We have been preparing for this voyage since June of 2013 and one would think we would have it all done by now. The amount of work it takes to get there is massive and we are now in the final crunch. Every detail of our life must be arranged in advance to function in our complete absence for six months except for communication by satellite email and the rare phone call, both spotty at best. And, nearly every aspect of the trip must also be planned and scheduled ahead of departure. 

I am yellow fever, polio, typhoid fever, tetanus, Hep A and B, and diphtheria immune, and armed with a month’s supply of malaria pills and precautionary medications for whatever could happen. Our guest room is filled with piles of clothing and accessories, toiletries, my renewed 52-page passport, extra passport photos, camera with extra batteries, and some handy organizing aids to help make our suite more efficient. I still need to load up my Kindle library, get a sketchbook, load as much on my computer as possible to avoid the bulk of paper, then check and recheck my lists. Home maintenance arrangements are made, doctor appointments (almost!) done, visa applications (almost!) processed, pre-booking from over 275 pages of port excursion options, scheduling 44 advanced onboard dining reservations, emotionally and physically preparing to leave my little dog in trusted but long-term care, and much more. By the time we board the ship, most of our life will be pre-arranged for the next 180 days.

Each time we tell someone about our upcoming trip, the most common reaction is “How do you pack for this?” I’m still working on that and while the question is thought-provoking, the answer may simply be, “Carefully.” While I try to live that mantra, it seems there are more things than ever that we feel are necessary to maintain life, like technology devices, reading material, hobbies, “stuff” to sustain and comfort us. And, I must anticipate my needs for a multitude of experiences yet to happen from bush to jungle, kayak to sailing, train and trek, beach to skyscraper, heat, cold, rain, sun, and just curling up in my sweats for a long day at sea.

In the meantime, I try to remember packing for my old camping days on the river, and keep reminding myself that less….is more.

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money.”

~Susan Heller