South Pacific Solo Backpacking Trip 2014

one week of seven complete (Fiji Highlights)

lucas_guimont — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:49:00 GMT

Bula! For an update on my trip see my last Facebook post on my profile as for some reason for not able to copy it over from Facebook to here on my blog as it is not supported by my browser on my tablet. I will upload pictures once I'm able to have access to a computer rather than just my tablet. Currently in Auckland, new Zealand now

Peace, Luke guimont

Less than 30 days now!!!

lucas_guimont — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 17:43:00 GMT

Less than 30 days now I will be heading out for my 8 week journey to the South Pacific backpacking Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. Just need to figure out the last details and hope that the weather/airlines cooperate January 21st as I head out from MSP. I have left plenty of buffer time to fix most of the minor flight issues/delays i could run into but if we start cancelling flights or have severe weather...well then I guess I'll have to just hope and pray for the best. Once again I'll mention that I hope to put pictures and travel updates on this blog every once and a while but am not sure the type of internet access I'll have so will see. Other wise Ill be posting a few pictures here and there on Facebook.

I leave January 21st and wont return to the U.S. until March 19th.

Peace

Preparing for a 2 month trip backpacking

lucas_guimont — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:42:00 GMT

The folllowing three parts (Fiji, New Zealand, Australia) is a rough itinerary I have planned out for my time spent solo backpacking the south pacific. Who knows where my travels will bring me and having a trip like this planned out to the smallest detail would be an injustice to the purpose of backpacking. Part of the purpose of this trip is to expand myself through challenging experiences and leave the unkown to be discovered. This blog is intended to send infromation once and a while to how things are going to friends and family but also to share pictures and allow others to connect with me on the road, post comments, etc.

Some less than 60 days from now I will be embarking on one of my first trips of a life time and I welcome you to follow along with me.

Photos: South Pacific Ideal Itinerary: Part 3 (Australia East Coast- Sydney & Cairns)

lucas_guimont — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:58:00 GMT

My last 12 days will find my flying to Cairns, Australia which is located in the far north east corner and is known mostly for its access to the great barrier reef and is one of the oldest rain forest in the world called the Daintree Rain forest. In Cairns I will be embarking on a few dives on the great barrier reef to find Nemo and friends and go brush walking as they call it in the rain forest and who knows what else. After a week I will then fly to Sydney on my last leg of the trip for a few days exploring the city's icons like the oera house, bridge, botanical garden, and what not. I also hope to visit Hillsong Australia Church for a Sunday before I leave for home.

Photos: South Pacific Ideal Itinerary: Part 2 (NEW ZEALAND NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND)

lucas_guimont — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:42:00 GMT

First 28 days will be spent with a small group (10 people) in their 20's and 30's on an all encompassed tour of both the north and south island (see tour route map below). Some highlights of the tour include learn about the Maori culture, explore the Bay of Islands, surf raglan, conquer New Zealand's top-rated 1-day trek—the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Hiking on an active Volcano), experience the stunning and unique glow worm caves, get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown with New Zealand's highest bungee, weave through the remote fiords of the Doubtful Sound by sea kayak, Heli Hike in helicopter and explore on foot the Franz Josef Glacier and discover Abel Tasman National Park by foot. After the tour I will spend an additional 9 days further exploring the north island to see Cathedral cove marine reserve and hot water beach at the Coromandrel, Hobbiton where Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were shot and finally Lake Taupo where world class Sky diving is done. Bulk of my time on this trip will be spent in New Zealand as this country has it all and is where I had the inspiration to travel the south pacific.

Photos: South Pacific Ideal Itinerary: Part 1 (FIJI)

lucas_guimont — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:04:00 GMT

1 week length arriving in Nadi, Fiji and traveling the southern portion of the island to Pacific Harbor for diving the Beqa Lagoon known for their coral given the title "soft coral capital of the world", wreck diving, and their most famous and popular Shark Feed Diving (without the cages!). I hope to also to do some hiking, and visit local villages, experience drinking kava, who knows what else.

Photos: Previous U.S. Travel

lucas_guimont — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:10:00 GMT

West coast, Minnesota, Boundary Waters