(Sent: Fri, November 14, 2003 5:34 pm)

Well the time is fast approaching when I will be jetting off into the sunset. With only just over 2wks left in Australia you may be wondering what is happening here for me.

Last week signified the end of my Spanish lessons. I am now closing up my boxes and sorting out wardrobes and whatnots. I aim to be packed and ready sometime over this weekend. My hiking boots have been in for their service and repairs. I've created a list of addresses for people around the world, read up on all of the countries I am about to visit and how unsafe the Australian government deems them to be, sorted out most of what I am taking and not taking, and have started to finalise preparations in most areas.

As the time ticks away I am anticipating my trip with both excitement and uncertainty. The excitement is pretty obvious as it is something that most people would get excited about. The uncertainty doesn't come from thinking about Argentina, no, I am just plain excited about that, but actually from lack of preparation for the parts of my journey through Europe and America. Although the lack of significant people in my life (friends and family specifically) does leave a tinge of withdrawals in my heart.

I have started to become aware of some of the dangers I will be in when travelling through some of the countries. Most of the time the danger looks to be about my gear, unless I resist. This is one reason why I am glad that I am only taking those things that I can afford to lose. Virtually everything is old and secondhand. I didn't plan it that way, it just turned out like that. The only things I would not like to lose are my photos (I can lose the camera though) and travel documents. Everything else, although unpleasant to lose would not cause me much concern or delay.

During my trip you will only be able to contact me by email. My New Zealand phone number (+64 21 165 9225) will be available from 15th-25th January while I am travelling through the UK, so if you want to txt me you can start txt-ing up to 5 days before that (that's how long they hang around waiting for me to appear).

If there are any other contact details such as if I buy a SIM card in Europe or America then I will put them in the private section of my website under "Contact", "My Details". Also, the addresses of the people that I am visiting can be found under "Rob Abroad", "Travel Addresses" so you can send me something nice to remind me of Australia or New Zealand.

I just caught up with Andrew and Eve on their honeymoon down at the Gold Coast. We went to see the rainforests on the New South Wales/Queensland border at Binnaburra, then O'Rielly's and then for a drive down Duck Creek 4wd only) road and up and over Mount Tambourine. It was a great trip and we had lots of fun, but it wore us all out completely. Photos coming soon.

Recently I discovered some documents I needed which I hadn't organised. Now I am off getting Spanish translations and Police clearances. A to-do list. That's what I need. :-)

That's about it from me. I trust that you are in good health and things are going well for you. Be sure to stay in touch.

Your intrepid Aussie friend,

Rob.