Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

Travel for 2009 just got interesting

October 12, 2008

Due to a large number of reasons including the desire to catch up with friends in Europe and my nephew wanting to cut down the big 2009 trip (due to increased costs) I’m now going on two different trips in 2009.

Trip 1: USA – Egypt – London – Copenhagen – Bangkok
This first trip will see me going accompanying my mother Helen for her 5th trip back to USA. That particular leg will see use staying around Los Angeles, visiting Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Tijuana in Mexico. Egypt is the tour I’ve wanted to do since 2006 and is the major reason I’m doing this trip. London is catching up with friends.

Trip 2: New Zealand – South America – New York – Orlando – Honolulu
This is the really big trip of 72 days travelling with my nephew Andrew for the entire time. His family (Kara, Jason & Erin) will be part of the New Zealand leg. Since this is a big change from my previous plans I have heaps of planning to do, however I think I’m now an expert in maximising flights for costs. I’m waiting on my new passport, and I can say its heaps better than the last photo that looks like I was drunk and suffered from a mental disability. Finally I won’t have custom officials laughing and pointing at me
The Colossal 2009-2010 trip gets bigger

June 6, 2008

Well the trip keeps on getting bigger. Andrew and I will probably be taking off late November 2009 but we have added a few more stops. Current thinking is Egypt (tour), New York, Las Vegas (new), Orlando (new), South America (tour + longer stay in Rio), Queenstown, and NZ (new).

I’m also thinking about a short stop in Jamaica since I’m so close to the Caribbean and I’m unlikely to get there ever again. Anyway Andrew has been saving up big time for his first big world trip as an adult (18 years old) and I’m paying off debts so I can get into debt again!
The big product launch

June 5, 2008

Well last week the organisation I work for (accidentally) released the new returns I was project leading early (by about 1 week). Now the hard part, dealing with the public and any issues they have (or our staff). The returns themselves are radically different and introduce a lot of new concepts and rules and instructions.

It’s been an experience working with some many public across the country to create this products, government and public, professionals and non-professionals. Hopefully I made the right decisions, easily the biggest project or thing I’ve work on or been responsible for. I’m glad I pushed myself to do something like this, I’ve learnt a lot about people and bringing people together I can tell you!
Debutants and baby minding

May 11, 2008

My nephew (Andrew) had his debutant ball (or presentation night) last weekend. Basically a night when 16-17 old girls get to dress up in formal white dresses, get limos, make-up and presents and the boys get to escort them and dance with them. They have to practise for something like 10 weeks. Anyway since Andrew’s parents went to the night I got to look after my baby niece (and god daughter), it turned out to be so much fun. She started out crying (she loves her parents) but after a little while she decided it was time to play, the transition was amazing! She’d take me from one side of the house to the other, picking up things wanting to play. She has this small indoor slide, at one point she got quiet and I haven’t seen her for about 2 minutes I found her sitting on the slide she was waiting for me to watch and cheer her on! Erin even put her hands in the air after doing a roll 🙂

Got the pleasure of feeding Erin, playing with her and even had to change her! A really great night, I understand how people get tired looking after young children but boy its fun as well. Erin is so cute and loves playing little games and even spying on you when she doesn’t think you are watching.
New Position

May 7, 2008

Since February I began working as a Director, a position I just finished last week. It was an interesting 3 months, I had to deal with a health issue effecting staff that meant the workforce had to be changed from full time to part time (with shifts). Hard to tell people that they could no longer to a job that they were very good at due to a job design issue effecting people’s health. Still it’s the right thing, I didn’t want staff having long term health issues after they retire or leave. As a former rehabilitation officer I’ve seen people who get injured at work and have the condition for the rest of their life, that’s never justifiable to affect someone’s life like that. Anyway I’m returning to the Superannuation area but in a higher level job. I’m now responsible for delivering several major superannuation projects over the next few months; most that still have outstanding issues especially relating to computers. Over the past 15 months my work has challenged me and there is no doubt that the expanded working hours, weekend work, consistent travelling and high pressure to deliver have affected my health.

I somehow have to get back on track, need to remind myself that it’s only a job and a means to an end i.e. to have the financial freedom to enjoy life, travel and met people.
World Trip 2009-2010: Initial Trip Planning

March 21, 2008

Planning has now started for my next world trip due to commence around 24 November 2009 and returning around the end of February 2010. Trips like this take time to work out (which is actually fun). I’ll be travelling with my nephew (Andrew) and places under consideration for this trip include: South America (almost certain) Antarctica New Zealand USA – New York (I love this place) Caribbean (Cuba anyone??) Egypt Indonesia The thing with my last trip is how fast things can change. My last world trip was to include just Europe and happen in 2003 or 2004, took too 2006 but I ended up in South Africa, Canada, Russia & Eastern Europe and China & Hong Kong.

At this stage I’m planning on using the Oneworld alliance which is linked to QANTAS (good for lounge access for me!). Anyway Oneworld will be adding more South American airlines shortly so that is good timing for me. Other then the places to visit it is also important on how you visit; backpacking, adventure touring, mid-level tours or good hotels. Since this is Andrews’s first major overseas trip I’m thinking that some of it must be backpacking.
World Trip 2009-2010: Plans under development

March 15, 2008

Well I’m further along in the planning for the 2009-10 trip that I’m taking with my nephew Andrew. Previous posts are the initial planning and the phantom booking. Since we are about 2 years from the date we would leave I recently tried booking the trip working backwards from the last date you could book a trip for via QANTAS (2 October 2008).

The new plan is to first fly to London from Melbourne. The original plan was to go to Cairo (via London) however the time in the air is too much and Heathrow has a bad reputation at losing luggage (as I found out transiting via there last year) not a good start if we are in Cairo so starting in an English speaking place is easier. Well spend about a week in London (longer if possible).

The second stage will be to fly to Cairo and do a 15 day tour there, the Egyptian Journey (with GAP Adventures). This is the same as before (other than being the second stage now).

The third stage sees us flying to New York (via London). We’ll stay in New York for about 10 days (maybe go to Niagara Falls and see a Nick’s basketball game). We should be there for New Years Eve. No real change here except for this is now the third stage.

The fourth stage will see us fly to Sao Paulo and after spending a few days there go onto Rio to start a 45 day tour Southern Cross. This is different as we weren’t going to Sao Paulo (about 7 hour bus trip from Rio) and we are starting in Rio and finishing in Lima (instead of the other way around). From there will catch a flight back to Melbourne.

Two years is a long time but you need to plan everything out well in advance, especially the money side!
Tennis Victory!

March 14, 2008

On a warm Saturday my Men’s B Grade team won our grand final against East Coburg by 14 games. Andrew (my nephew), Tony Hendy, Cameron Hendy and Nick Norman carried the day against a very strong former A grade team. East Coburg dominated the competition only losing 1 match (to us) and having a 200+ percentage. It was a great win and follows up our 4th placing last summer. The additional of Nick Norman made a huge difference. While I went from playing last year’s semi-final to not making the final’s team I had a great year on the court (plus 69 games) and an enjoyable one off with this guys. Next summer the team will most likely go up to A Grade so I probably won’t be with them but I’m happy I helped made this all possible especially for Nick, Cameron and Andrew. Now it’s onto Myrtleford for the annual Easter Tennis Tournament and a chance to catch up with friends. This year I’m back playing with Jacqueline Damen in mixed, last time we finished runners up so who knows what this time holds for us both! I’ve been trying to get into sharp for the long weekend and while my weight hasn’t got better at least I think my fitness is okay. I suppose I’ll find out soon.
World Trip 2009-2010: Phantom Booking

February 21, 2008

I have done some early planning for our world trip in 2009-2010. My sister and Andrews mum Kara thought it would be a good idea to work out a plan now so we have some idea of cost (and see if this could be done), so I did a phantom booking as if we were going this year. The plan below has us leaving on Tuesday 27 November (at 23.59!!) and returning Wednesday 27 February at 9.30 so a 3 month trip.

1st Leg – Egypt

Duration: 15 Days

Tour: Highlights: Local guide and entry fee to Pyramids and The Sphinx – Egyptian museum – Citadel and excursion to Khan al-Khalili bazaar – Nubian village dinner – Felucca Sailing Trip (The Nile) – Kitchner Island – Karnak temple – Valley of The Kings and Medinat Habu – Mt. Sinai climb

2nd Leg – England

Duration: 13 days

Highlights Tower of London Big Ben Shakespeare’s Globe theatre Premier League Match Possible side trip to Paris, France

3rd Leg – USA (New York)

Duration: 9 days

Highlights: Time Square New Years Eve!!! New York Nicks (NBA) Statue of Liberty Empire State Building Central Park Broadway Show Comedy shows plus a possible side trip to Niagara Falls

4th Leg – South America (Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil)

Duration: 47 days (1 day before tour, 45 day tour and 1 day after tour) Tour: Southern Cross (with GAP Adventures)

Highlights: – Day tour Nazca Cemetery and potters workshop – Guided tour of Colca Canyon (overnight) – Guided tour of the Sacred Valley – 4-day hike on the Inca Trail with local guide, cook and porters – Guided tour of Machu Picchu – Guided tour of Taquile and Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca – 3-day 4 wheel drive excursion to the Salar de Uyuni – 2-day wildlife excursion to the Pantana

So if Andrew was finished Year 12 this year and I actually had some money this is what we could do.

Now due to some of the flights (in LA for 5 hours, Santiago for 4 hours, 2 hours London) having access to a First Class lounge (or any lounge) would be ideal. Anyway this is all subject to change but I think it is a good trip with great things to do from the Pyramids & the Nile, to London and New York, perhaps seeing Niagara, crossing the Inca Trail and finishing up in party town Rio!!!

While I’ll be repeating some things again I think they are worth a second visit and Andrew shouldn’t miss London & New York. Let me know what you think!
An Australia Day Long Weekend

January 28, 2008

Starting on Saturday 26 January (Australia Day) I enjoy a short 3 day weekend away in Adelaide with my brother Reagan. I got him the trip as a combined birthday/Christmas present as we didn’t get to spent must time together these days. On the Saturday we went and saw a small but beautiful German town called Hahndorf which was a short 40-50 minute drive out of Adelaide. I did manage to get us slightly lost just after I told Reagan I’m a great map reader, so that wasn’t ideal timing!

That night we walked around the city centre (which was 95% closed) and checked into our hotel. On Sunday it was time to go to the star attraction, the Adelaide Test match, Australia vs. India. I booked this trip in September last year but after the Sydney Test Match it looked like this one might be cancelled.

A very enjoyable day watching cricket, this makes it 5 different Test Matches grounds for me;
1) Melbourne,
2) Sydney,
3) Christchurch (New Zealand),
4) Joh-burg (South Africa) and now
5) Adelaide.

This is the only one we didn’t win however. As Gilchrist had announced his retirement overnight I got to see his final match. Ponting and Michael Clarke got hundreds. I choose to walk back to our hotel and saw a very drunk young man crash his bike into…. well nothing he just crashed but thought he hit something.

I helped untangle him from the bike and him wanted to toast Australia Day with me, unfortunately that was yesterday (I’m guessing he had been awake for 30-40 hours so I suppose it was still for him!) and he had smashed his last beers 😦 And on the last day we went to the horse races at Cheltenham at which both Reagan and I helped the local economy by giving all our money away. I know I’m very generous.

I also realised I got sunburn at the cricket, but only on my face!!! I put sun cream elsewhere but thought the cap would take care of my face… I was very wrong. I won’t need lights at night this week as I now glow in the dark 😦 Despite this it was a good weekend away from the everyday life in Melbourne. I have a feeling big things are about to happen in my life in the near future so this was a good chance to take a break.