World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Yesterday night I got to watch and amazing musical performance at the historic Scot’s Church in Melbourne. An amazing benefit of being friends with Arzu Yuvarlak is to see her perform as a singer. Tonight see was a member of the choir for this performance of George Frederick Handel’s Messiah.
The choir’s performance of ‘Hallelujah’ was particularly moving. Classical music, in this case classical religious music, in a building made for acoustics and really get the soul flying.
So after an incredible amount of work travel over the past year I’ve qualified as a QANTAS Platinum Member which also gives me Oneworld Alliance Emerald Status (their top status).
A Platinum member means; free and preferential seat allocation, no checked in baggage charges, check-in at first class and business class counters, access to first and business class lounges, more award seat access, and greater chances of operational upgrades (i.e. economy to premium economy or business class seats).
I have been at this level once before about 6 years ago and it lead to free upgrades (including for my nephew Andrew) and first class lounge in Melbourne and London (ie how the 1% live in luxury all the time).
As someone who travels the world this extras make life a little easier, especially finding award / redemption seats and taking showers at transit airports (common to transit in Asia when travelling from Australia) leaving me much fresher on arrival.
Now the level immediately below, which is QANTAS Gold / Oneworld Alliance Sapphire, also gives me access to a lot of these things (except first class counters and lounges) but at a lower priority. I’m getting very close to becoming a QANTAS Lifetime Gold member now having 13,115 status credits (14,000 are needed) which I have earned over almost 14 years flying. Almost there.
Since I’m planning to travel internationally for the rest of my life getting lounge access, free seat selection and free check-in baggage on the Oneworld Alliance airlines (which include British Airways, American, Cathay, Japan, Qatar, Finnair etc.) will be very useful in my personal life.
Work demands a lot, the amount of times I’ve had to get up at 4.30 am for an early morning work flight and return around 10 pm that night has almost driven me insane. This is one of the peaks which I intend to enjoy in my personal life 🙂
My work has provisionally approved my leave for next year between November 2017 and January. This means the planning for my trip to Africa can now advance. Part of this trip is also visiting Dubai (UAE) while flying to Nairobi, Kenya.
So the plan is that over 63 days I will visit 10 countries during this trip; UAE, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
The Dubai Experience
I’m hoping to book a first class award seat on Emirates A380 flight from Melbourne to Dubai. This first class ticket would include a chauffeur limo pickup to the airport, first class lounge access and shower access on board the plane (read a Review here). This is definitely a bucket list experience; just once I want to see what the 1% live like, even if I need to use award points to experience it!
I’ll likely spend a few days in Dubai, maybe experience falcon hunting while there.
The Africa Experience
I’ve been to both Egypt and South Africa before but that leaves a lot of countries and experience in between on this amazing continent. I’ll be travelling with On The Go Tours and undertaking their Great African Expedition 57 Day Nairobi to Cape Town. This is mostly camping in very remote areas, out there with nature.
Despite this being a tour there are lots of options to consider but I definitely know I’m going hiking to find Gorillas in Uganda and a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. I think I’ll undertake almost all game drives and hikes, and any cultural experiences available. Visiting the ‘cradle of life’ during a three day excursion in the Serengeti region is also high on my list.
Since this is a camping and hiking trip I’ll need to get my fitness levels up considerably. I’ll be so remote that I can forgot about internet access for long periods of time (oh no!!) and even finding electricity to charge my digital camera will be a challenge especially during the first few weeks.
Very exciting. Now it’s time to save money, research countries and options, and get fitter.
If you have had an enjoyable time on the road one of the tougher questions on returning is what did you enjoy the most? It’s a question I’m now in the fortunate position to consider after being back in Australia now for over a week.
This trip was made up of two different tours between 9 July and 12 August 2016:
I also had four days private tour between these two tours and two free days posts the last tour.
I planned this trip around the Sri Lanka vs Australia Test Match as this is part of one of my Bucket List items (See Test Match Cricket in Six Countries). On that measure while I did see the match it was disappointing as the Australian cricket team lost before the half way mark of the match. But this trip was a lot more than that.
The highlight had to be seeing elephants, in particular hand feeding and bathing elephants at Chang Mai, watching elephants having fun at a river at Pinnawala, and watching orphan baby elephants being hand feed at Udawalawe. These are amazing gentle creatures which are a risk in several of the countries I visited with the reduction in forests and hunting.
However for history and beauty Angkor Wat was the best religious sight, technically a Hindu / Buddhist hybrid sight having started out as Hindu temples. I got to witness a Buddhist monk blessing different visitors including fellow tour member Sarah.
Now time to think about the next adventure. Africa maybe?
Tour Title: Best of Sri Lanka and Test Cricket
Tour Company: On The Go Tours
Tour Leader: Manoj (Private Tour guide – Jehan)
Cities Visited: Negombo, Anuradhapura, Giritale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park, Colombo, Galle, Hikkaduwa
Countries Visited: Sri Lanka
Dates: 30 July 2016 to 9 August 2016 (Duration 11 days)
Note: I did a four day private tour 27 July to 30 July and two day post tour accommodation for this trip.
Tour Type
This tour we stayed in very comfortable hotels and resorts and had all transport in an air conditioned bus. There was little free time for optional activities until the Test Match ended two days early.
Tour Members
This tour had 18 tour members; Carolyn, Graham, Dale, Jared, Andrew, Roger, Nicholas, Danny, Jolanda, Nicole, Isabel, Sarah, Mark, Sandy, Thomas, Stephen, Stewart and myself. 11 tour members stayed on for the Test Match cricket tour extension all Australians (and males), the other 7 tour members came from Europe and Canada.
Included Activities
Private Tour Activities
Optional Activities
Manoj (Tour Leader) offered the following optional activities that I undertook (prices listed if I recall them):
Negombo
Kandy
Mirissa
Hikkaduwa
Galle
Udawalawe
Accommodation
Jetwing Sea – Negombo, Sri Lanka
A peaceful hotel along the beach and near the canals. Wifi in room include (reasonable speed). USA & Europe power outlets. Two bottles of water included (restocked each day). A small convenience store next door. Reasonable included breakfast highlight being chef who will make omelettes / scrambled eggs.
Palm Garden Village – Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
A remote hotel meaning you are stuck there during the night. Reasonable dinner options. Wifi only works in dinning & bar area but might as well not exist. Amazing pool area. Rooms are spread out across the property giving a country feel to them including chairs outside to watch the stars. Mini bar is expensive drinks and nuts so if you want a snack buy in in advance.
Deer Park Hotel – Giritale, Sri Lanka
Magnificent lakeside views. Only use Indian / Sri Lanka power points. Remote so all food is at hotels restaurant. Good dinner buffet option, music players walking round. Two free water pools. Good pool. Wifi only at reception. They spray your room around 8 pm to keep bugs away. Courteous staff.
Ozo Hotel – Kandy, Sri Lanka
Situated close to the centre of Kandy near the major lake of the city (although an uphill walk to get there, easier with a tuk tuk or mini bus) Kandy Ozo hotel offers great views of the city. Free wifi (ask for user id and password), two free bottles of water. Mini Bar on request. Takes almost all power adapters and even has a USB power port. Good dinning option at the Hotel. Breakfast included and for no extra cost also includes monkeys trying to take left over food for those sitting in the outside dining area.
Grand Hotel – Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya is also know as ‘Little England’ for good reason and the hotel has an English feel including a billiards room, fireplaces and Victorian settings. No wifi or mini bar options. A lot of onsite restaurants but also very close to city centre (10 minute walk) plus there is an English Pub in the same street as the hotel worth checking out. Two free bottles of water included. Breakfast included, biggest spread and options so far. Power outlets are Sri Lankan only except for shaver outlet.
Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort – Udawalawe, Sri Lanka
A remote resort so dinning is at resort but luckily good range of buffet or ‘a la carte’ for dinner, buffet only for breakfast (which is included). Good swimming pool. Amazing sized rooms with scented flower petals. Wifi included but extremely slow and basically useless. Range of organised activities available from reception. Two free water bottles included. US, Western Europe and Sri Lankan power outlets in room.
Ozo Hotel – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Hotel situated on the coast. ATM nearby as well as a supermarket and Pizza Hut (didn’t use ever of them). Fast free wifi. Stunning views from my room. Pool on roof top of this high rise hotel. Great a la carte dinner menu. Reasonable included buffet range. Two free water bottles included (seems to be standard in Sri Lanka but you need them in the heat and humidity).
Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon – Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Spacious rooms, situated right on the beach with three pools and a beach volleyball court. Free wifi (password needed), two free bottles of water. Stocked mini bar. Huge breakfast buffet (included). Turn down service offered around 6 pm each night. Onsite three restaurants (expensive) and spa treatment. Hotel is situated near local shops and large array of good restaurants both on the shore and opposite the road. Breakfast pack was provided when I checked out early on the last day.
Tour Leader
Manoj is an experienced Tour Leader working for Antiquity Travels the company representing On The Go in Sri Lanka.
Manoj did a lot of little things that made the trip easier in particular bulk purchasing water bottles that were freely available to the entire trip, a couple of times organised coconut water, fruits and nice creams, this really helps in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka.
Additionally Manoj organised replacement activities when the Sri Lankan v Australia Cricket Test Match ended early and created an additional activity after the tour had ended for Isabel, Sarah and myself (whale and turtle watching) which was surprising and very welcomed.
Highlights
This was an amazing trip covering a range of activities from landscapes, wildlife, temples, and locals. The real highlight was observing elephants in particular at watching them enjoy themselves at Pinnawala in a river, the baby elephants being hand fed at Udawalawe and roaming in the National Park.
Being a Buddhist nation ancient Temples and Stupas are going to be highlights on any visit to Sri Lanka which I thoroughly enjoyed in particular the Anuradhapura temples. But you will also find that a lot of these temples and stupas are on mountains or hills which offer great views in particular Dambulla Rock Temple and the Sigiriya ‘Lion Rock’ Fortress.
I would strongly recommend this trip, Sri Lankans are a very friendly people and as a tourist you are treated well without too much harassment. The the hotels and resorts used by this company are first rate and the experiences will stay with you long after leaving. You might struggle with the heat and humidity, I did, you might also struggle walking bare footed at the various temples, but in the end a trip to Sri Lanka is a great experience and On The Go did an excellent job.
Insights
It can be hot and humid in Sri Lanka so light clothes are necessary. In Sri Lanka if you are planning on visiting Temples you will need to cover your legs, this is strictly enforced even more than any other Asian country I have visited, it’s worth purchasing a sarong. A small towel for helping with the sweat after hikes is also a good idea.
Thursday 11 August and Friday 12 August
Highlights: Sri Lankan Airlines Lounge, Qantas flight home
The long trip home included a 3 hour car from Hikkaduwa to Colombo, a 3 hour 10 minute flight from Colombo to Singapore and finally a 7 hour 25 minute flight from Singapore to Melbourne.
I had organised a private transfer from the hotel to the airport with On The Go who scheduled this for 6 am and they also arranged for the hotel to make me a small breakfast pack.
Wednesday 10 August 2016. Photos and Videos.
Highlights: Whale and Turtle Watching, Exploring the Galle Fort.
Today was my last full day in Sri Lanka before I begin the long journey home tomorrow and I wanted to make the most of it. Late yesterday my tour guide Manoj suggested that the remaining members of the tour group; Isabel, Sarah and myself go on a whale watching safari which I was very happy to undertake.
Established: 68 AD
Population: 15.4 million
Religion: Buddhism
Capital: Phnom Penh
Order of Visit: Fifty-Fifth
First Visit: 21 July 2016
Last Visit: 25 July 2016
Duration: 4 Days
Must Do: Angkor Wat, Phare Cambodian Circus, S-21 Prison, Khmer Rouge Killing Fields, as many temples as possible at Siem Reap
Places Visited: Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
Cambodia Journal Entries
History and Geography
The Kingdom of Cambodia is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and played a major role in the Vietnam War and as a result was also bombed by the USA.
What I experienced
Most people know Cambodia for the Khmer Rouge Regime that committed genocide after taking power in 1975, they lost most of the country once the Vietnam Army invaded by still held some area into the late 1990s.
The Khmer Rouge aimed to reset the country back to year zero and wiped out intellectuals (doctors, lawyers, accountants etc) and city dwellers. About one quarter of the population at the time was killed, around 2 million people. Even today the impact is obvious as there are very few older Cambodians. The history is very sad in particular being so recent in history. I visited one of the killing fields and the S-21 prison from which a handful of people survived out of over ten thousand people sent there. It was incredibly brutal regime.
On a more positive note is the Siem Reap temple area. The temple sites in this area represent the ruins of the ancient Angkorian capital cities of the Khmer Empire (9th-13th century AD) and are truly amazing to see in particular Angkor Wat. Some of the other temples have trees growing out of and through the walls. Most of these temples were lost and forgotten until the French rediscover them in the 19th century.
To understand the most evil side of mankind and the most amazing and spiritual than Cambodia is a great case study in contrasts. Soldiers killed babies by bashing them against trees (you can still see the strains on the trees) in the same country that created some ancient marvels in the Angkor Temples.
Official Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Established: 2 September 1945 (Independence from France), 2 July 1976 (Reunification)
Population: 96,208,984 (2019 census)
Religion: 73.7% No religion, 14.9% Buddhism, 8.5% Christianity
Language(s): Vietnamese
Capital: Hanoi
Order of Visit: Fifty Fourth
First Visit: 16 July 2016
Last Visit: 21 July 2016
Duration: 6 Days
Visit Highlights: Cu Chi tunnels, Hang Sung Sot Caves, the beauty of Halong Bay
Places Visited: Ho Chi Ming City, Hanoi, Halong Bay
Vietnam Journal Entries
Official Name: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Established: 1353 (Kingdom of Lan Xang), 22 October 1953 (Independence from France)
Population: 7,123,205 (2019 census)
Religion: 66% Buddhist, 1.5% Christian, 32.3% Traditional or other
Language(s): Lao, French
Capital: Vientiane
Order of Visit: Fifty Third
First Visit: 13 July 2016
Last Visit: 16 July 2016
Duration: 4 Days
Visit Highlights: Kouang Si Waterfall, Mekong River, Pak Ou Caves, Alms giving ceremony
Places Visited: Luang Prabang
Laos Journal Entries
Nathan's Insights 