Right now, I am sitting in terminal one at Lisbon Airport, waiting for my flight to Mexico.

Countless friends and family members have said how exciting it is and they're right. I am so privileged to be able to take six months off to travel the world. But, whether it's the two cups of coffee, a lack of sleep or pure nerves, I'm shaking slightly as I wait for my gate announcement.

Throughout the past few years I have backed out of opportunities I should have taken because I was scared and took the more comfortable option. This time, I'm forcing myself to push through, to challenge myself and hopefully, I'll be rewarded with the adventure of a lifetime.

Thankfully, I have two big sources of comfort. Number one is the small bear, Pablo, that my lovely Nana gave me just before I set off.

Number two is that I have been to this part of the world before, just before the pandemic hit in 2020. I had traveled throughout Mexico on an organised tour for two weeks. Then, I arrived in Trujillo, Peru, ready to teach English in a local school. But thanks to Covid, I saw very little of Trujillo outside the walls of my host family's flat. After three weeks of pestering the government to get us home, I joined many other British tourists as we hopped on a charter flight home.

Three years later, I'm determined to finish that trip and I'm very lucky to have my loved ones join me along the way. Later on today, I'll arrive in Cancun ready to explore Quitana Roo, then onto Belize and Guatemala. After that, I'll meet my mum in Costa Rica to explore even more of Central America, before finally meeting up with my sister in Colombia. 

Ultimately, I hope to continue to Ecuador and Peru, but given recent political tensions I can't be 100% sure.

Either way, please join Pablo and I on this journey as I record the highs and lows of backpacking South/Central America. Today, we're starting off strong by crowning Pablo the king of sardines as I try to pass six hours in Lisbon airport. See you soon for the first proper instalment of the blog, where I'll be giving the low down on Isla Holbox.