RTW booked....now comes the real planning!!

[millmuff]

So after about a year or more of saving, planning, and questioning myself I took the plunge and booked my first ever round the world ticket.

It was real struggle the last month after nailing down where I wanted to go to actually book it. I figured al along I would just basically book it myself with a company on line but as it got closer I felt nervous and didn't want to miss anything. So I took my scratch itinerary to about four different travel agents for some help to get the final booking. Two weeks later and several phone calls I said screw it and got in contact with Airtreks. They are a company online that deals with RTW tickets and I had been in contact with them asking questions since the beginning. So about a week and a half later everything was set to go, and I can say how much I appreciate the agent that I dealt with at this company. I'm sure things are going to get screwed up here and there along the way but the way he dealt with getting everything going for me was really appreciated. Funny thing is I just got my first phone call back from one of the other travel agencies!!!! Almost a month after asking then for help!!hahaha

So here's my basic itinerary. It's ending in Frankfurt at this point because I was unsure of how long I would be in Europe for, and how much money I will have left.

Calgary - Auckland (November 13)
-overland
Christchurch - Sydney (December 4)
-Driving to Brisbane and back
Sydney - Bangkok (December 17)
-Overland Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and back
Bangkok - Osaka (May 8)
-Overland
Tokyo - Shanghai (May 31)
-Don’t know where I'll go…any ideas??
Shanghai - Frankfurt (June 23)

From there I will probably make my way to London to fly home. Maybe buy a rail pass that goes through 5 countries or so.

Only a few months left….and still so much to do! My biggest problem at this point is booking into a place on Koh Phangan during the busiest time of the year.

Any pointers or ideas on places. especially China, and eastern Europe would be appreciated. Or if any of my dates match up with yours along your travels let me know. I would love to have I first Tpunk meet up on this trip.

Peace