No Turning Back Now

Posted in Flights| Journey| Planning| RTW

I am taking a break from the “Top Ten” posts I’ve been doing for the last few weeks because I have big news! After all the planning and plotting and dreaming I just booked my Round the World trip and  I am so incredibly excited! I have spent months thinking up an itinerary, checking flights, researching cities and getting up the nerve to plunk down the credit card.  But that day is finally here. Today I have my itinerary in my email inbox and now the countdown starts towards take off on April 1. (And yes, the irony that I’m leaving on April Fool’s Day has not been lost on me. But somehow I feel that I’d be the bigger fool continuing to let my dreams pass me by.)
I officially have 47 days to look for accommodations, notify friends in cities where I’ll be visiting, get rid of unnecessary clutter (including my car), find someone to sublet my room, get my blog in tip top shape for the road, figure out health insurance, lose 10 pounds, sign up for language classes and pack my bags (which will probably happen on March 31 around 9:00 pm). Oh yeah – and figure out my work situation. Yikes! But it is all so doable. It really is. I’ll just keep a checklist, take one step at a time and know that things will work out.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous about this next journey. 95% of the time I’m over the moon about the trip, but every once in a while, the voices in my head start to wonder a little too loudly about “what could go wrong”.  So I try to drown them out with thoughts of “What is going to go right”.  This will be my 2nd Round the World trip so I’m not under any illusion that there won’t be hiccups along the way. But I also know that hiccups are no reason to stay home on the couch. So away I go!
  
Here’s where you’ll find me between April and August this year. If you have any advice on these cities or if you’ll be there too, PLEASE let me know with a comment below. Half the fun of traveling is making connections with amazing people all over the planet.
Tokyo

Kyoto/Osaka

Seoul
Sydney
Istanbul
Abu Dhabi
Beirut
Amman
Larnaca
Budapest
Madrid
Amsterdam
London
I will also do my best to make it to Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris, Oslo, Dublin and Berlin or wherever else the wind may take me.  Wish me luck as I get ready to set off and please do let me know your thoughts on my itinerary.
  
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10 comments… add one
  • Kristen Riordan February 14, 2012, 6:55 am

    OMG Nailah! I’m so excited for you! What a fabulous itinerary. I cannot wait to live vicariously through your travel blog. Life is short and we never know what’s around the next corner. Good for you for finding your passion and going for it! Happy Valentine’s Day!

  • Nailah February 14, 2012, 7:25 am

    Thank you, Kirsten. I still feel I owe a lot of this crazy travel addiction to you calling me up and suggesting we do the first RTW trip. Any chance you can come meet me along the way??

  • Anonymous February 14, 2012, 7:52 am

    don’t forget the “best” city in the world…Ulaanbaatar.

    • Nailah February 14, 2012, 9:27 am

      Ulaanbaatar – def need to get there one day soon…Is that you, Theo?

  • Dagmar February 14, 2012, 9:01 am

    When in Amsterdam, it’s a very short distance to Denmark you know! Hope to see you here! Safe travels gorgeous, big hug!

    • Nailah February 14, 2012, 9:28 am

      I would love to make it back to Denmark. Do you think you’ll be around this summer?

  • Rio February 14, 2012, 12:01 pm

    Pursue your dreams with faith in God and He will bless and keep you no matter where you are.

    • Nailah February 14, 2012, 2:33 pm

      Very true! Thank you for that reminder, Rio!

  • kanannie February 14, 2012, 4:00 pm

    how exciting! we’re planning our very first RTW trip, but it probably won’t start until next year. 🙁

    tokyo and kyoto are great cities, and very, very different from each other. have fun!

    • Nailah February 14, 2012, 6:05 pm

      Very cool! Have you decided on which regions your focusing on? I booked my ticket through Airtreks and had a good experience so far. So looking forward to Japan…its been 18 years since my last trip and I’m anxious to see what’s changed/stayed the same.

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