Preparations

As you all know we have busy bees getting ready for our November 1st departure date. Now the boat is ready (and we think we are too!) we want you to fill you in on some of the other things we have done in preparing:

-Visa requirements/entry to other countries by private vessel-this website was great and the staff is very friendly and helpful. http://www.traveldocs.com.
-Vaccinations-administered at the Cornell Medical Centers International Health Care Service on the upper east side of Manhattan. We were given vaccinations for: yellow fever, polio, tetanus, Influenza, and Hepatitis A. We were given 4 pills, to be taken every other day for typhoid and have pills for malaria as well. Choosing the malaria vaccination was difficult-we had 3 options. Option 1 is known to be very affective, however, causes nightmares. Option 2 is also known to be very affective but will counteract the birth control pill. Option 3 wasn't really an option because a side effect is extreme sensitivity to sunlight. Please keep reading out blog to find out what we decided on. Additionally recommended was the rabies vaccination and encephalitis, however, due to a shortage they are not being administered unless the individual is infected-they were not available for preventative at this time.
-We had to be sure to stock up on all of our medications for at least a year. We found it is very easy to get a years worth of prescriptions and pharmacies were very cooperative, however, our insurance company was not. Our insurance will only cover the first refill of a 12 refill prescription if purchases all at once.
-Eyes and teeth-Walids eye doctor in New York, Dr. Harris, has been kind enough to put together an eye kit-in the event of any injuries or infections when we are out to see and can not be immediately treated. My Dad, the worlds best dentist, has put together a kit for us so we stay cavity free! The kit included fluoride, special mouth wash, floss, and a few real dental tools (which I am not disclosing because I don't want to make you too jealous.) Next week he will also be giving us a lesson in suture-so we can sew each other up.
-General health care-we are preparing our own first aid kit with the help of our physician which will include antibiotics and painkillers. Our first aid kit will include treatments for jock itch and other foul maladies. (also Tylenol, antiseptic cream, band aids, etc.)

We hope you are all of fantastic and will be in touch soon.

oxox

Colleen and Walid