Author archive
1 October 2022
Tomorrow I will attempt to fly from Kuching to Baku in Azerbaijan. I start with a confirmed 1045 Malaysia Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur booked a long time ago partially using points that were expiring. All other arrangements were built around this but plans took multiple turns as most options for the remainder of the […]
26 September 2022
Unexpected dental work I had eleven nights in hometown Kuching, not all of which was pleasant. I had fewer catch-up with friends than normal but more family get-togethers because my nephew Julian (and wife) were visiting from Los Angeles. And there’s also an early birthday dinner with family for my brother’s 60th. The bad part […]
21 September 2022
Onboard the flight After take-off from Melbourne, turbulence delayed the snack/supper service which consisted of a chicken tandoori roti wrap or a vegetarian pie. I took half a sleeping pill and had trouble dozing even though the seat recline was excellent. I must have fallen asleep though because I felt rudely awakened by the breakfast […]
20 September 2022
Above: My Nasi Padang in Melbourne. Flying to Malaysia I fly out to Malaysia tonight at 2330. Julia dropped me off at their local station early and I headed into the city for a wander. It was the first day of good stable weather I’ve had in Melbourne. I couldn’t resist having an Indonesian meal, […]
19 September 2022
Above: Bathing boxes at Mount Martha. Yesterday My short stay in Melbourne was to catch up with my old aunt and cousins. I managed to do that yesterday, having a Vietnamese lunch with aunt after a morning hike up Lyrebird track. I even had time for a Nasi Padang dinner with a friend from Yemeni […]
17 September 2022
Above: After Tasmania, it seemed quite strange to be flying into a large city in mainland Australia. This continued for a couple of hours (eg. on public transport) where I felt a sense of re-adjustment! Lucky flight Today I fly from Launceston to Melbourne to stay with my cousin for three nights. I had booked an […]
16 September 2022
As I had been lucky with time and weather on my day of arrival in Launceston, I had accomplished more than expected and had today free. The Singaporean women I met yesterday raved about Cradle Mountain and had paid AUD200+ for the car rental because that was the going rate. But seeing that I managed […]
15 September 2022
Above: Wineglass Bay from the lookout. Imagine that being red from whales’ blood as they’re slaugtered. Today I do a day-trip to the Freycinet National Park on a tour. The tour is available ex-Hobart and finishing in Launceston, but it wasn’t available till today and I had fixed my accommodation at both cities at great […]
14 September 2022
Moving north to Launceston My bus from Hobart to Launceston was booked for 1000, so it was a very leisurely start. Getting to the Hobart Transit Centre at 0930, the place was just a shop/office rather than a station. The bus, only a third full, left on time and took us through Oatlands and Campbell […]
13 September 2022
Travelling to Port Arthur With my bodyclock still on New Zealand time the 0730 report for the Port Arthur bus, operated by Pennicott Wilderness, was a breeze. Despite staying close to the office and parked buses, some how I missed the driver’s call to board. It was a bit embarrassing boarding a bus with everyone […]