En route to morocco.

After figuring out that usairways flies across the pond and we were going to catch the 1150 flight to Philly then to Barcelona, andrea awoke at 7 am to check loads. Only to find out that there were only 2 seats to phl and we were 5,6 on the standby list. She did some quick research and found the Charlotte flight that had 6 first class seats open across the pond and 20 seats to Charlotte that left in three hours. We quickly got ready and flew to the lightrail. Had to run to the platform as a train was pulling up. Made it to the airport and through security without a problem. Grabbed caribou coffee for breakfast and hung out at the gate.

We boarded and had the middle seat open between us so we snuggled up and watched office space with our headphone splitter and noise canceling headphones. Got into Charlotte and andrea discovered that we can check the standby list on our phones. We re charged our electronics and grabbed a beer and margarita with some nachos for lunch. We were 1.2 on the list and there were still four spots in first class. Fingers were crossed. Soon enough the plane started boarding and our names got called. Seats 2f and 2g were ours. We were allowed to board too, got our bags up and then began the frantic car rental, and Casablanca flight bookings. Made matt pay for a full fare at 196$ but we are guaranteed seats and on the same flight. Then Hotwire pooped out on us for car rental saying there were no cars, but alas we used kayak and got a 2 door manual mini coop reserved for 30$ a day. Hoping that they still have a car when we get in. Our seats were lay flat seats and we were promptly greeted with champagne and menus to choose our dinner dish. Matt went with the beef cutlet and I did the turkey. We finally got our flights and car booked just before they closed the cabin door. We pulled out our own noise canceling headphones and iPad and started watching season nine if how I met your mother. We went with a French white wine which was marvelous and had a four course dinner complete with hot towel to clean up with before we started eating.

It definitely was a spoiling leg of the trip, although the foot/leg rest was rather short which made the flight slightly uncomfortable but I probably shouldn't complain as I'm sure it was much better than a squeezed in coach seat. The upgrade was 100$. And definitely worth it. No question. Matt hardly slept and I kept tossing and turning. It was only an 8 hour flight. Breakfast we had a quiche and fresh fruit. Then before we knew it we were in Barcelona. Exhausted. And wanting a shower.

Barcelona customs and passport control was probably the easiest I've ever been through. No paperwork and the dude just stamped our passports. We cleaned up a bit in the bathroom and then walked around trying to find the air Maroc kiosk among the hundreds of other ticketing counters. Of course we were five hours early for our flight too so they weren't even ready when we got there. But matt found the ticket counter, we had to check our suitcases and then got emergency exit row. Now just siting in one more airport but atleast we have an official ticket here. Cozied up and took a nap, then grabbed some mcdonalds for lunch as our flight got delayed. It is raining here though. We are both exhausted, so we booked a hotel in Casablanca that we can drive to when we get in and pass out. Well start exploring tomorrow. That's all for now! Next post will be from Africa!

Andrea and matt

Sent from my iPhone

Standby Fail round 1

Matt and I got to the airport to hopefully catch either the MSP--> AMS nonstop flight or the MSP --> LHR nonstop flight. The numbers looked good Thursday night when we booked our seats, but unfortunate events in chicago (some dude trying to blow up ATC) ruined alot of peoples travel plans and caused a lot of people to re route through MSP. Numerous people drove from Milwaukee and chicago to make their flights. Hoping for alot of mis-connects, matt and I got dropped off at the airport by Joseph. We then checked in and then stopped at chili's for a 50$ dinner and a drink a piece. (It really wasn't THAT good). and then we waited. got to the gate as they were boarding. Matt got a seat in first class, but I was 10 people behind him including a family of 3, that got the last three seats on the plane and they were just ahead of andrea. shucks. Didn't make it, called andrea's mom and she picked us up. Then we started researching Matt was looking at United, and I looked at USAirways-- which flies through PHL to BCN (and there is a non stop flight from BCN to CMN for like 200$) a much better option for getting to madrid. and USAIRWAYS standby list is ranked in priority based on time of checkin. we are checked in are paying 10$ a piece for a first class seat to PHL and then we get coach across the pond. Fingers crossed this works! time for bed. we are exhausted.

Australia Day 16-- return to USA

Since I was the first guest to pass out, I was given the bedroom upstairs with a bed all to myself. Woke up about 830. Packed up my bags and texted evin to go get out lemmingtons! An angel food cake covered in chocolate and topped with coconut :-) we hiked through an old graveyard. It was like straight from a movie. Then we picked up lemmingtons. Enough for everyone at te house. Picked up a mince meat pie as well. Turns out evin is Mel gibsons nephew. His mom his Mel's sister. Crazy small world. Returned to Evin's house and ate our lemmingtons. Watched the planes fly overhead from his balcony. And then started up a game of darts. I lost by 2 in a game of around the world. Then, it was time to start my adventure back to America. Grabbed my things, said goodbye. And headed out to the 14 minute hike to the train station.

Swapped trains and made it to the international airport checked in to find out the middle seat in my row is unoccupied and spent the last of my Australian dollars, and looked for Natalie, the friend I made on the flight down to Sydney. Swapped stories boarded the plane trying to figure out how I should spend my flight. Technically at takeoff it is 930 pm Minnesota time, so had a nightcap and going to try and sleep the night away.

Slept for the most part. Landed in la at 830 am. Made it through customs said good bye to Natalie and her friend. Stopped at a bar for bloodies and lunch before flying home to Minnesota. Kirsten picked me up and we stopped for a nightcap at northbound.

Epic trip. Epic trip.

Australia Day 15-- Gold Coast.

Mark and Leroy (the blokes from the plane) responded to my text at 530. They asked if I wanted them to come get me and I quickly said yes please. By 6 I was at their house with all my stuff. It's funny. And bound to happen. I've had about fifty fantastic couchsurfing experiences, I guess it was about time for a bad one. Made it out. Still have both kidneys. It's all good.

Leroy wanted to surf for a bit before the boys went to the horse races. I took a nap on the beach. Then we returned to their house and made bacon and eggs for breakfast. About 10 decided to go for a dip. Leroy lives just off of Miami beach. Pretty nice. He also offered to let me keep my stuff at his house. Put a key in the boot by the door so I could get back in and the boys drive me to the beach. After going waist deep in the water I retreated. They then left for the horse races and I enjoyed about five hours of relaxing sunbathing. Went in the water a couple times to cool off. Then about 3 decided to call it a day. Stopped and picked up a generic Gatorade and showered and packed my stuff up at Leroy's house. Thank goodness I met mark on the plane and Leroy was super nice.

Started the trek to the bus stop. Boarded and sat next to a bloke from New Zealand who was visiting and headed back. His name is Peter. Super nice dude. He is originally from Slovakia and very nice. We actually chatted about travels to entire bus ride and went through security together and grabbed some chicken teriyaki nice dude.

Then I boarded for Sydney and he departed for Auckland New Zealand. Took a good nap on the plane. I was totally distracted and neglected to charge my phone while at the airport so I was at about 20% and had to use google to find my host Evin's place. Crap. Wrote down the train routes and turned my phone off. Made it to the right stop and started my trek walking. In due time I made it with 3% left to be greeted by evin his roommate dave and a neighbor dave. Another Couchsurfer heather was also there. We were sitting outside discussing life with a couple beers.

Then. All if a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a GiANT strong crawling into the bathroom window. A friggin huntsman spider. Giant things. This was like the size of my palm. But don't worry they say completely harmless. We lose it in the bathroom. About ten minutes later dave shouts at me to grab my camera. Found it. Thing was running around the walls d the living room. Dave caught it with a ruler wear and newspaper to let it outside. Then it escaped again like on the chair I was sitting in. Girlish screams are an understatement. But. Alas. They let the thing go outside the garage. Shortly thereafter we realiEs it's 2 am and I pass out. To fly back to the states the next afternoon.

Australia Day 14-- cairns to Gold Coast

Woke up at 715 in time to pack up my stuff and get ready for Nadine and time (the Aussies from the gbr) to pick me up and being me to the sky rail. A cable car system that goes up the mountains of a rainforest to a small jungle town known as kuranda. We made it there by 830 found some lockers to store my bags and boarded the cable car. There were two stops along the way one was just a rainforest foliage lookout and the other overlooked Barron falls. We got out at Barron falls and stopped at the three lookouts. Quite beautiful.
Kept going as the cable itself takes forty five minutes before arriving to kuranda. Had a stop for brekie( Australia phrase for breakfast) and I had a look at the shops up there. Purchased a digeriedoo (aboriginal musical instrument) and had a look through the other shops. Ate my chai and omelette and we looked for the butterfly gardens. 20$ to go into the sanctuary and decided it was too much to have butterflies fly around you. And it was nearing 11 and I had to get down to make my flight. I said my goodbyes and went down the cable car where they called me a taxi and I was on my way.

Arrives to the airport way too early. Checked my bag and tried to find things to pass the time. Had a California and salmon avocado sushi roll and a berry smoothie. Plane was delayed by twenty minutes. Finally boarded. And I got another emergency exit row window! Score! Sat next to a nice bloke mark. We talked about travels. He's from cairns coming to Gold Coast for the horse races. I was exhausted so after small talk I passed out. Woke up just before touchdown and mark grabbed me my bags. Was asking how I was going to get around etc. Said he had a friend picking him up and I may be able to get a ride. He waited for me to get my bags and sure enough his friend said he's give me a ride. Wasn't supposed to meet my host until 7 or 8 so we stopped for a couple beers at a craft beer place. Then they dropped me off at main beach at the restaurant where tiago was working. I had a maracuja margarita and the stuffed chicken. It was quite tasty. Then tiago was done working. He brought me back to his house where I dropped my bags and we went upstairs to his mates flat overlooking the ocean. It was beautiful even at night.

It was about 10 and I needed to pass out. He went down the beach a ways to meet up with some friends. I ended up sleeping on a chair and texted the blokes from the plane to see if they would come pick me up at 2 am.

Australia Day 13-- Great Barrier Reef

Woke up at 6, in time to throw on my swimsuit and be dropped off at the harbor by matt my host. He delivered me right to the harbor complete with breakfast cafe so I had an omelet and chai before obtaining my boarding pass. Bronwyn, the person with great adventures I was emailing back and forth with (where are you staying? Idk I'm couchsurfing. What's your Australian phone number? I don't have one. Can you pick me up from Edmonton, no we don't, etc) was the one who checked me in and helped me figure out a bus stop to get back to Matt's house after. As well as where the shopping mall was (which is where I'll find her, haha) Then boarded the boat, went up a level and cozied up next to a young couple with one extra seat besides them

We make small talk the 50 minute cruise out to green island and find out she is also afraid of swimming with things so I asked if I could tag along. They were very inviting. When we arrived to green island we made our way to the beach with no lifeguard (as there will probably not be as many people. I lay out on my lay upon and they go out for a bit. We only had two hours. And then they talked me into going out. There wasn't a lot to see and I decided to turn back. Sure enough there were three giant fish and then a stingray about 1 foot in front of me. I did what they tell you not to so and freaked out. Did not get stung. Bit still rather scary.

After that we returned our snorkel fear and headed to the boat fr a 1120 departure to the Norman reef pontoon in the outtrr edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
Another 50 minutes and we arrived. The water is so blue and many shades of blue. Absolutely breathtaking. And you can see the areas of coral simply by looking out.
We deboard and wait for the submerged blah tour. This line was way too long and Instead we go k the underwater observatory where we saw a bunch of big fishes and some babies too. Then it was time to eat. They has chicken stirfry over rice and a variation of salads. It was actually quite good. Then we went on the 130 semi submerged submarine and saw another part of the reef and a shark. Then we went and picked up our snorkel gear and set out for the reef. The water was quite warm surprisingly we saw reef almost immediately. Swam over some coral. I took a bazillion pictures with my underwater camera. Saw a huge sea turtle and a ton of brilliant blue fish. Even saw a couple angel fish.

After about an hour we headed in. Shortly thereafter they closed up the boat and returned on the 2 hour voyage back to cairns. I took a nice short nap and Nadine and Tim did as well. Upon our return we walked a little bit of the lagoon then did a little shopping and met matt, my host for a couple drinks and pizza. After a couple rounds matt and I left. Said our goodbyes but only after I made plans with Nadine and Tim for them to pick me up at 8am and go to the sky rail, a cable car system that goes back Into the rainforest!

Score, my ride from the sticks into town and closer to the airport and I get to see part of the rainforest too! Matt and I made it back and he showed me some of his pictures from alaska. Gorgeous. I took the best shower ever ( nothing like getting the salt water out of your hair) then went to bed about midnight thirty.

Onto Gold Coast tomorrow!

Australia Day 12-- Alice to cairns.

Woke up at 9 after falling. Asleep around 2. Showered packed and went to breakfast. Both Jason and I had a big breakfast complete with juicy bacon mushrooms toast and a couple eggs. Fantastic!

Then after we quick stopped home so JASON could change his shorts we were off on the hour ride through the outback to ellery water hole. The scenery is gorgeous with rolling mountains of sand dunes and desert oaks. After a couple fake turn offs we made it. We set up camp on the sand and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the middle of no where and had great conversation. After about a half hour a couple families came to enjoy the freezing cold water of the nearest water hole to Alice springs.

About 215 we started our track back jamming out to mine other than HANSON (okay and some other classic songs). Stopped at flynns grave to soak in the last of the outback before Jason brought me to the airport.

Walked in, and overheard the baggage drop dude tell the guy I front of me the plane is delayed. Just kidding! Three more hours to enjoy Alice! Dropped my check bag and Jason and I headed to the casino for dinner. Ordered the fish and chips and he had a hamburger and chips. Cheers over a cider and enjoyed a few more hours of hot dry Alice springs. At 645 we left for the airport where Jason dropped me off and I grabbed a complimentary powerade from the cafe and boarded the plane to find exit row window seat!! Score :-) except this time I got to say next to an older drunkard who passed his time on the delayed flight at the bar. You truly haven't traveled to Australia until you sit next to an aboriginal and a drunkard on a plane. Go me. Arrives in cairns and hopped an expensive cab (50$) to Matt's house. Greeted at the door and was out up in my own room. Waking up at 6 and he's bringing me downtown so I can get out on the barrier reef snorkel trip! Here's to no jellies!