It's The Little Things

I keep making a list of things to do and get that you don't for a normal vacation. Take laundry, for example. It's not like I can lug around a bottle of Tide with me. And buying detergent each stop is probably expensive. So I found this cool little pump bottle of Method detergent that is so concentrated, it has enough for 25 loads. Hey, you gotta consider these things.

...and the phone

I have a dual band 900/1800 band which works abroad but not in the U.S.  But since I bought the sim card, I would feel better having tested everything out before I go, which I can't with that phone.  It was a cheap, free phone for subscribing to France Today magazine.  So I found a quad band with 3G unlocked phone on eBay.  The LG Vu CU290 has more bells and whistles than I will use, but is definitely a step up.  I think the 3G will allow it to work in Japan - not on this trip, but someday.

Sim Card

I ordered a global sim card today, which will have a UK and a US number. Most global sim cards have Estonia numbers. Guess Estonia is the sim card capital of the world. Now we know its claim to fame.  If it ever had any fame.

Calls to the US number on all of these sims incur an additional per minute fee, so I'll be setting up Google Voice/Calling for people from the US to call unless they want to call the UK number or it is an emergency.

Anyway, I found two companies that sell cards that include UK and US numbers for free. One is really popular, Telestial, the other, Ace Telecom, I don't see much about online. I usually go for the one that has lots of good reviews, which Telestial has. But Ace Telecom has coverage in the Cook Islands, although the rates are expensive. I don't plan to do much calling there, but it's good to have for emergencies. Also, with the special Ace Telecom was running, I saved about five bucks, but also got an additional $15 airtime.  $20 savings altogether.  Every dollar counts!

I Hate Airlines

So, on the heels of Air Tran changing my flight back to LA, I got an email from Aegean Airways that my flight from Athens to Tel Aviv, which was scheduled for a civilized 1:30PM has now been moved to an uncivilized 5:30AM. I hate airlines.

First Mini-Snag

Whenever possible, I try to take flights with international airlines over domestic airlines. All my flights are with international airlines until the two final legs. Madrid to Philly is on United; Philly to LA is on Air Tran Airways. So leave it to one of the domestics to cancel a flight and move me to a later one. Yes, now I won't arrive to LAX until after midnight (and technically, my 85th day). My only option was to change to the 5AM flight. Now, not that I'm a big New Year's Eve reveler. But getting up for a 5AM flight on New Year's Day? Not gonna happen. Hey, maybe they'll let me check my bag for free for the inconvenience. Ha! I crack myself up. Thanks, Air Tran.

Keeping An Off-Topic Rant On-Topic

Since I plan to stay at mostly self-service apartments/hotels during the trip, I wonder if when I go to the market, upon entering or exiting, I will be accosted by someone wanting a donation, to sign a petition, or to buy something I don't need like I do here every freaking time I go to a store!

Communication

So I've got my home phone which I will forward to my cell phone. I've got my international cell phone but still need to buy an international sim card, which may or may not have a U.S. number. I signed up for Google calling. And I've got Skype. And email. And AIM. And Google chat. For work. And for my Gmail account. And Facebook IM. If you need me, I think you can find me!

Poll - Don't Forget to Vote

In case you missed the poll to the right, don't forget to vote on the destination you most want to visit. And someone even showed some Philly love!

The Itinerary

With one month to go before I leave, I'm still finalizing the cities that I plan to travel to within each country. But here is the country itinerary:

Cook Islands - 10/10-10/14
New Zealand - 10/15-10/21 (losing a day when I cross the Int'l Date Line)
Australia - 10/21 - 10/30
Thailand - 10/30 - 11/6
Hong Kong - 11/6 - 11/13
Israel - 11/14 - 11/26
Greece - 11/26 - 12/4
Spain - 12/4 - 12/15
USA (Philadelphia) - 12/15 - 1/1

And then back to LA.

Hep A Shot

Got the Hep A shot. Man, that stung!