A global nomad's pursuit to see all 195 countries, 39 territories, & 9 de-facto nations
February 18, 2019
After three days touring Tahiti Iti (Small Tahiti), Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti), and the capital of Papeete, Mom and I stayed at our villa during our fourth and final day here before boarding our cruiseship tomorrow. Although we enjoyed kayaking, swimming, reading, and relaxing, we had to endure several problems in our rental property including a power outage, inoperable oven, and a broken clothes dryer.
After two days driving all around Tahiti Iti (Small Tahiti) and Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti), it was time to check out the capital city. Mom shopped for several hours at Papeete Market, we strolled along the waterfront, and I did a quick walking tour on our third day on the island before our cruise departs in two days.
February 15, 2019
TAHITI ISLAND, French Polynesia – Mom and I toured all of Tahiti Nui (“Big Tahiti”) today, seeing waterfalls, a pretty interior valley, a blowhole on a lava-strewn coast, some colorful churches, a historic point, and a few lackluster beaches. Overall we’re finding Tahiti to be disappointing. We’ve been around the entire island in two days and haven’t seen a single nice beach nor that many sights of interest compared to numerous other tropical islands we’ve visited.
February 14, 2019
Mom and I explored today both the north and south coasts of Tahiti Iti, the smaller, eastern side of Tahiti Island, which is shaped like an infinity symbol. We ran into a big disappointment trying to find lunch and were let down not seeing any nice beaches.
February 10, 2019
It’s my 42nd birthday and lucky me, I flew in United Airlines Polaris Business Class from San Francisco (SFO) to Papeete (PPT) – the newest international route flown by United. Thrice-weekly service began Oct. 30, 2018, and United is the only U.S. airline to fly here from the mainland United States. This is my 16th inhabited territory and Place #146 on my quest to visit all 234 countries, territories, and de-facto nations.
February 5, 2019
Mom and I are en route today to Tahiti, French Polynesia. We flew in yesterday from Orlando (MCO) and spent the night at Park Pointe Hotel just north of the airport. Park Pointe — transforming itself from its previous operation as Citigarden — makes many promises about its new experience, but it has a long way to go.
February 4, 2019
And off we go! It’s my first foreign trip of 2019 and my second year as a global nomad as Mom and I head toward our three-week getaway in French Polynesia – a new foreign territory for me. We started the journey today – my birthday eve – flying from Orlando to San Francisco.
January 29, 2019
My blog is two weeks old, so I figure it’s time for my first rant – a part of lucas.travel I’m calling “Cranky Nomad.” These type of posts will be meant to illustrate the tribulations of life exploring the world without a fixed home – a place for me to vent; to share the less-glamorous aspects of my quest to visit all 234 countries, inhabited territories, and de-facto nations; and hopefully to do so in a semi-satirical way that makes me remember what I’m upset about is pretty small potatoes (i.e. #firstworldproblems). Today I’m infuriated at Oceania Cruises and annoyed at the difficulties of finding an affordable rental car on a remote tropical island.
January 27, 2019
Hey world travelers, it’s time to update your maps and lists of countries visited! Greece ratified a treaty with the Republic of Macedonia in which the Balkan nation agrees to change its name to the “Republic of North Macedonia,” to satisfy long-time Greek concerns over its territory, also called Macedonia.