Lost Day Two and Three

My flight from MSP to LAX was uneventful, as was my layover. 

The flight from LAX to Melbourne was good as well. This was my longest flight...15 hours. My tips for a long flight: Compression socks (not sexy but miraculous), neck pillow (BCOZZY my favorite), layers, comfy clothes, good headset, avoid alcohol (this may be the only time I write that sentence) and drink tons of water. I spent most of the time reading and closed my eyes at times as well (not sure I got more than a couple hours sleep). Overall the flight was really good and the Virgin Australia crew was wonderful.

Bottle of Champagne from Virgin Australia

When I arrived in Melbourne my beautiful friend Deb picked me up from the airport. Note her license plate. Deb and I met in Minneapolis during the 2017 Prince Celebration. When she said “you need to visit me in Melbourne sometime” I took her up on it!

We drove to Deb’s home where I met her lovely family, had a bite to eat and took the best shower of my life! We sat around talking for a bit and Deb’s husband Tony made us a lovely meal of lamb and roasted vegetables - a tradition for Australia Day (January 26). We took a walk to the beach for which you know is my happy place.

We ended the evening with ice cream. I made it until 9pm and then hit my bed. I slept the entire night - thankfully (note there is a 17 hour difference). I'm ready for day four of this adventure!

Australia - New Zealand: Day One

I'm sitting in the MSP airport waiting to board a flight to LAX where I will catch a plane to Melbourne-freaking-AUSTRALIA! I am beyond excited (as noted in all caps).

I will be traveling for two-and-a-half weeks to Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayer's Rock), Brisbane and jumping across to Auckland in New Zealand as well (view map). When I land in Melbourne the temperature will be 106 degrees difference...it is cold in Minneapolis today but I think I will thaw out quickly.

I am getting this flight FREE through my US Bank Travel Rewards Card. I'll say it again, if you do not have one - get one (click here). I'm up to $13,040.81 in FREE flights (last summary). The card also gives FREE GoGo use on flights (WiFi) - which I love - and $25 credit for any travel expenses.

Previous total: $10,233.97

Minneapolis-Australia-New Zealand: $2,348.62

Cancun (2016): $458.22

I am traveling to the land-down-under on my own but will be meeting friends along the way. This will be the longest flight I have taken to date...four (4) hours to LAX and fifteen (15) to Melbourne. Have I mentioned I'm beyond excited? 

Women's March 2019 | Washington DC

The last couple days I was in Washington DC to take part in the Women's March. It was a simple and inspiring 72 hours of travel.

I flew in Friday morning and took part in the Medicare for All lobby day. I met some wonderful women and a small group from Minnesota that I hope to connect with when I return. I  consider myself engaged in our political system but would not say active. Some would disagree and say I am active, but I know so many that do so much more and I value them. Our system is truly simple. If we just speak up change can happen. Unity.

In the afternoon I checked into our AirBnB. It was located near Foggy Bottom and was perfect for our group of seven. I knew only one, my friend Mary. She orchestrated the group complete with friends and family. It was lovely. Friday night we settled in to meet one another and talk endlessly like women do so well.

Saturday morning I woke bright and early to volunteer for the Women's March. I was surrounded by mainly DC residents. I enjoyed the morning getting to know all of my team members and greet buses as they arrived from all over the country.

When my shift was over I connected with my new Minnesota Lobby Friends and marched with thousands of other women hoping to bring awareness to issues affecting all of us. It was organized, peaceful and inspiring. It may sound crazy but along my walk I ran into my house-mates so was able to complete the walk with them as well.

Minnesota Friends

We returned to our house. Some took naps, some drank wine but we all discussed the day and how we plan to bring our energy back home. We gathered for dinner at Cafe Plus (decent food, good service) and returned for more conversation.

It was a wonderful weekend and I feel grateful for new friends I made along the way. Someone asked me this weekend what I like most about my travels...nature, museums, etc. I answered "the people". I could have become friends with so many people I met. There are truly a lot of kind people out there.

I end this trip with 55,260 views. Get out there and meet someone kind. Rae Ann

p.s. I'll be back in five days when I board my trip to freaking AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND!!

Christmas Cancun 2018: Final Post

We returned from Cancun almost a week ago and I'm just getting to this final post. It was a fun trip.

Day two was Christmas Eve and as I said we had our photo taken with Santa. It felt weird being in our swimsuits around all the Christmas activity but it was great! The staff were awesome at our resort and they went out of their way to make Christmas special for those that celebrated. We ended the evening at the bar but settled in early due to our wake-up call.

Christmas Eve dinner

I've been to Mexico several times (I can quickly recall nine) but have never been to Chichen Itza. This was the trip. We boarded a bus at 7:15am, so it was an early morning. Our first stop was Ik'kil, a resort with a beautiful sink hole. After a cold shower we walked the easy hike down. The girls quickly descended the ladder and jumped in the frigid waters. They swam for a bit but after a few minutes of treading water Annelies was done. Paradis jumped from the ledge while Annelies waited for her pulse to return to normal. It was beautiful down there.

Our next stop was Chichen Itza. History fascinates me. A few things to contemplate:

• On the spring and autumn equinoxes there is a light-and-shadow effect on the temple which makes a serpent god appear to crawl down the side of the pyramid. This thing was built in 600 AD - how the hell did they get that all lined up without GPS?
• In 2007 it was named one of the NEW Seven Wonders of the World - not to be confused with the SEVEN Ancient Wonders of the World. A little research into the Seven Wonders prompted me to add these to my bucket list. 
• The Mayans played a game similar to soccer where they could only touch the ball with their hips, elbows or knees. This may sound simple, but to score a goal they had to get the ball in a stone ring 30 FEET above the floor of the backcourt. Crazy. AND...after each game they would sacrifice (aka cut the head off of) one player. 
• Lots of sacrificing in the Mayan culture. Many children.
• An American purchased Chichen Itza in 1894 for only $20. For thirty years he explored the site and built a home. After he died his heirs sold the land to a tourism pioneer. In 1972 Mexico enacted a law to put all the pre-Columbian monuments under federal ownership. 

It was hot. I mean super hot. Our tour guide was super interesting but one can only look at a stone pyramid so long (I could have used more information in an air conditioned building). 

This is how we felt...HOT!

We couldn't resist

Someone next to us was jumping on their sister's shoulders
Annelies tried but Paradis wanted nothing to do with it

Looking for a treasure for our Collection Jars while faking a selfie

After walking around a bit we got back on the bus and fell asleep for the three hour return. We ended our third day at the lobby bar. 

Day four I woke before the girls and went to the beach for some time alone. In the afternoon we took the bus to do some shopping. 

Blogger heading to the beach alone

Mexico Shopping for jewelry

When we returned we stopped at the lobby bar for a drink. Paradis went out to dinner with friends while Annelies and I ate at the Mexican restaurant on site. Annelies absolutely devoured her meal - which is a bit unusual. It was so good she asked me to take a photo of the menu - she had the Poc-Chuc, a traditional Mayan meal.

Our final day in Cancun was uneventful as we packed and hung out on the beach until our taxi came. It was a great trip and nice to get some time with both girls. 

I end this trip with 54,996 views and even more travel adventures in my brain. See you soon! Rae Ann

Cancun Christmas 2018 - Day One & Two

Merry Christmas, from Cancun! The girls and I flew down yesterday on an uneventful direct flight. We were on the beach by 2pm and enjoying the sun. This is the first all-inclusive I have done with the girls and they seem to be enjoying it.

After a few hours on the beach we showered and went out for dinner. Annelies continues to be a picky eater and had some chocolatey cereal after our seafood dinner.

We are staying at Occidental Tucancun. The place is nice. A bit smaller than some other resorts I’ve been but it is clean, service is great, and the food is good. 

Paradis and I went to the bar after dinner and Annelies joined us after a couple movies. Paradis made some friends and hung out with them while Anna and I went back to the room. Annelies was worried when Paradis hadn’t returned by 2:30am and went looking for her. We had to a little chat this morning setting ground rules around traveling with one another now that they are adults. We continue to grow.

Day two began rather late as we slept in. We had lunch and plopped our butts in some chairs on the beach. The girls made it out to the water a couple times. We played BINGO from our lounge chairs. We ate guacamole and chips. We applied sunscreen on a schedule, which included alarms being set for the white girls. We had our photo taken with Santa. It was a perfect day.