Around the world in 8 months- well, thats the plan!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The date is set....

Been in the Cameron Highlands for three days now and seen.....bugger all. Caught a cold in the rainforest and as a consequence haven't done much. It has given me time to plan the rest of my trip and sort out how i'm going to get places.

Turns out that the overland route to Thailand wasn't all that safe 'There are almost daily bombings and shooting attacks.... ' so decided to head back to K.L to get a flight up to Phuket. Got about a week there before head to Bangkok to sort of Chinese visas (might be a bit tricky, but once i tell them i'm friends with Mr Markillie of Tydd St Mary sure it won't be a problem). After that i fly to Xiamen and have to find someway to get to Shanghai, then its overland to Beijing before, hopefully, the land of the rising sun for a couple of weeks. Have now changed my return date to 11th June - although that can (and probably will) change - which should give me enough time to try and remember some law!

Monday, April 23, 2007

Will of the Jungle

Safely escaped Kuala Lumpur and then headed for 'the oldest rainforest in the world'. Tried to go walking but due to the immense heat didn't get very far (had to stop every 10 mins to ring out my t-shirt). Did managed to walk the rainforest canopy walkway and ended the afternoon at a Jungle aborignal village. Was good fun - even got to try out firing a dart out of a blowpipe.

Now in Cameron Highlands, with lots and lots of tea to look at. Planning on doing a walk tomorrow and then i head to the beaches of Thailand - its a tough life!

Friday, April 20, 2007

Ciao Singapore

Now in Kuala Lumpur having spent a few days in Singapore. Really nice city (Singapore) with an amazing transport system and equally impressive shopping (including 2 maasive air-conditioned malls which are linked together by an underground mall).

Not a huge amount to see - did manage to fit in a trip to Sentosa beach resort which has some nice places and great views out to container ships and oil terminals. Also claims to have the southern most point in continental asia - although i'm not sure how it works as the point itself is an island of Sentosa, which itself is an island off Singapore, which is an Island off Asia. Can't quiet work out why all these islands count and the ones further south don't, but who am i to argue?

Went up the Petronas towers today (had to wake up at a ridicoulously early 7.15 to get tickets) and off to the oldest rainforest in the world tomorrow (i'm gonna be watching out for leeches).

Saturday, April 14, 2007

The Perils of being a Beckham lookalike.....

Nearly 2 years ago, whilst dining in a Chinese restaurant in Cambodia, a waitress came over to me and said 'Bet Camp'. At first, i though she was saying that i was little effeminate and was quite offended. However, it turns out she was telling me that i looked like Beckham. Well, it would seem, the Indonesians think in a similar way. Whilst visiting the main tourist attraction in Jakarta, the locals were queuing (yes literally queuing) to have their pictures taken with me. One guy followed me around for the half hour i was up there taking pictures of me with his mobile phone.

Similar thing happened again today, whilst at the train station a few people got talking to me. Within about 5 mins a little crowd of about 10 people had gathered all trying (with little success) to practice their English. Novelty has worn off a bit now, which is probably a good thing as i'll soon be back in England being ignored by the majority.

Been away for 5 1/2 months now - 'Do you get less for murder?' Brendan Sheerin, Coach Trip series One, episode 30 - reckon about another 2 or so and that's me done!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

The bus is dead.....long live the 'plane

Currently in Jakarta, after experiencing the delights of Yogyakarta. Spend a while there, seeing Batik being made (and making a few purchases), watching the mighty PSIM Yogyakarta (0-0 bore draw) and visiting the impressive Borobudhur.

The football was pretty dire (and please consider that i once went to watch Stockport v Blackpool on a rainy Saturday afternoon) but the supporters were pretty friendly and the atmosphere was good (i managed to turn up at the wrong stadium and had to get a taxi to rush me there in time for kick-off).

After spending a few days recovering from my epic journeys in the East, i finally mustered up the strength to move on to Jakarta. The bus would have taken 10hrs and arrived in at 4am so i decided to take the bargain option of flying. On the plus side, it would only take 45mins and cost about 11 quid, on the downside the airline has a shocking safety record :

  • One plane lost over Sulawasi a month ago and hasn't been found yet
  • Rumours that pilots bribed to fly unfit planes
  • Currently being investigated by the Indonesian authorities, ordered to make improvements or be shut down.
Decided it was worth the risk. Not the most comfortable hour of my life, but thankfully i was next to the emergency exit so found have been first out had there been a problem and arrived safely. Don't think i'll be doing it again, but you've gotta try these things a least once - I'll see if Air Asia can do any better on Sunday!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

The Joys of Travel



Been in Indonesia for about 10 days now and getting used to how things work in Asia again.

Three days ago i attempted to make the journey from Bali over to Mnt Bromo - that ended up taking about 9 hrs. When i arrived in Probolingo i'd missed to connection out to Bromo and stuck out in the bus station. I got a taxi driver to take me to a cheap hotel (complete with Indonesian shower at toilet (ha!)) and tried to get back to the bus station the next morning. Despite asking 2 different taxi drivers to take me to the bus terminal they both dropped me off at travel agents who tried to rip me off - so i just ended up walking off at getting a local bus. There were 3 of us in it when i got on and we had to wait for 1.5hrs until 18 more people decided to join us on our journey.

Yesterday, after having visited Mnt Bromo, i head to Yogykarta. I left my hostel at 8.32AM and arrived at my destination at 10.34pm - 14hrs in total, comprising 3 different buses. I paid 140.000 RP but considering that i didn't see anyone on the bus spend more than 50.000 RP can't help feeling that i overpaid somewhat! Oh well, all part of the adventure i suppose, plus i have the consolation that the guy how i was travelling with paid more than me for his Bromo trip and his Yogykarta ticket!