Hi Mike,
Your travel plans sound really exciting. Even if it isn't within the next few days, it looks like an amazing trip. I've been lucky enough to have a few big trips myself, and I find that planning them carefully is very important to me, and can be exciting in itself. Don't forget that you will hopefully have many opportunities to travel during your life, so don't feel pressured to squeeze too much in now.
I want to reassure you that your input is welcomed on the site. Reasoned and thoughtful posts are most appreciated. The reason you might find that some of the posts in this thread are quite strong is that you have insisted on some ideas, and some members want to encourage you to be open and honest with us.
It's easy to get carried away with our plans and imaginations, and many of us have been wrong in insisting on things in the forum previously. Don't worry if your trip isn't quite yet, and has to wait a while (most of mine do). Don't be afraid of being open and honest - you'll make friends on here like that; and don't be disheartened by comments from others standing their ground.