MyTravels

California Dreamin'

On Friday I will be watching the preliminary rounds of the Huntington Beach, CA AVP Open Volleyball tournament.   Lots to do before I take off to the land of sun and sand!

Stay tuned...

World Tour Itinerary Complete!

With a little patience and persistence I have booked all the major destinations for the MLD World Tour!   

Leaving Boston March 12th - Returning May 26th all for a grand airfare total of $3,600!!!   That's right folks, my trip around the world will cost me just $3,600 to leave from and return to Boston.   Pretty damn SWEET! 

Check my itinerary link for more specific details on times and dates!

Destinations in Order:

New Zealand  (March 12th - April 3rd)

Fiji (April 3rd - April 12th)

Australia (April 12th - May 1st)

Thailand (May 1st - May 5th)

France - PARIS! (May 5th - May 26th)

Quantas Airlines

Welcome MISS MICHELLE L DICHIARA

Membership number: 4940970

Membership type: Bronze

Downtown Deals

Unemployment is suiting me very well, even my dentist noticed how relaxed I am.   He said I was the most relaxed he had ever seen in the three years I have been seeing him.  I have been getting that from a lot of people, I guess the constant smiling is somewhat contagious (and sickening to some).    The 9am dentist appointment was cause for getting me downtown early, and it worked out pretty well since I got some other key errands DONE.   

I stopped in a couple of random stores around Downtown Crossing.  I was looking specifically for "moisture wicking" attire.   I guess quick drying clothes items are a big plus when you are backpacking which makes a lot of sense, even to me, the blonde girl.  I found some great deals at Marshalls in the activewear section.  I have to admit, I had a moment in the store as I was looking at the sports-type tops where my mind went off into fantasy mode:  I pictured myself hiking up some LOTR type mountain with my snazzy moisture-wicking, wind protecting, SPF protecting white top, convertible cargo pants and hiking shoes with a "glad to be here" look on my face.   And then, like clockwork, the vain logical side of my brain chimed in and said "are you sure you are going to be able to live with less than 10 items of clothing for 2.5 months??"    I literally quivered right there in the store and realized that this trip is not about strappy sandals and short mini-skirts... Oh no... It is all about the moisture-wicking attire and living by the "less is more" philosophy.

Feeling quite inspired with my new sporty tops and the interchangeable colors that I selected, I decided that I could move on.   After I dug through thousands of items to find my great deals at Marshalls, I stopped in a travel store.  It only took me about 2 minutes of browsing before I realized that this was clearly a store for "tourists" and not bargain seeking, low-budget backpacking adventurers like myself. 

I did however, find a wire lock that I was looking for and I am still wavery on whether or not this was a successful purchase.   The lock is attached to a slim wire which looks like it might secure a few Cheerios in a pinch, but I am not so sure I would lock up my valuables with it.   I figured my new kiddy lock might serve better as a deterrent rather than something to stop theft.   I real thief would probably have to get my attention to laugh at me first before he ran off with my stuff.  I can hear him or her saying "Are you kidding me?"   

So I am about 80% there with my gear purchases and I am still under $500.   Not too bad.   I am planning on stopping at the L.L. Bean outlet next week sort of as a catch-all last resort for anything else I need that I cannot find cheaply somewhere around here in Boston.

I also finally got my car re-registered (due 1/31/05).  I was just a little behind the eightball on that one.  Procrastination is a wonderful thing... not

3 weeks and 3 days left... 

IMA World Nomad

I bought by travel insurance today from World Nomads.   They seem to have the best type of coverage for what I am doing and I am comfortable with the cost which was $160 USD.   It is a lot of planning and details, but it is rather fun getting all my tasks accomplished.   Sure beats "working"... ha ha ha

Policy Coverage

Emergency Assistance
If you are in need of emergency assistance:

From Australia: 1 800 102 345

Internationally: free call +IDD 800 9392 9392 The IDD prefix is the international prefix needed to dial out of any country to another country. This is followed by the TOLL FREE 800 emergency number.
Check the web site for a full list of IDD codes.

Fax: +IDD 61 7 3360 0390

Email: travel_assistance@worldcare.com.au

If you have any questions regarding this policy prior to departure, please call us on 1300 787 375.

Emergency Assistance (by Country)

Wrentham provides Wisdom!

I bought probably THE MOST key item yesterday at the Wrentham Outlets. I got a great tip from my friend Dave Rule who told me to check out the Coleman Outlet store for backpacks. I got an awesome deal on my backpack which is very cool looking (and functional!). The pack is RED (surprise surprise) and it has a big X on the top part (hopefully not screaming hey, I'm American, can't you tell?) I think the X looks very cool, the backpack is the Coleman eXponent. The particular style is called "Wisdom" and it says that across the bottom of the pack. Since I am embarking on what you would call a "soul searching" journey, having the word Wisdom embroidered on my pack it pertinent and meaningful to me. Now I just need to figure out how I am going to get "MLD" on my pack and also add a Patriots logo!

After getting my great deal on my backpack, I decided to compare my pack specifications to REI and I found that the cheapest comprable pack they were offering at the "on-line outlet" was $120 and it is actually smaller than what I have.

Total Cost (on sale): $69.99 USD

Top loading Wisdom pack has one compartment, a zippered lid pocket and two mesh pockets
. Capacity: 3,200 cubic inches
. Pack weight: 4.5 pounds
. Hip belt fits 26" to 54"
. 2 removable side pockets for added convenience
. Compression straps
. Sternum strap with added elastic for more freedom of movement
. Shoulder lift system for less shoulder strain and more comfort
. Load stabilizer straps
. Moisture management polyester mesh
. Water resistant and durable, high density ripstop polyester and oxford weave with polyurethane coating
. Separate access to bottom of pack
. Hydration system capability with hydration tube exit port and internal compartment
. Includes two pre-curved aluminum stays for added support

First Air Ticket booked!

FIRST STOP, NEW ZEALAND!!

I finally got over the hump (even in my slump).   Just call me Dr. Seuss...

Today was the day that I decided to overcome my fear and I bought my first air ticket for my trip around the world!   I have been checking fares everyday and using about 4-5 different websites to find the best deal.  I think I done good!

I booked 2 nights at a hostel in Wellington, New Zealand (March 14/15).  I figure that I will make my way to Christchurch at some point from there.    The total travel time from Boston, at least according to a calendar is 2 days.  I am sure that factors time changes and all that.   I think the actual travel time is about 22 hours, but to figure out the time differences would be too complicated for me to figure out right now.  I am very excited that I now finally have the answer that everyone has been asking me...

"When are you leaving?"   Saturday March 12th 2005 @ 6:15pm!

My next focus on my "to-do list" will be to go out and get my travel gear.  I found a lot of useful websites on "what to pack".   Now, to those of my girls who know me quite well you may be shocked to know that I am actually going to follow the suggestions of those who have gone before me who have done a similiar backpacking adventure.   

Unlike my recent trip to the Turks where I brought 7 pairs of footwear and enough clothing to change 3 times a day for 2 weeks AND 5 bathing suits.  My world tour is going to be a hell of a lot different for Miss MLD.    So I am going to keep a running total of all my travel expenses for this trip for those who may be interested in that kind of nitty gritty detail and I will list that under "Unemployed Traveling Backpack Adventure".   Hopefully at least one of you out there will benefit from my experiences and overflow of information and decide that you wish to do the same some day....

Get MET, it PAYS....

;-)

E-Visa for Australia

I applied for my VISA today to visit Australia.  I have to check back in 24 hours to see if I have been approved on-line.  I cannot imagine why I wouldn't be, but whatever...

I have a bunch of airfares on watch at CheapTickets.com.  I should have my departure date by 2/15 (the day after BLACK Monday)...

MLD goes Global!

Hello friends and family!   

I have decided to {finally} release my travel website to the masses.   My last day of work at SSRM/MetLife (which I fondly refer to as Snoopy Hell!) is this Friday, January 28th, 2005.    I know that you are all feeling really bad for me right now especially since I will be leaving the lovely New England Snow Dome behind this Saturday to enjoy my first trip as an unemployed travel bum.   This is sort of the warm up trip before I head out on the World Tour.   Before I received termination notification indicating my "last day", I had pre-planned a "Volleyball Vacation" to the Turks & Caicos Islands (Carribean - see map).  Yes folks, I am being laid off with severance.  I find it strangely ironic that MetLife actually paid me more to GO than Stay!   Sweet!   My official termination date is actually 1/31/05 (Monday), however I will be on the beach playing volleyball in the beautiful HOT sun and unfortunately I will miss the big conversion weekend at work due to my pre-planned vacation.... I am so bummed about that...NOT!  (sorry Keith! ;-)   

My plan is to update this site regularly while I am away so please stay tuned and check back on occasion.   Basically this T&C trip will be a test run to see how well I can share photos and stories while traveling.   

You may post comments if you feel so inclined (be nice!).   I have configured this website so that you may post your comments ANONYMOUSLY, i.e. DO NOT leave your email address!!  Unless of course you are a big fan of SPAM, then knock yourself out.   It would be nice if you leave some indication of who you are, like your first name, or a nickname that I can decipher.   

If you would like to leave a personal email message for me, please do so at:

mld@earthlink.net   

OR   

MLDBoston@hotmail.com  (send attachments here)

And if you would like to leave me a voice message (while I am away only) please do so at:

(206) 339-2951

Cheers~

MLD

FREE Voicemail!

If you want to leave me a voice message while I am traveling abroad, I would love to hear from you!    I can check and listen to my voicemail from any internet station around the world!

I am sure to get a little lonely at times, so if you feel so inclined please leave me a message just to say hello!

(206) 339-2951