hi Paul! Happy that our site is helping you in your planning. And you already have something to contribute to our site – I’d love to highlight you guys and what led you to make the big decision to take a career break and travel. Shoot me an email if you are interested!
Bon voyage you crazy kids!
Hey Paul and Christine! I just wanted to say that I read your blogs all the time and its amazing to hear what a fabulous time you are having. Obviously I’m envious but glad you are enjoying every moment. This website is just fab and is great for keeping tabs on you – well done for keeping it updated!
Enjoy Oz, sighhhhhh fireworks on Sydney Harbour Bridge…… wish I was there too!
Big hugs and can’t wait to see you in July.
Erica xxx
Thanks for checking us out Refugio. If you have been to any of our upcoming destinations, I’d love to get some ideas or suggestions of what to do once we’re there.
take care.
Paul
Thx for sharing it, that’s become my new knowledge. I ll come again to your blog. Cheers!