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 2009-2010: Summary

    Another incredible 66 day world trip this time with my nephew Andrew and for the New Zealand leg with my sister Kara, brother-in-law Jason and neice Erin.

    Facebook Photos:
    Leg 4 – New Zealand; Leg 3 – USA Los Angeles; Leg 2: Peru Part 3; Leg 2: Peru Part 2; Leg 2: Peru Part 1; Leg 2: Bolivia Part 2; Leg 2: Bolivia Part 1; Leg 2: Brazil Part 2; Leg 2: Brazil Part 1; Leg 1: USA

    Hightlights:

    New Zealand: Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound, Queenstown (jetboat!!)
    Peru: sand boarding (Pisco), small plane ride to view the Nazca lines, Machu Picchu (including the 4 day Inca Trail hike!), New Year’s Eve during a homestay at Capachica Peninsula
    Bolivia: Salt Flats (getting lost for a while), Potosi Mines, Christmas Day in the Salt Hotel
    Paraguay: cheap shopping, the Itaipu Dam
    Brazil: Pantanal (horse riding & mosquitoes attacks!), Iguassu Falls (amazing – better than niagara falls), Ilha Grande (the beach and soccer party),
    USA: (New York) Brooklyn Bridge walk, Chicago Musical, basketball and ice hockey at Madison Square Garden; Times Square (LA) Universal Studios.

  • World Trip 2009-2010: Day 66 – Christchurch to Melbourne (Via Sydney), Australia

    Sunday 31 January 2010
    Highlights: Business Class flight upgrade.

    A very early start with a 3.50 am alarm and I was off to drop Erin, Jason and Kara at the Christchurch Airport for their 6.25 am flight direct to Melbourne. We had a small problem getting there due to the map not being very accurate and me only having been to sleep for a few hours but we got there on time.

    (more…)

  • World Trip 2009-2010: Day 65 – Greymouth to Hanmer Springs to Christchurch, New Zealand

    Saturday 30 January 2010
    Highlights: Thermal Pools at Hanmer Springs, A-League Wellington Phoenix Vs Adelaide Match

    Our last day of major driving saw us stop off in Hanmer Springs for their famous Thermal Pools. Basically you get to move between a lot of different pools at varying temperatures. The hottest ones smell due to the sulphur, however there are several normal heated pools. They are all outside. Erin in particular seemed to enjoy them and I thought she was about to fall asleep floating in the water with Kara a number of times. I think I ended up with a little bit of sunburn on my head.

    Later in the day I borrowed Andrew’s hat after I ‘retired’ my Essendon one back in Greymouth. After the pools we walked about a local Saturday market but strangely both Kara and Andrew left empty handed. Once we got into Christchurch we walked into the city centre.

    There was a world busker’s event on but I didn’t really watch must. After an early dinner we hurried back to the hotel so Jason and I could go to the relocated Wellington Phoenix Vs Adelaide (A-League) match. Strangely enough this was my first A-League match and it was in New Zealand. Wellington won the match 1-0 in front of a 19,000 crowd and I enjoyed the night but the weather did turn very cold.

    Later that evening I settled into the hotel to watch Serena Williams beat Justine Henin in the Ladies Australian Open final which finished at midnight local time. Now for 3.5 hours sleep before dropping of Jason, Kara & Erin at the airport.

  • World Trip 2009-2010: Day 64 – Fox Glacier to Greymouth, New Zealand

    Friday 29 January 2010
    Highlights: Hiking around Franz Josef Glacier, Shantytown Heritage Park

    We started today with a small hike to the Franz Josef Glacier which was actually more impressive than Fox Glacier, maybe due to the clearer weather.

    From here we set off for Shantytown Heritage Park. Now Andrew didn’t really get into the mode for this pioneer style Amazement Park – this is despite even having a go at panning for gold! Erin liked the stream train ride and I enjoyed seeing the Chinese Town setup.

    shantytown_heritage_park__0x0_i

    A short time later we arrived at what we thought was our accommodation in Greymouth but they lost the booking. Kara quickly resolved this by finding a better place for only a little more money. It turned out for the better because it gave Erin a chance to visit the beach, play on the trampoline and swim in the pool.  The group managed to walk 15,000 steps today after doing 20,000 steps yesterday. Since I bought the pedometer on the first full day in Christchurch I have managed at least 15,000 steps a day. This is the start of a new health kick leading up to the Easter tennis tournament.

  • World Trip 2009-2010: Day 63 – Queenstown to Fox Glacier, New Zealand

    Thursday 28 January 2010
    Highlights: Historic town of Arrowhead, Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier

    With the trip winding down we said goodbye to beautiful Queenstown and left for Fox Glacier but first we stopped off at Arrowhead a historic town set up during a gold rush era with lots of old wooden style house. It was a very picturesque place but also setup for tourist and they charged as if we were all American so we skipped breakfast at the local cafe and went back on the road.

    Arrowhead Township
    Arrowhead Township

    (more…)