If you ever need to take the Pelni ferry to Medan from Bedan in Sumatra you just have to upgrade to 2nd class. The standard, though very cheap economy class is seriously unappealing. 2000 souls with baggage and kids, a 24 hour journey with appalling toilets ( floating floaters, need I type more) and dormitories to, well, avoid really. I'm now in Medan at the upper end of Sumatra. Just had a chest xray at the request of Australian immigration office, cost 10 pounds for the film, a report and a CDRom! Amazing. Especially as , having gone and got it, the Ozzies, blessem' have decided I don't need the bloody thing! Actually it's quite reassuring to see a nice normal CXR about 40 years after I had the last one. Meanwhile, I'm off to the
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