How to use

This post (backdated) is for the benefit of those new to blogs or unsure of what kind of message I'm pushing.

The blog is a record of my travel adventures, starting with the build-up, then the flights over, then the adventures from then onwards. I update as I go, meaning that I may prefer to setup my blog differently after a while, or make some minor cosmetic changes. That is why you will see some differences in the appearance of the blog (or some dead links) in the posts.

You can leave a comment if you wish, or you can email me.

To stay updated, you can subscribe with Bloglines (but if you know about Bloglines then you don't need a guide on how to do that. Further details on the website), or you can use the FeedBlitz button on the sidebar. I gather that this means you get an email version of new posts to this site.

Either way, I like it when people visit the site, and even more when people leave comments or give me feedback. So, have a read and let'er rip, potato chip!

Picture test

Applying for a visa

The first stop is of course the British High Commission's website. I want to go first to London, and although as a Kiwi passport holder I qualify for a visit of up to 6 months without a visa, it is going to be easiest for me to apply to be a Working Holiday-maker (or apply for a Working Holiday visa).

Basically, this means that I can (at the moment) stay in the UK for up to two years, work for one of them, as long as I am between 17 and 30 years of age.

Of interest to those doing the OE is that there are information evenings every so often, where speakers talk about all the things you need to think about when planning the OE, there is a list of dates here (I don't know how often it will be updated)

So now I've downloaded the form to fill out (8 pages in length) and I need to go get a passport photo and send the thing off for processing. Apparently, it is good to allow about 6-8 weeks for processing (British efficiency) so I'd better get a move on.

Next on the list is the bank account and advice from travel agents about peak/cheap tickets to London.

To-do List

My list of things to do: it will of course need constant updating!

- Apply for visa
- Bar skills course
- Purchase ticket
- Resign from work
- Sort out a job for the first few months: organised
- Sort out accommodation for the first few months: the first few weeks are...
- Travel insurance
- Set up UK bank account: organised
- Going away party: organised!
- Pack my bags: done, but badly
- Check the flight time

UPDATE: Now that I'm over here, let me just say the important ones are, apply for visa, purchase ticket, travel insurance, pack bags and check ticket. The last one most so.