ARRIVED IN LA

First leg of the journey has been completed ALMOST without incident. If the rest of the trip goes this smoothly, I will be a happy camper.

We were ready to leave home and Sam wanted to call American Express to let them know we would be out of the country. We have the portable phones with two extension that operate off one base. He couldn't find the phone. He looked everywhere and I was busy with last minute "things" and couldn't be bothered. He was going nuts looking for these phones. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off thoroughly upset that he is "wasting" his time on these phones.

Ran out to the SUV (couldn't fit all the luggage into the car) and oops one of the suitcases is "ringing". Yep, folks I packed the phone. At least it solved the problem and dissolved both of us into fits of laughter.

We arrived on time in LAX, spent the night at the Hilton there since it was already 11 pm California time and 1 pm Eastern time. Found that Hilton on Priceline for $60 and it was very nice. Would definitely stay there again. Next morning we picked up our rental car and we are now staying with my oldest son and his family and will transfer over to son #2 later before we leave.

Always love my time with our grandkids.

Until later

Charlene and Sam

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The time has arrived!!! The suitcases are packed and sitting by the door, every detail that I can think of has been gone over at least twice. Errands are done. We are ready to go!!

Tomorrow we leave at 3:20 pm on a flight to LAX and spend our first leg of this incredible journey enjoying some Southern California sunshine and the grandkids.

I'm excited and I'm apprehensive. I have never taken this long of a trip nor have I had to fly this many hours to get somewhere. As my daughter sometimes says to me "Mother get a grip" - I need to.

All will be fine. I am going to sharing a remarkable journey to places I never dreamed of going to with Sam. How can I ask for more?

We'll keep you posted.

Char and Sam

CRUNCH TIME - LEAVING IN 4 DAYS

My goodness time flies. We are leaving in four days. I can't believe that it is almost here. We have been planning for this trip for almost two years. Now the time is at hand.

I have four suitcases sitting around in various stages of deciding what goes in and what stays home. Have a tough time as we are leaving snow here in Pennsylvania, going to nice weather in California, Sydney it is fall and we are there one day and then on to Carins, which is the tropical north - ok - we are going thru several season changes in a matter of days. No matter what the weather it will be bettern than SNOW!!!

We are now doing the last minute stuff like taking care of the mail delivery, arranging for the lawn to be mowed, stocking on dog food and treats while Jazz stays with Kim and Ryan, banking, etc. Sometimes it seems the list endless.

Until later

Sam and Char

THE GRAND ADVENTURE A OVERVIEW

We fly out on April 2 at 10:30 on Air New Zealand. Let's just pray that I don't want to throw my husband out of the plane. He didn't do well on the flight from Philadelphia to Venice, so I am somewhat concerned about this 17+ hour trip. But I am going to be cautious about this and hopeful (and be prepared to give him a sleeping pill).

The first part of our trip is in the Great Barrier Reef area of Australia. We will be in Port Douglas from April 5 to the 10th. We have day trips planned to the Reef (underwater cameras are in the suitcases), then one day to the Daintree RainForest and one day to Kurunada Railway, one day of relaxing by the pool at the hotel. I reserved a swim up room for us.


This is a generic photo of Bora Bora - which has to be the most romantic place on the planet. We will be on this island on our 5th wedding anniversary. We have a Motu picnic - we will be picked up in a polynesian canoe and taken to the Motu (island) where lunch will be served in the water. In the words of our friend, Skip, "it doesn't get any better than this". So on you can rest assured you will be seeing a photo of us from the Motu picnic.


Once back in Sydney there are so many things to see and do and I cannot wait to try some of them. I am hoping that we can do a hot air balloon ride. I'll keep you all posted and try to get some photos in too.

This is our trans-pacific itinerary on the Sapphire:

Apr 14 2008 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Apr 15 2008 T SEA
Apr 16 2008 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Apr 17 2008 AT SEA
Apr 18 2008 HOBART, TASMANIA
Apr 19 2008 AT SEA
Apr 20 2008 AT SEA
Apr 21 2008 FJORDLAND NATL PARK CRUISING NEW ZEALAND
Apr 22 2008 DUNEDIN (PORT CHALMERS), NEW ZEALAND
Apr 23 2008 AT SEA
Apr 24 2008 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Apr 25 2008 AT SEA
Apr 26 2008 AT SEA
Apr 27 2008 SUVA, FIJI
CROSS INT'L DATELINE
Apr 27 2008 AT SEA
Apr 28 2008 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
Apr 29 2008 AT SEA
Apr 30 2008 RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
May 01 2008 AT SEA
May 02 2008 BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
May 03 2008 PAPEETE, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA
May 04 2008 AT SEA
May 05 2008 AT SEA
May 06 2008 AT SEA
May 07 2008 AT SEA
May 08 2008 HONOLULU, OAHU, UNITED STATES
May 09 2008 HILO, HAWAII, UNITED STATES
May 10-15, 2008 AT SEA
Los Angeles


I am sure we will enjoy the sea days - we have always loved them and having so many is great.

Now if we could just find a ship where we can take the dog - we'd be set.

Charlene

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

After almost two years of planning and dreaming, the day is almost here. Sam and I are both excited about this dream come true. But, on the other hand, we are both a bit apprehensive about the long flight.

We are in our final planning stages of packing, making sure we have some Australian and New Zealand currency (as well as the $2 bills we always carry). Packing will be intereting since we are arriving in Australia in their fall - so we'll need some warmer clothes that will give way to the bathing suit and summer shorts as we cross the Pacific.

We invite you to journey along with us via this blog. I will try to update as often as I can. We leave on March 26th and fly to California where we will celebrate Sammi and Jacob's birthday before flying out to Australia on April 2nd arriving in Sydney on the 4th of April.

Upon arrival in Sydney we are staying one night at the Marriott Sydney Harbour Hotel and then on the 5th of April fly to Cairns and ultimately Port Douglas, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. We will be staying in Port Douglas for five days before returning to Sydney for a few days before boarding the Sapphire Princess for the trans pacific crossing.

I will post more information on the crossing before we leave.

We look forward to your comments and hope that you enjoy reading about our dream come true.

Charlene and Sam