We\u2019ve been working on our new travel plans for a while now, but now it\u2019s official – the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed – and it\u2019s time to announce them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the end of April, we\u2019ll have been in Hawaii (and the U.S.A.) for 6 months, and are required to leave (if even for a weekend). But we decided to take more than a weekend to see what else the world has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what the next little while holds in store for us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article was originally published in April 2008; it has since been updated for accuracy of links and formatting.<\/em> May 2008<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n After a quick stay in Oahu (and a trip to the North Shore to check out the waves), we\u2019ll say goodbye to Hawaii<\/a> and take off for Asia. A quick overnight stopover in Taipei will give us the tiniest of tastes (literally) of what Taiwan has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, we\u2019ll be spending the month of May in Thailand, <\/span>Malaysia, and <\/span>Singapore. Activities planned include taking a cooking course 50km outside of Chiang Mai<\/a>, staying at a friend-of-a-friend\u2019s resort on a remote island, visiting friends in Kuala Lumpur, and basically eating our way through these cultural and culinary epic-enters of southeast Asia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We plan to overland our Asian travels by train<\/a>, as the cost of an overnight first class sleeper is less than $20US. We may take the occasional plane or ferry when we need to, but are ultimately leaving our itinerary up to our fancies once we get there. Many hostels don\u2019t take advance reservations, and this will be a wonderful exercise for Kelly & I in thinking on our feet in a foreign environment. Let the fun begin! June\/July 2008<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the beginning of June, we\u2019ll fly from Singapore to Cairns in Australia where we\u2019ll spend a day exploring northeastern Australia and (of course) the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Cairns is only a very short stopover to our first real Australian destination: Brisbane. It is here that we\u2019ll be picking up the World Nomads Ambassador Van and commencing our six-week sponsored trip<\/a> from Brisbane to Melbourne!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sponsored by the likes of World Nomads, Lonely Planet, Nokia, Adecco, Global Gossip, Auto Barn, and a myriad of others, we\u2019ll be outfitted with a garish camper-van, mobile (that\u2019s \u201ccell phone\u201d in Australian), lappie (\u201claptop\u201d in Australian), internet access, cameras, and everything else we need to document our 6-week adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We can go wherever we like; the only restrictions are that we start in Brisbane (\u201cBrizzie\u201d in Australian<\/a>) and end in Melbourne (\u201cMelbie\u201d?) six weeks later. In exchange for all this lavishness, I write about the experience and come up with a few videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hey wait a minute \u2013 we already do that! Wicked!<\/p>\n\n\n\n During that time, I\u2019ll be writing our blog updates on the World Nomads journal platform, but never fear: I\u2019ll provide links here each time I write a post over there so you can continue to enjoy the sagas and adventures with us! August 2008 \u2013 March 2009<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Caretaker\u2019s Gazette<\/a> has provided yet another step in the right direction for us: this time it lands us 90 minutes northeast of Melbourne in a small town called Taggerty, at the foot of the Snowy Mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is here at Kingbilli Country Estates<\/a> that we\u2019ll be helping to take care of the beautiful property in trade for free accommodation<\/a>. Already versed in managing accommodations in the tourism industry, taking care of these gorgeous cottage retreats will be a piece of cake for us. In exchange for our efforts, we\u2019ll be staying in a cottage with all the amenities including a BBQ, fireplace, Jacuzzi, utilities, internet, and a view to die for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll also get a chance to use our guiding skills in leading eco-treks\u2026on llamas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Llamas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s an animal sanctuary on the property, and endless hikes and nature to enjoy. And since we are missing the nature and beauty of the Rocky Mountains so much, we are eagerly anticipating our arrival in such a vast and beautiful place as Australia. We\u2019ll just have to watch out for the icky poisonous critters that plague this beautiful place! Ah well \u2013 I\u2019ve had a trial by centipede<\/a> already\u2026how bad can it be?!?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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