Are you guilty..?

It’s been said that the majority of people do more planning for a vacation, than for their lives. Aha, am I guilty of this? I hope not.. ;-)

Here’s a list of tasks my wife and I endeavour to carry out, since the time we mooted the idea of revisiting Taiwan, till the day we fly out.

If you’re doing pre-tour preparation (for touring Taiwan or elsewhere), this list can be handy. You can tick off tasks ideas to include in your own to do list. Managing what to do, when to do them, as the days bring your trip closer. While you’re juggling with the less exciting, mundane details of daily living.

Usually we do these “tour” tasks only during the weekends. Not many weekends are left for us now.

It all began in the end of 2007..

• Shall we take a tour break? In Taiwan? Again! The idea hatched (or itch started, or Taipei travel bug bit, whatever).

Don’t know when..

• Began collecting small plastic containers for travel toiletries usage.

March 2008..

• Began tracking (newspapers and email newsletter) budget airlines Jetstar’s promotion for Singapore-Taipei return air fares.

June 2008..

• Bought a 20″ carry-in cabin trolley case during the GSS (Great Singapore Sale) islandwide sale.

August 2008..

• Found a suitable promotion from Jetstar airlines. Thus finalizing the dates and duration of tour.
• Bought Jetstar air tickets online!
• Reserved online our hotel room in TaShun (TS) hotel, Taipei.
• Created simple financial budget for this Taipei 2008 tour.

Some time in-between..

• Began checking with my Taiwan friends tour-related matters we need to be sure of.
• Blogged about the tour here – create new category Taipei 2008. You can read the kickoff post Taiwan, Here We Come Again! What Fun Tip Will You Share, Taiwan Fans?

• Wife informed nephews to buy their long pants, on their own.

8 weekends before tour..

• Shopped with wife and bought her weather-proof winter wear and some warm casual wear.
• Began buying small travel accessories like a neck-strap passport carrier, and etc..

Now. 7 weekends before tour..

• Prepared this list of to-do tasks. Sharing it here with you now. ;-)
• Train and condition wife and myself in our sleeping and waking routine. No more 1-hour siesta after lunch!
• Continue creating blog posts in these busy weeks before the departure day!
• Print out this “Taiwan 2008 Fun To Do” list and stick on memo wall!

Weekends in-between..

• Begin changing SGD to TWD.
• Wife to buy a pair of casual shoes.
• I am to buy a new pair of leather boots. Just discovered an irreparable tear in the right sole!
• Begin preparing list of blog-related tasks to accomplish while in Taiwan, for enriching TaipeiDreams here..
• Shop and buy a casual sling bag for trip, then daily use back home.
Update in Oct:
• Bought unisex casual sling messenger bag.
• Bought toiletries, travel accessories..
• Bought a 20″ carry-in cabin designer trolley case for wife.
• Found and bought boots, and wife’s shoes too!
• Nephew visited: briefed them about travel preparation. The kids are excited!

3 weekends before tour..

• Collect and safekeep nephew’s passports.
• Bring 2 nephews to shop and buy their winter wear.
• Visit Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore office in Shenton Way, to collect tour publications.
• Read my travel notes, tour publications and create itinerary.
• Share itinerary here

as a post in this pre-tour preparation series.
• Share all the “extra and hidden” fun tips you have contributed as a story post.
Update in November:
• Bought SGD2500 worth of TWD.
• Spent a day with nephews: pre-tour discussion; bought their winter wear; collected and made copies of all passports; collected printed materials from Taiwan Visitor Association office. The boys could not wait for the tour to come sooner!

2 weekends before tour..

• Wife and myself to get our hair trimmed.
• Compile all the fun tips you guys have shared with me in this post

and via email.
• Prepare a set of travel notes (ideas, maps etc) for use during tour.
• Learn more about operating my digital camera. Read the manual for goodness sake!
• Prepare to capture memories: test and maintain camera, charger, memory cards and etc..
• Test and maintain all travel gadgets: hairdryer, locks, torch, and etc..
• Clean, sun and air all luggage, bags, winter wear.
Update::
• Bought medicine from family doctor.
• Share with you itinerary drafts and more pre-tour stories here .
• Bought more travel accessories.
• Bought gifts for contacts in Taiwan.
• Activated international roaming service for our handphones.

1 weekend before tour (yippee!)..

• Call nephews informing them to get fresh sets of clothes ready for tour.
• Get weather forecast online of Taipei, Taiwan island.
• Email TS hotel to re-confirm our room reservation.
• Fill up small travel containers with toiletries. Pack luggage.
• Return all materials back to the library.
• Backup and organize laptop to be used for tour.

1 DAY before tour!

• Wife and I to visit and help pack luggages for nephews. Share and discuss exciting and essential tour details. Bring them for overnight stay with us at our place for next day’s flight.

Standing by for Taiwan tour. Standing down life at home and work..

Stay ‘live’ with us!

How are you enjoying being with us in our “live” pre-tour preparation so far?

It’s about 1 and a half months to go from now till this November Taiwan trip. What do you do when preparing for your trip? Have we missed out some important task?

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