Official Name: Saint Lucia Established: 22 February 1979 ( Independence from the United Kingdom) Population: 178,696 (2018 estimate) Country Size: 617 square kms Religion: 90.3% Christian, 5.9% No Religion, 1.9% Rastafari Language: English Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) Capital: Castries Order of Visit: Eighty Eighth First Visit: 31 December 2024 Last Visit: 31 December 2024 Duration: 1 Day Highlights: Exploring the island’s dramatic coastline on a catamaran, swim in the Caribbean Sea at Anse Mamin, 4×4 safari Jeep excursion, visit Margot Bay, visiting a traditional fishing village Cities: Castries Saint Lucia Journal Entry Published 28 October 2024 | Updated 18 March 2025
Official Name: Sint Maarten Established: 10 October 2010 (constituent country) Population: 58,477 (2023 estimate) Country Size: 34 square kms Religion: 82.18% Christian, 7.9% No Religion Language: Dutch, English Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG); Unoffical but use both US dollar (USD) and euro (EUR) Capital: Philipsburg Order of Visit: Eighty Seventh First Visit: 30 December 2024 Last Visit: 30 December 2024 Duration: 1 Day Expected Highlights: The views from Rockland Estate of Sint Maarten Cities: Philipsburg Sint Maarten Journal Entry Published 25 October 2024 | 17 March 2025
Official Name: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Established: 1898 (Cession from Spain), 1952 (Current constitution) Population: 3,205,691 (2023 estimate) Country Size: 8,868 square kms Religion: 69.7% Catholic, 25.1% Protestant Language: Spanish, English Currency: USA Dollar (USD) Capital: San Juan Order of Visit: Eighty Sixth First Visit: 29 December 2024 Last Visit: 29 December 2024 Duration: 1 Day Highlights: Exploring Castillo San Cristobal, Governor’s Mansion, the amazing Sunset over San Juan Puerto Rico Journal Entry Cities: San Juan Published 15 October 2024 | 10 March 2025
Official Name: Republic of Haiti Established: 1804 (First Empire), 1915-1934 (USA Occupied), 1934 (Independence from USA) Population: 11,470,261 (2023 estimate) Country Size: 27,750 square kms Religion: 87.0% Christianity, 10.7% no religion, 2.1% folk religions Language: French, Haitian Creole Currency: Gourde (HTG) Capital: Port-au-Prince Order of Visit: Eighty Fifth First Visit: 28 December 2024 (planned) Last Visit: 28 December 2024 (planned) Duration: 1 Day Expected Highlights: Nellie’s Tower, Dragon’s Rock, Haiti’s mountainous coastline, Haitian vodou, Norm’s Place, Beer Tasting Haiti Journal Entry Cities: Labadee Published 10 October 2024 | 08 March 2025
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: Ecuadormainland – 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
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.
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.
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).
