Nathan's Insights

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


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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 21 – Dallas, USA

    Tuesday 30 November 1999
    Highlights    : Air conditioning, friendly Texans

    We spent the day trying to organise a car for our trip around USA. The day didn’t start well when we overslept which I’m putting down to the time zone difference not being lazy but I guess we will see.

    Unfortunately the car insurance information haven’t been faxed though. I rang Kara who will organise for Lana to obtain my information form AMP back home. However it isn’t looking great for purchasing a car going by the prices we saw today so a Greyhound pass to travel around the USA is looking more likely.

    Tomorrow we decided we would try and purchase AAA car membership and visit the JFK Book Depository Memorial and associated sites.

    I must add that it has been great to stay in a place with air conditioning after Honolulu, a TV (with cable) and a comfortable bed again. Also all the Texans we interacted with seem very friendly. The weather was nice and mild as well, I think visiting here in their winter is a good idea.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 20 – Honolulu to Los Angeles to Dallas, USA

    Monday 29 November 1999
    Highlights    : Making it to Dallas

    Sleeping last night proved to be very different when we had two women next door fighting and crying over having to travel together which kept both Jon and myself up for most of the night before our alarms went off at 4.30 am. I felt like going into their room and waking them up!

    We caught the flight to LA easily despite the early start and using a bus service to get there. Unlike our last flight to Hawaii Jon got his chosen meal so no complaining this time :).

    For some strange reason we had to go though US Customs again at LA which took over an hour. Despite this we were early for the Dallas departure and matched to change to an earlier departure which is better than standing round an airport.

    We arrived in Dallas at around 9.30 pm Central Time after starting in Hawaii at 7.00 am Pacific Time so travelling time was around 12 1/2 hours. We were happy to find our hotel beds.

    I rang Mum in order to get Cat Insurance details faxed as we are going to try and buy a cheap car tomorrow. We are staying at a Motel 6 while in Dallas so an upgrade from hostels.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 19 – Honolulu, USA

    Sunday 28 November 1999
    Highlights    : None.

    Today proved that we had stayed too long in Hawaii. Unless you are a total tourist interested in the tourist traps or lying on the beach then there isn’t that much to do. We probably should have looked at visiting one of the smaller island and going snorkelling.

    We did get to see a car parade but surprisingly there wasn’t many classic cars it was more about modern high end cars and I get to see then occasionally back home. We end up watching a very poor movie ‘End of Days’ to fill in the day.

    The rest of the day was basically vegging out watching TV or reading. We have an early get up tomorrow at 4.35 am in order to catch our 7 am flight to mainland USA. We then have a very tight connection for the LA to Dallas flight, lets hope we make it 🙂

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 18 – Honolulu, USA

    Saturday 27 November 1999
    Highlights    : Polynesian Cultural Centre

    We returned to the USS Arizona Memorial hopeful for catching the main presentation but were given tickets for 3 1/2 hours later, very frustrating :(. We gave up on the Arizona which is a shame.

    We than caught the bus to the North Sore of the island. All public buses only cost $1 per trip which is good for backpackers. First stop was at Waimea Bay Beach which look fantastic and very clean.

    Next stop was the Polynesian Cultural Centre. This place was excellent with the IMAX presentation ‘The Polynesian Adventure’ a highlight and the two further presentations on Fiji and Hawaii were insightful as well. Our entry included a buffet meal with a 1 q/2 hour musical and dancing presentation showcasing all the different Polynesian Culture in the South Pacific including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti and Hawaii. Having just visited New Zealand it was interesting to see there take on the Maori culture.

    This was the best day in the USA so far. We also booked our hostel in Orlando.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 17 – Honolulu, USA

    Friday 26 November 1999
    Highlights    : USS Arizona Memorial, State Capitol, Holiday Parade

    I bought a cap which should make my sister Kara happy after her concerns with the sunburn I got in New Zealand. Unfortunately today was about setbacks.

    We walked down the Waikiki beach and shopping area which confirmed that this is only about tourists which ironically drives off tourists. We then went down to see the USS Arizona Memorial from the Pearl Harbour attack but we missed the main presentation. I did get to walk around and read the various signs and visit the museum which was very good.

    Next of the agenda was Iolani Place and later the State Capitol which provided some good photos however we could get in since everything shut at 3 pm :(.

    With most things shut after watching a holiday parade (Thanksgiving was yesterday) Jon and myself decided to catch a movie which was the ‘World is Not Enough’ the latest James Bond movie which was enhanced by the massive theatre.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 16 – Auckland to Honolulu, USA

    Friday 26 November 1999
    Highlights    : International flight.

    We left Auckland behind as we began our journey to the USA part of of trip for 64 days starting in Honolulu and ending in Los Angeles on Australia Day 26 January 2000.

    The first surprise today was the departure tax. I wonder if I while ever get used to overseas travelling and what to research. The flight took about 9 hours and I watched two movies “What Rats Won’t Do” and “Big Daddy”.

    After arriving at Honolulu Airport around 2 am we had to go back through security to exchange currencies, I’ll have to be more awake next time. Jon was selected for additional security screening and had his bag opened. It was extremely hot and humid 24 tonight and because of a mix up Jon and myself ended up in different non air conditioned rooms.

    We did gained a day after crossing the international dateline meaning we arrived on Friday in the morning after leaving New Zealand on Friday in the afternoon!

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 15 – Christchurch to Auckland, New Zealand

    Thursday 25 November 1999
    Highlights    : Miscalculating taxi ride resulting in walking 6 kilometres to hostel.

    We got up early at 5.30 am and went to the Christchurch Airport to try and score a standby ticket. We eventually got one but it costs about $195 NZD which was move then then we originally planned. At 10.40 am we were off back to Auckland which we landed around 12.05 pm. One bad aspect was Air New Zealand doesn’t have any in-flight entertainment 😦

    At Auckland airport we made a big mistake and decided to take a taxi. The problem being we didn’t have enough money and about 6 kms from our hostel we had to get out and walk the rest of the way with our very heavily backpacks. At the hostel we watched the movie ‘Son of Sam’.

    I called home and got to speak to Reagan and Andrew. I assured Andrew his mum is okay and will be back home shortly.

    Now for the major USA part of the trip to begin!

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 14 – Christchurch, New Zealand

    Wednesday 24 November 1999
    Highlights    : Christchurch Museum.

    First up today was a visit to the Christchurch Museum which had good local content and an excellent overseas exhibit on Japan and Antarctica.

    We also signed up for a short walking tour. Christchurch reminds me a little of Melbourne, very green and open. They even have trams, just slower smaller versions.

    We bought Jon dinner, drinks and a cake to officially celebrate his 25th birthday. This is our full day with Kara. Kara has a lot planned for her stay in Christchurch once we leave. It has be interesting having Kara join us for this first part of the trip, I hope she has fun before returning home.

    We also did a big wash to get ready for our upcoming international flight.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 13 – Kaikoura to Christchurch, New Zealand

    Tuesday 23 November 1999
    Highlights    : Scenic train trip.

    Kara lost last nights card game so she got up at 5 am and reported back that the 5.30 am Whale Watching cruise was cancelled. We went down into the city and waited on standby but it was not to be.

    We caught the 4 pm train to Christchurch which once again offer fantastic views on this amazingly beautiful country. In Christchurch we checked into another first class YHA Hostel.

    We then found a pub to have a few pints and have an early celebration for Jon’s birthday.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 12 – Kaikoura, New Zealand

    Monday 22 November 1999
    Highlights    : Kaikoura Museum.

    The whale watching was cancelled again today. We have a back up booking for to or row at 5.30 am which should let us easily get back for our train that leaves at 4.08 pm. This is a major disappointment. Kaikoura has almost nothing else to do. We did visit the small local museum which was mildly interesting which includes some bones from whales and sharks.

    We got so bored we even cooked a frozen pizza for tea. Later to ignore will play UNO to determine who gets up at 5 am and finds out if the whale watching is on. Luckily our hostel is pretty good since we are sending so many days here.

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