Author archive
11 June 2013
This trip was meant to be a third visit to hospitable Iran on AirAsia X’s ridiculously cheap fare. But with the Iranian currency crisis, the flight got cancelled and I eventually settled on a trip to Kashmir (via Australia’s Red Centre and Timor), continuing to the Cacasus and Scotland (plus a few detours). I had […]
26 May 2013
Tonight's dinner is a favourite on streets in Malaysia. It is called Chai Thau Kueh (Hokkien), Cha Kueh Kak (Penang… Posted by Alex Chan on Sunday, May 26, 2013
10 April 2013
Kota Bharu is famous for Kelantanese cuisine and we struck it lucky with the Ramadhan markets. Along with a few restaurant meals, it was a great showcase of the local delights. Posted by Alex Chan on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
4 March 2013
I arrived back in Auckland having missed two-plus months of summer. The best part of the year is nearly gone. But I had an awesome time abroad. I can’t have it all!
3 March 2013
I toyed with the idea of replacing my phone. I have a Sony Ericsson Android which was getting badly scratched on the screen; it does everything but in slow motion as it has a slow single-core processor. I felt no urgency in replacing it though; I like its more compact form compared to most smartphones. But on […]
2 March 2013
Above: Mt Mayon from Legazpi. Today I leave Philippines after more than two weeks. Because the hotel breakfast was stodgy and unappealing, I went to the supermarket and bought some mini-muffins, mangoes and milk. It was a much better choice. After lunch, I flew to Manila with a self-connect to Hong Kong where I met […]
1 March 2013
Above: Mt Mayon from the Embarcadero waterfront. Following the successful sightings of the whaleshark, I was happy to leave Donsol. After a wash, I took a tricycle, van and another tricycle to the Ellis Ecotel in Legaspi for my last night in the Philippines. It was intended to be a change in scenery, located next to […]
1 March 2013
I had been of two minds as to whether to do the whale-sharks for a third time in Donsol today. On one hand, chances of a sighting are pretty slim. But on the other hand, I do have the time and it isn’t very much money for something that I could possibly never do again. […]
28 February 2013
Above: Mt Mayon faintly seen from the sea in the early morning before the clouds gather. Today I had my second attempt at Donsol for the whale-sharks. Our group comprised of John and Yvon from Netherlands, plus David and Jane from Singapore. We found a French man to make up the maximum party of six. […]
27 February 2013
Above: Manta on a poster. That’s the closest we got to any manta. I did a day’s diving with Bicol Dive Centre at Donsol, hoping to see mantas at Manta Bowl. Three Dives The dives were led by local dive masters who have better knowledge of the area. We did three dives as follows: One […]