It has been a while since I've posted an update, mainly because been so busy enjoying myself :-). So where did I leave you last? Oh yes, on my way to Vegas.
Well what a trip that was! I had a fantastic time as my fellow Facebooker's will already have seen. The group I traveled with were fantastic, I couldn't have asked for better! In fact there were two tours running parallel to each other so we would do our own thing during the day and usually meet up in the evening for some form of partying.
We headed out of Vegas the first morning after stops for alcohol and snacks and had a full day on the road, arriving at The Grand Canyon just as it was getting dark. Still time to toast Christmas Eve with Champagne and get a few photo shots at the rim. The evening kind of set the standard for the whole trip and the evening events (mainly drinking games) ensured we all got to know each other quickly. On most other trips I've been on it usually takes a few days to get to know everyone. By the next day however, I felt like I'd known the group for ages. The AMP (Art's Magic Potion) certainly helped with that.
There was plenty of snow at The Grand Canyon, in fact we got caught up in a snow blizzard and were worried about getting snowed in! It wasn't until the 3rd day we were there that we actually saw the Canyon in all it's glory. Although I've visited before, the view still blew me away, and looked even prettier with the snow.
Well snow and the cold were set to stay with us for the entire trip which was kind of strange seems we were traveling through desert. Everywhere we visited just built on the previous day. Monument Valley was spectacular and our Navajo guides helped us tune in to the magic of the place. 
The highlight was when we were under one of the rock formations and our guides started playing traditional instruments and singing in the Navajo way.
Remember the road that Forrest Gump ran in the film? Well how about our version?
I loved Arches because we got the chance to get out and do a bit of walking. Again, fantastic scenery and somewhat of a challenge walking on the icy trails. Our bums came in very handy on the way down!
We spent a couple of nights at Moab and enjoyed very large Margaritas and Karaoke humiliation. Next we visited Boulder Mountain where we went horse riding and stayed in a mountain lodge with roaring fires.
On our way to Zion NP we visited Bryce Canyon. This was not on the itinerary but for me was the highlight. The view was awe-inspiring and with crystal blue skies and a warm sun, what more could one ask for? We trekked between two of the viewpoints and found ourselves in snow up to our thighs in places. It was great fun!
As we made our way back to Vegas the snow slowly disappeared and the layers slowly got shed. We arrived at lunchtime on New Years Eve and had time to try out Korean food for lunch and stock up on drinks for the evenings partying. A third Trek America group joined us at Vegas and we all started the evening together in the hotel. We headed down to the strip about 10.30 and joined the throng of people enjoying the celebrations. It was a great night with partying in the streets and kissing strangers. Unfortunately we seemed to miss the fireworks completely but still had a great time.
You would have thought that NY eve would be the highlight but we had one more treat in store. The following night we were picked up by the World's biggest limousine. All 3 tour groups loaded up, about 35 of us in total! You could even stand up in the limousine. As you can imagine, we caused quite a stir on the streets of Vegas. We headed to downtown Vegas where everything was a bit seedier. Here we picked up our footballs, an essential for limo traveling though be careful, they are dangerous! We finished the evening at a rooftop nightclub overlooking the lights of Vegas.
Yes this is in the back of the limo!
The trip was not quite yet over. What better way to see in the New Year than to go skydiving? Five of us were up for the adventure and headed just outside Vegas to a small airfield. 15,000ft, 3 miles and 120 miles an hour! Whoa!!!!!!
Again I say, 'What a fantastic trip!'. Not only for the 10 days there, but for all the new friends I now have.
Nebraska took a bit of getting used to again. My trailer in the middle of a field was quite a way from the bright lights of Sin City. Even so I've continued to enjoy myself with my new friends here. On my birthday a few of us had a party with mojitos and a mexican dish cooked in a ploughing disc over an open fire!?!
I've been busy planning my next few months and am looking forward to new adventures. On 1st Feb I'm going to Cancun and will meet my mum there on the 2nd. We will travel around for a few days visiting Mayan ruins before checking into a fancy resort for a week. My friend Karen from Nebraska will be joining us so I really looking forward to some fun in the sun!
After that I'm going to Cuba for a week where I will visit the Isle of Youth again. I'm going with a church mission who are doing restoration work following the hurricanes. We will be restoring nesting sites for the Cuban Parrot, an endangered species in Cuba. I should get to visit some of the technicians I met 4.5 years ago which will be fun.
From Cuba I've got about 4 weeks to travel around Central America before heading down to Costa Rica where I will be spending 4 weeks volunteering with the Sloth Rescue Sanctuary.
Although I have all the above to look forward to, I am going to be very sad to leave. I have met some really good people here and formed what I hope to be long and lasting friendships. I am going to miss my new friends so much :-(
Only a week left in Nebraska so I'm going to make the most of my last full weekend here and am going off to spend the weekend with Karen in Lincoln shortly. One final party is planned for next Friday for Karen and Dan's birthday so I'll get to spend some time celebrating with my friends before leaving.
Wishing you all well, wherever you are. I'd love to hear what you are up to.
Nikkie
Traveling is the experience but friendship is what makes it matter.
