Australia Begins

It was starting to look like neither of us would make it and that Paul would relax in Canada while I hung out in Thailand. But after an exciting 3 days of running through airports and negotiating with officials, we're both safe and sound and ready to begin what's going to be a very interesting month. Beach, surf, outback, kangaroos...thats all ahead of us. All after we buy our driving hat, which is our top priority right now

Just to fill you guys in on the end of the race, my last leg was just as nervewracking as the first two. I came to the airport for my standby flight at about 3pm bangkok time (4 hours before the flight) only to be informed that all flights from now until february were booked/overbooked. Great...

I checked in for standby along with another kiwi and two aussies. The two australians had actually been waiting 3 days already for standby and had been turned away each time. They had basically spent 3 nights at the airport, trying to get on the same flight as me. I don't have to tell you guys that my hopes of getting on were low. They recieved priority and I was put third in line and told to wait. I sat around for a few hours, meeting up with the flight attendants from last night at one point, who wished me luck

At about 6:50, 40 minutes before the flight was due to take off the ticket ladies told us to wait. People were still checking in and it was going to be close. 7:05 they finally called us up and told us there were 3 seats open. hoopah! Bolting through passport control and security we made the flight at 7:25, to the elation of the flight crew who couldn't believe I had made it and were excited to see me aboard. They even suggested some whitewine and sparkling water for me, as a celebratory drink in lieu of champagne. Here's a photo of some of the Emirate crew who became my best buddies over the past two flights.

So, 56 hours of travel, 20 000km and 4 cities later I ran into the Backpacker hostel in Sydney, wide-eyed and wondering if I'd just been beaten by an afro-ed Irishman, only to hear that it was Paul that would be buying beers last night.

I have to tell you guys, this race became such an intense couple of days ond so much more fun because of all the excitment that I got from you guys and your comments. Thanks for the support and the fun and the cheering (even if some was for Paul). All that matters is that we both arrived safely and that no one besides Paul's pilot got hurt...oh and that I can rub this win in Paul's face for the rest of my life

Intercontinental Circumnavigatory Champion of the World!