The Travel Plan: Friday, January 9, 2009 through Thursday, May 21, 2009

On our trip around the world we will travel over 52,000 miles. It will be like circling the globe more than two times. We will visit 26 countries, nine for the first time, on five continents. Our itinerary is :

Friday. January 9 - Fly to San Francisco.
United Airlines #UA377. Mandarin Oriental Hotel - San Francisco.
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/sanfrancisco/?cid=gl_mosfo

Saturday, January 10 - Fly to Auckland, NZ.
Air New Zealand #NZ0007.

Sunday, January 11 - Cross International Dateline.
Lost Day

Monday, January 12 - Fly to Wellington.
Air New Zealand #NZ405. Arrive 9am. Pick up Hertz rental car. Stay at the Holiday Inn for two nights. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/660/en/hd/wlgfs

Tuesday, January 13 - Wellington.

Wednesday, January 14 - Travel to Nelson.
Ferry to South Island. Pick up Hertz rental car. Drive to Nelson. Stay at Bella Vista Motel for two nights. http://www.nelsonnz.com/nelson/
Thursday, January 15 - Nelson.

Friday, January 16 - Drive to Fox Glacier.
Stay at Misty Peaks, Cooks Suite. http://www.mistypeaks.co.nz/

Saturday, January 17 - Drive to Queenstown.
Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside for two nights.
Sunday, January 18 - Queenstown.
Drive to Milford Sound and back to Queenstown for boat ride on Milford Sound. http://www.activenewzealand.com/milford_sound.php

Monday, January 19 - Drive to Dunedin.
By way of Invercargill and coast. Stay at Bella Vista Motel. http://www.dunedinnz.com/

Tuesday, January 20 - Drive to Christchurch.
Use inland route. Stay at Bella Vista Motel for two nights.
Wednesday, January 21 - Christchurch http://www.christchurch.org.nz/

Thursday, January 22 - Fly to Sydney, Australia.
Air New Zealand #NZ783. Stay at Marriott Hotel at the Rocks for two nights.
Friday, January 23 - Sydney http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sydmc-sydney-harbour-marriott-hotel-at-circular-quay/

Saturday, January 24 - Depart for Perth, W Australia.
Board the India Pacific Train at 2:10. http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/indian-pacific/the-journey.php
Sunday, January 25 - On the Train. Stops at Broken Hill from 6:40AM to 08:20 and Adelaide 15:05 to 18:40.
Monday, January 26 - On the Train. Stop at Kalgoorlie at 19:10, depart 22:40. http://www.kalgoorlie-australia.com.au/

Tuesday, January 27 - Travel to Lowlands Beach.
Depart train in Perth. Pick up Hertz rental car. Drive to Cape Howe Cottages ("The Wardroom") for four nights. http://www.capehowe.com.au/
Wednesday, January 28 - Lowlands Beach
Thursday, January 29 - Lowlands Beach
Friday, January 30 - Lowlands Beach

Saturday, January 31 - Drive to Yallingup.
Stay at Wildwood Valley, Honeybee Cottage for two nights. http://www.wildwoodvalley.com.au/
Sunday, February 1 - Yallingup

Monday, February 2 - Drive to Fremantle.
Stay at Quest Harbor Village Apartments for three nights. http://www.harbourvillage.property.questwa.com.au/
Tuesday, February 3 - Fremantle
Wednesday, February 4 - Fremantle

Thursday, February 5 - Fly to Darwin, NT Australia, Quantas 792.
Stay at Mantra Esplanade (Saville Park Suites) Hotel for two nights. Pick up Hertz car at the airport.
Friday, February 6 - Darwin

Saturday, February 7 - Depart for Adelaide, S Australia.
Board the The Ghan Train at 09:00. Arrive Katherine 12:40, depart 16:45. http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/indian-pacific/the-journey.php
Sunday, February 8 - On the train. Arrive Alice Springs 11:15, depart 15:15. http://www.tourism.thealice.com.au/

Monday, February 9 - Travel to the Village of Seven Hills, Clare Valley.
Arrive Adelaide 1:10PM. Pick up Hertz rental car. Drive to Wren Cottage at Skillogalee Winery for two nights. http://www.skillogalee.com.au/
Tuesday, February 10 - Village of Seven Hills

Wednesday, February 11 - Drive to Oakbank.
Stay at Adelaide Hills Country Cottages (Lavender Fields Cottage) for four nights. http://www.ahcc.com.au/home.html
Thursday, February 12 - Oakbank
Friday, February 13 - Oakbank
Saturday, February 14 - Oakbank

Sunday, February 15 - Travel to Kangaroo Island.
Drive to Jervis, leave car, sail to the island on the Spirit of Kangaroo ferry. Check into "The Lookout", Kangaroo Island for two nights including two days of an island private tour. http://www.the-lookout.com.au/
Monday, February 16 - Kangaroo Island

Tuesday, February 17 - Travel to Sydney.
Return to mainland via Sealink ferry. Drive to Adelaide Airport. Fly to Sydney, Quantas 764. Check into Quay West Suites for two nights. http://www.mirvachotels.com/quay-west-suites-sydney
Wednesday, February 18 - Sydney

Thursday, February 19 - Board Tahitian Princess. http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/ta/index.html
Cabin #6091 Owner’s Suite. Sail at 22:00.

Friday, February 20 - At Sea

Saturday, February 21 - Brisbane, Australia 8:00 to 18:00.

Sunday, February 22 - At Sea
Monday, February 23 - At Sea

Tuesday, February 24 - Cairns, Australia 7:00 to 18:00.
Helicopter trip to Great Barrier Reef and Marine World on Moore Reef for SCUBA diving. http://www.reefmagic.com.au/

Wednesday, February 25 - At Sea
Thursday, February 26 - At Sea

Friday, February 27 - Rabaul, Papua/New Guinea 7:00 to 14:00. http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/rabaul.html

Saturday, February 28 - At Sea
Sunday, March 1 - At Sea

Monday, March 2 - Guam 12:00 to 19:00. http://www.visitguam.org/main/
Rent a car and explore the island, maybe do a shore dive.

Tuesday, March 3 - At Sea
Wednesday, March 4 - At Sea
Thursday, March 5 - At Sea

Friday, March 6 - Osaka, Japan 8:00 to 20:00. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
Take the train to Kyoto for the day.

Saturday, March 7 - Hiroshima, Japan 9:00 to 17:00. http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/e/index-E.html http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/miyajima_travel.html

Sunday, March 8 - At Sea

Monday, March 9 - Inchon, Korea 8:00 to 17:00.
Trip to DMZ. http://www.korea-dmz.com/en/cm/main_en.asp

Tuesday, March 10 - At Sea

Wednesday, March 11 - Shanghai, China 7:00 to 18:00.
Private car for tour of water town Zhujiajiao. http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/

Thursday, March 12 - At Sea
Friday, March 13 - At Sea

Saturday, March 14 - Disembark Hong Kong, China.
Check into the Intercontinental Hotel for two nights.
http://hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com/honic/index.shtml
Sunday, March 15 - Hong Kong

Monday, March 16 - Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines VN791. Check into Hilton Hanoi Opera for three nights.
http://www.vietnamstay.com/hotel/hilton/
Tuesday, March 17 - Hanoi
Wednesday, March 18 - Hanoi

Thursday, March 19 - Fly to Bangkok, Thailand.
Thai Air TG683. Check into Peninsula Hotel for two nights.
http://bangkok.peninsula.com/
Friday, March 20 - Bangkok

Saturday, March 21 - Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Bangkok Air PG915. Check into Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa for two nights. http://www.victoriahotels-asia.com/
Sunday, March 22 - Siem Reap.
Visit Angkor Wat and some other temples.
http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/cambodia/angkor_wat.html

Monday, March 23 - Fly to Bangkok.
Bangkok Air PG906. Check into the Peninsula Hotel for three nights.
Tuesday, March 24 - Bangkok
Wednesday, March 25 - Bangkok
Thursday, March 26 - Bangkok.
A late hotel check out for a flight to Singapore. Thai Air flight TG401.

Friday, March 27 - Travel to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, Singapore Air Flight #SQ478. Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, South African Airways SA40. Check into Victoria Falls Hotel.

Saturday, March 28 - Travel to Dullstroom, South Africa.
Fly to Johannesburg, South African Airways SA41. Pick up 4-WD Nissan Trail Hertz rental car. Drive to The Highland Rose B&B, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga Highveld.
http://www.sa-venues.com/visit/thehighlandrose/

Sunday, March 29 - Drive to San Sabi Reserve.
Travel through beautiful Blyde Canyon area and on to Kirkman’s Kamp in the San Sabi Reserve, Greater Kruger, arriving early afternoon. Enjoy two guided game drives, lodging all inclusive.
http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-21

Monday, March 30 - Drive to Kruger National Park.
After morning guided game drive 7:00 to 9:00, self drive safari into Kruger National Park. Overnight at Satara Rest Camp. Check in by 17:30 when gate closes. http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/satara/

Tuesday, March 31 - Self drive safari through Kruger National Park.
Overnight at Lower Sabie Rest Camp. http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/lower_sabie/


Wednesday, April 1 - Travel to Cape Town.
Early morning self drive safari to Kruger South Gate. Drive to Johannesburg Airport. Fly to Cape Town, South African Airways SA365. Pick up Hertz rental car. Check into Derwent House Hotel for five nights.
http://www.derwenthouse.co.za/
Thursday, April 2 - Cape Town
Friday, April 3 - Cape Town
Saturday, April 4 - Cape Town
Sunday, April 5 - Cape Town

Monday, April 6 - Travel to Arusha, Tanzania.
Fly to Johannesburg, South African Airways SA304. Fly to Nairobi, Kenya. South African Airways SA184. Fly to Arusha, Tanzania on Precision Air KQ6726. Pick up by Kiliwarriors and transfer to Arusha All Suites Hotel. http://www.kiliwarriors.com/

Tuesday, April 7 - Drive to Gibbs Farm.
Visit Lake Manyara Park for PM safari drive and then overnight at Gibbs Farm. http://www.gibbsfarm.net/.

Wednesday, April 8 - Drive to the Serengeti.
Travel through Ngorongoro Highlands. Have a picnic lunch and safari drive in the Serengeti. Check into Serengeti Sopa Lodge for two nights. http://www.sopalodges.com/serengeti/home.html
Thursday, April 9 - Serengeti.
Game drives.

Friday, April 10 - Drive to Ngorongoro Crater.
Game drive through Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater. Check into the Crater Lodge, South Camp for 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure. http://www.ngorongoro-crater-lodge.com/
Saturday, April 11 - Ngorongoro Crater.
Morning game drive. Afternoon free.
Sunday, April 12 - Ngorongoro Crater.
Morning game drive. Afternoon free.

Monday, April 13 - Travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Drive back to Arusha for lunch. Fly to Nairobi, Kenya on Precision Air KQ6727. Fly to Dubai, UAE Kenya Air KQ310. Check into the Hyatt Regency for two nights. http://www.dubai.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
Tuesday, April 14 - Dubai

Wednesday, April 15 - Board Seabourn Spirit.
Suite #CS01, Deck 5. Sail at 17:00. http://www.seabourn.com/YourYachts/Spirit/

Thursday, April 16 - Khasab, Oman 8:00 to 17:00. http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/travel/16surfacing.html

Friday, April 17 - Cruising the Gulf of Oman
Saturday, April 18 - Cruising the Gulf of Oman

Sunday, April 19 - Salalah, Oman 8:00 to 14:00. http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Oman-Salalah.html

Monday, April 20 - Cruising the Gulf of Aden
Tuesday, April 21 - Cruising the Gulf of Aden
Wednesday, April 22 - Cruising the Red Sea
Thursday, April 23 - Cruising the Red Sea

Friday, April 24 - Safaga (Luxor), Egypt. Arrive 7:00.
Private car for tour of Luxor. http://www.luxorguide.com/
Saturday, April 25 - Safaga (Luxor), Egypt. Depart 18:00.
Scuba diving in the Red Sea at Safaga Beach Club. http://www.touregypt.net/safagatop.htm

Sunday, April 26 - Aqaba (Petra), Jordan 8:00 to19:00.
Private car for a tour of Petra and Aqaba.

Monday, April 27 - Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt 5:30 to 14:00.
Scuba dive at Shark’s Bay, Red Sea.

Tuesday, April 28 - Sokhna(Cairo), Egypt 7:00 to 23:00.
Private car for a tour to Cairo.

Wednesday, April 29 - Transiting the Suez Canal

Thursday, April 30 - Alexandria, Egypt 6:30 to 19:00.

Friday, May 1 - Cruising the Mediterranean Sea

Saturday, May 2 - Marmaris, Turkey 8:00 to 23:00.

Sunday, May 3 - Rhodes, Greek Isles 8:00 to 18:00.

Monday, May 4 - Santorini, Greek Isles 7:00 to 18:00.

Tuesday, May 5 - Patmos, Greek Isles 8:00 to 18:00.

Wednesday, May 6 - Mykonos, Greek Isles 8:00 to 17:30
.
Thursday, May 7 - Volos (Meteora), Greece 8:00 to 23:30.

Friday, May 8 - Cruising the Dardanelles

Saturday, May 9 - Disembark in Istanbul, Turkey.
Check into Four Seasons Hotel for 3 nights.
Sunday, May 10 - Istanbul
Monday, May 11 - Istanbul

Tuesday, May 12 - Fly to Frankfurt, Germany.
Lufthansa LH3341. Pick up Hertz rental car. Begin a driving tour through the wine areas of Germany and France and a visit to Waterloo.
Wednesday, May 13 -
Thursday, May 14 -
Friday, May 15 -
Saturday, May 16 -
Sunday, May 17 -
Monday, May 18 -
Tuesday, May 19 -
Wednesday, May 20 -
Thursday, May 21 - Fly home.
Lufthansa LH440.