Blogs from Sumatra, Indonesia, Asia - page 47

As I sit in my longyi, cherroot in hand, outside my house in Sydney, I have the sudden thought that, maybe, just maybe, my friends and family might like to know where I’ve been for the last six months. I recall a few friends who used this site before, and said, "why the hell not". I think it will be a lot better than mass emails or Snapfish accounts that no one bothers to open anyway. Plus I’ve boycotted Faceboook and MySpace this long that it might actually come in handy. The last few months, my vocabulary has been flowing with prose such as, "terama kasia", "mingalaba", "sawasdee", “is this the Thonle Sap?". For those of you who understand these words....praise thee. For those who don’t, clear some space in the ol' Blackberry and consult your ... read more

Schweren Herzens haben wir die Philippinen verlassen um uns in Sumatra auf die Suche nach Orang Utans zubegeben. Erster Aufenthalt war in Medan. Die Stadt ist wenig spektakulaer und die Unterkuenfte eher schaebig als nett. Wir sind letzendlich in einem Hostel (Zakiah) abgestiegen, dass sich genau gegenueber der groessten Moschee in Medan befindet. Na super. Da heisst es, spaetestens morgens um 5:00 Uhr muessen die Ohrstoepsel her. Denn dann ist nichts mehr mit schlafen. Noe. Da ruft der Muezzin zum Morgengebet. Und das geschieht via Megalautsprecher, die ueber der Moschee angebracht sind. So, dass der Gesang, der sich zu anderen, menschlicheren Tageszeiten sehr schoen anhoeren kann, auch noch in der kleinsten Gasse zu hoeren ist. Die Abende haben wir hauptsaechlich in einem Restaurant verbracht, in dem man auch nette Typen trifft, die einen viel ueber die ... read more

Welcome to a series of short (I promise! Yeah right....) stories from my Indonesian travels thus far. Just FYI, since I have been out of touch on a "mass scale" for quite awhile, I wanted you all to know I have been traveling in Indonesia now for the past two months. My 60 day visa expires in a few days, and even though I wrote this email a month ago, I haven't been able to send it until now. I think there will be a part 2. Despite what you might read, this country is full of lovely people, amazing scenery and fabulous, fabulous food.......I'm coming back, I just don't know when! Before I left Borneo I got a 60 day visa to visit Indonesia. Anyone who has ever been to this incredibly beautiful ... read more

So, Guillaume and I vowed that since we totally cheaped out and didn't go to Komodo Island it would be OUR duty, as professional travellers, to go on a jungle adventure and see wild orangutans. I have to say that the adventure started long before we even set foot in the wild Sumatran jungle. First we had to endure the terrifying, uncomfortable (yet somehow hilarious) 6 hour minibus ride from Berastagi to Gurah (where we would begin the trek). With two new friends in tow, Eyal and Mirit, and an expression of sheer terror plastered on each of our faces, we made it to our destination and surprisingly without colliding head-on with any gasoline truck, motorbike, rooster, dog, child or other bus. But when we got out of the minibus we weren't quite there yet, just ... read more

Weh-saarelta tulon jalkeen katsastettiin viela pari tsunamimuistomerkkia. KFC:sta kanaa mukaan lentokentalle, jossa pikainen lounas ennen lentoa takaisin Medaniin.... read more