2018 was definitely an unusual year for me as it included two overseas trips. I closed off 2017 while still on an African tour, the last days of 2017 had me camping under the stars in Chobe National Park (Botswana) before heading off to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) for a stunning helicopter flight over the falls, this meant 2018 would be hard pressed to be even better!
Nathan's Insights
World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Way back in May 2015 I wrote a blog entry “2016 and Beyond” that outlined possible travel over the next four years as I moved beyond 52 countries. I listed eight possible tours and I’ve ended up doing three of these (or similar tours) to Sri Lanka, Indochina (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) and High Road to Tibet (Nepal and Tibet).
I also ended up doing The Great African Expedition from November 2017 to January 2018.
Now it’s time to work out what’s the plan for the next few years and whether I should aim to move from 70 countries I’ve already seen to 100 countries. To start I’d need to work out if there are 30 countries left that I’m interested in and which line up with my Bucket List – To Do , for example seeing Petra in Jordan.
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Well my short trip to Hong Kong, Nepal and Tibet is over and it’s time to reflect. This trip was basically three parts:
- Eight Lounge Experiences
- Nepal Experience
- Tibet Experience
The Nepal and Tibet experience were mostly undertaken via the G Adventures High Road to Tibet tour (review here).
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Tuesday 30 October 2018.
Highlights: Cathay Pacific Business Class flightSo after a very quick trip I’m now back home doing laundry and getting ready for work tomorrow :(.
At least I got to enjoy a very comfortable flight back on Cathay Pacific A350-900 business class seat (review here). Four hours+ sleep on an overnight flight is a good way to be refreshed for the day ahead.
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Airline: Cathay Pacific
Gate: 25
Seat: 18K (Business window)
Plane: A350-900
Boarded 23.37 (Scheduled 23.25)
Pushback 00.01
Departed: 00.15 (Scheduled 00.05)
Note: Time Change plus 3 hour
Arrived: 11.43 (Scheduled 12.15)
Duration: 8 hour 28 minutes
Distance: 7,387 kmsThe final flight of this trip was my first Cathay Pacific business class flight and first time on the A350-900.
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Monday 29 October 2018.
Highlights: Shoulder & Neck Massage, Private CabanaSo this was the last full day of the trip and it was all about exploring and enjoying the Hong Kong Airport and the various Cathay Pacific Lounges that I had access to as a Qantas Platinum membership (which expires in January 2019).
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Sunday 28 October 2018
Highlights: Cathay Pacific “The Arrival” LoungeAfter arriving at 05.39 in the morning on my Kathmandu to Hong Kong flight (review here) I had big plans for the day but alas my body had other ideas.
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When visited: October 2018
Time of day: Early Morning (06.40 to 09.00)
Rating: 4 / 5
When visited: October 2018
