Nathan's Insights

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

Destination: Iceland

January 12, 2021

Official Name: Iceland
Established: 930 (Icelandic Commonwealth), 1262 (Union with Norway), January 1874 (Limited Home Rule), 17 June 1944 (Republic)
Population: 364,134 (2020 estimate)
Religion: 63.5% Church of Iceland, 7.6% Protestant, 4% Roman Catholic, 21.5% No religion
Language(s): Icelandic
Capital: Reykjavik
Order of Visit: Fortieth
First Visit: 15 October 2012
Last Visit: 19 October 2012
Duration: 5 Days
Visit Highlights: Ásmundur Sveinsson’s Museum, the Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), ATV riding on the Reykjanes peninsula, Swimming and relaxing at the Blue Lagoon, Þingvellir National Park (former home of a Viking Parliament), hiking on the Langjökull glacier, observing lava fields, enjoying the waterfalls at Barnafoss, watching the world’s largest hot springs boil.
Places Visited: Reykjavik
Iceland Journal Entries

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Iceland
Destination: Thailand

January 11, 2021

Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand (formerly Siam)
Established: 1238 (Sukhothai Kingdom), 24 June 1932 (Constitutional monarchy)
Population: 66,558,935 (2019 estimate)
Religion: 94.5% Buddhism, 4.3% Islam, 1.2% Christianity
Language(s): Thai
Capital: Bangkok
Order of Visit: Thirty-Ninth
First Visit: 06 October 2012
Last Visit: 26 July 2016
Duration: 15 Days
Visit Highlights:
– Ayutthaya: Exploring the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, Wat Na Phra Mane and Wat Lokayasutharam (sight of a large reclining Buddha), cruising Chao Phraya River (in 2012 and 2016),
– Bangkok: Sleeping in bunks on the overnight train trip (Koh Phangan to Bangkok), Royal Temple of Wat Po, Canal ride (and feeding fish), Jim Thompson House and Museum (silk hand weaving), Thai Kickboxing fights (Muay Thai), reclining Buddha, Visiting the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha).
– Chiang Mai: enjoying a traditional Khantoke dinner, Thai cooking class, intense full body Thai massage, shopping at the Thai Silk Village, intense Muay Thai (kickboxing) fights, feeding, walking with and washing elephants in a sanctuary, exploring the Wat Doi Suthep Temple, experiencing a ladyboy show (Chiang Mai Cabaret Show), visiting the Baan Tong Luang Eco-Agricultural Tribes village including firing an old fashion box gun, the spellbinding Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm
– Koh Samui: Enjoying a elephant ride, patting a tiger, incredible scenery, relaxing ferry ride to the island, exploring Ang National Marine Park (swimming, hiking, kayaking
– Koh Phangan: swimming in the beautiful waters, enjoying aroma massage, hiking, BBQ seafood on the beach, launching Chinese lanterns under the stars.
– Nakhon Si Thammarat: Shadow Puppet Museum and enjoyable show
Places Visited: Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Thailand Journal Entries

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Thailand
Destination: Malaysia

January 7, 2021

Official Name: Malaysia
Established: 31 August 1957
Population: 32,730,000 (2020 estimate)
Religion: 61.3% Islam, 19.8% Buddhism, 9.2% Christianity, 6.3% Hinduism, 1.3% Chinese folk religion
Language(s): Malay
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Order of Visit: Thirty-Eighth
First Visit: 30 September 2012
Last Visit: 6 October 2012
Duration: 7 Days
Visit Highlights:
– Melaka: Colourful trishaw tour of China Town, trying Melaka Tree fruit, exploring 485 year old Taoism Temple
– Kuala Lumpur: The stunning Petronas Towers, the shopping experience, the Istana Negara (National Palace), the grand National Mosque, historic Freedom Square, the magnificent Batu Caves (and monkeys around it), fireflies at Kuala Selangor.
– Cameron Heights: The amazing mountain and valley landscapes, hiking through Mossy Forest, trying to shoot a native pipe weapon, a mesmerising butterfly farm.
– Penang: Funicular ride (a type of train), exploring Penang Hill, strong cocktails
Places Visited: Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang
Malaysia Journal Entries

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Malaysia
Destination: Peru

January 6, 2021

Official Name: Republic of Peru
Established: 28 July 1821 (Declared Independence from Spain)
Population: 32,824,358 (2020 estimate)
Religion: 76% Catholic, 18.5% Other Christian,5.1% No religion
Language(s): Spanish
Capital: Lima
Order of Visit: Thirty-Fifth
First Visit: 30 December 2009
Last Visit: 17 January 2010
Duration: 19 Days
Visit Highlights:
– Lake Titicaca: Boat ride on the massive Lake, Exploring Taguile Island, staying, playing sport and seeing in the new year with locals on the Capachica Peninsula, visiting the very unique floating villages (man made islands that last around 20 years)
– Puno: Nothing for me due to being unwell but partying for my tour group!
– Cusco: The beautiful Plaza de Armas, visiting the Sun Temple, visiting and exploring four amazing Inca ruins – Saqsayhuaman, Pukapukara, Tambomachay and Q’engo, enjoying post Inca Trail hike full body massage.
– Sacred Valley of the Incas: Paragliding over the stunning valley, exploring the Pisac Ruins
– Ollantaytambo: hiking around the Ollantaytambo ruins
– Inca Trail: The stunning high altitude landscape, the camping experiences, the exhilarating and exhausting hikes, looking down at clouds with contempt, somehow surviving Dead Woman’s Pass, reaching the Winaywayna basic campsite for some well deserved beers, surviving the hike (and only have a few hours of rain to deal with).
– Machu Picchu: Exploring the Sun Gate as the sun at sunrise, exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu
– Colca Valley: Snow fights at 4,920 metres above sea level, the sparse valley landscape.
– Colca Canyon: Hiking this deep canyon (especially notable after high altitude hikes), condor sightings.
– Arequipa: BBQ, wine, singing and music on our hotel rooftop, relaxing around the town.
– Nazca: Seeing 1,500 year old mummies, viewing the stunning and beautiful Nazca lines from the air and not quite understanding how they were created, extreme driving in Nazca desert, sand boarding at speed.
– Pisco: Enjoyable tastings at the Pisco Sour and Wine Distillery (well I liked the wine at least), Penguins and sea lions at Ballestas Islands
Places Visited: Arequipa, Cusco, Colca Valley, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Lima, Nazca, Ollantaytambo, Pisco, Puno, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu
Peru Journal Entries

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Peru
Destination: Bolivia

January 5, 2021

Official Name: Plurinational State of Bolivia
Established: 6 August 1825 (Declared Independence from Spain)
Population: 11,428,245 (2019 estimate)
Religion: 70% Catholic, 17.2% Protestant, 9.3% No religion
Language(s): Spanish
Capital: Sucre (constitutional and judicial), La Paz (executive and legislative)
Order of Visit: Thirty-Fourth
First Visit: 18 December 2009
Last Visit: 30 December 2009
Duration: 13 Days
Visit Highlights:
– Copacabana: Cute baby llamas, first experience on the stunning and massive Lake Titicaca
– La Paz: The unusual rock formations at Moon Valley, the amazing La Paz Cathedral and San Francisco Church
– Potosi: purchasing dynamite as a gift, exploring a surprising warm Potosi silver mine.
– Salt Flats: Exploring the massive picturesque Salt Flats, Christmas lunch in the middle of nowhere, staying in a hotel made of salt and celebrating Christmas, stunning sunrise of the Salt Flats
– Santa Cruz: Night club drinking and dancing
– Sucre: Hair rising high altitude plane landing, old Royal Palace (now a library), clothes museum, mini Eiffel Tower, difficult but rewarding high altitude hiking with magnificent views and 4,000 year old rock art.
– Uyuni: Exploring a sometimes creepy train cemetery.
– Uyuni Desert: Exploring stunning desert landscape, visiting boiling geysers, enjoying thermal bath, visiting red lagoon of Laguna Colorada, spotting flamingos at Laguna Verde (blue-green coloured lake)
Places Visited: Copacabana, La Paz, Potosi, Salt Flats, Santa Cruz, Sucre, Uyuni, Uyuni Desert
Bolivia Journal Entries

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Bolivia
Destination: Antarctica

January 3, 2021

Established: 1959 (Antarctic Treaty signed 1 December 1959)
Population: Approximately 4,000 (in Summer months)
Religion: None
Language: None
Original Treaty Countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America
Order of Visit: Forty-Second
First Visit: 8 November 2012
Last Visit: 18 November 2012
Duration: 11 Days
Must Do Experiences: Camping on the Antarctic Continent, Walking on a moving iceberg, Antarctica Convergence (where the ocean’s hot and cold currents meet), Enjoy wild zodiac rides, Endure a Polar Plunge, Experience the magnificent wildlife; Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Weddell Seals, Humpback Whale, and Killer Whales
Places: Drake Passage, Beagle Channel, Half Moon Island, Deception Island, Livingston Island, Paradise Bay, Enterprise Island, Peterman Island, Pleneau Bay, Cuverville Island, Jougla Point, Antarctica Continent, Danko Island, Neko Harbour
Antarctic Journal Entries

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Antarctica
Destination: Paraguay

January 3, 2021

Official Name: Republic of Paraguay
Established: 14 May 1811 (Independence from Spain), 24 October 1945 (Admitted to the United Nations)
Population: 7,292,672 (2020 estimate)
Religion: 88.3% Roman Catholic, 7.8% Other Christian
Language(s): Spanish, Guarani
Capital: Asunción
Order of Visit: Thirty-Third
First Visit: 13 December 2009
Last Visit: 13 December 2009
Duration: 1 Day
Visit Highlights: Itaipu Dam
Places Visited: Itaipu Dam
Paraguay Journal Entry

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Paraguay
Destination: Argentina

January 2, 2021

Official Name: Argentine Republic
Established: 25 May 1810 (Independence from Spain)
Population: 44,938,712 (2019 estimate)
Religion: 76.5% Catholic, 11.3% Atheists, 9% Evangelical Protestants
Language(s): Spanish
Capital: Buenos Aires
Order of Visit: Thirty-Second
First Visit: 12 December 2009
Last Visit: 21 November 2012
Duration: 15 Days
Visit Highlights:
– Buenos Aires: Tango Show, Recoletas cemetery, Botanical Gardens, Bike tour of the city.
– El Calafate: Experiencing Perito Moreno Glacier
– El Chalten: Picturesque landscape, stunning hike to Laguna de Los Tres, Ice trekking on Viedma Glacier.
– Iguassu Falls: A speed boat ride under the Devil’s Throat, awesome waterfalls
– Ushuaia: Snow-capped mountains, being strand during a National strike.
Places Visited: Buenos Aires, El Calafate, El Chalten, Iguassu Falls, Ushuaia
Argentina Journal Entries

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Argentina
Destination: Brazil

January 1, 2021

Official Name: Federative Republic of Brazil
Established: 7 September 1822
Population: 210,147,125 (2019 estimate)
Religion: 64.6% Catholic, 22.2% Protestant, 8.0% no religion.
Language(s): Portuguese
Capital: Brasília
Order of Visit: Thirty First
First Visit: 5 December 2009
Last Visit: 18 December 2009
Duration: 14 Days
Visit Highlights:
– Rio De Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer statue, the beautiful people on Copacabana beach, watching Christmas Tree being light on Lagoa Rodrgo de Freitas (a lake).
– Ilha Grande: enjoying strong caipirinhas, drinking under the stars, watching football match at a local view party, Prison ruins, a long National Park hike, calm ocean swimming and floating, catching fish and drinking beers on a boat
– Paraty: Jeep tour, trying to learn (unsuccessfully) capoeira martial arts
– Iguassu Falls: The greatest and grandest waterfalls I have ever experienced!
– Bonito: Chilling by a river with friends, snake handling
– Rio da Prata: Snorkelling with colourful and beautiful topical fish.
– Pantanal: A night walking safari, finding caiman (small crocodiles) everywhere, day safari, horseback riding, stunning sunrise.
Places Visited: Bonito, Iguassu Falls, Ilha Grande, Pantanal, Paraty, Rio da Prata, Rio De Janeiro
Brazil Journal Entries

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Brazil
Destination: Egypt

December 31, 2020

Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt
Established: 3150 BC (Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt), 28 February 1922 (Independence from United Kingdom)
Population: 100,075,480 (2020 estimate)
Religion: 85% Muslim, 10% Coptic Christians
Language(s): Arabic
Capital: Cairo
Order of Visit: Thirtieth
First Visit: 6 June 2009
Last Visit: 21 June 2009
Duration: 16 Days
Visit Highlights:
Cairo: Sakkah Pyramids, Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Mohammed Ali Mosque, Turkish Bazaar
Aswan: Negotiating in local marketplace, Felucca ride, Nubian village visit with dinner at a local house.
Abu Simbel: Experiencing the Great Temple, dedicated to Ramesses II, and the Small Temple, dedicated to Queen Nefertari
Kom Ombo: Felucca sailing from Aswan to Kom Ombo, swimming in the Nile, sleeping on the Nile under the stars, beautiful sunrise over the Nile, Temple of Kom Ombo, Temple of Edfu
Luxor: Luxor Temple, Mummification Museum, Karnak Temple, Luxor Museum
Valley of the Kings: Riding a donkey to the valley (and not falling off), visiting the stunning Queen Hatshepsut Temple, inspecting Ramesses II, Ramesses IV and Ramesses IX tombs.
Hurghada: ATV desert safari
Dahab: Snorkelling in the Red Sea
Sinai Desert: St Catherine’s Monastery, Hiking up Mount Sinai and watching the sunrise over the mountain range.
Places Visited: Aswan, Abu Simbel, Cairo, Dahab, Hurghada, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Sinai Desert, Valley of the Kings
Egypt Journal Entries

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Egypt