Nathan's Insights

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

World Trip 2006: Trip Highlights

August 28, 2006

I’ve just starting to organise my thoughts in regards to the many highlights of my 153 day trip. I’m sure as I start putting together my photo albums and travel journal I’ll recall many more but for now; I’ve travelled for 153 days, on 8 different airlines and 23 different countries.

Photos:
2006 Leg 5 China, 2006 Leg 4: Canada & USA, 2006 Leg 3 Eastern Europe Part 2, 2006 Leg 3 Eastern Europe Part 1, 2006 Leg 2 Western Europe Part 4, 2006 Leg 2 Western Europe Part 3, 2006 Leg 2 Western Europe Part 2, 2006 Leg 2 Western Europe Part 1, 2006 Leg 1: South Africa Part 2, 2006 Leg 1 South Africa Part 1

Highlights included
South Africa: Visiting Robben Island (Cape Town), Soweto, Mandela’s house, the wildlife
Swaziland: The King with 36 wives
France: The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
England: Hampton Court Place, catching up with Jon, London Eye, Eurostar train trip
Belgium: Catching up with Inge, the chocolate, Fort Breendonk (Gestapo camp)
Holland: Sex District, ‘Coffee’ Shops, Tulips blooming
Germany: World Cup!!! Beer halls
Czech Republic: Road Trip (Moravsky Kras Caves)
Austria: Wine Tour & Opera
Switzerland: The Alps and waterfalls
Italy: Sorrento, Gondola ride in Venice, Ancient Rome, Pompeii
Vatican: Michelago’s painting of the ‘Book of Genesis’
Monaco: Yachts and beautiful people on the beaches
Spain: Bullfights & beaches
Finland: Staying at the Olympic Stadium, Senate Square
Russia: St Petersburg (especially the Winter Palace) & Moscow underground system
Belarussia: Nothing but oppressed people, very sad 😦
Lithuania: Trakai Castle
Latvia: Museum of Occupation
Estonia: Russian Cathedral, Parliament building and the town hall all on one square!
Canada: The Rockies, 10,000 year old glaciers!
USA: Major League Baseball match, being fingerprinted like a criminal 😦
Hong Kong: Shopping, the Giant Buddha, Disneyland
China: The Great Wall, The Terracotta Warriors, riding in the countryside.

Most Embarrassing moment;
(1) Crashing my bike after helping everyone else out
(2) Throwing up everywhere at the last beer hall in Munich

How did it happen to me experience; riding with 5 drop dead gorgeous girls on a gondola in Venice 🙂

Bad feeling experience; British Airways paging me to let me know my luggage was somewhere but definitely not here in Vancouver
World Trip 2006: Day 153 – Hong Kong to Melbourne

August 28, 2006

Monday 28 August 2006
Highlights: Returning Home

I woke up very early today; I think I’m really looking forward to returning home, it’s been long time since I’ve seen those I love. As you can check your bags in at the train station in Kowloon I did so early and headed for the airport for a free lunch. It’s a great service. After 153 days I have 20 Hong Kong dollars left, or about $4 Australian dollars converted (which I can’t convert some it’s in coins).

Financially I’m almost bankrupt, but spiritually enriched beyond measure. I only have to hope that my bag shows up in Melbourne (which wouldn’t be the end of the world if they don-t – insurance!) and that I get picked up at 6.30 am. so getting home from the airport isn’t an issue.

Hong Kong
World Trip 2006: Day 152 – Guangzhou to Hong Kong

August 27, 2006

Sunday 27 August 2006
Highlights: 14 hour overnight train trip

Continuing the train journey that started at 8 pm last night in Guilin, we arrived at Guangzhou from where we can commence our crossing to Hong Kong. Despite the 14 hour train trip I was feeling good today; the train had air-conditioning and was very comfortable. We caught a local underground train to the border crossing train station. I had some trouble at Border Control, being asked to go from this line to that line without being told exactly what was happening but eventually the Chinese let me exit their country. The moment you step on the Express Train you know you are in the West again (including the style of toilets!).

As I’d seen everything I wanted in Hong Kong from my earlier trip I watched my first AFL match for the year (Fremantle Vs West Coast live) on “The Australian Network” which seem like a joint venture between all Australian networks but run by the ABC. Seemed like I am already home! The group had some farewell drinks at an Irish Pub ($50 HKG for a beer) and at about 11 pm the tour officially ended as we said our goodbyes.

I’ll definitely miss certain people for sure, especially Bronwyn who helped me when I was sick. I invited Gareth to meet me in the QANTAS Club tomorrow since he is leaving at the same time.

China, China Explored, Guangzhou, Hong Kong
World Trip 2006: Day 151 – Yangzhou to Guilin, China

August 26, 2006

Saturday 26 August 2006
Highlights: Relaxing day in Yangzhou

My last day in Yangzhou; a town that I have really enjoyed. Getting up as late as possible since I have an overnight train later in the day I thought I’d check out the local shopping for any last minute gifts.

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China, China Explored, Guilin, Yangzhou
World Trip 2006: Day 150 – Yangzhou, China

August 25, 2006

Friday 25 August 2006
Highlights: Learning tai’chi, ‘Chinese Lighting’ show

Determined to push through the cold I have I today signed up for a course in tai’chi. I learnt during the lesson why I sucked at ‘Simon Says’ however I did manage some of the forms. Our instructor showed us how tai’chi can be used to attack or defend. Bronwyn almost put me on the floor several times, I’m glad I consider her a friend 🙂 The spiritual side of tai’chi is something I’d like to investigate further in the future.

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China, China Explored, Yangzhou
World Trip 2006: Day 149 – Yangzhou, China

August 24, 2006

Thursday 24 August 2006
Highlights: Bike ride to Moon Hill, Magnificent landscape

Today was a day to work the body (especially given the heat & humidity) with a bike ride into the surrounding areas and a hike up Moon Hill. Luckily my chest pains seen to have left me (having fruit last night might have helped), however I am now starting to feel a cold coming on.

Leaving around 8 am to avoid the worst of the heat our group took to the back roads to see this magnificent landscape. Watching locals works the fields (and looking out for water buffalos!) I was taken aback by our happy everyone seemed to be. Living in this area would be some of the poorest people in the world but they seem to be happy, maybe a lesson for us all.

At 11 am we got to Moon Hill which is named as such for the crest at the top. While the others just order drinks I felt I need a sandwich before during to climb this baby. We all set of together and I think we all have some difficulties with the never ending steps. Around 45-55 minutes later I arrived at the ‘official’ top. I don’t think I have ever sweated so much in my life!

Gareth, Bronwyn and I then set off to the real top which you are not supposed to climb. The path is much harder as there are no steps and you really climb. At most points they is only room for one person. When we got there the views were magnificent despite the haze of the nearby hills and countryside. On the return to the base I enjoyed a drink with the group but decided to return directly to the town.

At around 3 pm I was back in the hotel and its welcome shower and air conditioning. Not having the strength to do much more I only walked (slowly) around the town in the late afternoon and night. I now definitely have a cold.

China, China Explored, Yangzhou
World Trip 2006: Day 148: Chongqing to Yangzhou, China

August 23, 2006

Wednesday 23 August 2006
Highlights: Striking landscape

After our last included meal of the trip (all cruise meals were included), we left the Ferry for our travels to Yangzhou. We caught a flight on Xiamen Airlines from Chongqing to Guilin, which is about 1 hour 20 minute flight. A 1.5 hour bus trip to Yangzhou and at around 3 pm we were at our new base for the next 3 and 1/2 days.

While driving to Yangzhou we got to visit the striking landscape, filled with unless hills created by granite. I have a room to myself again, which is good since I’m still feeling the chest pains from 4 days ago. Glorious air conditioning awaited me as well, which is just as well as the humidity just keeps getting higher and higher (today I’d guess close to 80%).

I spent the late afternoon shopping with Miles and Bronwyn from my group. Somehow I found myself at a local DVD/CD store which had a special on that in reality meant it cost 1 Australia Dollar per DVD. They wonder why people buy (good) pirated copies 🙂

For dinner we ended up at Buffalo Cafe, which is a local establishment Brett (our guide) has worked at. The group went for multiple Chinese dishes, I however went for a fruit platter given my condition. I’m guessing the Chinese diet, rich in sugar and fat is causing the problems I’m experiencing.

China, China Explored, Chongqing, Yangzhou
World Trip 2006: Day 147 – Yangtze River, China

August 22, 2006

Tuesday 22 August 2006
Highlights: Visiting a Ghost Town, Leisurely cruise

Today we got a chance to visit a “Ghost Town”. Basically this is a town with different temples. It is called a ghost town as it is home to the after world on earth and all souls much journey here.

Then most interesting thing I learned about this trip was the different worlds. There is the underworld, the world, and heaven. Heaven is actually represented by red and the Underworld is represented by blue. The characters that guard the Underworld should scare most people to give up their wicked ways. Adultery in particular seems to have a very bad form of punishment (different for men and women). The punishment for men is particularly horrible. Not respecting your parents or ancestors is also very high on the list of things not to do.

Later in the day Brett provided an insight into Chairman Mao and more current events. China is definitely changing quickly. It is hard to call it a communist state; there is no retirement or unemployment benefits, or even guaranteed jobs. There is a very big capitalist approach to making money however. While this is a dictatorship, I’m not sure communist regime is an accurate description anymore.

We had a special farewell dinner tonight with the Captain coming to each table and giving us a toast. I for one used up my last beer vouchers (x 10) on Snow beer, which is a local rice based beer.

China, China Explored, Yangtze River
World Trip 2006: Day 146 – Yangtze River, China

August 21, 2006

Monday 21 August 2006
Highlights: Little Three Gorges, Hanging coffins

The highlight of today was easily a visit to the “Little Three Gorges” and area that before 2003 was not really possible to visit due to low water levels. Now however that the water level has been raised about 70 meters we could go in on a small boat.

It was interesting to see very high bridges that will shortly be submerged and the building activity to replace them. We went pass a small island that still has a working farm. The local farm has until October to get his harvest as the water level will be raised again by 25 meters and the little island will cease to exist. The Chinese government for the most part is permanently removing farms from the hills/cliffs on the sides of the gorge. I’m not sure how farmers have managed to farm this land given the extreme slopes. The plan is to fill this old farm land (the bits not submerged) with trees to help keep the land together and help the environment (which is needed in China).

During the 5 hour visit we would see wooden coffins in the sides of the cliffs (they call them hanging coffins). A local people, who have now disappeared, used to down this type of burial. How they got the coffins into these places is anyone’s guess (the government is still trying to figure it how actually). Unfortunately some of these sites have already been submerged (the coffins are taken to museums). Brett proved a brief introduction to Chinese history in the afternoon, and we all got to laugh at the ‘talent’ show in the evening.

Most of the ferry guests are older people on a very different type of tour to my group, however to their credit they did perform during the talent show while my group (correctly) just watched 🙂

China, China Explored, Yangtze River
World Trip 2006: Day 145 – Yichang and Yangtze River, China

August 20, 2006

Sunday 20 August 2006
Highlights: Difficult overnight Train, Boarding Victoria 2 (cruise)

Well the overnight trip to Yichang could not have really been worse. The train itself was very old however we managed to get the windows open which helped cool the air down to around 26-28 I’d say.

I’m not sure why I was effected (maybe the food the night before) but around 4 am I woke up and could not get back to sleep. I had chest pains which I put down to the hard bed at the time. By the time the train trip ended at 10 am I could barely stand. Luckily my group carried my bags to the waiting bus. During the bus trip I found myself getting much better and I carried my own bags to the ferry. Despite not be 100% I did actually have lunch as I thought it good to get some food into my system. I also had dinner as well (but not a full dinner). I realised later that actually throwing up would have been a good idea.

We travelled on the Victoria 2. I shared my room for the first time with our Tour Guide, Brett, and as a result I got to watch his collection of ‘The Family Guy’ on his laptop (seems I continue to be lucky). The highlight I the day was going through the ‘lock’ system so our ferry/boat could be raised. We went through 6 locks and it is amazing how fast the boat gets lifted. I’m guessing we went around 70 metres higher. The surrounding area of the river is stunning and it promises to get better tomorrow when we get deeper into the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River.

China, China Explored, Yangtze River, Yichang