I've always dreamed of being on The Amazing Race -- the American television show that sends 12 couples racing around the world, completing challenges along the way to a million dollar cash prize. The surprising thing about the show is that they often cast couples that have never been out of the country or someone who has just recently received their passport. Well, I think I can do them all one better. And I think I could do some pretty nice things with a million dollars.

We purchased our tickets less than two weeks out, hastily buying a pair of guidebooks and started the pre-travel routine of gathering our various travel gear from the hidden places around the house.

I vaguely remember packing my first aid kit a box last fall and putting it under the stairs - or was it the closet? Then there is the duffle bag that most certainly contains my silk sleep sheet and left scuba bootie, or was it my compression sack? And where did I store my industrial sized jug of Ciprofloxacin ? Then there's my neck pillow, travel towels, head lamp? They must be around here someplace. Maybe if I watch a few late-night movies, I'll help me remember.

It didn't, but it did remind me that no matter how far out I plan a trip; I always end up packing the night before. This time after a few happy hour drinks with my "Internet Friends" and co-workers.

In true adventurous spirit, we took the long way to get to our ultimate destination. We flew from Minneapolis to Hong Kong (about 22 hours), staying only for the afternoon and evening - yet having plenty of time to experience the glittering neon lights dancing above our heads, zigzagging the markets and dining street-side. We challenged our gastro intestinal fortitude at a questionable noodle shop where we were so frightened to eat our meals that we shot some quick video of the experience (for later evidence when they found our bodies), pushed the food around our plates (or maybe it moved around by itself), gathered up exact change to pay our bill and made a run for the door. As we sprinted past the front window, we could see several other patrons looking back at the complete meals we left behind. I hope that nobody was offended that I didn't eat my runny raw egg noodle beef-like substance entrée. I'm pretty sure I would have ended up in the hospital if I had.

After kicking around HK the next morning, seeing all the wonderful sites you can see in a few hours, we boarded a speed ferry to the island of Macau (a former Portuguese trading port turned Las Vegas of Asia). We spent the afternoon there taking photos of old buildings, navigating the narrow streets and having a quick dinner before we headed to the airport. Yup, that's pretty much it. I thought about trying to make it sound exotic or something, but it simply isn't. It's China on acid - acid that generates billions of dollars a year from gambling.

That night we arrived in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the northern state of Borneo. As we claimed our luggage, bribed the customs agent (kidding, but who hasn't wanted to try that someday) and made it to the airport lobby we realized on critical issue: we hadn't booked a room for the evening and it was nearly midnight. Flip, flip, flip ... through the pages of our guidebook looking for the key phase: 24 hour reception. We lucked out ... this time.

For those of you keeping track, that was 3 countries in less than 24 hours. Take that Amazing Race! I'll gladly accept my prize money now.

In the next update, I will update you on our trek to the 13,000 foot summit of Mt. Kinabalu and what it's like to have every single muscle in your body cry out in unified pain.