Off to Australia and New Zealand with Discovery Student Adentures

Did I just say "Australia and New Zealand"?? With a travel company?! With a bunch of students?! In matching t-shirts and lanyards?! Totally NOT our usual bag.  But, here we are, literally days from departure to the land "Down Under" and we are beyond excited for a couple of reasons. NOTHING about this trip is our usual.  We are not going without an itinerary.  We are not uncertain of where we will sleep, eat or how we will get there.  We are not going to "have to" switch to "Spanish-mode".  We are not going to be in language school or surf school.

However, what we will be doing is traveling with a pre-set schedule. We will be seeing so much of both countries in our 12 days.  We start out in New Zealand at Christchurch.  Then we go on to Greymouth, Cardona and Queenstown before heading to Australia.  There, we will experience Sydney (I hope, hope, hope Russell Crowe is waiting there for me!!! Fingers crossed!),  the Sunshine Coast, Lady Elliott Island and finally, Brisbane.  We will be certain of where we sleep, eat and our modes of transportation. We will be staying in some pretty great hotels, eating typical foods (even a threat of eating kangaroo!!!) and traveling via per-arranged flights, boats, cars and (gulp) hiking. We will stay "in" English, although both of us will probably need subtitles with the accents, like we do at home with movies where the actors don't speak "American" English. I think we both concentrate on the accents so much that we can't pay attention to the actual words!! We will be immersed in science and learning (now, THAT'S this nerdy family's bag!!) about biology, arctic survival (eeeek!), experiencing the southern Alps and the Franz Joseph glacier (oh, no...that sounds chilly!!),  the Maori tribe, helping with conservation efforts at The Great Barrier Reef and hearing spooky stories of haunted Sydney (ok...I'm out. No chance!! Too late for that!).  All of these out-of-the-ordinary reasons are what make this different kind of trip so exciting! It'll be an adventure of a different kind! As you know, we love, love, love adventure of any kind!

The strange journey to this place was eventful and at times stressful. Emma worked her buns off trying to raise money. It was a lot to earn.  Our resources are quite limited, so we called on many of you to help us where you could and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The joy that I saw in her face when she realized that, with days left before take-off, she was actually paid off--was priceless.  Apparently, my face reflected hers because she said, "Mom, you should have SEEN your face!" I was thinking the same thing about her! Shout outs to so many of you that I'm not sure that I can remember all.  I'm going to give it a try.

To Emma's dad who is maybe the most financially generous person with this kind of stuff. He has never NOT stepped up to help these kids financially when called upon. When we were married we 

talked about never wanting our kids to go without life experiences and no matter our differences, he has been faithful to that.  We all appreciate his support!

To my family who let her "Flamingo" their yards, bought her raffle tickets (and then donated the winnings!!!! Aunt K--You rock!!), supported our 4 garage sales and donated bottles and cans for the grueling and nasty task of returning them--all to the end of helping her go and experience the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.

To the faculty and staff at our school who did the same as my family--which is why we love CC so much.  I am especially grateful for JH and Monsignor Murphy for pointing us in the direction of a very, very generous donor who really had a gigantic hand in helping us!!  Thank you, Mr. L!!!!    We are Ramily!!

To my friends who told me that we'd make it and to stop stressing about it AND did all of the family stuff--again why I love you all!!

As for now, a week before take off, we need to get our bags packed or at the very least prepared--also not our usual method...I prefer the last minute scramble.  It's winter in Australia and New Zealand, so gloves, scarves, stocking caps (also NOT our usual--we are followers of the sun!!) are in order.
I ask of you yet another favor.  Please send us positive vibes, mojo, energy and/or prayers for safe travels and a happy return to the boy we leave behind!