Thanks for the replies...
bstar - yes getting insurance is definitely on the to-do list and will be visiting both Argentina and Brazil so that's good to hear they come highly recommended
and am also hoping to do Peru, Bolivia and Chile...!!!
Bermy Girl - your trip sounded amazing... and just hearing about the places people have visited makes me so excited... most of the countries you visited I'm unlikely to be able to do this time around...and am only going to have a couple of weeks in Singapore/Thailand but depending on money then may be able to extend it a bit and do Vietnam etc... will have to see how it all goes... but am sure this won't be my last trip... just hopefully the next one will start from NZ
My first task... to try and learn enough spanish before I get there to help me make the most of Central and South America...
Adios... ok I know... pretty basic but it's a start!!!