World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Monday 21 January 2013
Highlights: Laguna de Apoyo, Masaya local market, Masaya Volcano National Park.
With around 4 hours sleep after the marathon 22 hour drive yesterday I crawled out of bed to visit the surrounding area of Granada. Some of the smarter members of our group decided to sleep in and see the city or meet up for the second part of our planned activity.
Sunday 20 January 2013
Highlights: Escaping the island, 22 hours travelling to Granada 😦
We spent 22 hours travelling today. We left the hotel at 5.30 am and after trying to leave the island via a plane we instead got redirected to the Ferry for a very rough crossing back to the mainland. There were some screams from a few passengers!
Saturday 19 January 2013
Highlights: Worsening and spectacular weather.
The weather worsened overnight leading to the cancellation of all today’s Ferries meaning we were stranded on the island. Gabo had to start working on alternative backup plans for tomorrow and the day after just in case we a still stuck on the island.
Tour Title: Patagonia Experience and Antarctica in Depth
Tour Company: G Adventures
Tour Leader: Alvaro Jaime
Dates: 29 October 2012 to 7 November 2012
Tour members: Seven
Ben Noonan, Kurt Lybaert, Nina Pettersen, Christopher Barnes, Karen Taylor, David and myself.
This tour is actually made up of two separate stages Patagonia and Antarctica. The Patgonia leg is under the G Adventure type style “Classic”. The Antarctica review is covered separately;
1) Antarctica In Depth.
During my 2012-2013 World Trip I undertook quite a few G Adventure trips. First in South East Asia;
1) Colours of Asia
And starting in December 2012 I commenced the Mexico and Central America tour which is actually four tours combined:
1) Mexico Ancient Civilizations
2) Mayan Sun
3) Volcano Trail; and
4) Panama Experience.
Highlights
When I booked this trip I was really concentrating on the Antarctica leg however I now understand how much I underrated the Patagonia region. During an action packed 10 days I got to hike on a glacier, camp in Torres del Paine National Park for two nights, trekking in the rain in the French Valley, watching avalanches up close. Something I won’t forget for a long time was the sight that was the Three Granite Towers in the Torres del Paine National Park especially after the long and at times dangerous hike.
You need to be prepared for long and at times difficult hikes, fitness is important but more important is a spirit to explore and enjoy nature. Camping is also part of this tour and you need to pack for cold and rainy weather.
Tour Leader
Alvaro Jaime is a very cool guy who is always keen to help you enjoy yourself. Alvaro is passionate about nature and the Patagonia region in particular.
Photos
1) South America Photos
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Patagonia Experience Journal Entries
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Day 33 – Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Highlights: The snow capped mountains of Ushuaia
Day 34 РUshuaia to El Chalt̩n. Highlights: Picturesque El Chalt̩n, Drive to El Chalt̩n
Day 35 РEl Chalt̩n. Highlights: Nine hour hike to Laguna de Los Tres
Day 36 РEl Chalt̩n to El Calafate. Highlights: Ice trekking on Viedma Glacier.
Day 37 – El Calafate. Highlights: Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 38 – El Calafate to Puerto Natales. Highlights: Border Crossing, Car Rally
Day 39 – Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights: Three Granite Towers, Camping
Day 40 – Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights: Hike up the French Valley, Avalanche spectacular, boat crossing.
Day 41 – Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights: Grey’s Glacier, Farewell to half the group.
Day 42 – Puerto Natales to Ushuaia. Highlights: 13 hour bus ride and border crossing.
Friday 18 January 2013
Highlights: Wild weather.
Woke up today to rainy and windy weather that ended up cancelling all plans for the day. Luckily we had our beach dinner last night before everything changed.
Thursday 17 January 2013
Highlights: Snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea
I woke up in the Honduras version of Paradise, great sun, a nice beach and relaxing water rolling in.
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Highlights: Ferry trip to Roatan Bay Islands.
Today was a very long travel day starting at 8 am and ending near 7 pm. In between we spent most of the day in a private van that the group upgraded to which made the day easier. At one point Gabo started a group project with us all making friendship bracelets.
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Highlights: Copán Ruins.
Today was a chance to see the last Mayan Ruins for the reminder of my time in Central America. The Mayan empire spread from present day Mexico all the way to Honduras which is an incredible stretch of land for an Empire that started before Christ.
Monday 14 January 2013
Highlights: New country, Hot Springs, Piñata fun.
These 5 am departures really suck, even leaving it to the last minute I had to get up at 4.30 am 😦 Unfortunately for Anna her alarm didn’t go off and since she had no roommate to wake her up she had a real rush to get onto the van. We started today so early to get to Copán in time to do an activity and to also beat the traffic.
Sunday 13 January 2013
Highlights: Meeting the new Tour Group
Yesterday I booked and paid for a hike to the Pacaya Volcano but after waking up at 4 am I decided that I would skip this activity and have a free day. I don’t know what I was thinking when I booked this for a 5.45 am start after the hectic last few days. Since the new tour is titled Volcano Trail I’m assuming I’ll get another chance for a hike in the future.
