Preparing for the Trip

Besides converting a van there are many aspects you should consider and prepare for ahead of your trip.

This page is in working process but the following list is a good summary

• Shipment of your vehicle

This aspect may condition the choice of vehicle. If you want to have it shipped in the safety of a container, then you will need a vehicle that fits inside it! I know it’s stating the obvious but if the vehicle is not inside a container, it means it will be open to anyone. From port authority to vessel crew. Our van is slightly too tall for a container (dam the roof hatch!), but we would still have chosen the panel van over a 4×4, or a VW transporter.

Book the shipment at least 1 month before departure. you won’t get into the desired date otherwise. Also bare in mind that the port will require you get your vehicle to port between 5-8 days prior to shipment day.

• Vaccinations

Depending where you will end up going you may need to plan your vaccinations at least 6 months ahead.  You can get all of the vaccination through the NHS but a minority are free, so make sure you’ve got the funds to pay for them! If you are going to the southern hemisphere the likelihood is that you will need the Yellow Fever vaccination. This is good. With the vaccination comes a yellow fever book, log book/certificate in whic you or your travel nurse can write the details of any other vaccination you’ve ever had and the details of any boosters required. It’s great to have details of all your vaccinations in one place!

• Personal Paperwork

Passport: Make sure it will be valid for the duration of your trip. If you can, get a second passport issued.

International Driving Licence:  If you plan to drive, get your UK driving licence converted to a recognised international driving licence. In some countries you risk going to jail without a valid driving licence. You can get it done with RAC or the post office.

Visas. Most countries other than India you can apply for a tourist visa at the border. I don’t knwo what the deal is if you fly into the country though. Check out  the embassy’s website.

Birth certificate. If you would like to get married en-route, this is essential that you carry it with you.

• Shopping

Vehicle . Spares and tools. I leave this section for Brian to fill! 😀

Travel. GPS, spot tracker, tourist guide books, maps, phrase books (optional) and inspirational books (to leave behind on departure).

Personal gear. Appropriate clothing and shoe wear. Head scarf to wear when permitenent, for respect to their local customs or to simply blend in. You know the old saying When in Rome…

12volts chargers for all equipment. Battery chargers (AA, AAA), chargers for your laptops, camera batteries, 12volts hair drier/hair straightners, mosquito/insect repellents/killers… and I will think of more another time 🙂

Health. First Aid and medication you may need or want with you.

Money. Cash cards and dummy wallets.

Training courses: such as survival, off road driving and first aid to name a few.

Social. Make a note of family and friend’s addresses, emails and telephone numbers. Also, preparing your leaving do. Choosing the date, when  and where. Options you have so that it doesn’t cost the earth.

Belongings left in the UK.  Placing all your belongings into long term storage. Make sure a member of your family has access to the store. If you know how long you re going for you can get deals for long term advance payments. We paid for a year and got a 30% discount. Also, don’t be shy to haggle. There are many self storage companies out there and they are all willing to match the lowest quotes.

Your UK Home. We sold ours, well Brian’s, and that is funding the trip. But if you are not going for that long, and you like your house/flat, I would recommend letting it. Get a estate agent to mange it for you and it is sorted! Make sure they’ve got a contact number in the UK, from a family member or friend in case of an emergency. You can let it fully furnished and save yourself the cost of the storage but beware that some damaged may be caused to your furniture by tenants. If you’re not too attach to it, leave it or sell it.