That's 51 days (9 August to 29 September) and if that map's a little 'busy' for you, the itinerary is as follows:
Wellington - [Auckland] - [Hong Kong] - London - Montréal - New York - [Dallas/Fort Worth] - Las Vegas - [Miami] - Lima // Santiago - Buenos Aires - [Santiago] - [Auckland] - Wellington
The break between Lima and Santiago is a 22 day overland tour, Intrepid Travel's Southern Divide, which runs:
Lima - Cuzco - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes - Cuzco - Puno - Copacabana - La Paz - Sucre - Potosí - Uyuni - Salar de Uyuni - San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago
To find out where I'll be on which dates, visit my Yahoo! Calendar, or if you're down with the tech, hook into my Google Calendar (XML, iCal).
So, it's all fan-bloody-tastic I reckon! :) I'm absolutely stoked to have the chance to do this - and to have such understanding employers - and hopefully I'll be able to catch up with a few readers along the way, along with good friends of all makes and models, current and ex-colleagues (both English and Noozlelandish) and even a cousin thrown in there for good measure.
My español is progressing quite nicely too, thanks to the Hugo: In Three Months Latin American Spanish book/CD set - a 12 week course and currently only £16.50 on amazon.co.uk. Bargain.
Now, please please please leave a comment on this post with your top tips, must-sees, can't-misses, great hang-outs, cool consuming/imbibing joints and any other reflections on your own travels in any of the above spots ...
I'm particularly interested in hearing about Montréal, Las Vegas, Lima, La Paz, Santiago and Buenos Aires as I'll be losing my big city cherries to them on this trip. I've lived in London and have briefly visited New York before, but anything new and noteworthy in/on those two would be welcomed. Oh, and any recommendations as to good books or music to travel with would be ace as well. And if you don't want to use comments, I'll happily accept an email too!
The floor's all yours ... hop to it and with any luck I'll see you soon!
‹ 4.5.06
/ 10 comment(s)
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Comments
Feel free to leave a few words about this post. Pithy, on-point comments will earn you 100 frequent surfer miles and a place in the afterlife ...
"You're doing it in the right direction. In my experience, it's easier to go west than it is to go east.
Las Vegas of course has the Strip and the Fremont Street area, but you may also want to visit Red Rock Canyon (just west of the city) and the Hoover Dam (several miles southeast of the city)."
‹ posted by 
Ontario Emperor on 5.5.06 ›
"Ah! You should stop in Lisbon :).
Nice things to see, all year long!"
‹ posted by 
JM on 6.5.06 ›
"I reckon whilst in London you should take in the delights of Balham (Gateway to the soouth) - specifically Du Cane Court and The Exhibit ;o)"
‹ posted by world on 9.5.06 ›
"No Europe? Poor thing!
http://uroskin.blogspot.com/2003_09_01_uroskin_archive.html"
‹ posted by Uroskin on 11.5.06 ›
"you realise you're hitting vegas at the same time that Burning Man is on.... come up and join us! Put off that South American nonsense for a few days and come and have some über-nonsense at BM! :) You know you want to!"
‹ posted by Scally on 12.5.06 ›
"How much money have you reserved for your trip? I've been planning on for a round-the-world-trip for a while, but I haven't got any idea, how much money I should reserve..."
‹ posted by on 16.5.06 ›
"The cost? Well she ain't cheap, alas. The flights are part of a oneworld.com, five continent, 'round the world' fare, which is around $NZ5150 (including taxes and levies) in high season. I'm not utilising its full potential, but it's cheaper than doing the equivalent in single fares (at least it better bloody well be). The Intrepid tour was about $NZ2600, but that includes a 15% discount from the travel agent. Add a bit of spending money on top of that and you're probably looking at around $NZ10,000 ($US6250, £3300, €4850, ¥685,000). As I said, she ain't cheap!"
‹ posted by dave_p on 18.5.06 ›
"Oooh, whilst in London you must see your Birthday Twin's little man ;) And in Montreal, my hubby said the Biodomes are to die for (and good pictures!). It's like the Eden Project with animals in it, and v cool! Looking forward to seeing you - hope we can catch up :D jenx"
‹ posted by on 23.5.06 ›
"Pity no South Africa - would have made a great stopover on your way back!! Cape Town next time, OK?"
‹ posted by on 9.8.06 ›
"In Santiago, Chile you can go visit San Cristóbal hill (it's by Mapocho river, near downtown). Go to the top and eat "Mote con Huesillo" (it's a sweet dessert made of dried peaches and stewed corn... it's really goooood). You can also go skiing to Farellones, you can go to buy souvenirs to Pueblito de Los Domínicos, you can go dancing to Subterráneo disco or you can go visit all the museums downtown (a good picture can be taken from Palacio de la Moneda , that's like the Chilean Whitehouse). If I think of something else, I'll post again... I'm Chilean btw."
‹ posted by Karla Kauffmann on 12.8.06 ›