Ok! The countdown is on!

Ok, I'm officially less than two weeks away from my trip to Australia. So, as such, I thought I'd start by sharing a bit about my trip with you.

First, some background:

I'm not sure what the reason...maybe just because Australia represents the "Other side of the world"...but for as long as I can remember I've always wanted to visit it.

For the last number of years; I've been following Trek Australia, seeing what tours they offered, what their prices were; hoping one day I may be able to join them.

Well, I had no idea this would be the year. All of the cosmological requirements to allow such a thing to happen just all seemed to fall into place and boom...here I am with less than 2 weeks to go.

The Tour Company:

As I mentioned, I've been watching Trek Australia for several years now...so, when it became apparent that I was going to be able to do this trip the decision on who to do it with was pretty easy. Trek Australia has recently undergone a name change. They are now called OzXposure (http://www.ozxposure.com) ... Check them out. I was able to book my tour through their Canadian Distributor, Trek Escapes (http://www.trekescapes.com). Another great company to check out.

So, my trip will take me though Central, Northern and Eastern Australia. If I had more time (and money) I would have loved to continue my tour of the continent and of New Zealand as well...perhaps some other day. I'll be traveling for a total of 39 days...the last week I have to myself in Sydney.

Here's a quick look at what my Itinerary looks like:

2008-09-08 - Monday - Depart Sydney, CAN
2008-09-10 - Wednesday - Arrive in Sydney, AU
2008-09-11 - Thursday - Depart Sydney, AU; Arrive in Alice Springs, AU

2008-09-12 - Friday - OzXposure tour begins
2008-09-13 - Saturday - Uluru/Ayers Rock
2008-09-14 - Sunday - Uluru/Ayers Rock
2008-09-15 - Monday - Kings Canyon
2008-09-16 - Tuesday - Alice Springs
2008-09-17 - Wednesday - Alice Springs
2008-09-18 - Thursday - Devils Marbles
2008-09-19 - Friday - Mataranka Hot Springs
2008-09-20 - Saturday - Manyallaluk
2008-09-21 - Sunday - Kakadu
2008-09-22 - Monday - Kakadu
2008-09-23 - Tuesday - Darwin
2008-09-24 - Wednesday - Darwin
2008-09-25 - Thursday - Linchfield
2008-09-26 - Friday - Katherine Gorge
2008-09-27 - Saturday - Bush Camp
2008-09-28 - Sunday - Cloncurry
2008-09-29 - Monday - Mt Surprise
2008-09-30 - Tuesday - Ellis Breach
2008-10-01 - Wednesday - Cairns / Barrier Reef
2008-10-02 - Thursday - Cairns
2008-10-03 - Friday - Mission Beach
2008-10-04 - Saturday - Mission Beach
2008-10-05 - Sunday - Arlie Beach
2008-10-06 - Monday - Arlie Beach
2008-10-07 - Tuesday - Rockhampton
2008-10-08 - Wednesday - Redcliffe
2008-10-09 - Thursday - Moreton Island
2008-10-10 - Friday - Surfers Paradise
2008-10-11 - Saturday - Coffs Harbour - OzXposure Tour Concludes

2008-10-12 - 2008-10-14 - Tour Sydney
2008-10-15 - Depart Sydney, AU
2008-10-15 - Arrive Sydney, CAN

So, that's the Itinerary in a nutshell. I'll try to fill it in with some of the activities I hope to be partaking in during the next week or so.