Hi just a quick update before I head out. I made it to Medan after a whole day of lay overs and plane rides. I am now heading for Berastagi for 2 nights, then to Prapat and lake Toba for another 2 nights then unfortunately head back to Medan to go home.
I love Indonesia and I can see myself being back here very soon. I seriously don't want to go already! I would love I just skip Australia all together an stay here.
Anywho I'm going to go get on a public bus! Wish me luck!!
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Back in Indonesia!
I'm back in Surabaya now and I fly out this morning at 12:00 pm. I don't really know what my plan is for Medan/Sumatra considering I don't know what to expect. I will go there and ask some questions!
I went to a shopping mall today and got myself 2 new tee shirt. They were a whopping $3/2. It was pretty sweet. I had to remind myself though that this isn't Singapore and its not as safe. I will definetly remember that for the next 9 days until I am in Australia! I also met some guys from Sydney and they are willing to take me out while I'm there.
These are some pictures of my snazzi room and dinner and new shirts!
I went to a shopping mall today and got myself 2 new tee shirt. They were a whopping $3/2. It was pretty sweet. I had to remind myself though that this isn't Singapore and its not as safe. I will definetly remember that for the next 9 days until I am in Australia! I also met some guys from Sydney and they are willing to take me out while I'm there.
These are some pictures of my snazzi room and dinner and new shirts!
Singapore
Singapore is an amazing island. It has the most incredible things to do and to see and if you have the time and the money you could be entertained for days. I went to the zoo and the night safari which was an experience. There were so many animals at the zoo I managed to spend 7 hours walking around. I took lots of pictures so enjoy them. The coolest were the Orangatangs, the manatees, and these black and white things I don't know what they are even but they are called Tapir. They are so cute and look so cuddly. The Orangatangs were hilarious. I really liked them. It rained and one of them put a sack over him and was laying there playing with it. Then another one came up and gave the sack one a hug and the sack one put a the sack right over top of him. The other one started to punch him and jump on top of him. Oh my gosh it was so funny. They were wrestling in the mud I couldn't help but laugh. The night safari was neat. I took the tram ride which was 40 min, watched a fire show and a creatures if the night show. I finally got home at 11:00pm and was pooped! Then the next day I went to the botanical gardens with a girl I met in the hostel. The gardens host the largest orchid garden in the world. It was incredible and there are equally a lot of pictures of orchids. After the gardens we went to Orchard shopping center which was huge. We got back and changed for the evening and walked to the Marina Bay Sands hotel which is famous there. There was a water/light show that we stayed for then made our way back to the hostel after watching some Chinese dancing, fighting and orchestra. It was a vey filled day of everything we could squeeze in. It was an amazing 2 days and I'm so glad about all of it.
Enjoy the pictures and I will write again as soon as I have the time and Internet. Apparently in Australia and New Zealand there is very little wifi areas which I think is crazy considering Indo has it more then there. Anywho I'll keep you informed!
Enjoy the pictures and I will write again as soon as I have the time and Internet. Apparently in Australia and New Zealand there is very little wifi areas which I think is crazy considering Indo has it more then there. Anywho I'll keep you informed!
Monday, 23 January 2012
Eeni-e Mean-e Mine-e Moe
How does this sound...
When theres a touch of mist in the air, and the horizon is obscured, the water seems to blend perfectly with the sky from the hammock of your home on a Singapore sized island in the middle of Lake Toba. A 1707-sq-km, 450m-deep lake set in the collapsed caldera of an extinct volcano surrounded by mountains ribboned with water falls and terrace with rice fields.
To me...it sounds like heaven on earth.
Today i met another fella...he suggested a new route for me and I'm pretty exited about it. He's quite the traveler himself and made quite an impression on me. Did i mention he's in his 60's? Yea, nice guy.
Today was really slow and nice. I walked for an hour down the board walk and did mass amounts of research cause i found a copy of Lonely Planet to borrow. That being said...I'm making a HUGE change in my plans. When i started traveling i knew i had a travel bone inside but hidden and comfortable. Now i believe that bone was on my plate at dinner as it is no where near comfort any more! I'm slightly just moving on auto pilot cause i don't have a guide book to reference and its a weird hazy feeling. But very chill the same time so im cool with it.
For dinner i went all out and found a small indian restaurant that served rhoti. Its basically like a crepe with egg and onion in it served with this delicious stew like sauce. Yumm!! Then i finished it off with indian style mei goring with strange chicken parts. It was alright. On my way back i got a jar of PB and a box of crackers. Hello breakfast!
A guerrilla attack occurred this morning It was a sleeping me versus hungry mosquitos. They won...for sure they won.
Another slow day on the books for me. Going to check out some sightseeing things and tour around. Plus buy my tickets and get out of here back to Indo!!!
When theres a touch of mist in the air, and the horizon is obscured, the water seems to blend perfectly with the sky from the hammock of your home on a Singapore sized island in the middle of Lake Toba. A 1707-sq-km, 450m-deep lake set in the collapsed caldera of an extinct volcano surrounded by mountains ribboned with water falls and terrace with rice fields.
To me...it sounds like heaven on earth.
Today i met another fella...he suggested a new route for me and I'm pretty exited about it. He's quite the traveler himself and made quite an impression on me. Did i mention he's in his 60's? Yea, nice guy.
Today was really slow and nice. I walked for an hour down the board walk and did mass amounts of research cause i found a copy of Lonely Planet to borrow. That being said...I'm making a HUGE change in my plans. When i started traveling i knew i had a travel bone inside but hidden and comfortable. Now i believe that bone was on my plate at dinner as it is no where near comfort any more! I'm slightly just moving on auto pilot cause i don't have a guide book to reference and its a weird hazy feeling. But very chill the same time so im cool with it.
For dinner i went all out and found a small indian restaurant that served rhoti. Its basically like a crepe with egg and onion in it served with this delicious stew like sauce. Yumm!! Then i finished it off with indian style mei goring with strange chicken parts. It was alright. On my way back i got a jar of PB and a box of crackers. Hello breakfast!
A guerrilla attack occurred this morning It was a sleeping me versus hungry mosquitos. They won...for sure they won.
Another slow day on the books for me. Going to check out some sightseeing things and tour around. Plus buy my tickets and get out of here back to Indo!!!
Melaka
Yesterday was a tourist day for sure. I managed to see 3 museums, 2 very old churches and 1 cemetery. Sweet. The independence museum had lots of intersting stuff but I managed to snag a picture of this table. It's pretty important as it had lots of documents signed on it. I gave it a wobble to see how sturdy it was...she's sturdy. Impressive craftsmanship for it to be so used and old and still in such good condition. I also ate authentic Chinese food. Please refer to pictures.
There's a lot of history in this city which is cool if your into it. Malaysia is a really pretty country. The government pays for almost everything here so there isn't a lot of poverty which is really nice to see. Its a mix of Thailands landscape and Singapores people. So there are hills not as big as Thailand but bigger then Singapore and it's less clean then Singapore but cleaner then Thailand. Crazy for where it's located! I'm leaving tomorrow which I'm so excited about. Back to Singapore for 3 nights then INDO!!! I'm so excited to be in a place where animals out number people.
I went to a beach today. Bad thing about traveling alone is no one puts sunscreen on your back :( I felt like Te Vikings were with me on the beach though. Jord, I burnt my back, Mom, I got a wicked sunglasses tan and Jenna I have a racer back tan you would be proud of!
It was a really weird feeling being he only one in the town that was like me but also the only one showing any skin. Poor kids...they've never seen such a white ass before.
Most memorable part of today was on my walk back a delivery truck carrying dragon dancers and their drums passed me and they were wishing me a good day and screaming hi over their loud speaker. Thoughtful and embarrassing all at once! I always seem to make the most unlikely relationships. Tonight I'm going for a beer with one of the old men that runs the hotel. He noticed I don't stay out late and we are now meeting at 11:15!
The key chain is my Malaysia souvenir. It's wood so I have something to knock on when I need it!
Much love
There's a lot of history in this city which is cool if your into it. Malaysia is a really pretty country. The government pays for almost everything here so there isn't a lot of poverty which is really nice to see. Its a mix of Thailands landscape and Singapores people. So there are hills not as big as Thailand but bigger then Singapore and it's less clean then Singapore but cleaner then Thailand. Crazy for where it's located! I'm leaving tomorrow which I'm so excited about. Back to Singapore for 3 nights then INDO!!! I'm so excited to be in a place where animals out number people.
I went to a beach today. Bad thing about traveling alone is no one puts sunscreen on your back :( I felt like Te Vikings were with me on the beach though. Jord, I burnt my back, Mom, I got a wicked sunglasses tan and Jenna I have a racer back tan you would be proud of!
It was a really weird feeling being he only one in the town that was like me but also the only one showing any skin. Poor kids...they've never seen such a white ass before.
Most memorable part of today was on my walk back a delivery truck carrying dragon dancers and their drums passed me and they were wishing me a good day and screaming hi over their loud speaker. Thoughtful and embarrassing all at once! I always seem to make the most unlikely relationships. Tonight I'm going for a beer with one of the old men that runs the hotel. He noticed I don't stay out late and we are now meeting at 11:15!
The key chain is my Malaysia souvenir. It's wood so I have something to knock on when I need it!
Much love
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Lessons Learned
If you don't laugh at life you'll end up crying right. Thank god that's tattooed on my body otherwise I'd be balling!
Lessons Learned...what ive learned today!
1. Ask questions even if you look like a moron. Learned how? I think i got off at the wrong stop today thus leaving me to paying $200 to drive from where ever the hell i was to Melaka.
2. Don't book the cheapest places cause no one actually knows where they are. It only took 40min but we found it!
3. Check to see how big holidays effect the area you're traveling to. F-ing chinese new year has shut the city down and basically everything else with it.
4. Don't take wifi for granted. Its pure rent a computer down here! Hence why this blog may not reach you for a while. I bought an hr for $1 and I've yet to see a page load!
Happy Chinese Dragon Year!
The man running my guest house reminds me of my own Mr. Meogie. Hes quite cute. Fire works started at 8 and carried on till 12. I walked down. China town and it was so busy and smelled pretty bad so i didnt last long. I made it till 11:30 and realized the fireworks show happened at the other end of the street so i peaced out. Being offered shredded, dried cuttle fish re-hydrated just didnt sit right with me so i made the hike back home. When i got back Mr. Meogie gave me an orange for good luck in the new year. That explains why there were so many oranges for sale! Its now 9:30am and the fireworks continue! My goodness they are crazy here!
No where was serving food because the towns basically shut down so i enjoyed a beer and a pack of oreos and when i got that orange i considered eating the peel.
Im now lazily laying in bed with ariel not wanting to walk cause of my blister. But i must find a pharmacist today. If they aren't chinese i have a chance otherwise the town is off for 3 days. Good thing i have a good book!
Lessons Learned...what ive learned today!
1. Ask questions even if you look like a moron. Learned how? I think i got off at the wrong stop today thus leaving me to paying $200 to drive from where ever the hell i was to Melaka.
2. Don't book the cheapest places cause no one actually knows where they are. It only took 40min but we found it!
3. Check to see how big holidays effect the area you're traveling to. F-ing chinese new year has shut the city down and basically everything else with it.
4. Don't take wifi for granted. Its pure rent a computer down here! Hence why this blog may not reach you for a while. I bought an hr for $1 and I've yet to see a page load!
Happy Chinese Dragon Year!
The man running my guest house reminds me of my own Mr. Meogie. Hes quite cute. Fire works started at 8 and carried on till 12. I walked down. China town and it was so busy and smelled pretty bad so i didnt last long. I made it till 11:30 and realized the fireworks show happened at the other end of the street so i peaced out. Being offered shredded, dried cuttle fish re-hydrated just didnt sit right with me so i made the hike back home. When i got back Mr. Meogie gave me an orange for good luck in the new year. That explains why there were so many oranges for sale! Its now 9:30am and the fireworks continue! My goodness they are crazy here!
No where was serving food because the towns basically shut down so i enjoyed a beer and a pack of oreos and when i got that orange i considered eating the peel.
Im now lazily laying in bed with ariel not wanting to walk cause of my blister. But i must find a pharmacist today. If they aren't chinese i have a chance otherwise the town is off for 3 days. Good thing i have a good book!
Hey White Girl
That's what the people think here. They don't say it but their open mouthed stares do. One little boy was so fascinated by me he mimicked my every move. Including the excessive amount of peanut butter on toast and packing an extra slice for the road. He didn't know what to do with that one but i did!
I have discovered i despise hostels. 7 people (2 in 1 bed) crammed into a room the size of a bathroom...no thanks! The sleep talker on the next bunk basically shared my pillow! At 3 am i was awake and nearly suffocating from the bad breath and snoring. I'm ready for Malaysia though. I've had about as much sweat pants and jellied goods as i can take.
I haven't been the best with time keeping now I'm on my own. I again almost missed my bus to Melaka. I got there in time thanks to my taxi driver knowing where he was going.
Malaysia boarder is 40min from Singapore city. We had to get off the bus and go through customs then reboard the bus.
I have discovered i despise hostels. 7 people (2 in 1 bed) crammed into a room the size of a bathroom...no thanks! The sleep talker on the next bunk basically shared my pillow! At 3 am i was awake and nearly suffocating from the bad breath and snoring. I'm ready for Malaysia though. I've had about as much sweat pants and jellied goods as i can take.
I haven't been the best with time keeping now I'm on my own. I again almost missed my bus to Melaka. I got there in time thanks to my taxi driver knowing where he was going.
Malaysia boarder is 40min from Singapore city. We had to get off the bus and go through customs then reboard the bus.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
A New Perspective
Well today was an adventure day!
I tackled the subway and bus system which is really easy here. I made it o the bird park and it was amazing. They have done a very good job of it and there were so many beautiful birds. Thats sayin something coming from me as i am NOT a birder. My favorite part was the penguins and the waterfall. I tried to make it to the zoo and night safari but the rain came and somehow i set my watch back an hour which really cut back on time! So i sat at the zoo for an hour then made my way back to the hostel. Its now 8pm and I'm just siting down to eat on a very busy street restaurant. Tonight was dumpling and some veggie thing. I intended to take a picture of my dumplings but i ate them all before i remembered! Hopefully i can catch a dragon dance now cause its the finals happening here. I saw a short one at the bird park and its pretty incredible what they do. I had no idea it was like that. Actually i bailed on the dance...they're just jumping around anyway.
As it turns out there is a lot to do and see in Singapore. Its a wonderful and gorgeous city that takes up its own island. I'm planning on coming back a day early to see what i missed in the first 2 days!
Pictures...in any order
Me with the orchids
Me and an african lady beading
Me and some pelicans
My greens at dinner
China towns dragon
The rain at the zoo
Me at the waterfall which was my favorite part!
Friday, 20 January 2012
My Big Girl Panties
Well here i am! In one of the biggest, cleanest and safest cities in SE Asia. I've got my beer in hand, my big girl panties pulled up, a twinkle in my eye and a smile on my face. This was the best advice Jenna has given me so far. I joked with her earlier that if i didn't meet any friends for dinner I'd just get drunk. This is a pic of my dinner...well on my way! Mmm pad thai and beer...i will never be sick of it! There aren't many people at the hostel right now but my room is full. I, of course, am sleeping on top bunk above this tiny little indian man. Oh god i hope Ikea bunk holds up cause i would squish him like a bug!
I got into Singapore at 11am and couldn't get into my hostel dorm until 2. Just as i was getting ready to head outside it started to rain, and rain it did! It was a solid down pour for almost 2 hours in which time i got bored and went out in it. I almost shat my panties earlier though and called in my troops (Jen and Jord) to find me something i can afford here or just get me out! Luckily i pulled them up and trucked on! Chinese new year has been happening from Jan 1-Feb 21 and where I'm staying in China town it is in full flare. The real party starts on the 29/30th which are the days i leave. Too bad cause its my year!!
I have sat down and done some planning for myself (actually like pulling out my own wisdom teeth :( ). I will go to the zoo tomorrow and the night safari. Then i leave for Mekala on the 22nd at 8am. Its a 2hr drive but apparently has lots of history. I will spend 2 nights there, then 2 nights in Kuala Lampur, and 2 nights in Penang. Then a 5hr bus back to Singapore and peace the hell out of here!
I'm looking at doing a hiking trip to Lake Toba in Medan for a bunch of days. I thought it would be fun to see something not many people see. Besides Komodos, manta flicks and thousands of bats flying right over head :)
On a side note i have been laughing quite a bit over Robert. I apologize that you didn't know Robert was my backpack (hahaha still laughing). Here I've been writing about him like he's my best friend (he is) and you probably thought I'd met this man of my dreams (again he is). I'm very glad we are all clear now! Robert and Jet (my smaller pack) have got my back through it all! It may be my loneliness but i am on fire with the backpack jokes! Also in Surabaya the desk in my room had 4 ___+Robert=love written on it. 5 plus mine. But i figure Robert is the best travel partner name=AWESOME!!
I keep thinking I'll limit the amount i actually write and let y'all get on with your day but once i start i just can't stop.
Much love!
I got into Singapore at 11am and couldn't get into my hostel dorm until 2. Just as i was getting ready to head outside it started to rain, and rain it did! It was a solid down pour for almost 2 hours in which time i got bored and went out in it. I almost shat my panties earlier though and called in my troops (Jen and Jord) to find me something i can afford here or just get me out! Luckily i pulled them up and trucked on! Chinese new year has been happening from Jan 1-Feb 21 and where I'm staying in China town it is in full flare. The real party starts on the 29/30th which are the days i leave. Too bad cause its my year!!
I have sat down and done some planning for myself (actually like pulling out my own wisdom teeth :( ). I will go to the zoo tomorrow and the night safari. Then i leave for Mekala on the 22nd at 8am. Its a 2hr drive but apparently has lots of history. I will spend 2 nights there, then 2 nights in Kuala Lampur, and 2 nights in Penang. Then a 5hr bus back to Singapore and peace the hell out of here!
I'm looking at doing a hiking trip to Lake Toba in Medan for a bunch of days. I thought it would be fun to see something not many people see. Besides Komodos, manta flicks and thousands of bats flying right over head :)
On a side note i have been laughing quite a bit over Robert. I apologize that you didn't know Robert was my backpack (hahaha still laughing). Here I've been writing about him like he's my best friend (he is) and you probably thought I'd met this man of my dreams (again he is). I'm very glad we are all clear now! Robert and Jet (my smaller pack) have got my back through it all! It may be my loneliness but i am on fire with the backpack jokes! Also in Surabaya the desk in my room had 4 ___+Robert=love written on it. 5 plus mine. But i figure Robert is the best travel partner name=AWESOME!!
I keep thinking I'll limit the amount i actually write and let y'all get on with your day but once i start i just can't stop.
Much love!
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Surabaya
Banks and Kentucky Fried Chicken. That is Surabaya. Probably not the nicest place I've been...but I'm only here for a night. And thank god i packed the Oreos cause I'm thinking thats dinner. I once again found myself a beautiful $9 hotel and am stayin in the middle of nowhere! But there is a park across from me so I'm currently creepin on some kids playing soccer before the rain comes. Note picture. I'm thinking theres going to be a soccer practice and i may just creep on that too. I was the only white girl on the plane and still feel that way. Comfort zone...whats that?!?!
My taxi driver didn't speak a word of english and handy enough took me to a 5* hotel instead of where I'm staying. It took another taxi and another $30,000rph before i arrived at my new place. I'm exhausted and looking forward to Singapore. Somehow i believe i will meet someone who speaks english there. There is an hr time change here which on days like today make the days much longer!
As it turns out i needed real food so i marched downstairs and asked a group of ppl if i could join them for dinner. They said sure and we enjoyed a lovely meal with actual english! Pretty exciting. I'm now waiting to depart to Singapore. I love my spontaneous decisions to travel to places but boy do i not research! Its apparently expensive but beautiful so hopefully i can get some info at my hostel to point me in some interesting directions. I had dinner with an Ausi and he said it will be very much like Australia price wise so i will know my budget.
My taxi driver didn't speak a word of english and handy enough took me to a 5* hotel instead of where I'm staying. It took another taxi and another $30,000rph before i arrived at my new place. I'm exhausted and looking forward to Singapore. Somehow i believe i will meet someone who speaks english there. There is an hr time change here which on days like today make the days much longer!
As it turns out i needed real food so i marched downstairs and asked a group of ppl if i could join them for dinner. They said sure and we enjoyed a lovely meal with actual english! Pretty exciting. I'm now waiting to depart to Singapore. I love my spontaneous decisions to travel to places but boy do i not research! Its apparently expensive but beautiful so hopefully i can get some info at my hostel to point me in some interesting directions. I had dinner with an Ausi and he said it will be very much like Australia price wise so i will know my budget.
Boredom Got Me
Yesterday was a really crazy day. It was day one of solo style and it felt really weird. Thank goodness i talk to myself or else i could have been lonely!
I started off with calling Jenna and Gram just to let them know i was fine. Then i just sat at this coffee shop and thought about what i wanted to do. It was so weird cause I'm use to group discussions and others schedules or bladders but not this time. So then i went shopping!
I got a new backpack cause I'm going to this music festival in NZ and Robert won't be with me. So i got a backy pack and then i got a Bali purse which I'm really happy about. My pack was $12 and my purse was $3. I think i was alright to spend that. I kept walking and found the beach. Its was pretty deserted and slightly raining so i didn't stay long. I made my way back to my hotel and passed out for 3hrs. Then i packed and pissed around on the internet and trying to get out of Bali. And i found it!!
Cause I'm smart i bought my ticket from Surabaya to Singapore first and then tried to buy my ticket from Bali and you cant purchase them online with a credit card within 48hrs. So i decided I'd just show up at the airport and get one there. I've never done that before and it was alright actually! Because i have terrible hearing the poor girl was yelling at me through a small hole in the glass (why glass?). But i got my ticket and here we are!
I am currently in the airport waiting for my flight to Surabaya. From there i will fly to Singapore for 9 days then back to Surabaya. From there i will fly to Medan for another 9 days. Then on the 6th of February i will fly Medan-Surabaya-Denpasar-Sydney. She's going to be a long day!
The great news though...Robert is weighing in at 14.9kg!!!! Thats just fabulous as he has lost an additional 5kg since Thailand! I can officially lift him over my head.
Also super excited that this Nick fella is taking care of me so much. I bought my ticket for this music fest and he will pick me up and take me and basically be my best friend! Super happy!!!
Here are some snapshots of what I'm leaving behind, my new pack and Robert with his newly sewn on badges (he's such a trouper!). And my jaffle...cause i know some of you out there are missing jaffles.
I started off with calling Jenna and Gram just to let them know i was fine. Then i just sat at this coffee shop and thought about what i wanted to do. It was so weird cause I'm use to group discussions and others schedules or bladders but not this time. So then i went shopping!
I got a new backpack cause I'm going to this music festival in NZ and Robert won't be with me. So i got a backy pack and then i got a Bali purse which I'm really happy about. My pack was $12 and my purse was $3. I think i was alright to spend that. I kept walking and found the beach. Its was pretty deserted and slightly raining so i didn't stay long. I made my way back to my hotel and passed out for 3hrs. Then i packed and pissed around on the internet and trying to get out of Bali. And i found it!!
Cause I'm smart i bought my ticket from Surabaya to Singapore first and then tried to buy my ticket from Bali and you cant purchase them online with a credit card within 48hrs. So i decided I'd just show up at the airport and get one there. I've never done that before and it was alright actually! Because i have terrible hearing the poor girl was yelling at me through a small hole in the glass (why glass?). But i got my ticket and here we are!
I am currently in the airport waiting for my flight to Surabaya. From there i will fly to Singapore for 9 days then back to Surabaya. From there i will fly to Medan for another 9 days. Then on the 6th of February i will fly Medan-Surabaya-Denpasar-Sydney. She's going to be a long day!
The great news though...Robert is weighing in at 14.9kg!!!! Thats just fabulous as he has lost an additional 5kg since Thailand! I can officially lift him over my head.
Also super excited that this Nick fella is taking care of me so much. I bought my ticket for this music fest and he will pick me up and take me and basically be my best friend! Super happy!!!
Here are some snapshots of what I'm leaving behind, my new pack and Robert with his newly sewn on badges (he's such a trouper!). And my jaffle...cause i know some of you out there are missing jaffles.
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