World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Tuesday 4 December 2012
Highlights: Cuban Farm, Vinales Caves, Dinner at El Paraiso (Ecological Farm)
An enjoyable breakfast with Shane at his homestay began our first full day in Vinales. First up was a walking tour in the nearby National Park in a valley next to the town. There were lots of comments about the weather and how winter here is like summer in most other countries, glad I didn’t come in summer.
Monday 3 December 2012
Highlights: Havana Walking Tour, Soroa Orchid Garden Tour, Homestay, Salsa lesson and dancing at a Night Club (YouTube video)
Before we started our tour the entire group meet for the first time and introduced ourselves. The new members since last night were Heidi (Germany) and Shane (Ireland) who both got in last night.
Sunday 2 December 2012
Highlights: Dinner in Cuba
A very early start today as I wanted to have my included breakfast and checkin early to ensure I take care of the Cuba Tourist Card formalities. I had a big breakfast thinking it was unlikely to get a meal on the plane. Today I left a double tip to make up for yesterday which is great for today’s server but not yesterday’s.
Saturday 1 December 2012
Highlights: Relaxing at the airport
Today was a chance to do basically nothing. I slept in until around 8.45 am and only really got up to go to buffet breakfast. As I had no plans to actually buy lunch I took my time and had a very full breakfast. As a Hilton Gold member breakfast was included but not the tip. Unfortunately the waitress didn’t take US dollars and since I hadn’t gotten Mexican Pesos I promised to make it up tomorrow.
The USA leg of my world trip was a quick 9 day visit with a lot of plane trips to get to the three locations; Washington, New York and Orlando. This trip was planned to meet up with my mother so you could visit the East Coast of the US which she wanted to do but not by herself, especially after her recent hip surgery.
My expectations for this leg were not particularly high as I’d been to all of this places before although more than 12 years ago in the case of Orlando and Washington. In the end I was pleasantly surprised. The guided tours of both Washington and New York showed me places I’d missed or things at places I had visited but failed to noticed. Washington in particular was definitely worth the trip. One day I’d like to have a lengthy visit and go to all of the Smithsonian Museums, it’s still a rough chance I might one day get a posting in Washington which would be awesome. I also really enjoyed my Orlando theme park visits in particular Universal Studios and the night-time 100 year of films spectacular.
This was the luxury phase of my trip before going to first Cuba and then Central America. The Central America leg in particular will be very basic stays with young people who I’m guessing will what to see the sights and go drinking. The US is a place I’m sure I’ll visit again, Las Vegas is always and option but I’d also like to get back to New Orleans. The strong Australian dollar also makes it easier. My replacement iPhone 4S was $120 cheaper in the USA then if I had bought it back home. I’m almost half way into this 139 day trip.
Journal entries:
Day 57 – Miami to Washington DC. Highlights: My bag arrives before me, Upgrade at the Hilton
Day 58 – Washington DC. Highlights: US Capitol Building, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), The White House, Thomas Jefferson Monument
Day 59 – Washington DC. Highlights: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Day 60 – Washington DC to New York City. Highlights: Bus ride to New York City, Times Square
Day 61 – New York City, USA (Part 1). Highlights: Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Centre, New York Stock Exchange, World Trade Centre
Day 61 – New York City, USA (Part 2). Highlights: Disney and M&M Shopping, Phantom of the Opera
Day 62 – New York City. Highlights: New York Shopping
Day 63 – New York City to Orlando. Highlights: Universal Studios especially Cinematic Spectacular and Rockit roller coaster
Day 64 – Orlando. Highlights: Walt Disney World Parks “The Magic Kingdom” and “Hollywood Studios”
Day 65 – Orlando to Mexico. Highlights: Business Class flights, Mexico City Immigration (not).
Nathan's Insights 