Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Random Travel Update 2

Last location: San Carlos, Mexico
Arrival Date: August 31, 2007
Departure Date: September 3, 2007

Current location: Tucson, Arizona
Arrival Date: September 4, 2007
Departure Date: September 12, 2007

Next Stop: San Francisco, California

Photos available (soon) at http://community.webshots.com/user/lmn8co2

This morning ended a near ten-hour drive from San Carlos, Mexico to Tucson, Arizona. The distance is about 325 miles and should only take five hours going at Mexican speed, which is about 30-50 miles over the posted speed limit at any given time once you cross the border. But it was Labor Day and we got stuck at the border for an unfortunate three and a half hours and at a checkpoint for near an hour, essentially doubling our return time.

It was well worth it. The trip was exceptional, one of the best in my life. I left with that glowing feeling that you imagine when you look at an Abercrombie print ad or a Sandals beach commercial.

The weekend consisted of three boat diving trips with two dives each and a day of rest which we used to learn how to jet ski. I love boats, especially fast boats. Our boat was fast for its size and the breeze made the 100-degree temps seem pleasant. We saw dolphins, whales, sea lions, eels, sea turtles, a funny underwater spider that was actually a crab, and a lot of pretty (and a few not-as-pretty) fish.

I met amazing people on the trip. My carpool driver Eric brought an underwater camera, so do check Webshots in a few days for pictures. My diving buddy, Elizabeth, was wonderful and taught me how to dive (as in high-dive not SCUBA dive) on my first day out on the boat, though I apparently forgot this skill by the third day when I tried to dive off the top deck of the boat (see video to be posted soon on Webshots).

My best friend Sara from Washington, DC flew into Guaymas on Saturday and met me at the hotel in San Carlos right as I was eating lunch with Eric and his dive buddy, April. Everyone was friendly and relaxed. There wasn't a single moment of stress or anxiety the entire weekend. I highly recommend Ocean Sports/Desert Divers for those of you in the Southwest thinking about getting SCUBA certified. Their staff is impressively friendly and their trips are very well organized. Besides, the boys on staff are all very cute ;)

Tucson is great, wonderfully warm as usual. Sara is here now for five days and I am making it my obligation to show her Arizona in between the many errands I have to run before I depart Tucson next week. I am starting to compile a packing list for my three-month journey abroad. If you have ever traveled before, please take a moment to look at my itinerary below and make suggestions regarding what I should bring with me.

I have all of my vaccines now as well as my anti-malaria, anti-diarrhea, anti-pain, and anti-biotic prescriptions, so those are covered. Tips on additional medications, toiletries and items that may not be available abroad are most welcome. Also, I am buying a camera this week. It needs to be tiny and user-friendly. I am thinking the Canon Elph SD600. Any suggestions?

With love,

April/Melissa
__________________________________________________
Travel Itinerary 2007

San Francisco, California
September 12, 2007
September 16, 2007

Seoul, South Korea
September 16, 2007
September 22, 2007

Remote Beach, Taiwan
September 22, 2007
September 26, 2007

Seoul, South Korea
September 26, 2007
October 16, 2007 (tentative)

Beijing, China & The Great Wall
(tentative)

Hong Kong, China
October 21, 2007 (tentative)
October 24, 2007 (tentative)

Multiple Destinations, India
October 24, 2007 (tentative)
November 18, 2007

Hong Kong, China
November 18, 2007

Multiple Destinations, Australia
November 19, 2007
December 19, 2007

Los Angeles, California
December 19, 2007
December 22, 2007

Washington, DC
December 22, 2007

No comments: