Nathan's Insights

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

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  • Destination: Honduras

    Official Name: Republic of Honduras
    Established: 15 September 1821 (Independence from Spain),  1 July 1823 (Independence from Mexico)
    Population: 9,587,522 (2018 estimate)
    Religion: 46% Catholic, 41% Protestant
    Language(s): Spanish
    Capital: Tegucigalpa 
    Order of Visit: Forty-Seventh 
    First Visit: 14 January 2013
    Last Visit: 20 January 2013 
    Duration: 7 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Copán: Relaxing and sweating in hot springs, piñata fun, impressive Maya Copán Ruins
    – Roatan Bay Islands: Snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea, sea life up close, brilliant sea food, wild and spectacular weather keeping us on the Island.
    Places Visited: Copán, Roatan Bay Islands 
    Honduras Journal Entries  

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  • Destination: Guatemala

    Official Name: Republic of Guatemala
    Established: 15 September 1821 (Independence from Spain),  1 July 1823 (Independence from Mexico)
    Population: 17,263,239 (2018 estimate)
    Religion: 45% Catholic, 42% Protestant, 11% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish
    Capital: Guatemala City
    Order of Visit: Forty-Sixth 
    First Visit: 05 January 2013
    Last Visit: 14 January 2013 
    Duration: 10 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Antigua: Exploring the old city, fun shopping in the Zocalo, pimped out Chicken buses
    – Chichicastenango: Handicraft market
    – Flores:     Exploring the massive and impressive Tikal Ruins (Tikal National Park), cruising Lake Petén Itzá
    – Panajachel: Surreal and stunning sunset, cruising Lake Atitlán
    – San Juan: Public artworks, Piñata fun, excited children, staying with a local family. 
    – Rio Dulce: Exploring the area by kayaking, howler monkeys, enjoying the hot springs, boat tour to Livingstone, visiting a volunteer school 
    Places Visited    : Antigua, Chichicastenango, Flores, Panajachel, Rio Dulce, San Juan 
    Guatemala Journal Entries  

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  • Destination: Belize

    Official Name: Belize (formerly British Honduras)
    Established: 21 September 1981 (Independence from United Kingdom)
    Population: 419,199 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 63.8% Christianity, 25.5% No religion
    Language(s): English (multiple other secondary languages also recognised)
    Capital: Belize City
    Order of Visit: Forty-Fifth 
    First Visit: 31 December 2012
    Last Visit: 05 January 2013 
    Duration: 6 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Caye Caulker: Caribbean New Year’s Eve party and celebrations, exploring the island, snorkelling and experiencing sea life
    – San Ignacio: Hiking to and exploring Actun Tunichil Muknal caves – the site of Mayan human sacrifices
    Places Visited    : Caye Caulker, San Ignacio
    Belize Journal Entries  

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  • Destination: Cuba

    Official Name: Republic of Cuba
    Established: 20 May 1902 (Independence from United States of America)
    Population: 11,193,470 (2019 census)
    Religion: 59.2% Christianity, 35% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish
    Capital: Havana
    Order of Visit: Forty-Fourth 
    First Visit: 02 December 2012
    Last Visit: 09 December 2012 
    Duration: 8 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Cienfuegos: Trishaw ride, drinks at the Palacio del Valle as the sunset
    – Havana: Walking tour of Havana Old Town, visiting the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial
    – Trinidad: Watching vintage 1950s cars, homestay with a local family, haircut by the street barber, singing and dancing at a street club, an amazing Cayo Blanco Island Catamaran Cruise, snorkelling in the Caribbean sea with beautiful fish and coral reefs, visiting the Romantic Museum  
    – Vinales: Orchid Garden Tour, homestay (great family), salsa lessons, night club dancing, brilliant singers, visiting a local Cuban cigar farm, smoking a Cuban cigar, exploring caves, exploring ecological farm (El Paraiso)  
    Places Visited    : Cienfuegos, Havana, Trinidad, Vinales
    Cuba Journal Entries  

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  • Destination: Mexico

    Official Name: United Mexican States
    Established: 16 September 1810 (Independence from Spain) 
    Population: 128,649,565 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 82.7% Roman Catholic, 6.6% Protestant, 1.4% Other Christian, 4.7% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish
    Capital: Mexico City
    Order of Visit: Forty-Third 
    First Visit: 01 December 1986
    Last Visit: 30 December 2012 
    Duration: 27 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Cancun: Beaches, spas, pools, shopping and relaxing plus a visit to Xcaret Park (a combination zoo, amazement park and resort.
    – Chichén Itzá: The brilliant and sometimes overwhelming Mayan ruins (spoiled a bit by so many vendors approaching you all the time).
    – Merida: Swimming and enjoying the Cuzama water sink holes (a lot of fun)
    – Mexico City: Basilica de Guadalupe (church built in 1500s), exploring the Teotihuacan ruins (pyramids built around 100 BC), tequila shots.
    – Oaxaca: Magnificent countryside, Oaxaca Cathedral, nightclub drinking (hangover included!), exploring the Mitla Ruins (built 900 BC), relaxing in the Hierve el Agua pools, exploring the impressive Monte Alban Ruins (established 500 BC)
    – Palenque: Enjoying the waterfalls at Aqua Azul and the impressive Misol Ha, exploring the very impressive Ruins of Palenque
    – Playa de Carmen: Enjoying the beach, exploring the Tulum Ruins by the Caribbean Sea
    – Puebla: Puebla Cathedral, exploring the Zocalo (city square), enjoying the entertaining Lucha Libre wrestling
    – San Cristobal de Las Casas: The wild and dangerous 12 hour overnight bus ride, exploring Mayan traditional villages of Chomula and Zincantan, going on a cruise of the Sumidero Canyon, shopping and bargaining at a local market
    – Tijuana: Family shopping for tequila during a day trip
    Places Visited    : Cancun, Chichén Itzá, Merida, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Palenque, Playa de Carmen, Puebla, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Tijuana
    Mexico Journal Entries 

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