I can barely remember where I left my blog last year. It seems like a pretty ugly patch in my life after a year of travelling to some of the most beautiful, enriching and challenging places in the world. I am so grateful to be on the otherside of the post travel blues that challenged me coming into end of 2012. So much of travel is about the preparation before you go. The saving of all those pennies, stocking up on quality time with loved ones, savouring of experiences once taken for granted on your front door, handing in your notice, putting your bank, phone, flat in order so it doesn't cost you more than it needs to (some more successfully than others!) storage of your possessions, handing over of keys and finding some time to make a plan about where and what that elusive travel might entail. Then there are the farewells, those last tastes of home, hugs of babes who will be walking talking boys when you get back and getting to the airport on time without holding on for one