As our departure date looms closer, I’ve begun to allow myself to daydream about the types of adventures we’ll have on the road. I should confess now that I’m usually an avid planner and organiser of our overseas trips – before I’ve even got to the airport I’ve read about local scams, learnt the basics of the language, researched the best places to see/eat/shop and even studied up on the toileting facilities (are we talking squat toilets? Western toilets? Can I flush the loo paper? Should I take my own?)

In other words, I’ve lived the trip from beginning to end before my plane has even left the tarmac.

But for South America, I knew I had to reform. The countries we’re visiting are lands of mystery and adventure – I needed to embrace that delicious feeling of the unknown and let fate do its thing. Planning everything would suck the spontaneity out of this epic trip.

So, I haven’t planned a thing. Well, almost.

I’ve booked the place we’ll sleep the first night (we arrive in Rio late in the evening) and the dates we’ll do Macchu Picchu (because the permits sell out). But by my standards, this is so light on the organising it’s not even funny.

And, you know what? Embracing the unknown has been lovely. I don’t know what to expect. I don’t even know whether you can flush the loo paper in Rio. But it’s not making me panic, or freak out in any way – instead, I just feel this lovely sense of calm and exhilaration.

In the last few weeks, I’ve allowed myself a little guidebook reading and travel blog researching – not to plan details or anything (!), just to learn a little about the things that we absolutely can’t miss. And I thought I’d share a few – because who doesn’t like indulging in a little bit of travel porn? Here’s a short list of the places we simply MUST visit.

Cartagena, Colombia

A drunk conversation a few months back with a friend who fell passionately in love with this city has fuelled many a daydream about its stunning Caribbean beaches, walled old fortress and bougainvillea-strewn balconies. It’s taken on an almost mythical quality in my mind; I know we’ll love its old Portuguese heritage and pulsing African flavour.

The Lakes District, Argentina

South America’s version of Switzerland, I’m told, sounds like the perfect place to head into the Andes with our hiking boots and a tent. The village of Bariloche even has tiny chocolate boutiques. Cute!

Machu Picchu, Peru

Goes without saying, really. What person would go to South America and not see this ancient Inca City? Apart from the fascinating ruins, rugged Andean peaks and cloud forest, I think the thing I’m looking forward to most about Machu Picchu is that we’re doing it with my mum. I reckon sharing something this spectacular with the person you love most in the world just emphasizes the brilliance of the experience.

Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

The surreal Bolivian salt flats that I’ve seen so many photos of will be magic to see through my own eyes. Part of a prehistoric salt lake, it’s a headache inducing 3600m above sea level and it’s where people take those impossible-looking photos. The barren salt flats have nothing to give a sense of scale or depth in images; meaning that it’s possible for us to take a picture looking like Joel is about to eat a snickers bar with me on top of it. Awesome, huh.

Pucallpa, Peru

We’ve been recommended a wildlife sanctuary to volunteer at for a few weeks in the Peruvian Amazon. They often take care of baby sloths whose mothers have abandoned them or died in accidents. Hear that, Becky? BABY SLOTHS. I’m sold.

Because I don’t want to read too much about these must-do experiences; I’ll be resisting my over-planning tendencies and leaving it there for now.

I’m off to dream about hiking in the Andes, dancing to reggae music on the Caribbean Coast and taking care of endangered wildlife.