Travel Blog Posts
Seeking Common Ground
Published: June 1st 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Margaret River
September 28th 2007
Family holidays are never like a-walk-in-the-park for me. It can be tiring if not stressful at times. When Mom suggested that we all meet up in Margaret River for a family holiday/reunion, I was not all that enthusiastic. For a start, we agree to disagree with a lot of things in life. Anything from politics, religion, gender-issues, economics, culture and basically almost everything. But that's how it is like for us, we disagree and get on with life. We all flew in and met up in Perth in a homely little holiday apartment located at Mounts Bay Road. The place overlooks the beautiful Swan River with a jogging trail along the scenic river. The Old Swan Brewery is just right down the road. When I arrived in the apartment, my folks were already making themselves at ... read more
Catching the Cape Doctor
Published: October 12th 2007Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town
April 4th 2007
The last day of my trip - I am feeling a bit sad to leave. I can't believe 6 weeks have gone past so quickly and more so, I can't believe I have burnt all my money so quickly. The last 6 weeks have been crazy! Sumptious food - eaten. Beer - drunk. Mountains - climbed. Sights - seen. It will be a while before I get to sit here in Camps Bay and sip champagne on a Wednesday afternoon. Work, office and stress are all so far away, except occasionally the missed calls from office to return and attend an exit interview. I have, of course, avoided the calls. I thought I have resigned but these guys just would not leave me alone! I will worry about that later. Unlike Europe and the States, Africa ... read more
Nothing is going on
Published: March 26th 2007South America » Uruguay » District of Montevideo » Montevideo
March 26th 2007
Some claimed that Montevideo is the Latin American city with the highest quality of life. While the guidebook claimed : "Montevideo is probably South America's most laid-back capital." I think by saying that Montevideo is "laid-back' it meant dull. The capital city of Uruguay is small with a population of not more than 1.4 million, many of them are students and young workers, but this place is far from the excitement that Buenos Aires has to offer. It may be laid-back but the bottomline is there was simply not much going on. The city was founded by Portuguese and the Spanish later ruled the area. I gather many of the European forces then were hoping to control this area as Montevideo sits right at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata which flows to ... read more
March 24th 2007
"The captain would like to inform all passengers that the Iguazu falls can be seen from the right hand side of the aircraft. Passengers seated at the left side of the aircraft may proceed to view the falls but please return to your seat right after you have seen the falls." That is the thing about the Argentineans, always so passionate about the things they do. The captain was obviously very passionate about navigating and making his passengers happy. The falls could be spotted before the plane approached the Iguazu Airport. But I could not be sure that this was the falls until the lead stewardess of Aerolíneas Argentinas made the announcement. At sunset and from an aerial view, the Iguazu falls seemed like layers and layers of bright gold curtains, with the water at ... read more
The Towers of the Chilean Patagonia
Published: March 19th 2007South America » Chile » Magallanes » Torres del Paine
March 19th 2007
Travelling is a dirty business. Literally. This pair of cargo-trousers that I am wearing went about with me in South Africa, then Argentina san wash, now they are expected to do the treks of Torres Del Paine. They do not look dirty but if you know what they have been through you would not even pick them up with your toes. This is what I hate about trekking - no access to my entire clean wardrobe. Ohwell, so long as they do not look dirty, that is fine. And looks is what that counts. After 4 hours of bumpy ride from El Calafate, I arrived at the Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine. This is apparently South America's finest national park and is also a trekker's paradise. A paradise? I am not all that sure. The ... read more
March 10th 2007
No one would have heard of this place - the mouth of the Swakop River in German or the "bottom of excrement" in Nama, but for Angelina Jolie. Of all African countires, she decided to come to Namibia, specifically, to Swakopmund to have her baby with Brad Pitt. And for the first time, Swakopmund has a little space on the world map ever since. It is hard to understand Hollywood stars but it is easy to understand what AJ sees in this place. A sleepy little coastal town with around 25,000 people, Swakopmund, with its palmtree-lined streets, picturesque Baroque-style buildings, Atlantic-front esplanade, is not really a typical African town. This place is European! There are far more German people living in Swakopmund today than any native Namibians. It is so German that you are likely ... read more
March 8th 2007
A long ride on the truck along the wild wild west of the Namib desert, WeiL and I arrived at Sossusvlei right at the peak of the desert heat. The truck was turning oven-hot from hours of baking under the African sun. The wind did not help either as it was very hot and dry. It was more likely for anyone to get windburnt by simply sitting by the window. Miles and miles, the scenery was mainly that of desert plains. Isolated. Desolate. It would be a surprise to see anyone walking down the dirt road at this time. The temperature out there was probably bordering between the high 40's and 50's celsius. The sun seared anything beneath it. Sossusvlei was a harsh place. But perhaps not to the springboks, impalas, kudus, and ostriches. They ... read more
Where are the fish in Fish River Canyon?
Published: March 6th 2007Africa » Namibia » Fish River Canyon
March 6th 2007
This is one of those places that give you an instant jaw-dropping effect. WeiL went: "I am not sure I can handle this" - the moment we arrived. Before us is a stupendous gorge with a 'river' snaking within it, all lit up in bright golden colour as the sun was slowly setting beyond the horizon. I thought I was staring at a gold field. It looked more like places you see in dreams. I bet I would forget about the whole experience (like I do all the time) by the time I wake up tomorrow unless I have pictures to remind myself that this is real. Thanks mom for lending me her camera! The second largest canyon in the world (I believe the Grand Canyon is the largest by size) has its very own ... read more
February 28th 2007
Far-flung from Asia, not many in Asia would consider going to Africa. There are always all the health and safety concerns. For those who would consider going, they would rather snuggle in the comfort provided by luxury safaris. When I decided to go to Africa, alone, I knew if I told someone, people would think I was crazy, hence I kept the plan pretty much to myself. Afterall, Africa is a continent ravished by wars, civil wars, tribal wars since the age of time. Just as you thought they have stopped fighting, Malaria, AIDs, poverty... are slowly finishing them up. It's hard to change people's mind about Africa when most news clips about Africa are those showing piles of dead bodies scattered on the streets (Darfur), little kids in refugee camps with bloated bellies and ... read more
February 22nd 2007
6 months is probably a long time to spend in one city, especially a place like Jakarta which very frequently get by-passed by travellers. Typically, most people would head straight for the ultimate R&R destinations of the region - Bali or for those with a bit more appetite for adventure - Flores and Mt. Bromo. But 6 months is probably not a very long time to work, live and truly enjoy and appreciate a place like Jakarta. Most people do not have a good first impression of the metropolis. The moment one steps off the plane in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, it is a race from the gate to the immigration counters. The queues form very quickly but immigration clearance is slow. Queue-jumping is not uncommon. Those who are willing to pay some extra cash to airport ... read more
Tot: 0.081s; Tpl: 0.003s; cc: 16; qc: 65; dbt: 0.0491s; 1; s:notus w:www (50.28.61.183); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.5mb
