On my way!!

I'm just about to head to the airport for my two month odyssey! After doing some last minute errands, taxes and yard work, I'm on my way to Kauai! We plan to camp in Koke'e State Park and hike around the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon the next couple of days, then on Sunday I'll head over to Honolulu for a couple of days! I'm traveling "lean and mean" with just a backpack with everything I need. Wish me luck!

Four days to go!!

Hello everyone! After seven years working at Intel, I've earned a two-month sabbatical to do whatever I want. I've actually held on to my sabbatical for three extra years, to the point that I need to "use it or lose it" right now. Naturally with my love of the outdoors and the desire to do something totally different, I've chosen to go on a two-month adventure on the other side of the world! I'll be doing lots of hiking, but I have a bunch of other fun plans too for this trip.

Here's my basic itinerary:

Feb. 28: Leave Phoenix for Kauai island of Hawaii with friend Renee and Val
Mar. 4: Jump over to Oahu
Mar. 6: Head to Sydney, Australia
Mar. 11: Meet my brother Melvin in Sydney
Mar. 18: Fly to Christchurch on South Island of New Zealand
Apr. 14: Fly back to Sydney, meet up with friend Susie & head to Tasmania
Apr. 22: Meet Val in Hobart, Tasmania
Apr. 29: Fly back to Sydney and on back to Phoenix

Just figuring out my flights was a logistical nightmare, but then I had to figure out all the details -- what to do on each day, how to get there, where to stay, etc. It would have been a LOT easier to leave the trip planning to someone else or just buy a package deal or something, but in my opinion doing things this way is a LOT more fun. With four days to go I have lots of plans made but really have a lot left to do. I like to say that I'm really good at "winging it" and I'm sure going to prove that on this trip. But the best "winging it" comes after lots of reading and thinking through ideas (which I've done!) so I'll be ready for adventure. As it is, this is easily the most complex plan I've ever made.

I've set up a blog (alloverdownunder.blogspot.com) and mailing list (join by sending email to alloverdownunder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) to keep in touch with those who are interested in following my adventures -- but especially to let Mom know that I'm safe!! Once I'm on my way, I'll probably only have email access about once every week or so. We'll see how I do in posting my updates -- I have no idea if I will be posting pictures on the way. I'll look forward to hearing people's comments.

Mahalo!
Ray