Alexis and I met on day one aboard our ship of dreams, the MV Explorer, ready to set sail and embark on the best study abroad experience known to mankind, Semester at Sea. We boarded as strangers and were placed in a cabin together for the remaining 100 days of the voyage. What emerged from this new friendship was an unbreakable alliance of trust and a parallel viewpoint of the world, this gem that begs to be treasured. We waded through multiple continents on trips of various levels of intensity; some times taking a “three-hour sailing tour” with the self-proclaimed pirates of Mauritius and their favorite tools of torture (octopi), others spent in a one person tent on a cliff top in Brazil, with storm clouds and jaguars lurking outside our nylon walls. There have been times when the two of us were buried in the depths of a foreign country, no one aware of our whereabouts, and we could have easily dropped off the edge of the Earth. We mentally stumped con-artists in the midst of their “jobs” and boarded rickety buses, trains, and airplanes against our better judgment for the thrill of the journey. Every trip we brought to life was envied by onlookers and traveler friends; all jealous we had the guts and the brains to do the unthinkable. My favorite travel buddy and I search for the pulse of our destination, find its juiciest vein, and plunge into the adventure with eyes open and smiles engaged. I recount our exploits in South America, Africa, Asia, the USA, and the high seas on an hourly basis and wait with bated breath for our summer plans for the Balkans and Eastern Europe to come to fruition. This exploration through the great continent of Australia with Connections is the epitome of a typical Lindsay/Alexis travel quest, chocked full of active thrills, cultural immersion, and just enough time for beachside relaxation and personal reflection. As we left our ship on day 100, we adorned home-made signs that announced, “Boarded as Strangers, Disembarked as Best Friends,” and I still, to this day, ponder in awe of the incredible luck I had in getting Alexis as a globe-trotting comrade. Yes, this 6’2’’ hunk of beauty’n’brains is my travel pal and will forever be at my side through every law-breaking, culturally-stimulating quest of our futures. Help us to tackle our sixth continent, STA!

If you look carefully, you will be able to see me floating above Alexis’ head. Creepy, eh? Well, you should think so…she just killed me.

The sunrise that morning was a little dismal considering the coal factory on the coast was emitting this incredible smog. Therefore, we decided to provide the entertainment by turning our shirts into turbans and striking yoga poses…a little hard to do on a moving ship.

Why we let two English men convince us to go on a three hour sailing trip, we have no idea. I guess we didn’t learn anything from Gilligan’s Island…but good thing…we had a blast! Snorkeling with pirates while they capture octopuses and slap them on your friend’s stomach…priceless.

We aren’t exactly sure where we were that day, but we were certainly high up and cold. That’s what you get when you agree to traverse the mountains of Nagano via twelve different forms of transportation. I would recommend it if I could remember how we got out there.

One of those moments when we figured out where we actually were. Tanah Rata…nice place…quite mossy. When in Malaysia, flock to the rain and cloud forests. Who knows…a tiger may cross your path. No, seriously…it’s frightening.

Just your typical priceless experience…you know…one you’ll remember your entire lifetime. Trekking through the wilderness of Brazil. One minute, downpour. One minute, drop into a wondrous rain forest. Three minutes later, lunch on a cliff. One day later, rescue crew saves us from deadly rapids. Life doesn’t get sweeter…or muddier.

Unfortunately, our money doesn’t always go as far as the Mauritian Rupee, so help us, STA!!!!! We po’ po’ students with a insatiable appetite for travel!