Just when we thought spring was finally here (it officially started last Friday), we get this blustery weather.

Time to hit the road.

But let's do something different.

We've heard plenty of friends recently going off to either Las Vegas, Jamaica, Cancun, or some cruise in the Caribbean.

Must be nice.

So, I propose that we all take a break (or at least pretend) and go on a little jaunt of our own.

Around the world, of course.

Now to plan our journey, we have to contact the right folks to give us a hand. Since I'm a big advocate of shopping locally, we'd head to one of the three Austin travel agencies. I've personally visited each business and have found every one of their staffs friendly and helpful.

But because of time constraints, we're going to hop to www.airtreks.com (as I hear the boos and hisses) and get a quote from them.

We'll start out in Minneapolis, since it's nearly always cheaper to go out of there than Rochester. Of course, we could first head to Boston or the Big Apple, but why? We're going on an around-the-world journey. Let's get out of the country.

So, our first stop will be London. Why? We'll I'd say we're on pretty good terms right now with the Brits, seeing they're really the only ones who have our backs in the desert. It's only right that we patronize their fine country and landmarks. We'll check out Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge and maybe even a fine fish 'n chips joint. And by the way, they really aren't chips. They're fries.

And chips are crisps, cookies are biscuits and dessert is pudding. Yes, pretty much any dessert is considered pudding.

Don't ask.

Moving on, we'll travel by train down to Dover and take the ferry from the White Cliffs to Calais, France. Yes, it would be a lot easier to take the Eurostar (Chunnel) straight to Paris. But how much fun is going through a dark tunnel?

And who wants to go to Paris these days?

OK … besides Saddam.

So, we'll get off the ferry in Calais and head over to Amsterdam. And no, we're not going to the red light district. We're there to see the slow-turning windmills, cobblestone streets and tulips.

After that, we'll continue to take the train through Germany with a stop in Venice to take a gondola ride before spending a few days in Rome. Ah, the Eternal City. Maybe a side trip to Naples and Pompeii will be in the works, too.

From here, we'll hop back on our plane and head to Cairo. Egypt may not be on everyone's list, but we might as well visit as many continents as possible on this hike and get to visit the pyramids as well.

Next, we'll jet off to Delhi, India and take a day trip to Nepal and see the majestic Himalayas spike through the clouds. From there, we can head to Singapore before dropping down to Sydney for a few days Down Under.

By now, we'll need a break. So, let's jet over to Tahiti and take a week off, basking in the warm sun on a white-sand beach with crystal clear water by day, and sleeping in thatched-roof huts by night and listening to the water lap onto the shore.

Umbrella drinks included.

From there, we'll go over to Buenos Aires, to visit another continent and take advantage of our dollar versus their weaker currency. Buying power goes a long way in places like these, meaning we can stay in Marriott-type hotels for Motel 6 prices.

By now, I'm bushed. Time to go home.

Oh yeah … the cost. What, you thought this was free?

Sorry. Besides, it will only set you back about $3,500 (yes, that's per person). But look at it this way. This company has a deal that it would also let us make stops in Bombay, Bangkok, Easter Island and Miami.

This excursion, at minimum, would be about three weeks.

You know, upon further review, I think I'll pass. Just this once, of course.

I suppose the world will just have to wait.

Unless you have an extra $3,500 to spare.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com