As the date of my departure for unknown lands (and seas) grows closer, I was inspired to start a blog so that my friends and family may follow my adventures around the world. While internet access on the ship is limited, I will do my best to keep you all updated with at least one post per country. While I would love to hear updates on YOUR lives, the international mail system kind of sucks. You can leave comments on here, or send me an e-mail directly at mab5006@verizon.net
Following in the footsteps of our friends Becca, Stacey and Halley (worldly aopi travelers and former SAS participants) my pledge sister Lisa and I will fly to the Bahamas on Saturday where we will spend the night before boarding the MS Explorer on Sunday. Then, we will be away for 100 days, taking classes on the ship and traveling within each country.
Here is the final itinerary:
Feb 4: Bahahahahmas
Feb 7-9: San Juan, Puerto Rico: (if I meet any Puerto Rican's named Bryan, I will run...no, seriously, run...if you see someone bolting fast as lightening through the streets of Old San Juan, it will be me)
Feb 17-21: Salvador, Brazil: Carnival. It's okay to be jealous.
March 2-8: Cape Town, South Africa: (Hellooooo safari...here's hoping I don't get eaten by one of the big 4...or is it 10?)
March 15-17: Port Louis, Mauritius: Not really sure what this one is.
March 25-29: Chennai, India: Taj Mahal and avoiding Delhi Belly like my life depends on it (because it does)
April 2-5: Penang, Malaysia: Prime Minister
April 9-14: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Mayyyyybe fitting my thigh in those holes in the ground that the Vietnamese soldiers hid in during the war
April 17-18: Hong Kong: Finding out where they filmed Rush Hour or possibly going to Beijing
April 21-22: Qingdao, China: First time I've ever written a 'q' without a 'u'...
April 25-29: Kobe, Japan: Buying a Japanese rail pass to experience "the bullet" train
May 7: Honolulu, Hawaii: Relaxing on the gorgeous beaches
May 14: San Diego, California: Red Eye to JFK....woohoooo
So that's it. As I sit surrounded by clothes and enough toiletries for 3 and 1/2 months, I'm getting sad to leave but very excited about what's to come :)
