Nathan's Insights

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

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  • Destination: Panama

    Official Name: Republic of Panama
    Established: 3 November 1903 (Independence from Republic of Colombia)
    Population: 4,176,869 (2018 estimate)
    Religion: 63.2% Catholic, 25% Protestant, 3.3% Other Christian, 7.6% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish (English is also commonly spoken)
    Capital: Panama City
    Order of Visit: Fiftieth 
    First Visit: 01 February 2013
    Last Visit: 10 February 2013 
    Duration: 10 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Bocas del Toro: Festival partying, swimming in the Caribbean sea.
    – Boquete: Hiking, waterfalls, hot springs and smart monkeys 
    – Panama City: Panama Canal engineering marvel, beautiful Panama City ‘Old Town’
    – Santa Catalina: Magnificent beach, snorkelling in the Pacific Ocean
    Places Visited    : Bocas del Toro, Boquete, Panama City, Santa Catalina
    Panama Journal Entries  

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  • Destination: Costa Rica

    Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica
    Established: 
    – 15 September 1821 (Independence from Spain)
    – 01 July 1823 (Independence from Mexico) 
    – 14 November 1838 (Independence from Federal Republic of Central America)
    Population: 4,999,441 (2018 estimate)
    Religion: 52% Catholic, 25% Protestant, 17% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish (English is also commonly spoken)
    Capital: San José
    Order of Visit: Forty-Ninth 
    First Visit: 24 January 2013
    Last Visit: 01 February 2013 
    Duration: 9 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – La Fortuna: Boat ride across Lake Arenal, diverse and amazing wildlife or Costa Rica (lizards, various monkeys, sloths, caimans and birds), surviving Grade 4 white water rafting
    – Monteverde: Toucan sighting, stunning sunset, zip-lining though the trees, exploring a forest at night, stunning mountain scenery
    – Puerto Viejo: the beaches, Caribbean sea food, visiting the Animal Rescue centre, tasty organic ice cream
    Places Visited: La Fortuna, Monteverde, Puerto Viejo, San Jose 
    Costa Rica Journal Entries  

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  • Destination: Nicaragua

    Official Name: Republic of Nicaragua
    Established:
    – 15 September 1821 (Independence from Spain)
    – 01 July 1823 (Independence from Mexico)
    – 31 May 1838 (Independence from Federal Republic of Central America)
    Population: 6,486,201 (2019 estimate)
    Religion: 55% Catholic, 27.2% Protestant, 14.7% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish
    Capital: Managua
    Order of Visit: Forty-Eighth 
    First Visit: 20 January 2013
    Last Visit: 25 January 2013 
    Duration: 5 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    – Granada:  Swimming in Laguna de Apoyo, exploring stone walled local market at Masaya, surviving the active Volcano National Park including exploring a bat cave, horse carriage ride, exploring the old Central Train Station, the enormous Lake Nicaragua
    – Ometepe: Spellbinding sunset, homestay experience with locals, exploring the island, howler monkeys, fantastic views, relaxing in thermal springs.
    Places Visited: Granada, Ometepe 
    Nicaragua Journal Entries  

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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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