Nathan's Insights

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


Pages:
About | Countries | Tours | Trips | Bucket List – Done | Bucket List – To Do | Airport Lounges | Flight History

Travel Categories:
Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Destinations | Short Breaks | World Trip 1986 | World Trip 1998 | World Trip 1999-2000 | World Trip 2006 | World Trip 2009 | World Trip 2009-10 | World Trip 2010 | World Trip 2011 | World Trip 2012-13 | World Trip 2015 | World Trip 2016 | World Trip 2017 | World Trip 2017-18 | World Trip 2018 | World Trip 2019 | Australia 2022 | World Trip 2023 | World Trip 2024 | World Trip 2024-25 | World Trip 2026-27

  • World Trip 2006: Day 31 – Paris to London, England

    Friday 28 April 2006
    Highlights: Catching up with my best friend

    I left Paris today and arrived at Heathrow Airport about midday after a 215 mile flight.   Security was much heavier at this airport than at Paris.

    I meet Jon and his girlfriend Jeanne B.   They explained we had a change of plans and were staying at Lise-Anne’s unit (Jeanne’s sister) instead of at Jon’s flat and I now had a bed instead of a lounge.   We did a little site seeing and had an Italian dinner.   I was very glad to see my very good friend Jon again (he left Australia on Boxing Day 4 months earlier).

    , , ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 30 – Paris, France

    Thursday 27 April 2006
    Highlights: Being robbed 😦

    Unfortunately I was robbed on this day.   Luckily I’m okay and in the end it is only money but it’s very important to take safety seriously at all times when travelling especially when the country you are visiting primary language isn’t English.  After leaving South Africa with a reputation for crime I let me guard down.

    I have a few options;

    1. let it affect the trip by being miserable,
    2. go home, or
    3. go on and just be more careful.

    I’ve decided to be  to be positive; hopefully this is the worst thing that will happen to me in a long time. Money can be replaced, life and health cannot.   I’ll deal with the authorities and move on.  At least I have a new life experience!

    I don’t want to go on about this any further or in details.   I lost a day as it is, I refuse to lose anything more over this incident.

    ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 29 – Paris, France

    Wednesday 26 April 2006
    Highlights: Disneyland Paris

    Realising I had quite a few days in Paris over the next month and I had a valid travel pass that allowed me to travel out of Paris I decided to visit the Magical Kingdom and complete the trilogy of sites (Los Angeles, Florida & Paris). I also realised I needed to study children’s attractions being a good uncle (or maybe I was the kid?).   The great thing about the Paris location is there are not many Americans and the lines are really small so I got to go on everything when I wanted to.

    Highlights of my Disneyland Paris visit included; Space Mountain 2, The Lion King show, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril and finally Big Thunder Mountain.

    Obvious conclusion: – I’m still a big kid.

    ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 28 – Paris, France

    Tuesday 25 April 2006
    Highlights: Chateau De Versailles, Climbing the Eiffel Tower

    Setting off early for my first day in Europe I decided to visit the Chateau De Versailles.   The wealth of the palace is unbelievable, it’s no wonder Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were taken from this palace by the France poor.  The grounds were amazing just be themselves.

    I followed this up with a visit to the Eiffel Tower, that international symbol on Paris.   I chose to jump the 668 steps to the second level and the views were spectacular.   Having said that seeing heavily armed military forces walking around did not put me at ease!

    258837_10150219360720685_5019416_o

    ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 27 – London to Paris, France

    Monday 24 April 2006
    Highlights: British Airways First Class Lounge (Heathrow), arriving in Paris

    (more…)

    ,

  • World Trip 2006: South Africa Summary

    The tour was absolutely great.   The group I had, and our guide Jan, were outstanding and everyone got involved.   I still find it hard to believe I bungy jumped from 216 metres!   The wild life and awesome nature reserves are incredible and I’d highly recommend a visit.

    Next stop Europe.

  • World Trip 2006: Day 26 – Cape Town to Johannesburg, South Africa

    Sunday 23 April 2006
    Highlights: Accommodation upgrade, almost missing my flight out of South Africa

    The final day in South Africa turned out to be very rainy so a good day to leave.   I stayed in different accommodation last night as Drifters had overbooked and I got a better place.

    (more…)

    , ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 25 – Cape Town, South Africa

    Saturday 22 April 2006
    Highlights: Visiting Robben Island, our guides personal stories and insight, tasty Springbok

    Today marked the 2nd last day in South Africa and the first since the tour ended.   I ended up going to Robben Island during the day with my new friend from Belgium Inge. The ride over was very rough and takes about 35 minutes.   On the island we saw the sites of the former leper colony, the army outpost (during World War 2) and finally the normal and political prisons.

    (more…)

    ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 24 – Cape Town, South Africa

    Friday 21 April 2006
    Highlights: Crime in Cape Town, Final dinner, the amazing Karoo Lamb

    We finished the tour with some wine tasting, I got extras from my table but the other group’ seemed very happy with the offerings 🙂  After the tour had officially ended we arranged for one final dinner together and I had the Karoo lamb which was sensational.

    Unfortunately Roger was robbed at knife point near his new accommodation, not a good way to end the tour 😦  Luckily Roger escaped without any harm to himself.

    ,

  • World Trip 2006: Day 23 – Cape Town, South Africa

    Thursday 20 April 2006
    Highlights: Hout Bay, African Penguins, Table Top Mountain

    On our last full day together we headed off to Hout Bay and ended up walking up to a lighthouse that was so high it didn’t really save many ships (I think 20 odd crashed nearby).   Jacko & Marjia both run down to the beach again and I’m informed that the ocean is extremely cold. We also went and visited the Penguins (African).   The Penguins have really grown in number of the years and these ones pick one mate and stay loyal for life (so they better hope a shark doesn’t strike).

    (more…)

    ,