- Countries visited: 23
- Cities visited: 108
- Flights taken: 40 flights, with longest flight travel day being London => Honolulu (19 hours)
- Buses/trains/boats taken: 43 segments, with the longest travel day being Iguazu => Salta (27 hours by bus)
- Languages spoken: 13 different ways to say “hello” and “thank you”, and “beer please”
- Casualties of travel: stuff lost, stolen, or plain driven into the ground from repeated use.
- 1 car (Nissan Tsuru) stolen in Mexico :(
- 1 pair swim trunks (Rich) stolen in Belize while drying on clothes line
- 1 belt (Rich), lost on an airport shuttle in Mexico
- 1 umbrella (Rich), forgotten on a table in Hue, Vietnam
- 3 pairs of sunglasses, one lost jumping off a boat in Belize (Rich), one broken jumping into a river in in Laos (Ana), one dropped too many times to see through (Rich) and subsequently misplaced (Ana)
- 1 jeans (Rich), tossed with too many holes to wear in public :o)
- 2 pairs underwear (Rich), torn to shreds from washing too often
- 2 pairs of flip-flops (Rich/Ana), worn through the soles
- 1 backpack (Rich) with torn zipper… replaced in Vietnam
- 1 winter parka (Ana), lost in Budapest airport
- Cheapest booze: Bia Hoi beer corners in Saigon at $0.20 a beer
- Most $$$ spent: Spain because of the Euro, expensive cost per day (36% over budget), and high number of days (35 days)
- Least $$$ spent: Hong Kong because of low number of days (2 days)
- Most expensive per day: Fiji (131% over budget) because of small puddle jumper planes to get to outer islands and scuba diving trips.
- Least expensive per day: Bangkok (43% below budget) because we just sat around waiting for visas, otherwise Laos with $10 a night rooms.
- Cost breakdown: Percent of expenditures broken down by Category…
Category % Cost Lodging 27 % OneWorld Explorer Ticket 14 % Regional Airfare 12 % Transportation (other) 13 % Breakfast 2 % Lunch 4 % Dinner 9 % Booze 5 % Other (activities) 14 % Total 100 % - Country cost breakdown: Percent of expenditures broken down by Country… Final costs with airfare and all excursions came in at 1% under budget over a total of 315 days.
Country % Days % Cost % Over budget Spain 11 % 15 % 35 % USA 5 % 5 % 15 % Mexico 5 % 5 % -5 % Caribbean 3 % 4 % 20 % Belize 3 % 4 % 29 % Peru 5 % 4 % -21 % Argentina 10 % 7 % -29 % Chile 6 % 5 % -25 % New Zealand 8 % 8 % 1 % Fiji 2 % 4 % 131 % Australia 6 % 10 % 73 % Hong Kong 1 % 1 % 30 % Philippines 6 % 6 % -2 % Thailand 3 % 2 % -43 % Vietnam 7 % 4 % -40 % Malaysia 2 % 2 % -8 % Laos 3 % 2 % -35 % Morocco 6 % 5 % -11 % Portugal 3 % 3 % 7 % Czech 1 % 1 % 4 % Slovakia 1 % 1 % -6 % Hungary 1 % 1 % -7 % UK 1 % 1 % -4 % Overall -1 % - Web Blog: some data points for the blog and picasaweb… These all come from the google analytics service.
- 502 visits, 114 unique visitors, average 7 visitors per day
- 2791 published photos (of nearly 10,000 taken)
- 68 blog entries
- strangest originating country for page visit: Iran (1 hit)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Some Stats
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Final Itinerary
Spain (35 Nights)
Madrid (4 nights: Wed May 27 – Sun May 31)
Tue, May 26 2009: (SFO => LHR) United Airlines FLT 954.......................................... 12:21pm => 06:55am (+1 day)
Wed, May 27 2009: (LHR => MAD) British Airways FLT 7055.................................... 10:55am => 2:15pm
This is the first leg of the trip: We book our own flights from SFO to Spain, as the OneWorld Explorer ticket starts from London. We stay 4 nights at the xxx hotel on Via Grande.
Driving Andalusia (10 nights: Sun May 31 – Wed Jun 10)
We pick up a car in Madrid and drive it to Barcelona through Andalusia.
Toledo (1 night: Sun May 31 – Mon Jun 1)
Medieval town outside of Madrid with very steep and narrow streets
Córdoba (2 nights: Mon Jun 1 – Wed Jun 3)
Center on knowledge and learning for Moors, Christians, and Jews during the 10th century
Carmona (1 night: Wed Jun 3 – Thu Jun 4)
Stay at a parador overlooking the countryside.
Seville (2 nights: Thu Jun 4 – Sat Jun 6)
A medium sized city straddling the Guadalquivir river known for its whitewashed houses and palaces such as the Alcázar. Lots of cool neighborhoods and taverns to explore… It has an impressive Cathedral.
Grenada (2 nights: Sat Jun 6 – Mon Jun 8)
Small hill town known for the Alhambra and neighborhoods of whitewashed houses such as the Albayzín… Also renowned for its tapas bars and tea shops
Calpe (2 nights: Mon Jun 8 – Wed Jun 10)
Beach town on the Mediterranean coast with some cool hiking possibilities
Barcelona (7 nights: Wed Jun 10 – Wed Jun 17)
Carlos arrives from SFO on Wednesday and is travelling for 2 weeks. We rent an apartment for a week in the city that sleeps all three of us. Visit Beaches, Gaudi architecture, and explore the city.
Basque Country (6 nights: Wed Jun 17 – Tue Jun 23)
Rent a car in Barcelona and drive north to Basque Country and beyond. Carlos flies back home on the 23rd, so the needs to leave San Sebastián on the 22nd to stay overnight near the Barcelona airport.
Pamplona (1 night: Wed Jun 17 – Thu Jun 18)
Pit stop on the way to San Sebastián… We are 3 weeks too early for the running of the bulls.
San Sebastián (3 nights: Thu Jun 18 – Sun Jun 21)
Beaches, swimming, and great party atmosphere, as this is a college town right on the French Border.
Bilbao (2 nights: Sun Jun 21 – Tue Jun 23)
Gugenheim Museum, get Carlos back to Barcelona.
Cantabria / Castile-León (7 nights: Tue Jun 23 – Tue Jun 30)
Making our way back to Madrid…
Santander (2 nights: Tue Jun 23 – Thu Jun 25)
Beach town along the Atlantic
Picos de Europa (3 nights: Thu Jun 25 – Sun Jun 28)
Stay outside of Piste for some day hikes in the mountains.
Segovia (2 nights: Sun Jun 28 – Tue Jun 30)
Medieval town outside of Madrid, known for its still-standing Roman Aqueduct
Madrid (1 night: Tue Jun 30 – Wed Jul 1)
Stay overnight near the airport to catch an early flight.
U.S. East Coast (12 Nights)
New York (6 Nights: Wed Jul 1 – Tue Jul 7)
Wed, July 1 2009: (MAD => LHR) British Airways FLT 7062........................................ 9:55am => 11:15am
Wed, July 1 2009: (LHR => JFK) British Airways FLT 177............................................. 1:40pm => 4:10pm
Entry point to the East Coast: First flight using the One World Explorer Pass, since we technically start in London…
New York City I4 nights: Wed Jul 1 – Sun Jul 5)
4th of July in the States… Lure Sun-D up from Washington DC.
Beacon (2 nights: Sun Jul 5 – Tue Jul 7)
Visit Dawn Camner at her house upstate along the Hudson River.
Raleigh, North Carolina (6 nights: Tue Jul 7 – Mon Jul 13)
Tue, July 7 2009: (JFK => RDU) American Airlines FLT 4655....................................... 1:40pm => 3:25pm
Raleigh (3 nights: Tue Jul 7 – Fri Jul 10)
Stock up on gear (shopping) and resolve any stateside property / financial / insurance issues. Hang out with Patrick Schultz.
Carrboro (3 nights: Fri Jul 10 – Mon Jul 13)
Visit Bob, Steph, and Cate… Spend a long weekend in RTP catching up.
Central America (39 Nights)
Yucatan, Mexico (9 Nights: Mon Jul 13 – Wed Jul 22)
Mon, July 13 2009: (RDU => JFK) American Airlines FLT 4673................................... 7:55am => 9:30am
Mon, July 13 2009: (JFK => CUN) American Airlines FLT 1671................................... 11:45am => 2:55pm
Entry point to Mexico and Central America…
Playa del Carmen (6 nights: Mon Jul 13 – Sun Jul 19)
Swimming, Scuba diving, etc…
Tulum (1 night: Sun Jul 19 – Mon Jul 20)
Rent a car in Playa, visit ruins along the beach
Chichen Itza (2 nights: Mon Jul 20 – Wed Jul 22)
Visiting ruins in Coba and Chichen Itza and swim in Cenotes
Chiapas, Mexico (7 Nights: Wed Jul 22 – Wed Jul 29)
Too far to get to Oaxaca coast, so we stop just short driving into the Chiapas mountains
Champoton (1 night: Wed Jul 22 – Thu Jul 23)
Travel day… stop along the way on the coast.
Palenque (1 night: Thu Jul 23 – Fri Jul 24)
Travel day… stop along the way in the mountains. Visit Misol-Ha.
San Cristobal (3 nights: Fri Jul 24 – Mon Jul 27)
Travel day… Sumidero Canyon, report stolen car
Cancun (2 nights: Mon Jul 27 – Wed Jul 29)
Overnight here to catch flight after noon…. Resolve stolen car.
Xxxx (11 Nights: Wed Jul 29 – Sun Aug 9)
Wed, Jul 29 2009: (CUN => XXX) Flight 153...................................................................... 2:35pm => 5:10pm
Belize (11 Nights: Sun Aug 9 – Thu Aug 20)
Sun, Aug 9 2009: (XXX => CUN) Flight 152........................................................................ 12:55pm => 1:20pm
I screwed up the planning a bit here. There are not many options for getting to Belize from Mexico, as there are no direct flights between the two countries except for Maya Air regional jet.
Cancun (1 night: Sun Aug 9 – Mon Aug 10)
Need to stay overnight to get to the Cayes.
Caye Cauker (6 Nights: Mon Aug 10 – Sun Aug 16)
Mon, Aug 10 2009: (CUN => BZE) Maya Island Air FLT 1010...................................... 2:00pm => 2:20pm
Mon, Aug 10 2009: (BZE => CUK) Maya Island Air FLT 218......................................... 3:40pm => 3:53pm
Off the coast to hang out and dive/snorkel
Day 1: Arrival, travel day
Day 2: Planning day / free day
Day 3: Dive, blue hole & lighthouse reef
Day 4: Free day
Day 5: snorkel / sailing trip
Day 6: Free day
Cayo, San Ignacio (3 Nights: Sun Aug 16 – Wed Aug 19)
Water taxi to Belize City… leaves every hour starting at 8:30am
Bus to San Ignacio… leaves every ½ hour
Exploring caves and underground rivers… Rainforest
Day 1: Arrival, travel day… walk to “Branch mouth”.
Day 2: Achtun Tunichil Muknal cave exploration
Day 3: Free Day… take cab out to bullet tree falls to hang out.
Belize City (1 Night: Wed Aug 19 – Thu Aug 20)
Bus to Belize City… leaves every ½ hour
Need to catch a flight the next morning.
Miami, Florida (3 Nights: Thu Aug 20 – Sun Aug 23)
Thu, Aug 20 2009: (BZE => CUN) Maya Island Air FLT 1009........................................ 10:40am => 1:00pm
Fri, Aug 20 2009: (CUN => MIA) American Airlines FLT 2192.................................... 4:50pm => 7:33pm
Visit Gina and family.
South America (65 Nights)
Peru (15 Nights: Sun Aug 23 – Mon Sep 7)
Lima, Peru (1 Night: Sun Aug 23 – Mon Aug 24)
Sun, Aug 23 2009: (MIA => LIM) American Airlines FLT 917...................................... 5:15pm => 9:55pm
Entry point to Peru… The flight arrives late, so we need to stay overnight.
Cusco, Peru (4 Nights: Mon Aug 24 – Fri Aug 28)
Day 1: Travel day
Day 2: Sacsayhuayman
Day 3: Free day, museums
Day 4: Pisac ruins
Aguas Calientes, Peru (1 Night: Fri Aug 28 – Sat Aug 29)
Hike around Machu Picchu… Just stay overnight. Day hike when we arrive… Head to Machu Picchu the first thing in the morning to make it up to Huyana Picchu.
Cusco, Peru (2 Night: Sat Aug 29 – Mon Aug 31)
Machu Picchu with a morning hike up to the sun gate… Arrive by train from Machu Picchu. Keith flies back to Lima on the 30st.
Puno, Peru (1 Nights: Mon Aug 31 – Tue Sep 1)
Mon, Aug 31 2009: Bus from Cusco to Puno................................................................. 8:00am => 3:00pm
Lake Titicaca… Break up the bus ride from Cusco to Arequipa.
Arequipa (5 Nights: Tue Sep 1 – Sun Sep 6)
Tue, Sep 1 2009: Bus from Puno to Arequipa............................................................... 8:00am => 2:00pm
Look for a place to go on a multi-day trek.
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: city touring
Day 3 – 5: trek in Colca Canyon
Lima (1 Night: Sun Sep 6 – Mon Sep 7)
Sun, Sep 6 2009: Bus (Arequipa => Lima)...................................................................... 4:00pm => 7:00am
Overnight (on bus) to catch a flight the next day
Argentina (26 Nights: Mon Sep 7 – Sat Oct 3)
Buenos Aires (11 Nights: Mon Sep 7 – Fri Sep 18)
Mon, Sep 7 2009: (LIM => EZE) Lan Airlines FLT 4641................................................. 12:35pm => 6:50pm
Entry point to Argentina: TBD… Long term stay… Spend the 1st 2 nights in a bed and breakfast, then rent an apartment in the Palmiero for 9 nights.
Puerto Iguazú (3 nights: Fri Sep 18 – Mon Sep 21)
Fri, Sep 18 2009: Bus (Buenos Aires => Puerto Iquazu).............................................. 7:40pm => 11:15am
Spend a full day checking out Iquazu falls.
Day 1: travel day via overnight bus… ½ day in BA.
Day 2: travel day via overnight bus… arrive at noon.
Day 3: full day Iguazú Falls (Argentina side).
Salta (4 nights: Mon Sep 21 – Fri Sep 25)
Mon, Sep 21 2009: Bus (Puerto Iguazu => Salta).......................................................... 10:45am => 2:15pm
Day 1: travel day, overnight bus
Day 2: travel day, arrive
Day 3: planning day, walk around city
Cafayate (2 nights: Fri Sep 25 – Sun Sep 27)
Fri, Sep 25 2009: Bus (Salta => Cafayate)....................................................................... 9:00am => 12:30pm
Day 1: travel day, visit wineries in town
Day 2: rent bikes and visits different wineries
San Juan (3 nights: Sun Sep 27 – Wed Sep 30)
Sun, Sep 27 2009: Bus (Cafayate => Tucuman)............................................................. 6:00am => 12:00pm
Sun, Sep 27 2009: Bus (Tucuman => San Juan)............................................................. 9:00pm => 8:00am
Day 1: travel day, spend the day in Tucuman before overnight bus
Day 2: travel day, arrive in the morning and walk around town
Day 3: visit wineries by bus/cab
Mendoza (3 nights: Wed Sep 30 – Sat Oct 3)
Wed, Sep 30 2009: Bus (San Juan => Mendoza)........................................................... 11:30am => 1:50pm
Wine tasting and landscapes… possible activities:
Day 1: travel day, start Chile planning
Day 2: explore city, shop for shoes, maps, books
Day 3: take bus to Maipu for some wine tasting by bicycle
Chile (24 Nights: Sat Oct 3 – Tue Oct 27)
Valparaiso (4 nights: Sat Oct 3 – Wed Oct 7)
Sat, Oct 3 2009: Bus (Mendoza => Valparaiso).............................................................. 10:00am => 6:00pm
Arrive from Mendoza by bus (8 hours). This is a coastal town with steep hills that butt up against the ocean. Explore the town and take cable cars and “elevators” to different town districts.
Day 1: travel day, bus over the Andes
Day 2-3: walk around town and check out some ascensors
Day 4: walk around town and visit Pablo Nevarro’s house… take overnight bus to Pucón.
Pucón (4 nights: Wed Oct 7 – Sun Oct 11)
Tue, Oct 6 2009: Bus (Valparaiso => Pucón).................................................................. 10:00pm => 8:00am
This is the northern part of the Lake District. Hike around volcanoes and high lakes and soak in hot springs. We cut this section short because it was raining all week.
Day 1: arrive, walk around town and plan the week’s events
Day 2: rent a car… check out the outer lakes and waterfalls go to a Termas hot spring
Day 3: hiking in Parque Nacional Huerquehue
Day 4: free day, planning day… laundry
Castro (3 nights: Sun Oct 11 – Wed Oct 14)
Sun, Oct 11 2009: Bus (Pucón => P. Montt).................................................................. 8:00am => 1:00pm
Sun, Oct 11 2009: Bus/Ferry (P. Montt => Castro)....................................................... 1:15pm => 5:15pm
Chiloé Island: Visit towns and the national park here.
Day 1: travel day, arrive late.
Day 2: walk around town, take ferry to Curaco de Vélez and Ancao
Day 3: hike in Parque Nacional Chiloé
Puerto Montt (1 night: Wed Oct 14 – Thu Oct 15)
Wed, Oct 14 2009: Bus/Ferry (Castro => P. Montt)..................................................... 11:00am => 3:00pm
Stay overnight to make it easier to catch the flight to Punta Areans the next day.
Puerto Natales (3 nights: Thu Oct 15 – Sun Oct 18)
Thu, Oct 15 2009: (PMC => PUQ) Sky Airlines FLT ...................................................... 12:30pm => 3:10pm
Thu, Oct 15 2009: Bus (P. Arenas => P. Natales)........................................................... 3:30pm => 6:30pm
This is Torres del Paine. Arrange for a multi-day trek through the park, or maybe do some smaller day hikes.
Day 1: travel day, arrive late
Day 2: day tour of park, Cueva Del Milodón (only good weather day)
Day 3: rent car, day hike to towers (if weather permits)
El Calafate, Argentina (2 nights: Sun Oct 18 – Tue Oct 20)
Sun, Oct 18 2009: Bus (P. Natales => Calafate)............................................................. 8:30am => 1:30pm
Glacier Perito Moreno
El Chaltén, Argentina (3 nights: Tue Oct 20 – Fri Oct 23)
Tue, Oct 20 2009: Bus (Calafate => Chaltén)................................................................. 8:00am => 11:00am
Parque National Glaciares (North)… This area has lots of day hikes around the Fitz Roy range.
Day 1: travel day, ½ day hike on Fitz Roy trail to Laguna de Los Tres.
Day 2: office day, laundry
Day 3: day hike to Laguna Torres and Glacier Grande
El Calafate, Argentina (1 night: Fri Oct 23 – Sat Oct 24)
Fri, Oct 23 2009: Bus (Chaltén => Calafate)................................................................... 8:00am => 11:00am
Overnight due to bus schedules…
Puerto Natales (2 nights: Sat Oct 24 – Mon Oct 26)
Sat, Oct 24 2009: Bus (Calafate => P. Natales)............................................................... 8:30pm => 1:30pm
Waiting for flight… It’s better to hang out here than in Punta Arenas.
Day 1: travel day, planning
Day 2: ½ day hike to Mirador Dorita outside of town
Punta Arenas (1 night: Mon Oct 26 – Tue Oct 27)
Mon, Oct 26 2009: Bus (P. Natales => P. Arenas)......................................................... 1:00pm => 4:00pm
We need to stay overnight for the early flight the next morning.
Australasia (50 Nights)
New Zealand North Island (13 Nights: Tue Oct 27 – Mon Nov 9)
Aukland (4 Nights: Tue Oct 27 – Sat Oct 31)
Sat, Oct 31 2009: (PUQ => SCL) LAN Airlines FLT 280................................................. 11:00am => 2:30pm
Sat, Oct 31 2009: (SCL => AKL) Qantas Airways FLT 322............................................. 11:10pm => 4:20am (+2 days)
Entry point to New Zealand and (possibly) the South Pacific: 2 nights lost on the plane ride over the International Date Line.
Day 1: travel day, most of this day is actually spent in the airport in Santiago
Day 2: travel day, combination of the International Date Line and a 13 hour flight
Day 3: jetlag recuperation and travel planning
Day 4: walking tour of Auckland
Whangarei (1 Night: Sat Oct 31 – Sun Nov 1)
Tried to go diving in the Poor Knight Islands, but it was too expensive. We did a day hike in the Abbot Caves instead to see some glow worms.
Paihia (2 Nights: Sun Nov 1 – Tue Nov 3)
Check out the Bay of Islands and meet up with Dave and Jenna. Walk around Waipoua Kauri Forest on the way up (giant trees more than 30m tall).
Ahipara (1 Night: Tue Nov 3 – Wed Nov 4)
Check out the bottom section of 90 Mile Beach.
Warkworth (1 Night: Wed Nov 4 – Thu Nov 5)
Need a day to split drive down to Ratorua. Check out Te Paki and the sand dunes at cape Reinga before heading south.
Rotorua (1 Nights: Thu Nov 5 – Fri Nov 6)
Mud, geysers, hot springs (out of town is better)
Downhill luge track… Jen skydives in Taupo on the drive down to Whakapapa.
Whakapapa (2 Nights: Fri Nov 6 – Sun Nov 8)
Tongariro Alpine Crossing… 22km day hike
Wellington (1 Night: Sun Nov 8 – Mon Nov 9)
Break up drive crossing islands… this may end up in some other town
New Zealand South Island (13 Nights: Mon Nov 9 – Sun Nov 22)
Nelson (2 Nights: Mon Nov 9 – Wed Nov 11)
Mon, Nov 9 2009: Ferry (Wellington => Picton)........................................................... 10:30am => 1:30pm
Wine tasting and wait for Dave and Jen to arrive by ferry.
Abel Tasman National Park (2 nights: Wed Nov 11 – Fri Nov 13)
National Park along the northwest coast of South Island…
Day 1: take a water taxi to Onetahuti where we get dropped off with our kayaks. Kayak to Aquapackers in The Anchorage (floating backpacker hostel).
Day 2: Kayak all the way back to Marahau where we started. Drive south and stop in Westport for the 2nd night after kayaking.
Franz Josef Glacier (2 Nights: Fri Nov 13 – Sun Nov 15)
Climb / trek the glacier… weather permitting.
Waknaka (1 Night: Sun Nov 15 – Mon Nov 16)
Break up drive and day hike Mt. Roy Peak.
Queenstown (3 Nights: Mon Nov 16 – Thu Nov 19)
This is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Bungee jumping was invented here.
Day 1: travel day, arrive from Wanaka… eat Ferg Burger.
Day 2: drive to Milford Sound to see the Fjords. Stay overnight in Te Anau.
Day 3: drive back to Queenstown
Lake Tekapo (1 Night: Thu Nov 19 – Fri Nov 20)
Break up drive from Queenstown to Christchurch.
Christchurch (2 Nights: Fri Nov 20 – Sun Nov 22)
Do some planning and await our flight to Fiji.
Fiji (7 Nights: Sun Nov 22 – Sun Nov 29)
Sydney, Australia (1 Night: Sun Nov 22 – Mon Nov 23)
Sun, Nov 22 2009: (CHC => SYD) Qantas Airways FLT 46............................................. 3:20pm => 4:40pm
Need to wait for the plane the next morning.
Nadi (1 Night: Mon Nov 23 – Tue Nov 24)
Mon, Nov 23 2009: (SYD => NAN) Air Pacific FLT FJ910.............................................. 1:55pm => 6:45pm
Need to wait until the next morning for our inter-island flight to Kadavu.
Kadavu (4 Nights: Tue Nov 24 – Sat Nov 28)
Tue, Nov 24 2009: (NAN => KDV) Air Pacific FLT FJ141............................................... 12:40pm => 1:25pm
Relax on the beach and maybe do a dive or two.
Nadi (1 Night: Sat Nov 28 – Sun Nov 29)
Sat, Nov 28 2009: (KDV => NAN) Air Pacific FLT FJ142................................................ 1:45pm => 2:30pm
Make our way to Nadi for our international flight back to Sydney.
Australia (17 nights: Sun Nov 29 – Wed Dec 16)
Sydney (7 Nights: Sun Nov 29 – Sun Dec 6)
Sun, Nov 29 2009: (NAN => SYD) Air Pacific FLT FJ911................................................ 9:00am => 12:25pm
Entry point to Australia: Meet up with Meelan and Carey who arrive in Sydney on the 28th.
Cairns (10 Nights: Sun Dec 6 – Wed Dec 16)
Sun, Dec 6 2009: (SYD => CNS) Qantas Airways FLT 922............................................. 10:35am => 12:40pm
This is our launching point to the Great Barrier Reef. We spend one night in town before heading aboard the SpoilSport for a 3 day / 3 night liveaboard dive trip (departs 7am). The remaining 6 days are planning days to organize our trip through Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
Southeast Asia (69 Nights)
Hong Kong (2 Nights: Wed Dec 16 – Fri Dec 18)
Wed, Dec 16 2009: (CNS => HKG) Cathay Pacific Airways FLT 102........................... 3:35pm => 8:40pm
Spend the day walking around Kowloon and Hong Kong, since we have to fly through to the Philippines. Go get some Dim-Sum!
Philippines (19 Nights: Fri Dec 18 – Wed Jan 6)
Fri, Dec 18 2009: (HKG => CEB) Cathay Pacific Airways FLT 921................................ 4:00pm => 6:40pm
Due to visa limitations, we can only stay a maximum of 21 days.
Cebu (1 Night: Fri Dec 18 – Sat Dec 19)
Stay overnight to make our way to Malapascua the next day.
Malapascua (4 Nights:Sat Dec 19 – Wed Dec 23)
Small island off the northern tip of Cebu that is known for thresher shark diving. It’s like a smaller and less crowded version of Boracay. The last night needs to be spent in Cebu to catch the flight to Boracay the next morning.
Boracay (6 Nights: Wed Dec 23 – Tue Dec 29)
Wed, Dec 23 2009: (CEB => Caticlan) SEAIR FLT 0835................................................. 1:35pm => 2:00pm
This is the definitive travel destination of the Philippines… Learn to kiteboard Bulabog beach. We signed up for a 12 hour certification instruction with Hagabat kiteboarding.
Coron (7 Nights: Tue Dec 29 – Tue Jan 5)
Tue, Dec 29 2009: (Caticlan => Manila) SEAIR FLT DG0012........................................ 9:00am => 9:55am
Tue, Dec 29 2009: (Manila => Busuanga) Cebu Pacific FLT SJ531............................. 1:35pm => 2:35pm
Known for ship wreck dives off the north coast of Palawan… This is also a good place to island hop to different beaches and snorkeling.
Manila (1 Night: Tue Jan 5 – Wed Jan 6)
Tue, Jan 5 2010: (Busuanga => Manila) Zest Air FLT 411............................................. 11:45am => 1:00pm
Stay the night here as we make our way back to Cebu for our flight out. Check out the old walled city of Intramuros.
Bangkok, Thailand (3 Nights: Wed Jan 6 – Sat Jan 9)
Wed, Jan 6 2010: (MNL => CEB) Zest Air FLT 380......................................................... 8:05am => 9:20am
Wed, Jan 6 2010: (CEB => HKG) Cathay Pacific Airways FLT 920............................... 12:45pm => 3:25pm
Wed, Jan 6 2010: (HKG => BKK) Cathay Pacific Airways FLT 703............................... 4:45pm => 6:40pm
Entry point to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand… We need to apply for our visa s to Vietnam (and possibly Laos) from here.
Vietnam (22 Nights: Sat Jan 9 – Sun Jan 31)
Saigon (5 Nights: Sat Jan 9 – Thu Jan 14)
Sat, Jan 9 2010: (BKK => SGN) Air Asia FLT FD 3724..................................................... 3:55pm => 5:20pm
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: walking tour of city
Day 3: boat ride up to the Mekong Delta, tour Vinh Lang and overnight at homestay
Day 4: Mekong Delta floating market and island tours
Day 5: planning day
Dalat (2 Nights: Thu Jan 14 – Sat Jan 16)
Thu, Jan 14 2010: Bus (Saigon => Dalat)......................................................................... 9:45am => 5:00pm
Check out crazy house and do easy-rider guided motorbikes tour to see some hill tribes.
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: easy-rider motorbike tour
Nha Trang (2 Nights: Sat 16 – Mon Jan 18)
Sat, Jan 16 2010: Bus (Dalat => Nha Trang).................................................................... 10:00am => 3:00pm
Beaches in Vietnam,
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: rent mopeds and tour town
Hoi An (2 Nights: Mon Jan 18 – Wed Jan 20)
Sun, Jan 17 2010: Bus (Nha Trang => Hoi A n)............................................................... 7:30pm => 5:00am (+ 1 day)
French colonial Vietnam,
Day 1: travel day (arrive early), visit My Son ruins
Day 2: walking tour
Hue (2 Nghts: Wed Jan 20 – Fri Jan 22)
Wed, Jan 20 2010: Bus (Hoi An => Hue)........................................................................ 7:30am => 1:00pm
The old imperial capital of Vietnam…
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: walking tour of the Citadel in the old imperial city
Hanoi (3 Nights: Fri Jan 22 – Mon Jan 25)
Fri, Jan 22 2010: (HUE => HAN) Vietnam Air FLT VN0244........................................... 2:30pm => 3:30pm
Capital of Vietnam… Beer corners! Set up our travel arrangements to Halong Bay and Sapa.
Day 1: travel day… Arrange bus and tours for Halong Bay.
Day 2: Arrange tours for Sapa and Halong Bay… walking tour of city.
Day 3: free day / planning day… wait for overnight train to Sapa.
Sapa (2 Nights: Mon Jan 25 – Wed Jan 27)
Sun, Jan 24 2010: Train (Hanoi => Lao Cai).................................................................... 9:15pm => 5:15am (+1 day)
Mon, Jan 25 2010: Bus (Lao Cai => Sapa)....................................................................... 6:00am => 7:30am
Rice paddy terraces and trekking…
Day 1: arrive early… trek
Day 2: day trek… train leaves back for Hanoi in the evening.
Hanoi (1 Night: Wed Jan 27 – Thu Jan 28)
Tue, Jan 26 2010: Bus (Sapa => Lao Cai)......................................................................... 6:00pm => 7:30pm
Tue, Jan 26 2010: Train (Lao Cai => Hanoi).................................................................... 8:30pm => 4:30am (+1 day)
Free day… wait for our tour of Halong Bay.
Halong Bay (3 Nights: Thu Jan 28 – Sun Jan 31)
Thu, Jan 28 2010: Bus (Hanoi => HaLong)...................................................................... 8:00am => 11:00am
Limestone cliffs jutting out of the sea…
Day 1: travel day… overnight on a boat in the bay.
Day 2: kayak around the bay and overnight on Bac Ha.
Day 3: make our way back to Hanoi and overnight there before flying on the next day.
Malaysia (11 Nights: Sun Jan 31 – Thu Feb 11)
Pulau Langkawi (3 Nights: Sun Jan 31 – Wed Feb 3)
Sun, Jan 31 2010: (HAN => KUN) Air Asia FLT AK871................................................... 9:15am => 1:30pm
Sun, Jan 31 2010: (KUN => LGK) Air Asia FLT AK5328................................................. 4:10pm => 5:10pm
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: beach
Day 3: rent bike/car and explore the island… swim in waterfall (seven pools)
Koh Lipe, Thailand (4 Nights: Wed Feb 3 – Sun Feb 7)
Wed, Feb 3 2010: Boat (Lanakawi => Satan)................................................................. 10:00am => 11:00am
Wed, Feb 3 2010: Boat (Satun => Koh Lipe).................................................................. 11:30am => 12:30pm
A short trip over to Thailand…
Day 1: travel day, hang out on beach
Day 2: hang out on beach
Day 3: hang out on beach
Day 4: hang out on beach
Georgetown (2 Nights: Sun Feb 7 – Tue Feb 9)
Sun, Feb 7 2010: Boat (Koh Lipe => Lankawi)............................................................... 10:30am => 12:30am
Sun, Feb 7 2010: Boat (Lanakawi => Georgetown)....................................................... 2:30pm => 5:00pm
Taste testing in Panag.
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: walk around town, taste testing street stalls
Kuala Lumpur (2 Night: Tue Feb 9 – Thu Feb 11)
Tue, Feb 9 2010: Bus (Georgetown => KL).................................................................... 9:00am => 2:00pm
We need to stay overnight to catch the early morning flight to Vientiane.
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: walk around city
Laos (11 Nights: Thu Feb 11 – Fri Feb 19)
Luang Prabang (4 Nights: Thu Feb 11 – Mon Feb 15)
Thu, Feb 11 2010: (KUN => VTE) Air Asia FLT AK612................................................... 8:10am => 9:40am
Thu, Feb 11 2010: (VTE => LPQ) Laos Air FLT QV105................................................... 1:00pm => 1:40pm
Day 1: travel day… look for a place to stay
Day 2: Ward arrives at 11:15am – free day
Day 3: rent bicycles, tour town and the surrounding areas.
Day 4: free day, visit Phu Si temple and other sites
Vang Vieng (3 Nights: Mon Feb 15 – Thu Feb 18)
Mon, Feb 15 2010: Bus (Luang Prabang => Vang Vieng)............................................. 9:00am => 4:00pm
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: tubing on the river
Day 3: hiking outside of town, swim in blue lagoon
Vientiane (2 Nights: Thu Feb 18 – Sat Feb 20)
Thu, Feb 18 2010: Bus (Vang Vieng => Vientiane)........................................................ 9:00am => 4:00pm
Day 1: travel day, golden stupa, eat some French cuisine
Day 2: Ward leaves (2:30pm), start organizing Morocco
Bangkok (3 Nights: Sat Feb 20 – Tue Feb 23)
Sat, Feb 20 2010: Bus (Vientiane => Bangkok).............................................................. 8:00am => 7:00pm
Kill some time here to wait for our flight back to Europe. We need to book 2 nights’ accommodation as our connecting flight to London actually departs late Monday night.
Europe / Mediterranean (43 Nights)
Morocco (19 Nights: Tue Feb 23 – Sun Mar 14)
Marrakech (3 Nights: Tue Feb 23 – Fri Feb 26)
Tue, Feb 23, 2010: (BKK => LHR) British Airways FLT 10............................................. 12:10am => 5:55am
Tue, Feb 23 2010: Bus (Heathrow => Gatwick)............................................................. 9:00am => 10:00am
Tue, Feb 23, 2010: (LGK => MAR) Easy Jet FLT 8895................................................... 3:30pm => 7:05pm
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: walking tour, explore souqs and Bahia Palace
Day 3: walk around, visit tombs
Casablanca (2 Nights: Fri Feb 26 – Sun Feb 28)
Fri, Feb 26 2010: Bus (Marrakesh => Casablanca)........................................................ 12:30pm => 4:00pm
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: walk around, visit Hassan II mosque
Meknes (2 Nights: Sun Feb 28 – Tue Mar 2)
Sun, Feb 28 2010: Bus (Casablanca => Meknes)........................................................... 1:00pm => 6:00pm
Imperial city of Morocco
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: walking tour of city (Mausoleum, Medina, etc.)
Fez (2 Nights: Tue Mar 2 – Thu Mar 4)
Tue, Mar 2 2010: Train (Meknes => Fez)....................................................................... 9:30am => 11:00am
Imperial city of Morocco
Day 1: travel day, walk around city
Day 2: walking tour of city
Merzouga (3 Nights: Thu Mar 4 – Sun Mar 7)
The Sahara Desert…
Day 1: travel day, via Ziz Valley (arrive late)
Day 2: 4x4 excursion through the dunes
Day 3: free day, walk out on dunes (optional overnight camel trek to oasis)
Dades Gorge (2 Nights: Sun Mar 7 – Tue Mar 9)
Day 1: travel day, via Todres Gorge (arrive late)
Day 2: day hike
Agadir (2 Nights: Tue Mar 9 – Thu Mar 11)
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: hang out on beach
Essaouira (2 Nights: Thu Mar 11 – Sat Mar 13)
Day 1: travel day, planning
Day 2: walk around the Medina
Casablanca (1 Night: Sat Mar 13 – Sun Mar 14)
Stay overnight to catch a flight the next day to Lisbon.
Portugal (10 Nights: Sun Mar 14 – Wed Mar 24)
Lisbon (4 Nights: Sun Mar 14 – Thu Mar 18)
Sun, Mar 14, 2010: (CMN => LIS) Royal Air Maroc FLT 982........................................ 12:10pm => 1:55pm
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: walking tour of city, birthday dinner and night out
Day 3: walk around Barrio Alto, more bar hopping
Day 4: day trip to Sintra
Porto (3 Nights: Thu Mar 18 – Sun Mar 21)
Thu, Mar 18 2010: Train (Lisbon => Porto).................................................................... 10:30am => 2:30pm
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: walking tour, port taste testing
Day 3: free day, port taste testing
Coimbra (2 Nights: Sun Mar 21 – Tue Mar 23)
Sun, Mar 21 2010: Train (Porto => Coimbra)................................................................ 10:50am => 12:00pm
Day 1: travel day, walk around city, check out some live Fado
Day 2: just hang out… book the remainder of our trip
Czech Republic (4 Nights: Tue Mar 23 – Sat Mar 27)
Prague (4 Nights: Tue Mar 23 – Sat Mar 27)
Tue, Mar 23 2010: Train (Coimbra => Porto)................................................................ 11:10am => 12:40pm
Tue, Mar 23, 2010: (OPO => MAD) RyanAir FLT 5485................................................. 3:55pm => 6:05pm
Tue, Mar 23, 2010: (LIS => PRG) WizzAir FLT 840........................................................ 8:20pm => 11:15pm
Meet up with Henry and hang out in the city (and bar hop).
Day 1: travel day (arrive late)
Day 2: check out old town on a walking tour
Day 3: free day, recover from late drinking night
Day 4: check out the castle/palace across the river; go big for last night in Prague
Slovakia / Austria (3 Nights: Sat Mar 27 – Tue Mar 30)
Bratislava (3 Nights: Sat Mar 27 – Tue Mar 30)
Sat, Mar 27 2010: Bus (Prague => Bratislava)................................................................ 1:00pm => 5:15pm
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: tour the city
Day 3: day trip to Vienna
Hungary (4 Nights: Tue Mar 30 – Sat Apr 3)
Budapest (4 Nights: Tue Mar 30 – Sat Apr 3)
Tue, Mar 30 2010: Bus (Bratislava => Budapest).......................................................... 11:00am => 1:30pm
Day 1: travel day
Day 2: free guided walking tour of the city
Day 3: check out the park and boulevard and thermal baths
Day 4: TBD
United Kingdom (4 Nights: Sat Apr 3 – Wed Apr 7)
London (4 Nights: Sat Apr 3 – Wed Apr 7)
Sat, Apr 3, 2010: (BUD => LHR) British Airways FLT 867.............................................. 1:30pm => 3:10pm
Hang out with Dave and Jen and stay the weekend with them.
Day 1: travel day, pork roast!
Day 2: walk around London city
Day 3: hiking in South Downs
Day 4: office day planning, free day
Back Home (21 Nights)
Honolulu, HI (9 Nights: Wed Apr 7 – Fri Apr 16)
Wed, Apr 7, 2010: (LHR => LAX) American Airlines FLT 137..................................... 10:55am => 2:05pm
Wed, Apr 7, 2010: (LAX => HNL) American Airlines FLT 297..................................... 4:35pm => 7:20pm
Visit Mom, Dad, Shelley
Los Angeles, CA (14 Nights: Fri Apr 16 – Fri Apr 30)
Fri, Apr 16, 2010: (HNL => LAX) American Airlines FLT 270....................................... 7:15am => 3:40pm
Visit Alex and Arnold. Buy a car for Ana. Hang out with uncle Chip.
San Francisco, CA
Back home
Thursday, April 8, 2010
London
The last port of call on our global tour… To be honest, we didn’t do much in the way of tourist sightseeing in London. Ana and I have both been here before on vacation, and had little motivation to reenact the Griswalds European Vacation by visiting The Bell (Big Ben) and Parliament. What we did do however, is hang out with some old friends who were gracious enough to put us up (and put up with us) for a few days. We met our friends Dave and Jenna some months back in Argentina, and it was great to be able to see them again. They had ended their extended travels a bit earlier than us… and as such we were able to get a bit of a preview of what “normal” life would be like back home for ourselves. Our two friends were in the thick of properly “domesticating” themselves… complete with a new flat, kitchenware, plates, furniture, and even a new home entertainment system. Jen had already started work, and explained to us the difficulties of getting her brain to think at business speed again. I think she might already be planning her next vacation! :o) Dave was in the process of interviewing for work and <gasp> even had to don a suit! Strange sighting indeed. It sounded as if he was trying to put off that start date for as long as possible… savoring his last vestiges of freedom while it lasted. Pretty hard to blame him. This scene left me with conflicting emotions pulling at my shirt sleeves: While I craved the sense of normalcy and stability that was home… I dreaded and feared the prospect of re-joining the workforce. Could I handle the pressures of project deadlines and large scale tasks? Would my mind be rusty from so much time off? Would I even remember how to work… or was I doomed to stare aimlessly, dreaming of my next getaway? Only time and (hopefully) some gainful employment will tell.
A couple of notes on London:
(Pics Here: http://picasaweb.google.com/richmosko/London)
- Roasts: Good Lord, why didn’t anybody tell me about these things? I mean, I’ve had them before… but they were nothing like this! Dave made a traditional Sunday pork roast for us the day that we arrived, and it was simply divine. So juicy… so succulent! With Yorkshire pudding: which is NOT a pudding but more like a little pastry cup to hold your gravy. Oh, and “crackle”… which is like the crack-cocaine part of the pig: the crisped broiled skin. Mmmmmm!
- The countryside: The English countryside is surprisingly beautiful. We did a little walk through the South Downs, which is a wetlands reserve just outside of Brighton near the coast… and it was really great: Rolling green hills and meadows, streams, migrating birds, and castles along the way with charming little town shires to stop for some tea or maybe an ale at the local pub.
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