South Pacific Solo Travel

A 112-day adventure by Greg Read more

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Trip start
November 1, 2023
South Pacific Solo Travel Traveler
Take off! 🛫
November 1, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
Today's the day I embark on a trip around the globe! Jetting off from Manchester airport with Pegasus airlines. Flying to Istanbul first with a few hours to change before heading on to Dubai. Highlight of the day has to be inheriting a full grab bag of Malteasers off the lady sat next to me on my first flight.Read more
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Arriving in Dubai
November 2, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
I arrived into Dubai in the early hours of the morning and after a bit of a debacle getting from Sharjah airport to my friends apartment it was in fact light! As I settled down from my amazement at the apartments view of the Palm I got my head down for a few hours of much needed sleep.Read more
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JBR
November 2, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
After marvelling at the view out to the Palm once again I set off to explore the local area of Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) which of course included Dubai public beach!
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Bluewaters Island
November 2, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates
A stroll across the bridge to one of Dubai's many man made islands. Not a lot to see here really other than hotels and restaurants but a nice view across to JBR! Also a fun fact that the world's largest ferris wheel can be found here but no longer turns since when it's turned on it starts to sink the island into the sea!Read more
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Dubai Marina at Night
November 2, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 30 °C
We spent the first night in Dubai in the only way possible by heading down to the Marina for food and drinks, including the most expensive double vodka lemonade I've ever known at about £25, no surprise I only had one.Read more
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The Palm Jumeirah
November 3, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
To kick off day 2 we took a taxi to the Palm Jumeirah monorail station. The sheer size and scale of the man-made island is quite astounding with the famous Atlantis Resort at its peak. We failed to get even into the lobby so headed back towards the mainland via the mall for some lunch.Read more
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Namaste Beach Club
November 3, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
With free entry and a bottle of Rose for £20 at happy hour it would have been rude not to pay Namaste Beach Club a visit. Great views from all angles too!
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Global Village
November 3, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates
Calling this place a village is somewhat of an understatement as it was more like a medium sized town! In the 'village' landmarks could be found from around the world as well as a large market for every single Asian country and the other countinents. I was delighted to be given a free bottle of milk with my dinner but oh no, turns out Lebanese (I think) milk is disgusting, no wonder they were giving it away.Read more
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Desert Half Day Trip
November 4, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates
It was an early start today as we headed out for a trip to the desert! We were picked up in a lovely air conditioned vehicle and driven out of the city to a base where we would try quad biking, camel riding, dune bashing and sand boarding. Our driver was delighted when he received a phone call on the way home to say that his afternoon guests had cancelled. He said this would be his first evening off (after 5pm) for 3 months as he usually works 7am - 11pm every single day. He didn't seem bothered by his distinct lack of work life balance but definitely needs to join a union.Read more
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Burj Al Arab & Souk Madinak
November 4, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates
No rest for the wicked with a lot to see so we headed to Souk Madinak to feast our eyes on the Burj Al Arab. I had probably one of my best lunch experiences of all time as the food, view and live background music were all amazing! The company was alright too.Read more
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Dubai Old Town
November 4, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates
As if the day hadn't been busy and long enough already we spent almost an hour on the tram to get to Dubai Old Town including the famous Gold Souk and bunking onto the dodgiest boat transfer of all time where the 'captain' steered the boat with his foot which resulted in the boat unsurprisingly crashing into the mooring.Read more
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JBR Pub
November 4, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 27 °C
Ready to go to bed at this point but we soldiered on to a near by Irish bar to watch Newcastle v Arsenal. We stopped for McDonalds on the way and I just had to give the chicken curry a go (with extra chicken nuggets added on top).Read more
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Burj Khalifa
November 5, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Another early start to get up the Burj Khalifa! Phenomenal panoramic views of across Dubai and beyond. An Indian man whom I had never met before also asked for his picture with me for some reason. Also seriously impressed that I managed to fit the worlds tallest building into a selfie.Read more
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Dubai Mall
November 5, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Next door to the Burj Khalifa is the whopping Dubai Mall featuring an ice skating rink, aquarium and waterfall. It is also home to a recently opened branch of Castore, a sportswear brand founded in 2015 by two brothers from the Wirral! We then sat down for a balcony burger for lunch overlooking the mall fountains and Burj Khalifa.Read more
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Miracle Gardens
November 5, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
As the sun set on another busy day we set off to the Miracle Gardens. Home to various floral displays and beings including a life-size Emirates A380.
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Leaving Dubai
November 6, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
This morning I waved goodbye to Dubai and took the metro to the airport. It was time to head to Melbourne (via Manila) with the help of Cebu Pacific. My luck was in today as I was granted extra legroom seats for both legs of the trip, although I had to pay a non-monetary price for this as a child wet himself right in front of me as dinner was being served.Read more
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Arriving in Melbourne
November 8, 2023 in Australia
I arrived in Melbourne to be greeted at the airport by mum and dad who had arrived only half an hour earlier on a different flight. We headed back to our apartment where we awoke Auntie Jeannie and Uncle Craig for a 2am cuppa (water for me).Read more
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Melbourne Tour
November 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
On our first full day in Melbourne our resident Aussie's (Josh and Sav) took us on a sightseeing and alcohol tour of the city before inviting us back to their flat for further food and drinks!
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Yarra Valley Wine Tour
November 9, 2023 in Australia
An early start to proceedings today but with good reason, a wine tour! If memory serves me right we visited 3 wineries, a gin distillery and also a stop for lunch. I was already growing to like both rose and white wine before this voyage but turns out I like red wine too!Read more
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Albert Park
November 10, 2023 in Australia
As the day before the wedding, the women and our hosts were busy preparing so me and dad head out for a spot of sightseeing. First up was Albert Park, home to the Australian Grand Prix. We were free to roam the pit lane and it couldn't have been made more obvious which parts of the park and road were used for F1 as the difference in tarmaccing standards was apparent!Read more
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St Kilda
November 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
A quick stop to visit Melbourne's famous seaside destination of St Kilda!
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Royal Botanical Gardens
November 10, 2023 in Australia
A stroll through Melbourne's stunning Botanical Gardens!
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MCG & Sports Area
November 10, 2023 in Australia
To finish our sightseeing we headed to the sporty part of town home to numerous stadiums, facilities and fields including the world renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena (home to the Australian Open tennis).Read more
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Josh and Sav's Wedding (By Day)
November 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 17 °C
I can't put into words how perfect this day was! From the venue, weather and of course the people and celebrations. No expense spared and a day that will always be regarded as one of my favourite ever!Read more
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Josh & Sav's Wedding (By Night)
November 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 11 °C
I've always known that there ain't no party like a Josh Morris party and I wasn't disappointed here. The party went on until the early hours as expected as we sang and boogied away to classics from across the ages.Read more
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