So after more than a month of getting things together, going over lists, getting shot up with every conceivable nasty little disease, and tying up my loose ends at home so that things may run at least semi-smoothly at home, my itinerary is set. I am vaccinated, Visa-ed, ticketed, insured and, I hope, as prepared as possible. Two weeks left, three gigs to play, work projects to finish, but almost there.

I have made more time for this trip, and will be returning at the end of july, a total of about 5 months . It's funny, my apprehension is not about going there, it is about leaving here. Business affairs need to be in order, people notified. I have found a wonderful sublettor for the whole time I am gone. Though it will be tough to leave my comfy home and little kitty, he has a kitty buddy these days, so he will get along fine. My budding relationship with a great woman will have to be put on hold as well, as we have only been together for a few months, and I do not know what will happen out there. Hell, I may never come back. I'm not one to make any promises unless I know for sure that I can keep them. In addition I would not ask anyone to wait for the likes of me, or at least not at this early date.
Life is long, though, and what will be will be, so none can say what the future holds for either of us during my absence or upon my eventual return. There is an emotional toll to be paid for such a journey, but it is good to be reminded that all things in life are transitory, and to trust the four winds to blow fair.

Itinerary as follows: A few days in London, then board a plane to India . Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore and other south India points for three weeks or so, then fly out of Madras to Colombo.
One full month in Sri Lanka, hopefully with some surfing in there somewhere, then from Colombo to Bangkok, via Singapore.
A month or so in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, down through Malaysia and to Singapore, from which I fly to Sydney.
Three weeks of open agenda in Australia, though I do have some idea of what I might like to do there. . .
Sydney to Christchurch, another three weeks or so in NZ, seeing some old friends and hopefully some glow-worm caves. .
Auckland on to Fiji for a week and a half or more, then on to LAX. From LA I will make my way overland to Colorado for a Gathering in the mountains, travel for a bit to old favorite places such as Telluride, see some more friends in New Mexico, then I'll make my way back to Boston around the end of july.
In the fall I will use my leftover round-trip to London, perhaps exploring a bit of the Continent while I'm at it.

Whew! It's tiring just writing all that out! I do fully realize that my dates may change, and I may just have to get stuck in certain sweet spots, so this itinerary is somewhat loose.

Next installment: My inventory. . .