It is now important to talk a bit about the visas that i have to obtain for some countries. I already told you in a previous post that Action-Visas was a very useful website that allows you to collect every informations that you need about visas. I then downloaded every needed recap cards : Nepal, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, China, Russia and also Mongolia. For the non-quoted countries, it is not necessary to ask for visas before the departure from France. It is important to notice that for some countries (especially Russia), it is highly recommended to get vouchers to obtain a visa (thanks to organisms such as A Russian Concept for example)

It’s time to pack and no wonder I have started with the electronic equipment.

In order to update as soon as possible the blog, and share my experiences anywhere I go (even in the middle of the desert where no cyber café’s are available) I have chosen the new Asus laptop, the EEE PC.

Why? Not only because of its incredible size (22.5 x 16.4 x 2.15) and weight (only 920 g!!!), but also because it allows to use wireless networks. Built with 3 USB 2.0 and one SD card ports, this small laptop will prove to be very useful during the trip.

I choose this computer to avoid taking risks with a much more classical computer, which are also much more bulky . Cost: 299 €.

Concerning videos, i almost fell in love with the new movie camera HDR-CX7 (Sony). HD will allow me to reproduce the wonderful images I will be seeing, and hopefully show it to you in a wonderful movie and short videoclips. With 3,2 Mega Pixel, a quite small size (67×69×129 mm), and 450 g, I feel I have found my perfect match! Cost: 749,00 €

In matters of photography, I’ll be taking with me my Panasonic Lumix 12 Mega Pixel. Again, very compact and yet efficient; it will help me deliver all these wonderful pics and some more videos in case I don’t have the camera ready. I’m also taking 2 SD cards (4 Go each). I find my Lumix a real good asset since its running time is 4/5 hours so no running for batteries at crazy times! Cost : 349 €

To help me organising my daily impressions and to build a real digital diary, (hello podcasts!) , I will be also taking this Olympus handheld recorder. Cost: 39,90 €

Finally, I’ll probably buy a pedometer, to give some precise indications about the mileage.

Today, here is a little presentation of some functionalities offered by this blog. I will essentially talk about the “sidebar” (column on the right)

Above the “About me” little box, you’ll find several links: “Categories”, In this section you’ll find a classification of the articles that I have already posted. In “My project” link you will be able to learn more about this project and its objectives. In Travelling in live you will be able to follow me geographically online. In case you need some help in order to prepare for your own trip, I have gathered some info available for you in the Data link. There’s also a FAQ section (Frequently asking questions) just in case you have any doubts.

On the right, the “Globetrotters” heading bring together different blog adresses about travellers that i really appreciated..

Just above, a simple click on the flag of your choice allows you to directly switch from one language to another (French / English).

Then come the pictures, generated by another a page, allowing you to still listen the music…

…that you can stop at every moment in the small player located just above the countdown.

Another incorporation that I have found very useful is a map from Google Maps that allows to show the place where I am at that very moment.

And to learn more about my real-time updates, follow me on Twitter. This is a totally free program that allows its user to generate some very short news (i.e. “Live from the streets of Mexico”) from everywhere (or almost), from the moment you get a phone network. Notifications sent are bring together into a page, an access available for everyone over the internet. But this is not everything: by creating directly a free account, you will then be able to receive (if choose to) direct notifications on my mobile phone (still for free). I am sure my parents will love this feature!!

For more information about Twitter in this video.

Now, let’s talk about the Newsletter. This feature will allow you to receive directly the last posts I have entered in your email account. Unsubscription at any time is a possibility so don’t worry.

Finally, the Podcast part located at the sidebar’s bottom will allow you to hear the latest audio report, through a small player similar to the one dedicated to music.

Today, I’ve two excellent news to share with you that will really boost my project .

First, I had an appointment with my financial advisor yesterday at Crédit Lyonnais, to whom I have presented my project. A loan authorised by my bank had emerged from this discussion. I’m already thinking of reimbursing this loan before leaving, in order to save money. I will accomplish this with the temporary job I am planning to take for 5 months after the master is finished by the end of June. My goal is to reimburse 3400 € spent today at Connaisseurs du Voyage…

Hot news indeed! And this is the second important news of the day: I’ve been in the parisian travel agency (located close to the Eiffel Tower) to book my flights! I have just bought an “itinerary”, due to the fact that calendar for 2009 is not yet available. I’ll then have to go back to the travel agency to specify final dates with Michel, parisian manager of the company. So finally, here is my definitive trip. However, never forget that there’s always a chance of slightly changing the trip in order to experience this journey at its fullest!…And also because as already said earlier, the real traveller doesn’t know where he goes…

I have recently started to inform myself about the first countries that I’m going to visit, such as Canada, United-States, and Mexico. To get hold of information, I have bought 2 books: Parcs Nationaux de l’Ouest américain (National parks across West America, which is an area that I can’t wait to visit !) and a guide about Mexico. Of course, I’m also taking into account the presence of some of my friends all along the trip to improve my programs. Moreover, I have just learnt today that Finland was added to my world tour (transit at Helsinki between St-Petersburg and Paris). I’ll probably stay there for a few days so “Hello” Finlanders! Here I come!Anyway, a huge step has been overcome, and it will now allow me to focus on positing my approaches about health, paperworks and countries (without neglecting my work at ESG).Next step : Canada !