Nathans Travel Blog

31/07/2014

This morning we left taos and started driving towards the grand canyon. It is a long drive to the grand canyon about 6 hours so today we only drove for 4 hours to a town called holbrook. In holbrook we stayed in a parking lot.

1/08/2014

Today is the first day of the month and today we drove from holbrook to the grand canyon. Once we got to the grand canyon we went to a look out and we're amazed by the size of this hole in the ground. After that we rented some bikes and started off on a 33.6 km bike ride to the end of the trail. About half way aniva and mum got on a bus, but dad and I kept riding. Once dad and I got back we we're very tired because of how hilly it was. Check out the selfie taken while riding my bike.

2/08/2014

Today is the second of August and the grand canyon is amazing today we decided to walk in to the grand canyon not to the bottom though because apparently it should not be attempted at this time of year (not that we would anyway). We only did a 10 km round trip but the terrain was tough. The girls only walked 5km round trip but after we had all finished hiking, we we're all tired. After having something to drink we went to go see the sunset although it was not as good as promised it was still quite good. After the sunset we drove to Williams.

26/07/2014

Today we left Victor and drove to Dinosaur National Monument. Once we got there we payed then got firewood. After dinner, Aniva and I cooked s'mores which is marshmallows and chocolate put in side two half a biscuits wrapped in tin foil then roasted over flames.:lol:

27/07/2014

We woke up had breakfast and then drove around Dinosaur National Monument looking at lots of different things. Then at the end of the National Park we went to go see all the dinosaur fossils. Then we drove to Dave and Ali's house they have two lovely dogs named Tane and Kupe ( I like kupe the white labrador)8)

28/07/2014

Today we went up aspen mountain and had a picnic at the top of the mountain. Then when we we're going to come down by gondola there was a big thunderstorm that had us waiting at the top for 2 hours. Once we got down we ran to catch our bus so we could have dinner.

29/07/2014

At 10 am we left Dave and Ali house to go see wildlife in the Maroon Bells sadly we we're disappointed and only saw a marmot on a rock in the distance. Apart from that we went on a nice self guided tour of the lake. After lunch we went in to town did some clothes shopping and then we went to the supermarket to get food for dinner. While we we're shopping we noticed that all the streets in aspen have a little river running through them.

30/07/2014

Today we went from aspen to taos it is a long 6 and a half hour drive (412km)along the way we reached heights of 12,000 ft thats around 3 500m but google it to check. I think today we went as high as Mount Cook but check that one too. Once we crossed the border between colorado and new mexico, we we're greeted by a nice big loud thunder storm and then when we got to taos we we welcomed by hail and lots of lightning and thunder. We also walked over the rio grande river/canyon.

Thank you Dave, Ali, Morgan and Devon for having us stay.:D

22/07/2014

Today is our first day in yellowstone it has lots of wildlife to spot and also lots of other natural wonders in yellowstone. Today we saw bears, elk, buffalo and lots of different kind of birds. Tonight we are staying out of yellowstone still only 1 minute away.

23/07/2014

Today we woke up and went into yellowstone today we had booked a boat ride that we missed (LOL) but then we just hired a rental boat and took that out. Tonight we are staying in yellowstone.

24/07/2014

This morning we packed up and drove from yellowstone to victor Idaho. When we got to the small farming town of victor we we're amazed it is so beautiful. Dad is even think of writing to lonely planet about it. Campground is very good and we are also thinking about going horse riding.

25/07/2014

Today we went horse riding my horses name was Sonny-de, Anivas horses name was Kayla, Dads was Major and mum had two horses first one was patchs but she had a sore stomach and got swapped for Nip. The horse ride so much fun that I want to keep riding. The rest of the family had fun. After the horse riding which we did for 3 hours we had some nice pork ribs for dinner.

19/07/2014

Today we went to see mount rushmore and we also saw some bears at the USA Bear park.See photos.

20/07/2014

Today we went to Wind cave and also to custer state park where we got very close a buffalo.See photos

21/07/2014

This morning I read my book for a long time before we left the camp ground, today we are going to cody to a rodeo. Tonight we are staying in the parking lot of walmart.

If people want to see photos of the campervan comment down below.

15/07/2014

Today is our first day in chicago, today we wandered around looking at different buildings and we also did some shopping. 

16/07/2014

Today we went to the field museum in chicago seeing dinosaurs and lots of other interesting things.

17/07/2014

As soon as I woke up I remembered that today we are going to an outdoor water park(Noahs Ark). After breakfast we drove over to the water park it opens at ten and the times is now 9:59 as we get out of our campervan I see people running the water park has just opened so we jump out of the campervan and rush over show our tickets and rush to the most popular ride the black anaconda which is so much fun and probably my favorite ride, the scariest ride there is the scorpion's tail. why because you step inside a capsule they lock the door and the countdown starts 3,2,1 and then the floor drops beneath you and you freefall for about 10m until your back touches the pipe and you go around in a loop which some people get stuck at the top or don't even make it all the way to the top and slide back down to the end of the free fall. Photos below.After the water park we started our 10 hour drive to Mount rushmore.

18/07/2014

I woke up exactly where I went to sleep, today we did lots of driving and made it to our destination. At our campground we went to the pool and hot tub. Then we slept for a long time.

12/07/2014

We woke up late after a nice sleep and then started our day, we soon got driving we we're going to make it to Niagara falls today. About 5 hours later we we're crossing the border from the U.S.A to Canada. Photos below. We then drove for 15min to our campground yellowstone national park which is the closest to Niagara falls. We then went to go see the falls, Once we we're there we saw this tall tower so we went to check it out and what is was is it was basicly a restaurant in the sky it had three levels one was observation deck. Two was the buffet and three was the revolving dining room which meant that the tables we're on a platform that spun around, so you could see the city then the american side of niagara falls then the canadian side of the falls. photos below. After dinner we went back to the campground, in the morning we we're going on a boat that would take us close up to the falls.

13/07/2014

We all woke up, Once we had made and eaten breakfast we drove down the road to Niagara Falls we went on the Maid of the mist see photos below. We then drove from Niagara Falls to Wheatley which is about a 3 hour drive. We stopped in a town at half way and went to a small restaurant to watch the game it had about 20 tvs!!!!!!Germany wins the world cup! Once we we're in wheatley we drove to our campground which is right next to lake erie. We had roasted marshmallows for dessert.

14/07/2014

Leaving our campground we are driving to portage just outside of chicago. About 4 hours later we arrived at our campground, we will stay here for 2 nights. We then went to bed.:D

7/07/2014

Today we had a beach day and played soccer and paddle tennis in the sand. We had lots of swims, the waves were very big. After the beach we went had sushi for dinner.

8/07/2014

After going on a self guided tour of rio, we watched the soccer game Brazil vs Germany the score was 1-7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brazil has lost but how? Well because of losing 2 very important players these players being Tiago silva due to suspension and Neymar with a broken back. If anyone wants to talk more about what happened or what they think will happen in the future then you can ask for my email in the comments below.

9/07/2014

We are leaving here tomorrow but today went to rio's botanical garden and then went to sugar loaf mountain which reaches 396m into the sky. Once up there great views but cold! After that we went home had dinner and watched holland lose.

10/07/2014

Raining is all I can hear this morning was very cloudy and the rain did not stop but today we were going to the U.S.A which is good because the weather might be nice but bad because to get in to the U.S.A you have to go through lots of scans then take your shoes off put them through the scanner. But before then we still had the rest of the day so me and dad took the football down to the beach. After returning we had a shower then went down to the lobby to wait for a cab. Once in the cab we went at a snails pace most of the way to the airport. Once we got on the plane we we're served dinner, soon after dinner they dimmed the lights and everyone fell asleep.

11/07/2014

Today we we're on the plane for another 4 hours. Then we landed in New york at J.F.K International, After passing through security we got picked up by the Rv rental guy who took us to our Rv that we would spend the next month in. Once we unpacked all of our bags, we then we drove to a campground to stay the night, by the time we got to the campground called spruce row the time was about 4:00pm.

6/07/2014

This morning at 4:45 we all woke up and got in the taxi to the airport. Once we had gone through security we got on our plane to rio. One and a half hours later we were in another taxi to our new accommodation. Today we would go see the christ the redeemer statue. Photos below. The statue is about 38m high, 20m fingertip to fingertip and weighs 1145 tons. After the statute we went back to our apartment. Before we got home we saw an amazing sand castle.photo below.:)

7/07/2014

This morning after breakfast we went to the beach after making a sand castle we went for a swim. Then played soccer and paddle tennis. We then walked home got changed into dry clothes and then walked to a bank to get money out. Right outside the bank there was a man selling churro, who then filled your churro with chocolate. Later that day we went to the markets to buy things for friends. I spent some of my own money on buying a cool towel for david. After the markets we went home.

Hope everyone is having a good school breck. Thank you for reading.:D

Sorry everybody lost writing from 28 to 06/07/2014. I will write it all again.:D

28/06/2014

Woke up and went for a run on the beach with Dad and Aniva - took the soccer ball with us.

Had a swim afterwards.

Then we watched Brazil just beat Chile in a penalty shoot-out.

Everyone very happy afterwards.

Marching bands, fireworks and cheering in the streets.

29/06/2014

Flew to Salvador from Porto de Galinhas - another early flight - thanks Dad!

Watched Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout.

Then we went to the old fort, lighthouse and visited the FIFA fan zone.

After dinner we played football on the street, a pretty big group of locals gathered to play with us kids and adults - we did penalty shoot-out, passing, tricks etc.

30/06/2014

We went into the centre of Salvador today.

Wandered around a bunch of pretty cool churches and a museum.

The square was full of people dancing and drumming.

We also went on the Elevator and Funicular which run between the upper and lower bits of the old city.

In the lower part we bought some more football shirts - Holland for me and Dad and a new Brazil shirt.

01/07/2014

Went to the game Belgium vs USA,

I was supporting USA.

Before the game we went to this lunch buffet where you choose what you want and then put on some scales and pay according to how much it weighs - good system.

The game went to extra time, then Belgium scored two goals in the first half of extra time, then in the second half of extra time USA scored. All the USA fans started chanting but they couldn’t score again.

Final score Belgium 2 - 1 USA.

02/07/2014

We went to the mall today, needed to shop for presents for Aniva’s birthday. Also got some new clothes. Had Subway at the food court.

Then we walked home via some cool rock pools where we went swimming and exploring.

After dinner at a restaurant next door to the hotel we played passes with the soccer ball.

03/07/2014

We shifted from the “Hit Hotel” to new accommodation at the beach in Salvador today. We went swimming in the surf. Was a bit dodgy to start with as there was a strong rip pulling across the beach. Once we found the right spot it was fine.

There is a pool at our new place too so went went swimming in the pool too.

04/07/2014

It was a really nice day today, with good waves for body surfing.

Today was a very important game, Brazil vs Columbia. After a swim at the beach we went to a restaurant to watch this game. Brazil won 2 - nil.

05/07/2014

Woke up this morning and it was cloudy, but after breakfast we went for swim in the sea anyway.

After our swim we caught a taxi to a place to have lunch in centre of Salvador and watch Argentina play Belgium, Argentina won 1 - 0.

Then we walked down to the stadium to watch the 5 pm game, Holland vs Costa Rica (Chicos).

Go Holland! We we're wearing our “Robbin” shirts.

The game was very exciting and went to extra time then penalty shootout, which Holland won by 4 to 3.

We got great value for money!

After we got back from the Stadium we opened presents as it was now our birthday in NZ. I got a World Cup ball. 

Big thanks to Gran and Pop for cards and presents. To all my freinds and family thankyou from the bottom of my heart.:D

25/06/2014

I was lying down on the reclining beach chair, when Aniva asked if I would play kicks with her, I got up and started passing the soccer ball with my sister. After we got bored of that game we all looked at the menu and ordered one plate of crayfish but the waiter said one plate is enough for one person or thats what we thought he said as he said this in portuguese, so we ordered 2 plates and some chips. After everyone was full we took some home to have for dinner.

26/06/2014

The sound of rain hitting the roof was a new sound, today it is raining very hard and the wind is also strong. Today was not a good day for anything that involved leaving the flat. Today there are 4 games on so we ran from our flat to the closet bar and sat down for the USA vs Germany. Germany won 1-0 but USA will still go through to the round of 16. Before the second game started, Dad and I went for a swim in the rain. After we got back we watched the Algeria vs Russia game. Then I finished writing this and will go to bed.

27/06/2014

Dad heard that you could learn how to kite surf down the road about 4km. After taking a taxi there he asked us if we would like him to pick us up at 4:00 we said yes and paid him for the taxi ride here and back to the flat at 4:00. Dad soon discovered that today it was too windy to kitesurf so he hired a surfboard. After dad came out of the surf we had lunch which took a long time to make but tasted really good. Then we walked back down to a really wavy part of the beach where the waves could easily knock over any one but because of the outgoing tide there was an undertow which basically means that the waves and top half of the water takes you to shore but the bottom half sucks you out to sea. If nobody understands that look it up people its 2014.