My Most Valuable Possession
This possession is my Passport.
I love my Passport. It takes me to such great and wonderful places around the World. I think everyone should have one. There is so much to see beyond the borders of America. Why wouldn’t you want to explore, experience and live other cultures?! I love flipping through, seeing all my stamps, Visas and such. It just makes me want to travel even more.
I’m about to get my third passport. Well, hopefully. It’s that time to renew it and of course the National Passport Agency is backed up, due to Spring Break and Summer
Caution to you potential World Travelers – if you need a passport or are renewing, do it now!! The normal 6 weeks, is now up to 10 weeks. Expedited is now 3-4 weeks instead of 2, and potentially longer.
I hate parting with my Passport. I feel so STUCK without it. I am glad that the NPA returns your old one back to you. I’d frame them, if I could.
I see the message about the longer Passport times. Panic. Will I get my Passport back in time to get my Visa for Vietnam?! What about Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia??! Then do the same for my British Passport holding Husband.
I look at the Cambodian Embassy website; phew they now have e-Visas! Cambodia? Yes, Cambodia is ahead of the times and now issues an electronic Visa!
Thankfully, Laos offers Visas at their airports and certain points of entry.
Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia – no Visa required, but need at least 6 months validity left on your Passport (which is why I need to renew mine, now)
BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE TICKETS! Trying to organize everyone is proving to be a headache. But I will book tickets this week. Right now, on United, they are about $1200-1300. Not too bad.
So next, immunizations. Rigs tell us that we MUST get Hepatitis A and B, along with Typhoid. I look up Adams County Health – it’s PRICEY. It will be over $300per person for the shots.
I call my local family Dr – Hep A and B are covered but they don’t offer Typhoid. Ok, well, Adams County Health is it. Typhoid alone will be $100pp. Although, J may have had Hep A and B when he received his Green Card, so he-who-does-not-like-needles, may not need the FIVE (5) Hep shots. Lucky me.
For my reference, this is what I need to complete:
1st – Renew Passport
2nd - BOOK TICKETS
3rd – Organize Visa’s
4th – Get shots
5th – Finish reading all my books on Southeast Asia
All this is rushed now, as Rigs (etc) are moving to India on August 1st. Now possible trip next year? Possibly!
Comments
You go, world traveler you!
Walmart is now offering low cost immunizations...give them a buzz and see what their prices are? Also, sometimes but not always, walk-in Urgent Care Centers don't charged that much for shots. A lot of my clients use this as a resource.
Keep us posted...just love reading about your travel plans :-)
Posted by: Kath | March 7, 2007 5:00 PM