Today is Monday, and as we sit at the airport waiting for our flight to take us to Santiago Chile, the delay of 4 hours and 15 minutes has given us a chance to look back at the journey so far. Easter Island, or as it is known to the Chileans, Rapa Nui, was a great first stop to ease us into the South American culture. If one was to overlook the high prices, the lack of English speakers and the excess amount of gluten in the local diet the last four days have been a breeze. Overall, we have become better at speaking in Spanish and attempting to negotiate taxi fairs to and from Volcanoes.....

We left with heavy hearts as we gave a goodbye kiss to our four legged companion with a nervous lick. This was by far the hardest thing about going away. The packing, the renting of the house, the stress of renovating a laundry was small in comparison. There is something about the look that our four legged friends gives you that has the ability to tear your heart out. Tears flowed freely, but it was not a goodbye, but more of a "see you in a while". The flight out of Canberra was an earlierish one, but was met head on with a farewell from Vicki.

Leaving Canberra on the 31^st of January 2008 for an epic journey we will arrive into our first destination of the country of Sydney Mascot Airport. Upon arriving at Sydney Mascot Airport we will begin exploring the fascinating cultures that one might find in this strange country. Rumours have it that there are strange creatures that set traps for the unknowing tourists that frequent this strange place. Occasionally the tourists that wander this Mascot Airport country are tempted inside of these traps and make a strange transaction and reappear outside of the trap with additional baggage (in case they were not carrying enough to start with). My fingers are crossed that we are able to resist the temptation of acquiring additional baggage from these horrible creatures, however I feel the temptation of this strange thing called “Duty Free” may be too great.....