last minute things to do

It's getting close to the day we leave so here are a few reminders:
1. sort out your phone options. If you are going to bring your mobile phone with you remember that it is expensive to make AND receive calls when we are overseas. Check with your phone provider to make sure you can use your phone overseas. Find out if you can get a SIM card or a phone card that allows you to use a German number. You can either pick up the SIM card in Australia (contact the Youth Hostel Association for details) or when you arrive in Germany you can purchase a new card.
If you are on a pre-paid plan you may not be able to make calls overseas so check before you leave Australia.
2. Bank account cards- check that you can access your money via ATM's in germnay, most cards can but recently ther have been problems with cards that do not have a particualr chip in them. Contact your bank and check before you leave.
3. Try to have at least 2 sources of money - an ATM card, a few travellers cheques and some cash is a good idea. Write down the card /cheque numbers on a piece of paper, leave a copy at home and bring one with you in case your bag is stolen.
4. Make sure you have travel insurance. Accidents can be costly overseas so make sure you have insurance. it should alos cover loss of your valuables.
5. Contact details in case of emergency. I will forward a contact list to everyone shortly together with contact details for all of our accommodation.
6. Personal health; get a tetanus booster if you are due and talk to your doctor about hepatitis and any other vaccinations. Have your teeth checked. If you are on any medication bring a good supply together wtih a copy of your script with you to prove that they have been prescribed to you.
7. Make sure you have enough warm clothes,cothes for hot weather, a hat,insect repellant; bring a water bottle as well. It would be sad to miss out on anything because you are sick.
8. A sense of humour and adventure, travelling can be tiring and sometimes things don't go according to plan. The agent and I have worked quite hard to put together a fun and interesting itinerary but from time to time our plans may change, I will do my best to make it as fun, happy and interesting a trip as it can be. It's always good to go with the idea that you will see and try new things and hopefully meet some new friends.
9. Bring your voice too. If you need something, or don't like something we are planning please speak up, we want you to have a good time, not go home complaining when we could have fixed things up for you.

10. Be part of the group. We are all looking forward to meeting the New Zealand members of our tour as we often have teams visit us and we compete in NZ nearly every year; these trips can lead to other visits and friendships.

11. Bring a few small souveniers from home with you, we hope to meet up with other young riders on our trip so pins, koalas/kiwis or other items are great to give away.

12. Bring a clock and torch.

13. Security. Make sure you have airport firendly locks on your bag. You can also purchase temporary clips to close outside pockets so no-one can put anything into your bag. Get a passport pouch that you can wear under your clothes, it is a drag to have to do this but passports and tickets are valuable; we need to take care when passing through any crowds but especially in airports. Hve a bag that you can zip up and keep over your arm. get a lock for you backpack too.

can you ad anything ot this list? Click on the comment after this post and add anything else that you think is useful.
More info shortly
regards
Jenny