Nathan's Insights

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


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  • Destination: Ecuador

    Official Name: Republic of Ecuador
    Established: 1822 (Gran Colombia), 1830 (separate country)
    Population: 17,483,326 (2023 estimate)
    Country Size: 283,561 square kms
    Religion: 86.7% Christina (69% Catholic), 12.9% No religion
    Language: Spanish
    Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
    Capital: Quito
    Order of Visit: Eighty Fourth
    First Visit: 05 December 2024 
    Last Visit: 22 December 2024 
    Duration: 18 Days
    Highlights:
    Ecuador mainland – El San Francisco, Chocolate tasting, Church of the Society of Jesus, Basílica del Voto Nacional, Intiñan Equator Museum, Otavalo Handicrafts Market, Peguche Waterfall, Tahuantinsuyo Weaving Workshop, trying bizcoho and agave nectar, enjoying the views and the hot springs waters at Papallacta, the exceptional Cotopaxi National Park, Hiking around Laguna De Limpiopungo, spotting a condor, exploring Baños, Tarabita waterfall, Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas (Botanical Gardens), Yanacocha Rescue Center, Pailón del Diablo, Manto de la Novia cable car, Hacienda la Ciénega, Hummingbirds Paradise Alambi Reserve, El Quetzal de Mindo (Chocolate Factory), Mariposario Mariposas de Mindo (Butterfly Farm)
    Galapagos Islands – Finding Giant tortoises in the wild, the Santa Cruz Island landscape, swimming multiple times with Sea Lions, snorkelling for 6 days straight, hiking rocky terrain coastal ride around San Cristobal Island, exploring beautiful beaches, finding Orcas, hiking on Santa Fe Island, kayaking, hiking on South Plazas Island, hiking around Darwin Bay, swimming with Hammerhead Sharks, hiking around Prince Phillip’s Steps, walking on old lave flows, finding Penguins north of the equator, the red sands of Rábida Island, beautiful pink flamingos, exploring the Charles Darwin Research Station
    Cities: Quito, Papallacta, Baños 
    Galapagos Islands: Puerto Ayora, Española Island, San Cristobal Island, Santa Fé island, South Plazas Island, Genovesa island, Santiago Island, Rábida Island   
    Ecuador Journal Entries
    Published: 26 September 2024 | 24 February 2025

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  • World Trip 2024-25: Day 40-41 Dallas to Melbourne, Australia

    Tuesday 07 January to Thursday 09 January 2024
    Highlights: Excellent flight home

    Today was the start of the long journey home. I started with a basic included breakfast at the hotel (La Quinta Motor Inn) and then checked out. I was hoping to leave my bag at reception and explore the local area before going to the airport but the hotel didn’t hold bags. As a result, I was stuck at reception for a few hours watching YouTube videos.

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  • Flight Review – QF22 Dallas to Melbourne

    QANTAS
    Date: 07-09 January 2025
    Flight Number: QF22
    Gate: 28 (Terminal D)
    Seat: 51D (Economy)
    Plane: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
    Boarded: 18:27 
    Pushback: 19:24 (Scheduled 18:55)
    Take off: 19:38
    Arrived: 05:20 (Scheduled 05:40)
    Schedule Duration: 17 hours 45 minutes
    Actual Duration: 16 hours 56 minutes
    Distance: 14,479 km

    This flight was from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW – Dallas, USA) to Melbourne International Airport (MEL – Melbourne, Australia).

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  • World Trip 2024-25: Day 39 – Maimi to Dallas (via Atlanta), USA

    Monday 06 January 2025
    Highlights: Safely arriving in Dallas with my checked bag, leave extended by two days

    I woke up at 5.30 am to leave the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel at 6.00 am via their Airport Shuttle. This was too early for the Sheraton Lounge to be open for breakfast but I had American Airlines access at the airport.

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  • Flight Review – AA1276 Atlanta to Dallas

    American Airlines
    Date: 06 January 2025
    Flight Number: AA1276
    Gate: T12 (Terminal T)
    Seat: 11F (Economy)
    Plane: Boeing 737-800
    Boarded: 11:30 
    Pushback: 12:07 (Scheduled 11:19)
    Take off: 12:23
    Arrived: 13:37 (Scheduled 13:02)
    Schedule Duration: 2 hours 43 minutes
    Actual Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
    Distance: 1,177 km

    This flight was from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL – Atlanta, USA) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW – Dallas, USA).

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  • Flight Review – AA1046 Miami to Atlanta

    American Airlines
    Date: 06 January 2025
    Flight Number: AA1046
    Gate: D45 (Terminal 4)
    Seat: 16F (Economy)
    Plane: Airbus A319
    Boarded: 07:50 
    Pushback: 08:15 (Scheduled 08:20)
    Take off: 08:35
    Arrived: 09:57 (Scheduled 10:25)
    Schedule Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes
    Actual Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes
    Distance: 957 km

    This flight was from Miami International Airport (MIA – Miami, USA) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL – Atlanta, USA).

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  • World Trip 2024-25: Day 38 – Maimi, USA

    Sunday 05 January 2025
    Highlights: Farewelling the Explorer of the Seas.

    Today I had to leave my ship for the last 10 nights, the Explorer of the Seas, and start a very long journey home.

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  • World Trip 2024-25: Ten Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Review

    Explorer of the Seas – Haiti

    Tour Title: Ten Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
    Tour Company: Royal Caribbean
    Ship: Explorer of the Seas
    Home Port: Maimi 
    Countries Visited: USA, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, Antigua, St Lucia, St Kitts
    Dates: Thursday 26 December 2024 to Sunday 05 January 2025 
    Duration: 10 nights
    Itinerary: Cruise Itinerary (PDF) 
    Excursions Pre-Booked: Booked Shore Excursions & Costs (PDF)
    Cruise Journal Entries

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  • World Trip 2024-25: Day 37 – Caribbean Cruise (Sea Day)

    The sunsets on the last evening of the cruise – Explorer of the Seas

    Saturday 04 January 2025
    Highlights: All Access tour of Explorer of the Seas, Laughing and having fun at the Farewell Showtime: Steve Mazan show

    All good things must come to an end and today was my last full day on the Explorer of the Seas. I had booked an All Access tour to learn about how this ship operates. It meant I couldn’t enjoy breakfast in the Main Dining Room as that takes some time but the Windjammer Buffet was fine enough.

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  • World Trip 2024-25: Day 36 – Caribbean Cruise (Sea Day)

    Friday 03 January 2025
    Highlights: A Titanic Movie moment, Captain’s Corner Q&A, Enjoying Showtime Production – Wild, Cool & Swingin’

    A Sea Day was ahead of me as the Explorer of the Seas set course for Maimi. I started with breakfast in the Main Dining Room (MDR). If it lines up with my activities I prefer going to the MDR, the orange juice tastes better and the food is freshly prepared. Today I enjoyed French Toast and pancakes.

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