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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