I can't believe that I'm starting another blog based on my travels with Semester at Sea! In just about four weeks, I will be boarding the MV Explorer in San Diego, CA for a trip around the world. This time, I'm serving as the Assistant Dean of Student Life. I will supervise work study students and will deal with all of the disciplinary issues that arise throughout the voyage. Needless to say, there is a huge mixture of excitement and nervousness!
This go-round, the ship will sail around the world and will stop at thirteen different destinations:
Hilo, Hawaii
Yokohama and Kobe, Japan
Shanghai and Hong Kong, China
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Singapore
Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma)
Kochin, India
Port Louis, Mauritius
Cape Town, South Africa
Acra and Tema, Ghana
Casablanca, Morocco
Barcelona, Spain
Lisbon, Portugal
All of these ports are so exciting to me, however, the ports of Japan, India, and South Africa are three of the places I've always wanted to visit - they represent major milestones in my traveling bucket list. At the same time, visiting Hawaii will get me to my 49th state that I've visited (see you sometime, Alaska)! There are lots of exciting emotions that fill my head as I think of the cities, town, and locales I will experience in the 106 days of this voyage.
I've already started planning some of the adventures I'll be having on the trip. As a preview, here are some activities I'll be participating in or viewing:
- The final day of a traditional sumo tournament in Japan
- A hike on the Great Wall of China
- Viewing the Taj Mahal
- Spending the night in a South African township
- A naming ceremony in a traditional African village
- Hiking between villages in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco
This time, instead of traveling without knowing anyone on the ship, I will be sailing with six people who I also sailed with during the Summer 2010 voyage to the Mediterranean. I haven't seen any of these people since we left the ship two and a half years ago and it's going to be great to reconnect with them and create more amazing memories. A few of these friends have children who I can't wait to see again - two and a half years older; wonder if the children will remember me?
With four weeks left, I feel good about what else I need to get accomplished. I have a few more shots to get, a few more trips to sign up for, shutting down trash service, and making sure the IRS doesn't come looking for me when I can't do my taxes by mid-April. Who knew how much there is to do to take a trip of a lifetime!
I plan on having a few more posts prior to sailing, but I really want to use this blog as a way to keep up with my friends and family! One thing I learned during my last voyage was how much I love those who are in my life. Not being around them and hearing from them was a big challenge! There's nothing better than to sign in on your blog and see comments from friends and family!
So, feel free to sign up for the blog, comment as much as you want, and join me as we go around the world in 106 days! Thanks in advance for reading - I'll write again soon!
