Getting Ready to Go

There’s only 17 days to go until I leave New Zealand and fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I’ve been organising last minute things like plug adaptors (especially for the laptop and iPod), a money belt to wear underneath my clothing, a new suitcase large enough for 6 weeks worth of travel, a new 55mm – 200mm lens for my Nikon D40 and of course a toiletry bag (which I’ve never had before).

Included in the toiletry bag will be anti-malaria tablets, insect repellents and of-course, doctor recommended anti-diarrhea tablets – with a warning to drink bottled water at all times.

The money belt is one made of cotton, which the very nice lady at StrandBags recommended as better than one that hangs around your neck. She advised that the cotton was good to through in the wash when dirty, and it wouldn’t make you sweat. A belt was better because she thought there wouldn’t be anything worse than sticking your hand down your top, or wearing a lovely shirt with a bulge! I tend to agree with her!

It was a difficult decision about the travel suitcase. I didn’t want one that was so big I couldn’t get it on a train. I will getting off a plane in Rome and taking the train to my hotel, so I had to bear that in mind. I also know that it will be me and only me that will be responsible for carrying my luggage so that was a factor too.

Next week I’m off to the bank to purchase $US500 which I will either convert to Pesos in Argentina or leave as is. Apparently sometimes the US dollar is better than the local currency. I’m not sure.

I’ve had a lovely time playing around with my new lens – 55mm-200mm certainly offers more options than just the 18mm-55mm lens. The images below are views from my balcony taken with the different lenses.