Trip Report: Round the World in 139 days (24 flights)

[coyote25]

Nathan

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying not only this trip report on here but even more so your blog site. I am looking at doing a RTW trip in 2014 and it is great to read of your travels. I think my trip will be similar to yours with a some organised adventure tours and some independent travel. I am a couple of years younger than you so like you probably a little older than the standard g adventures tucan or the like traveller but it sounds like you had a great group for your Asian adventure.

Hope you continue to have a great trip and I will definitely be following both this report and your blog site.

Great work!!

Thanks for the feedback fersea. I've done most types of travelling starting out with the Europe backpacking thing and catching Greyhound buses overnight in the USA overnight to save money. Then it was backpacking with occasional tours and medium level hotels to break up the hostel stays.

Now it is mostly tours using companies like G Adventure or Intrepid and independent travel in between with good hotels. Even for the tours now I usually opt for the single room option. This trip I used the 280k OW Award for business travel, thank you AFF members

On this trend it will be 5 star hotel rooms, Trafalgar or better tour companies maybe even cruises. Maybe one day my first ever F international travel .

Seriously I recommend G Adventure because they do have a spread of people not just 20 year olds and the 18-25 year olds actually want to experience the place. You just need a good attitude and be willing to share and help, something I guess you naturally do being a AFF member.

Now the upcoming Central America tour will be interesting because they have a under 40 years old age limit meaning I will almost certainly be the oldest. Might be the last adventure tour I go on!


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[coyote25]

Madrid (Barajas) Airport
26 October 2012.

Caught the train (Metro) from central Madrid costing 5 Euros which has a 3 Euro 'airport gate' fee. Leaving at 8.15 am I caught a but of peak hour crowd but changing lines twice and 45 minutes later I was at the airport, it's a good option.

Your have to go up to the top level of the airport to check in for flights leaving terminal 4S and for some for terminal 4. As a business traveller apparently I was entitled to a J Check in counter not that I could see/find it. Bags were checked as priority and I was given a fast track card for security. At fast track I noticed at least four lanes, I was the only one there so easy and fast clearance.

Leaving from terminal 4S you need to catch a train it takes only a few minutes and I didn't have to wait long.

Iberia Business Lounge
A huge lounge that goes on forever. There are showers if you turn left on entry. No free wifi that I could find but at least 8 PCs with fast Internet connections. Lots of food option starting with breakfast until 11 am that was better than a lot of hotel buffets.

Sandwiches and snacks after 11 am, as normal lots of alcohol. There are lots of chairs with Power point access. I recommend turning right on entry as that is the quiet end of the lounge. They make announcements for flights. It takes about 10 minutes to get to gates in the R section despite he signs saying 15-20 minutes.


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[coyote25]

Photos Madrid Airport - Iberia Lounge T4S

 

[coyote25]

Flight 10: Madrid to Buenos Aires (EZE)

Date: 26 October 2012
Flight Number: Iberia - IB 6845
Fare type: Business (RTW Award)
Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A340-600
Requested Seat: 1L
Allocated Seat: 1L (bulk head)
In-flight Entertainment: AVOD (arm chair)

Scheduled Departure: 12.30
Actual Departure: 12.45 (pull back but waited another 30 minutes to takeoff)

Scheduled Arrival: 19.45
Actual Arrival: 20.40
Duration: 12 Hours 55 mins

Meal:
Pre departure water, orange juice or wine.

Starters; hot bread with extra Virginia olive oil, veal with vegetables, potato, octopus and prawn salad. Goat cheese with grapes.

Main; Tuna and ratatouille cannelloni with tomato and cider sauce.
Other choices; roast suckling pig (not available when they came to me) or meagre back with Pedro Ximenez wine sauce.

Desserts;
Chocolate ice cream.
Other choice; passion fruit tartlet

Dinner (titled mid afternoon for some reason)
Iberico ham and cured loin, cheese and bread rolls. Fresh fruit. Tea was offered but not takes.

Summary:
Boarding had a priority line for business plus (business) but the 'queue' for general boarding meant no way to get there. There were 42 business seats I later counted 35 people in the cabin. I ended up with an empty seat next to me, add that to the bulk head and it felt like I had a suite to myself

Staff were attentive but there were occasional language problems, I only know a few words of Spanish. The In-flight system was turned on just as we left the ground. Reasonable selection of movies and TV shows in English, wider selection in Spanish. I went for movies I hadn't seen, like Rock of Ages and despite it being free I still felt cheated watching this movie. The in seat power kept my iPad running for games and movies I actually preferred.

Haven't ever caught a long, 8 hour plus, flight that wasn't overnight before, at least in business class it's actually more enjoyable. The seat was near flat and I caught a few minutes sleep but given it was a day flight thought I'd rather play games.

WARNING - it was unclear to me if Australians pay an entry fee for Argentina, I found a lot about USA citizens having to pay. In fact we pay $100 USD in pesos, currently 476 pesos. You can use a credit card. Entry is valid for next 12 months.


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[coyote25]

Madrid to Buenos Aires Flight

Main meal pic and seat (with bonus empty seat next to me).

 

[fersea]

I am surprised given the amount if research you have obviously done that you didn't know about the reciprocity fee. I understand that by the end if the year it will have to be done online before arrival.

I believe it only applies if arriving by air but not sure about what happens under the new arrangements.

 

[fersea]

On this trend it will be 5 star hotel rooms, Trafalgar or better tour companies maybe even cruises. Maybe one day my first ever F international travel .

app

But do you think they will be better? Better hotels probably but who wants to spend much time in the hotel? I would imagine too on those tours that everything would take longer? I.e on a coach tour a simple photo pop that would take two ins if you were driving takes a min of 10 on a coach.

Have you done the Eurail or Busabout?

 

[coyote25]

But do you think they will be better? Better hotels probably but who wants to spend much time in the hotel? I would imagine too on those tours that everything would take longer? I.e on a coach tour a simple photo pop that would take two ins if you were driving takes a min of 10 on a coach.

Have you done the Eurail or Busabout?

You are right about luxury hotels, when travelling to see a place you don't need them, you need to get out and about. In fact they discourage you from going out, and you even have less interaction with fellow travellers yet alone people in the country you are visiting, its one of the reasons I still do adventure travelling at basic places (and to save money).

In regards to Busabout yep used them they are great or at least used to be (2006). You meet a heap of great travellers on the bus in between towns/cities, link up with a few of them and swap stories on great things to do. They can also be a support in unfamiliar places, ie you can go out and get drunk in a group and someone will look after you.

I have done the car hire thing as well. Works well in a Western type place (at least for me), excluding hire and insurance costs, but not so great in other places like say Egypt where I'm still not sure of the road rules other then have confidence and go when you want.

In the end we all have different preferences the only wrong way to travel IHMO is with a bad attitude (ie we are so much better) and unfairly exploiting the locals. Outside these two rules have fun and do what suits you!


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[coyote25]

I am surprised given the amount if research you have obviously done that you didn't know about the reciprocity fee. I understand that by the end if the year it will have to be done online before arrival.

I believe it only applies if arriving by air but not sure about what happens under the new arrangements.

Yeah I knew 90% there was a fee just not the amount and the fee because most website focused on the USA fee ($160 USD for 10 years worth of visits we get 1 year). If I was only going to Argentina I would have 100% known, big trips take your focus all other the place.


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[Ric]

Great TR! Lots of those places are on my bucket list e.g. Iceland, Cuba Costa Rica and others I have visited but won't mind going back there again!
Heck, I will have to bring my fly rod with me!!
Hope you have kept a detail listing of your bookings and prices paid as I certainly will be picking your brains for a similar trip when you get back!
Meanwhile, Happy travelling!

 

[coyote25]

Buenos Aires (Jorge Newbery) Airport
29 October 2012

Jorge Newbery is the domestic airport although there are a few international flights as well, very close to the city. The airport is right next to the ocean and today was a rough weather day with water spilling onto the roads. I believe this is the reason for a heap of cancellations and delays including a 2.5 hour delay to my flight.

Check in was simple enough, easy to follow signs and people orderly e en if it didn't look like it. Web checkin doesn't make anything go faster however as there wasn't a bag drop line, or I couldn't find it.

Check in is ground floor, security clearance was on the 1st floor. I set the alarm off and after the briefest par down ever, I think he guard touched me, I was airside. I have no status with Argentina Airlines (Skyteam) so no benefits however it didn't seem like there was a lounge anyway. Most boarding was via the tarmac, I think LAN used the air bridge.

There was a lot of water of the tarmac, huge splashes every time a plane landed.


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[coyote25]

Photos Buenos Aires (Jorge) Airport




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[coyote25]

Flight 11: Buenos Aires (AEP) to Ushuaia

Date: 29 October 2012
Flight Number: Aerolineas Argentinas - AR 1890
Fare type: Economy (Paid)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700 (Winglets)
Requested Seat: None
Allocated Seat: 15C
In-flight Entertainment: None

Scheduled Departure: 11.25
Actual Departure: 14.00

Scheduled Arrival: 15.00
Actual Arrival: 17.15
Duration: 3 Hours 15 mins

Meal:
Ham and cheese roll, chocolate biscuit and small cup of soft drink. You could also get tea or coffee.

Summary:
Boarded the plane from the tarmac while it was drizzling. We caught a bus over the the plane, I was one of the first of the bus while others were picking up their things, no point sanding in the win if I could avoid it . Packed plane, seats are fine for economy.

Landing in Ushuaia is very interesting, on the right side of the plane the mountains were almost at the height of the wing. Looking out the left side you could see we were still very high in the air.


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[coyote25]

Photo of the inflight meal



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[coyote25]

Flight 12: Ushuaia to El Calafate

Date: 30 October 2012
Flight Number: Aerolineas Argentinas - AR 1890
Fare type: Economy (Tour Flight)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700 (Winglets)
Requested Seat: None
Allocated Seat: 15E
In-flight Entertainment:None

Scheduled Departure: 12.20
Actual Departure: 13.05

Scheduled Arrival: 13.45
Actual Arrival: 14.15
Duration: 1 Hour 10 mins

Meal:
Fruit juice and a biscuit

Summary:
I forgot to include this flight in my initial count since the tour company booked it so it should really be 25 flights in 139 days. The airport was chaos, security was lengthy but at the same time they didn't care what I was taking into the plane. This was a short flight and actually it is a continuation of the flight from Buenos Aires as most Aerolineas Argentina flights to Ushuaia airport seem to be.

A middle seat in economy, something I always avoid via either status or online check or early check in at the airport. No luck this time but I had fellow tour travellers either side so no problems with the company. I was surprised they served a 'meal' while it isn't much it is something. Flight has smooth with no problems, when they get into the air Aerolineas Argentina seem efficient.

 

[coyote25]

Okay I'm nine hours away from boarding the MS Expedition boat headed for Antarctica. While not a flight or an airport lounge I might write up the boats accommodation for anyone wanting to go to Antarctica.

The major reason for my entire trip is about to begin

http://nathanburgessinsights.com/


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[ellen10]

Have fun!
Will look forward to reading of your experiences

 

[coyote25]

Just got back from any amazing trip to Antarctica, you can check out my blog on the trip here : http://nathanburgessinsights.com/

On return I've learned there is a general strike in Argentina tomorrow which now looks like this has resulted in my flight out of Ushuaia to Buenos Aires being cancelled tomorrow. Trying to change to one of the still listed flights but seems like AR don't have 24 hour assistance

I have two more flights after tomorrow's one on each day that aren't linked so I see problems with changing if it comes to that. Looks like a few problems now if I can't get on one of the few operating flights tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a resolution.


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[coyote25]

Ushuaia, Argentina Airport
20 & 21 November 2012

Originally scheduled to leave Ushuaia on 20 November but a national strike kills that booking. Argentina Airlines rebooks me from a 12.05 flight on 20th to a 22.15 flight on 21th. The delay kills connecting flight on American Airlines scheduled for 21st.

Unlike most passengers I still head to the airport, costing 45 pesos ($9 AUD) each way, to pleaded my case. This results in positive action as I'm moved to 13.45 flight on 21st giving me a chance to switch AA flight from 11 am to 9 pm. Everyone else back at hotel had no luck doing the same via phone so a worthwhile visit. There were not many people at the airport, no chaos at all.

I return on the 21st and get to the airport with a longest line. The day before I was given my boarding pass so I'm relatively happy. A few ,I mutes later a few bus loads of PAX show up and the airport gets chaotic behind me. Checkin went well considering. I'm informed plane delayed by 50 minutes which now cuts my 4 hour connection of non linked tickets down to 3 hours. If it goes to plan I'll be fine.

you have to pay a departure tax at a separate window (later I saw people at security turned back because they didn't know!). The tax is 28 pesos of $6 USD. Security is simple enough I don't think they are really checking very hard, well except that you paid the tax

Airside there is free wifi (how I'm writing this report) which is great. There is a 'restaurant' more like a snack bar. Pepsi can costs 20 pesos or $4 AUD. Lots of chairs to sit down but they have scheduled extra flights to get people out today so it will get crowded.

from the 1st level of can see stressed out people trying to get out earlier to make connections. The strike was bad but it does seem the airport and airline staff are trying to help.

Fingers crossed this flight doesn't get further delayed and ,y bag shows up on time for AA flights commencing in Buenos later tonight.

 

[coyote25]

Why I fly QANTASMost of us know or are aware of the current ad about reasons to fly QANTAS, well I have a reason. When things go bad they look after you well.

I'm currently in Argentina. I have just completed an amazing 22 days in the Patagonia Region and an Expedition to Antarctica. During the 11 days in Antarctica I had no contact with the rest of the world. On returning I found Argentina had a national strike meaning my Argentina Airlines flight was cancelled. After dealing with them I managed to get a flight out the next day that would get me into Buenos Aires around 5.30 pm.

Now the problem is I had an American Airline flight at 11 am part of the excellent OW Award I had booked via QF. Ringing QF at 2 am AEST I explained the problem, there was no award seats on the AA flight to Miami later that day. They could reroute me to my destination Dallas (I had a 16 hour overnight stopover in Miami) via another coty but that breaks the re routing rules after you have commenced the ticket. I said the J seat wasn't the issue, I was supposed to join up with my mother in Dallas to take her to Washington and New York. I'd take any seat or option to make that meeting point.

I was told they would work on the problem and to call back. I called back several times discussing the problem and what solutions could be used. Every time I got a sympathetic ear and it was obvious lots of notes where written down which helped each call back.In the end QF got AA to open up a J seat for the 9.15 pm flight so that I could get the next flight leaving Miami flight at 11.15 am on 22/11 (new flight arrives 4.15 am giving 7 hours at airport). I didn't expect them to do this, I was hoping for a Y seat to somehow get me to Dallas in time for the meet up and flight to Washington with my mum, or worse case get to Washington a few days later after paying some fees etc.

This is the reason I choose to fly with QF. They looked after me with other airline (AA) for a problem that had nothing to do with either QF or AA. They got AA to open up a seat, allocated me a preferred seat and with Argentina Airlines keep there schedule (fingers crossed) I'll be able to meet up with my mum who I promised 10 months ago I would help her see Washington and New York which she was wanted all her life.

I got charged a nominal 3.5k points for all the work they did. I'm sure my status helped. Being at the southern most town in the world, with PAX struggling to find hotel rooms yet alone reorganise flights this was a major positive.We hear a lot of bad, I wanted to share want I consider exceptional service. Regardless of whether I make the new connection QF has done everything possible to give me a chance. Redroo please pass this on, when I get back in Feb I'll be writing a thank you to customer service put maybe an earlier positive feedback via yourself would be good as well. Now lets hope AR can keep something like there schedule to make the hard work worthwhile.