World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Saturday 20 October 2012
Highlights: Protests at Westminster, Spies and Spycatchers tour
I overslept slightly, I blame the super soft Hilton bed. I had a very enjoyable English Breakfast in the Executive Lounge, no wonder high flying executives get overweight with all this free and high fat food available.
Friday 19 October 2012
Highlights: Hilton Room upgrade, West End Show – ‘Yes Prime Minister’
Early start to the day getting up at 4 am for my 4.30 am transfer to the airport. The hotel opened up their dining room for a light breakfast which I thought was cool of them to do. The flight back to London was enjoyable, I watched “This Means War”. Icelandair provides good inflight entertainment options.
Thursday 18 October 2012.
Highlights: Walking on the Langjökull glacier, The rugged Iceland countryside, visiting Þingvellir National Park, lava fields, the waterfalls at Barnafoss, the worlds largest hot spring.
The second best day of the trip so far, only just behind riding an Elephant and patting a tiger back in Koh Samui. The day started on a good foot when an enormous 4WD vehicle showed up to collect me, I could tell we were going off road for this one!
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Highlights: ATV riding on the Reykjanes peninsula, Swimming at the Blue Lagoon.
Thermals was the name of the game today, both internal (underwear) and external (geothermal). My Antarctica gear was pulled out for the first time and I realised I don’t have my gloves -:(
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Highlights: Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, Ásmundur Sveinsson’s Museum, the Northern Lights
The second leg of the world trip really starts today. Surprisingly with only 6 hours sleep I woke up ready to go at 7 am. It must be the time zone difference from Bangkok since I have had little keep in the past few days. My hotel the Fosshótel Barón put on a great breakfast spread. Having heard about how expensive Iceland is I helped myself to a big breakfast.
Sunday 14 October and Monday 15 October 2012
Highlights: Surviving 48 hours on the road, Airport Lounges, QANTAS business class fun and pyjamas
A very long 2 days with 4 flights, 4 airlines, 5 countries and over 8,800 miles to get to Reykjavik, Iceland from Bangkok going via Singapore, Frankfurt and finally London. I somehow managed to survive the trip relatively okay, helped by 3 of the flights being in business class and having access to 3 airline lounges during this transportation ‘challenge’. Most importantly my bag made it to the final destination as well 🙂 (more…)
Today I finished the South East Asia leg of my 2012-13 World Trip. Visiting three countries over the last 2 weeks and 4 days; Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. For most of that time I was a member of a G Adventure tour group. I highly recommend G Adventure they are a great company that looks after you and they seem to attract good customers / travellers.
We had a diverse group age wise with 2 couples. Only 3 guys with me being the only single one does seem to be a trend of these track of adventure tours with most young guys going the backpacking route.
There were a lot of highlights including;
Night zoo safari, an Elephant ride, patting a tiger, kayaking in the sea and via dark caves, hiking in the highlands of Malaysia, watching a Shadow Puppet Show, visiting the stunning Batu Caves and watching fireflies light up trees like it was Christmas, Kuala Lumpur Towers at night and the beach resort in Koh Phangan which included a massage on the beach, Muay Thai Kickboxing
I was extremely lucky with the weather, it only rained at night never really effecting any activity. That said it is extremely hot and humid over here. You also have to get used to variable standards of facilities like toilets (which you pay for in public areas). The overnight train was much better than I expected and at most markets I was hassled as much as I thought I would be.
Facebook photos
1) South East Asia Facebook Photos (Part 1)
2) South East Asia Facebook Photos (Part 2)
3) South East Asia Facebook Photos (Part 3)
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Journal
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Day 01 – Singapore. Highlights: Business class lounge and lie flat seat
Day 02 – Singapore. Highlights: Sentosa Island, Singapore Zoo Night Safari
Day 03 – Singapore. Highlights: Jurong Bird Park, Listening to AFL Grand Final
Day 04 – Melaka. Highlights: Trishaw ride, Taoism Temple
Day 05 – Kuala Lumpur. Highlights: Petronas Towers, Chinese Night market, Reggae Bar
Day 06 – Kuala Lumpur. Highlights: National Palace, National Monument, National Mosque, Freedom Square, Batu Caves, Pewter Factory, Silver leafed monkeys and Fireflies
Day 07 – Kuala Lumpur. Highlights: Petronas Twin Towers and drive to Cameron Highlands
Day 08 – Cameron Highlands. Highlights: Tea Plantation, hiking in the forest, relaxing at the waterfall.
Day 09 – Penang. Highlights: Penang Hill, cocktails with the girls
Day 10 – Nakhon Si Thammarat. Highlights: Shadow Puppet Show
Day 11 – Koh Samui. Highlights: Elephant ride, Patting a tiger, Ferry crossing to Koh Samui
Day 12 – Koh Samui. Highlights: Ang Thong National Marine Park, Kayaking in the Gulf of Thailand
Day 13 – Koh Panghan. Highlights: Fun in the sun, Aroma Massage, Hiking, BBQ seafood, Chinese Lanterns.
Day 14 – Koh Panghan. Highlights: Crazy truck drive, overnight train to Bangkok.
Day 15 – Bangkok. Highlights: Royal Temple of Wat Po, Canal Ride, Farewelling group members.
Day 16 – Bangkok. Highlights: Jim Thompson House and Museum, Shopping at MBK, Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing).
Day 17- Bangkok. Highlights: Trip to old capital Ayutthaya, visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, with a river cruise back to Bangkok
Saturday 13 October 2012.
Highlights: Trip to old capital Ayutthaya, visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, with a river cruise back to Bangkok.
Sadly no tour members to see today means I’m rapidity finishing the South East Asian trip that began on Thursday 27 September when I left Australia. Today I had a booked tour to Ayutthaya which was the old capital of Siam (now Thailand) until 1767.
Friday 12 October 2012.
Highlights: Jim Thompson House and Museum, Shopping at MBK, Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing).
The tour officially ended at 8 am today but I had planned activities with my fellow travellers Sue, Ray, Sarah and Catherine and sole activity at the Muay Thai.
Thursday 11 October 2012.
Highlights: Royal Temple of Wat Po, Canal Ride, Farewelling group members.
After our quick showers we headed off for a short tour of Bangkok feeling a little under the weather, some more than others. A local bus ride with a wooden floor introduced us to this city as I was thrown around standing up with only two roof poles to save me from disaster. Even at 9.30 am the weather was oppressive.
Nathan's Insights 