Further updates,
I have decided to book with a company called OzIntro who help you settle into Australia with a weeks stay in Sydney. They organise daily trips such as a surf lesson, day trip to the Blue Mountains, BBQ, meals etc and they also help you set up an Australian bank account, tax file number, give you an Aussie sim card as well as other important bits. They help you find work and are a contact for the whole year. They can help you with the visa application, flights and insurance but I have chosen to do those separately as I have personal preferences. I decided to pay an extra £25 to gain access to job searches etc that you wouldn't be able to without paying the extra. The link is to the right of my blog if you're interested in what they offer. It was through my friend, Helen, that I found out about the company and I couldn't resist getting myself booked onto it. You don't particularly need to and you can do all the things they do on your own but as a solo traveller, I find it a big help and reassurance knowing I will be in a situation to meet fellow backpackers and with their help opening a bank account, it's a worry dealt with! It sounds lazy of me but there's already so much to organise it's a weight off my shoulders! So I will be starting my OzIntro week on the 4th January.
I am also in talks with a friend who is already over there to spend New Year's in Sydney. Since the millennium I haven't been too fussed over New Year, but the more I think spending it somewhere like Sydney, the more inclined I am to go. It's a one off opportunity, especially if I don't get the chance to go again.
I bought myself a rucksack with wheels a few weeks ago. Again, this was something Helen had mentioned and I was debating at the time whether to take a rucksack or suitcase... I didn't even think to look for the best of both! Fortunately it was £60 down from £100 (which has since gone back up to £100) so I'm glad I bought it when I did. I was a bit naughty and added some swimwear into my purchase but they were in the sale and things I will need out there so they're not unnecessary buys! As well as a few little bits that will come in handy during my stay. Another debate about taking a sleeping bag was at the back of my mind but another steal from Helen to get a sleeping liner instead. Much cheaper, more lightweight and smaller so easier to carry.
So now I need to organise insurance. I'm waiting for my folks to get back from their holiday so dad can help me find the best one. I think I need his help financially too! It's all payments I need to make now so I will pay them back gradually. I also don't know whether to carry my laptop around with me. I'm definitely going to take it, but I'm wondering whether to leave it at my cousin's house when I start travelling. It's a MacBook Pro so it's not cheap! I will just have to see what insurance I can get for it to help me decide. My camera's definitely going to be some company but I do think it's starting to lose some life, it's starting to rattle a bit. It did well going to Lapland being in -30c outside to going inside warm cabins, though I did my best to abide precautions, there's only so long you can leave your camera until you need to use it!
Anyway, this blog is becoming awfully long. I'm quite good at going on. If there was a degree in blog-writing or emailing I think I'd be a first class student! X
