SimonandLauren

After 60 some hours of travel from Bangkok, Simon and Lauren wound up in Miami and spent a weekend in the Florida Keys, diving on a reef and shallow wreck the first day, and doing a double dip on the USS Spiegel Grove the second. Lauren was pleased to be back home, and enjoyed showing Simon around the Keys and Miami. They witnessed the colorful sunset festival in Key West and vibrant fireworks displays in Miami, but the Spiegel stood out as the highlight of the weekend for both. Splashing in Florida is much more refreshing and less brisk than some colder climates. Here the summer ocean maintains a surface temperature just above 80º (or about 30C). Initially, Simon and Lauren descend an infinite line into the deep. But the blue, tropical Floridian water soon allows ... read more

Cambodia - the name stirs images of remote jungle, of landmines and war. But like much of Asia, our preconceptions are proving to be wildly inaccurate... The Border Crossing Google "Bangkok to Siem Reap" and you'll find a plethora of websites and blogs filled with livid stories of the scams and "hidden costs" associated with bus rides from Khao San Road (Bangkok's tourist centre) to Siem Reap. With these in mind, Simon and Lauren opted for a public bus and arrived at the border on the same day as departure (it's really only four hours, but scam buses take double the time so you're forced to stay overnight at an affiliated guesthouse). After finding the various visa consulates, paying padded visa 'fees', wandering through departure and arrival buildings they found themselves in Cambodia. Far from the ... read more

Simon and Lauren reunited in Sydney after her trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Ecstatic to see each other again, they ran across the airport to hug, only bowling over a few little old ladies. Lauren was wiped from her early flight out of Townsville and GBR liveaboard, but anxious to experience Sydney. They spent a day exploring the city before jetting off to Manila the following morning, and had a trip to the Sydney Wildlife Park. Here Lauren finally saw koalas, kangaroos, and wallabes; convincing her that she was actually in the fabled land down under. Australia houses the most poisonous snake and spider in the world, as well as the largest cockroach. Simon made friends with a zoo attendant who allowed them to pet various reptiles, until Simon attempted to steal a blue tongue ... read more

While Simon was exploring deep, dark wrecks near Sydney, Lauren flew north to Townsville where she met her friend Sabrina (who is studying there this semester). The dynamic duo (of MSC 201 and University of Miami Science Diving) reunited with a bang and had a night out on the town, then got up at 5am to catch a bus to Cairns. Cairns is much more Australian feeling than Sydney, with a relaxed and beachy flair evident even through the rampant tourist industry. From Cairns, Lauren and Sabrina boarded the MV Taka and set out for a long weekend of diving on the Great Barrier Reef’s Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, and on the outer reef Osprey. There were about 20 guests on MV Taka and full crew. The girls stayed in a shared bunk room (cattle class), ... read more

After months of planning and a grueling 40 hours of traveling, Lauren arrives in New Zealand only to be diverted to Christchurch because for the first time in 2 1/2 years Auckland International is closed due to fog!! Four hours later she's back in Auckland and reunites with Simon (who had been waiting at the airport the whole day..) They hadn't seen each other since January and since their relationship had developed somewhat between then and now a polite handshake and trivial conversation about the weather was in order. They set a course north to the Cowshed Backpackers in the Bay of Islands, Northland, from where they were to leave on the Cape Brett walk in the morning. Cape Brett: It was a beautiful day, cloudy enough to keep the sun from beating down on ... read more