G'day mates, I'm officially in the land down under! My good buddy Matt McGuinty and his girlfriend Brittni have a place here in Perth, and they have ever so graciously offered me their couch for the next couple weeks. Perth resides on the southwest coast of western Australia, right on the Indian Ocean, and is home to some of the biggest waves and strongest currents I've ever experienced (which isn't saying much, but just trust me on this one). Summer has arrived here in the outback and we just got back from Perth's famous Scarborough Beach. The beach is 35 kilometres of pristine white sand and thunderous surf. And, due to Perth's status as the most isolated capital city in the world, there are virtually no tourists here. Only Aussies use the beaches so it's quiet and clean.
Anyways, much has transpired since the last post I left so I'll go back in time a little bit. The night of the last post in Bali, Will and I headed north for Singaraja and Lovina to stay the night. These are two fishing towns on the north coast of the island and it was a long ride from Batur. We were relieved to get there just after sundown because driving after dark in Indonesia is like playing Russian roulette. Add one hefty dose of no drunk driving law, a pint of no speed limit, and mix with no helmets and no streetlights for some extra flare and you have a messy recipe for disaster. Lovina was once a thriving tourist destination aside from Kuta and Denpasar but it has suffered tremendously since the bombings. Our waiter that evening was a guy named "Do" and he lost his best friend. In the aftermath, he only had a few bones to bury and each batch was indistinguishable from the next. To this day he doesn't even know if he buried his friend's remains. It was a heartbreaking conversation, one I'll never forget.
After dinner, Will and I reflected on the bombings for a while and had some Balinese Bintang beer on the beach under the stars. For the most part, Lovina was deserted. We got a room for $5. It stank of septic bilgewater and when we walked in after dinner there was an enormous cockroach scurrying around all over our backpacks. If you've never seen or killed one, well, everything you've heard is true! They're ugly, elusive, intelligent, and crazy difficult to kill. I actually respect the bloody little guys as much as I despise them. Needless to say, we didn't sleep well that night. The next morning we blasted down the coast to a little scuba town in Tembulan in the shadow of Mt. Agung, Bali's largest volcano. We stayed at a placed owned by some German folks and swam in the ocean. The next morning Will and I parted ways - he was off to another island called Lombok and I was determined to climb Mt. Batur. If I hadn't have met Will I probably wouldn't have done that tour of Bali via bike, and I am so thankful I met him.
So, on Wednesday I went back to Mt. Batur to climb the volcano my dad once climbed 30 years ago. Thursday morning at 3:30 AM I woke up and began the ascent at 4 AM. I was with a local guide and an Italian guy, and we reached the summit by 5 AM. It was really peaceful waiting for the sunrise - thunderless lightning illuminated the crater lake. A family of maonkeys came to visit too! Unfortunately, the view of the sunrise was heavily obstructed by clouds and a lot of the other hikers were disappointed. I'm really glad I did it though. It was cool to know I climbed the same volcano my dad climbed, and I almost didn't because I was so far away the day before. Better to try something and regret nothing than try nothing and regret everything. I was exhausted after the descent and couldn't really sleep so I packed my bag and started driving back towards Denpasar and Kuta to return my bike. The ride back was really great - I took a backroad the whole way (they're all backroads really) but this one meandered through tiny villages and cascading rice fields, then through the craftsmen's town of Ubud and on to Kuta. I spent most of the afternoon at the hostel recovering in the pool and had a long chat with a Javanese guy named Agung, working to provide for his family in Java. I like mentioning chats with the locals because there is much perspective to be gained in dialogues with them. So much struggle and hardship, perseverance and character in these people. It's awakening and inspirational.
So here I am in Perth, world's away from the world I know and yet this could be the outback's version of the GTA. Curiously enough, I've actually had more culture shock in Australia than any other Asian country so far. It's like being on vacation from my trip. It's somewhat disorienting to move around as I have. 6 flights and 5 countries in one month. Constantly being on the move is exciting and refreshing but tiring and unsettling at points, so it's nice to be here for awhile with an old friend. And it's fun making tasteless jokes about Steve Irwin. Cheers mates!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Batur Lake, Bali
This is surreal. I'm in a tiny internet cafe on the outer rim of the Batur Lake crater in the northwestern section of Bali. There is so much to tell and I don't have too much time so I'll keep it short for now. I made a freind in Kuta the first night I arrived. His name is Will and he's from London, England. Together we have rented motorcycles (it's okay Mom, only 110 cc's and we have helmets) and we've been travelling around the island. Parts of the roads we've taken go through jungles, into craters, over rivers, and beside the ocean. Of the few rules on the road, none are obeyed, yet once you get used to the free-flowing movement of traffic you realize how safe it is. The only danger is driving at night - which we will absolutely not do - because drunk driving is legal here. Basically, Indonesia is a lawless land and the ones that are enforced are easily averted through bribery. In all of these ways, this is precisely why it's a paradise. Anything goes.
There are trees, flora, and animals I've never seen before. Parts of the island look like the magma just cooled yesterday. And riding around in these cycles is an absolute blast. If I hadn't have met Will I don't know if I'd be doing this. Yesterday we stopped for lunch not far from the infamous Bali bombings of 2003 and I met a fascinating man. He was an older white man from Hawaii and reminded me of Ernest Hemingway. He did 2 tours in Vietnam and builds custom homes for people all over the world using the tropics for his decorative inspiration. He even owns 10 acres of rainforest in Bali and harvests his wood using a Balinese workforce and waterbuffalo! Not an ounce of pretentiousness or arrogance about him whatsoever. He told us with a glint in his eye that "corruption works!" in Indonesia. He is friends with the U.S. consulate and many other influential Balinese figures and is allowed to stay in the country without a visa through bribery. So much more to tell about him and I didn't get his name, but he let me take a picture with him - he got a good laugh out of that.
Anyways, we just took a road through the most amazing volcanic landscape at the bottom of Batur Lake. Stopping at temples and batcaves along the way too. Every single local waves and smiles in these parts because foreigners are quite rare, and we buy gas out of 2-litre Pepsi bottles. I don't know where we're headed and ATM's are extremely scarce but this island is a gem and we don't mind. The Balinese people are some of the friendliest I've encountered, rivaling the Cubans in my mind. We're going to try our best to climb Mount Batur tomorrow - a large inactive volcano that my Mom and Dad once climbed over 20 years ago. The only problem is that Will has been unable to withdraw cash from the ATM's here, so we might have to go to a more centralized location which could be hours away. We'll do our best. I'll try to send a more detailed message when we settle down but, in short - Bali is ballin'.
There are trees, flora, and animals I've never seen before. Parts of the island look like the magma just cooled yesterday. And riding around in these cycles is an absolute blast. If I hadn't have met Will I don't know if I'd be doing this. Yesterday we stopped for lunch not far from the infamous Bali bombings of 2003 and I met a fascinating man. He was an older white man from Hawaii and reminded me of Ernest Hemingway. He did 2 tours in Vietnam and builds custom homes for people all over the world using the tropics for his decorative inspiration. He even owns 10 acres of rainforest in Bali and harvests his wood using a Balinese workforce and waterbuffalo! Not an ounce of pretentiousness or arrogance about him whatsoever. He told us with a glint in his eye that "corruption works!" in Indonesia. He is friends with the U.S. consulate and many other influential Balinese figures and is allowed to stay in the country without a visa through bribery. So much more to tell about him and I didn't get his name, but he let me take a picture with him - he got a good laugh out of that.
Anyways, we just took a road through the most amazing volcanic landscape at the bottom of Batur Lake. Stopping at temples and batcaves along the way too. Every single local waves and smiles in these parts because foreigners are quite rare, and we buy gas out of 2-litre Pepsi bottles. I don't know where we're headed and ATM's are extremely scarce but this island is a gem and we don't mind. The Balinese people are some of the friendliest I've encountered, rivaling the Cubans in my mind. We're going to try our best to climb Mount Batur tomorrow - a large inactive volcano that my Mom and Dad once climbed over 20 years ago. The only problem is that Will has been unable to withdraw cash from the ATM's here, so we might have to go to a more centralized location which could be hours away. We'll do our best. I'll try to send a more detailed message when we settle down but, in short - Bali is ballin'.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Bali Bound
Well, I'm back in Singapore waiting for a connecting flight to Bali. I'll be here for a good 5 hours so I thought I'd say hello while I have some free time here. Just in case you might be wondering, it is really easy and cheap to get around out here. Airfares are very low and there is a flight to virtually any city in this area of the world.
So, Kuching was a bit of a bust. Borneo is a beautiful tropical jungle of an island but there are few travellers and even fewer my age. I wanted to go on a kayak trip along the river and a trek to a village in the Borneo highlands to see tribal natives but there was nobody to go along with. Most of the tours must be scheduled in parties of 3 minimum. The real bummer is that I booked my flight to Bali a couple of hours before I finally met someone who was going out to climb a mountain today. Anyways, that is life and I am learning the ropes of the game.
All was not lost there, either. Yesterday, I visited an orangutan sanctuary during feeding time. When they first come swinging through the trees I felt like I was in Jurassic Park. You can see the trees jostling and shaking, and the rustling of the leaves before you finally see a furry orange dwarf like figure watching you way up in the canopy. The orangutans are fascinating animals. Watching them exist peacefully in their natural habitat as they fed on bananas and hung upside down from the trees was a pretty rare experience and a pacifying one at that. They are brilliant climbers, silent and contemplative, and took only a passive interest in all of us annoying shutter happy tourists. When I look at these simple and dignified orangutans sometimes I wonder which species has really evolved more.
Bali should be a nice stop. I've heard it's a little touristy (expected since I am one after all) but I hope to climb a volcano there, visit the beach, and hopefully meet some people. It's been a bit lonely the last few days so some travelling company would be nice. This whole experience is forcing me to come out of my shell and become proactive and unafraid of strangers in foreign lands. It's a little tough but rewarding once you break through.
I hope all is well in Canada. Judging by the Leafs' record everything appears to be normal. It is so hot here that I honestly crave the cold winds of the great white north. Winter has probably set in around Timmins. Are you still at Perry Lake, Pete? It is surreal to think that winter is approaching over there and summer has just started over here. Okay, you probably want to slap me so I'll stop talking about the seasons. Well, my time is almost expired so I might try to catch some z's in the terminal here. I miss you all and I'll check in when I get to Bali.
Love Paul
So, Kuching was a bit of a bust. Borneo is a beautiful tropical jungle of an island but there are few travellers and even fewer my age. I wanted to go on a kayak trip along the river and a trek to a village in the Borneo highlands to see tribal natives but there was nobody to go along with. Most of the tours must be scheduled in parties of 3 minimum. The real bummer is that I booked my flight to Bali a couple of hours before I finally met someone who was going out to climb a mountain today. Anyways, that is life and I am learning the ropes of the game.
All was not lost there, either. Yesterday, I visited an orangutan sanctuary during feeding time. When they first come swinging through the trees I felt like I was in Jurassic Park. You can see the trees jostling and shaking, and the rustling of the leaves before you finally see a furry orange dwarf like figure watching you way up in the canopy. The orangutans are fascinating animals. Watching them exist peacefully in their natural habitat as they fed on bananas and hung upside down from the trees was a pretty rare experience and a pacifying one at that. They are brilliant climbers, silent and contemplative, and took only a passive interest in all of us annoying shutter happy tourists. When I look at these simple and dignified orangutans sometimes I wonder which species has really evolved more.
Bali should be a nice stop. I've heard it's a little touristy (expected since I am one after all) but I hope to climb a volcano there, visit the beach, and hopefully meet some people. It's been a bit lonely the last few days so some travelling company would be nice. This whole experience is forcing me to come out of my shell and become proactive and unafraid of strangers in foreign lands. It's a little tough but rewarding once you break through.
I hope all is well in Canada. Judging by the Leafs' record everything appears to be normal. It is so hot here that I honestly crave the cold winds of the great white north. Winter has probably set in around Timmins. Are you still at Perry Lake, Pete? It is surreal to think that winter is approaching over there and summer has just started over here. Okay, you probably want to slap me so I'll stop talking about the seasons. Well, my time is almost expired so I might try to catch some z's in the terminal here. I miss you all and I'll check in when I get to Bali.
Love Paul
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Kuching - town of cats
I also bought a t-shirt from an original Malaysian artist operating out of his modest stall. In Asia, I have learned that haggling is an artform and have gotten fairly good at it. But this man was so gracious and his shirts were so elegant I figured I should pay him what he was asking, which wasn't very much anyways. His shirts were dedicated to Malaysia of colonial times and there was melancholy in his voice and his art. He told me that Malaysian culture is rapidly evaporating due to new money and development, and his artistry is dedicated to reminding passerby's of old times.
SO, I came here to Kuching because I heard Malaysian Borneo was a nice place to visit but there are a couple of dilemmas. For most of the tours around here you need a minimum of 2 people. There is a kayak trip down this river and a trek to a place called "village in the clouds", and both require at least two people to do them. I'm going to try and see if there is anyone else interested at this lodge, I hope so. Secondly, I was planning on travelling up the coast to the eastern tip of the island and then flying to Bali from there, but turns out there are no flights to Indonesia from there, and the next one goes out from here on the 24th. I'm starting to think it was a mistake to come here because it'll be a long 4 days if I can't find anyone to go with. The town is relatively quiet and there are few travellers my age, so far. That is part of it though, there is always something to take away from experiences like this. I'm going to explore the town tomorrow and try to meet people willing enough to do those tours. If all else fails, it's a nice little place and I'll be going to Jakarta on the 24th. Definitely learning the ins and outs of going it alone over here. Bye for now!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kuala Lumpur today, Borneo tomorrow
Hello folks. This will have to be quick as others are waiting for the computer here. I have been in Kuala Lumpur for the last 3 days. I saw the Petronas Towers and went to the Batu caves just outside of the city. KL is quite a bit grungier than I had imagined, especially when compared to Singapore. Rats, cockroaches, lizards, ...and monkeys everywhere! Traffic is pure chaos too. Not the friendliest of cities, but worth the visit.
I am heading to the Malaysian province of Sarawak on the island of Borneo tomorrow. Staying in a place called Kuching. I want to see some rainforests and wildlife as the cities are starting to become irritating. Overall, I am doing very well though and my travels have been safe. My flight is at 1:30 PM tomorrow. Okay, I hope to update tomorrow or the next! I hope you're all doing well!
I am heading to the Malaysian province of Sarawak on the island of Borneo tomorrow. Staying in a place called Kuching. I want to see some rainforests and wildlife as the cities are starting to become irritating. Overall, I am doing very well though and my travels have been safe. My flight is at 1:30 PM tomorrow. Okay, I hope to update tomorrow or the next! I hope you're all doing well!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Pitstop in Melaka
Well, I left Singapore yesterday intending to take an express bus to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia but I have made a brief pitstop in Melaka. Melaka sits on the strait of Melaka that separates Sumatra from mainland Malaysia. It is about halfway to KL and was once fought over by the great old empires of past times, the British being the latest of the overlords. A lot of Christian churches, Buddhist shrines, and Muslim mosques all together on the same block.
I am staying in a very grungy hostel but it has lots of charm and its owner, Howard, is very kind and chilled out. Yesterday night and this morning I was with a guy from Estonia and 2 girls from Vietnam who I met in Singapore and we just happened to meet here in the streets. They have all gone their separate ways but I am beginning to think that there is more to this trip than chance. There have been so many times where a last minute decision completely alters the direction of the journey. Maybe it is intuition guiding me - or just the Buddhas handing out some luck. I am glad I decided to come here and see a real Malaysian town. KL will be nice but it won't have the rickety colonial charm of this place. I will go to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow but Melaka has left a mark on my heart! Bye for now.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Kampung Glam, Little India, and Chinatown
Well hello again. My travels have taken me to Kampung Glam, the name of the Arabic quarter of the city. I'm staying at an ambient hostel called Sleepy Sam's and it's right beside Sultan mosque - the biggest in Singapore. This place has a lot of charm. The people are excellent and there are plenty of back alleyways and trinket shops everywhere. I had my first Roti John just down the street. It's really not too different from a normal sandwich, with egg and beef, except the condiments are placed on top of the bread instead of in between.
Little India is the next borough over and I have never felt more riculously foreign in my life. It is a safe place though, and I managed to go inside of an authentic and very bizarre Hindu temple. Took my shoes off and the whole shibang despite awkward looks from the natives. There were millions of ornate relics all over the walls and up the ceilings. After feeling totally displaced from reality I figured it was time to leave these people in peace.
A couple of nights ago I made my way over to Orchard Road. It's Singapore's version of Times Square and it is an absolute consumer frenzy. The streets are decked out with Christmas ornaments, fake trees, and millions of lights draped from the palm trees and over the road. This place really takes advantage of dumb tourists though - water is selling there for $6 a glass.
Yesterday I took a train ride to the Macritchie Reservoir to explore the Bukit Timah nature reserve. It took me 2 hours to get there and another 2 to hike to the HSBC Treetop walk only to find out that it was closed on Mondays! It was well worth the trip because the jungle was well preserved and rich with life. On the way back I experienced a true equatorial rainstorm. The streets turned into rivers and you could literally surf behind the buses.
I've also met a few travellers from the hostel here. The group of us went down to Clarke Quay last night and had a drink at a Manchester United themed bar by the Singapore River. This area is a spectacle to behold as well - highly glamourous lounges commanding top dollar along the canal, but not without a seedy underside - Singapore hookers are in abundance and they cast their lecherous smiles as we passed by. After this we walked down to the Esplanade and saw the Merlion stature once more. The city is beautiful at night. Combined with the reservoir jungle walk, I walked close to 20 km's yesterday and my feet are about to fall off.
I just got back from the Chinese and Japanese gardens on the west side of the island with my friend Joel from Chicago. I could spend hours in the serene and contemplative parks. Rivers, lakes, bonzai gardens and statues of Confucius everwhere. On the way out we saw a 5 foot lizard walk across the path. Ultimately, I have been governed by my stomach so we decided to go to Chinatown on our way back for lunch. Ate some kind of hybrid beef dish with jalapenos and leeks and stopped at a a Buddhist temple with monks and all! Life is moving quickly here and its difficult to process everything but every day brings something new. I think I'll stay here for another week and then off to Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Towers, but I love it here.
Little India is the next borough over and I have never felt more riculously foreign in my life. It is a safe place though, and I managed to go inside of an authentic and very bizarre Hindu temple. Took my shoes off and the whole shibang despite awkward looks from the natives. There were millions of ornate relics all over the walls and up the ceilings. After feeling totally displaced from reality I figured it was time to leave these people in peace.
A couple of nights ago I made my way over to Orchard Road. It's Singapore's version of Times Square and it is an absolute consumer frenzy. The streets are decked out with Christmas ornaments, fake trees, and millions of lights draped from the palm trees and over the road. This place really takes advantage of dumb tourists though - water is selling there for $6 a glass.
Yesterday I took a train ride to the Macritchie Reservoir to explore the Bukit Timah nature reserve. It took me 2 hours to get there and another 2 to hike to the HSBC Treetop walk only to find out that it was closed on Mondays! It was well worth the trip because the jungle was well preserved and rich with life. On the way back I experienced a true equatorial rainstorm. The streets turned into rivers and you could literally surf behind the buses.
I've also met a few travellers from the hostel here. The group of us went down to Clarke Quay last night and had a drink at a Manchester United themed bar by the Singapore River. This area is a spectacle to behold as well - highly glamourous lounges commanding top dollar along the canal, but not without a seedy underside - Singapore hookers are in abundance and they cast their lecherous smiles as we passed by. After this we walked down to the Esplanade and saw the Merlion stature once more. The city is beautiful at night. Combined with the reservoir jungle walk, I walked close to 20 km's yesterday and my feet are about to fall off.
I just got back from the Chinese and Japanese gardens on the west side of the island with my friend Joel from Chicago. I could spend hours in the serene and contemplative parks. Rivers, lakes, bonzai gardens and statues of Confucius everwhere. On the way out we saw a 5 foot lizard walk across the path. Ultimately, I have been governed by my stomach so we decided to go to Chinatown on our way back for lunch. Ate some kind of hybrid beef dish with jalapenos and leeks and stopped at a a Buddhist temple with monks and all! Life is moving quickly here and its difficult to process everything but every day brings something new. I think I'll stay here for another week and then off to Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Towers, but I love it here.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Singapore Sights
Top of the evening folks! It's 10:30 AM for me but 9:30 PM on Saturday in Canada. Still trying to wrap my head around this planet business.
Yesterday was a very eventful day. After breakfast at the Rendezvous I decided to take to the streets in an effort to acquaint myself with the surroundings. Singapore's national museum of history is just down the road from here so I learned a little more about the city's Malayan-British heritage. The bright white colonial architecture stands out majestically against the tropical trees. After this, I found myself walking past the famous Raffles Hotel, one of Ernest Hemigway's numerous hangouts around the globe. The hotel is uber exclusive and uber posh so I tried sneaking into the lobby. Unfortunately, only guests and residences have this privilege and I was whisked away to the Long Bar where I tried my first Singapore Sling for $30 where the drink was invented. In 15 minutes they must have sold $600 worth of this drink to tourists like me!
After this I went over to a massive supermall called the Suntec centre boasting to have the world's largest water fountain, the Fountain of Wealth. Although it tries to be boldly futuristic, it looks more like it was ripped from the ruins of Chernobyl. A little further south from here is the Esplanade and the waterfront. The Esplanade is an architectural marvel with spiked cones encrusted in a silver shell. Keeping along the water I visited a massive statue dedicated to a mythological lion figure. Singapore is known as the Lion City after all. I loved walking through the hordes of Asian tourists taking pictures in front of it. Everyone with smiles and laughter, pure entertainment!
After this I found myself in the corporate heart of Singapore. The skyscrapers are imposing and wealth abounds in this area - I saw an envoy of Ferrari's and Lambo's scream by. I was getting tired though, so I got on the MRT subway (the best subway system I've ever seen, so clean, fast, efficient) and travelled back to the hotel. But, I got lost and found myself walking through a magnificent jungle called Fort Canning Park. The island is peppered with these beautiful sanctuaries and they have the most exotic trees I've ever seen.
I found my way back to the hotel and had a short rest before getting some dinner at a hawker plaza around the corner. My mission was to make a trek to the Singapore Flyer, the world's largest ferris wheel, for a view of the city at night. I am usually pretty good with directions but I managed to make every wrong turn possible and it took me almost 2 hours to get there! I'm glad I did though because I walked through a crazy Asian bazaar. I got to the flyer 10 minutes before it closed, incredible views! It was a long night but completely worth the effort.
Well, it's time to move on from here. Have to keep moving along. My next destination is a hostel called Betel Box in Little India where I plan on staying for a week. This will be interesting... Bye for now!
Yesterday was a very eventful day. After breakfast at the Rendezvous I decided to take to the streets in an effort to acquaint myself with the surroundings. Singapore's national museum of history is just down the road from here so I learned a little more about the city's Malayan-British heritage. The bright white colonial architecture stands out majestically against the tropical trees. After this, I found myself walking past the famous Raffles Hotel, one of Ernest Hemigway's numerous hangouts around the globe. The hotel is uber exclusive and uber posh so I tried sneaking into the lobby. Unfortunately, only guests and residences have this privilege and I was whisked away to the Long Bar where I tried my first Singapore Sling for $30 where the drink was invented. In 15 minutes they must have sold $600 worth of this drink to tourists like me!
After this I went over to a massive supermall called the Suntec centre boasting to have the world's largest water fountain, the Fountain of Wealth. Although it tries to be boldly futuristic, it looks more like it was ripped from the ruins of Chernobyl. A little further south from here is the Esplanade and the waterfront. The Esplanade is an architectural marvel with spiked cones encrusted in a silver shell. Keeping along the water I visited a massive statue dedicated to a mythological lion figure. Singapore is known as the Lion City after all. I loved walking through the hordes of Asian tourists taking pictures in front of it. Everyone with smiles and laughter, pure entertainment!
After this I found myself in the corporate heart of Singapore. The skyscrapers are imposing and wealth abounds in this area - I saw an envoy of Ferrari's and Lambo's scream by. I was getting tired though, so I got on the MRT subway (the best subway system I've ever seen, so clean, fast, efficient) and travelled back to the hotel. But, I got lost and found myself walking through a magnificent jungle called Fort Canning Park. The island is peppered with these beautiful sanctuaries and they have the most exotic trees I've ever seen.
I found my way back to the hotel and had a short rest before getting some dinner at a hawker plaza around the corner. My mission was to make a trek to the Singapore Flyer, the world's largest ferris wheel, for a view of the city at night. I am usually pretty good with directions but I managed to make every wrong turn possible and it took me almost 2 hours to get there! I'm glad I did though because I walked through a crazy Asian bazaar. I got to the flyer 10 minutes before it closed, incredible views! It was a long night but completely worth the effort.
Well, it's time to move on from here. Have to keep moving along. My next destination is a hostel called Betel Box in Little India where I plan on staying for a week. This will be interesting... Bye for now!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Arrived in Singapore
Hello folks!
I arrived in Singapore around midnight after 2 flights totalling 24 hours of transit time. Before getting to Singapore I spent some time in Tokyo's Narita airport. I must say that the Japanese people are charming, polite, and quaint. I felt like I was in one of their RPG games. Most of the shop items were junk - but cute, adorable junk with little kitty faces on everything. I was sad to leave and would love to spend time in Japan one day. The flight from Tokyo to Singapore was gruelling. I sat beside a lady with a nasty cold, but to my knowledge, I am still swine free!
Singapore itself is unlike anything I've ever seen. I haven't been to too many exotic places so that isn't saying much but I am impressed with the city so far. The airport is spacious and musky. The service industry people are very accomodating and the city is evolving into an aesthetic marvel. There are bits of jungle sprinkled amidst towering steel skyscrapers. The harbour is the busiest in the world so it was no surprise when we flew over that it looked like the city extends right into the ocean.
Well, I'm going to wander around aimlessly and hopefully catch my bearings. It's 32 degress Celcius already. Until later folks!
I arrived in Singapore around midnight after 2 flights totalling 24 hours of transit time. Before getting to Singapore I spent some time in Tokyo's Narita airport. I must say that the Japanese people are charming, polite, and quaint. I felt like I was in one of their RPG games. Most of the shop items were junk - but cute, adorable junk with little kitty faces on everything. I was sad to leave and would love to spend time in Japan one day. The flight from Tokyo to Singapore was gruelling. I sat beside a lady with a nasty cold, but to my knowledge, I am still swine free!
Singapore itself is unlike anything I've ever seen. I haven't been to too many exotic places so that isn't saying much but I am impressed with the city so far. The airport is spacious and musky. The service industry people are very accomodating and the city is evolving into an aesthetic marvel. There are bits of jungle sprinkled amidst towering steel skyscrapers. The harbour is the busiest in the world so it was no surprise when we flew over that it looked like the city extends right into the ocean.
Well, I'm going to wander around aimlessly and hopefully catch my bearings. It's 32 degress Celcius already. Until later folks!
Monday, November 2, 2009
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