Articles from this Category
9 August 2020
Arrival We landed a few minutes after our arrival time of 0840. I have 5h25 of connecting time before flying home to see family in Kuching. I had read reports of lengthy waits in the arrival/transfer processing. Seated in the front of Economy I was amongst the first off the plane. I walked briskly towards […]
8 February 2020
Inland Temples Today I had booked through Traveloka a 12h rental car-and-driver for IDR130K (USD9.50) plus petrol and driver’s lunch allowance of IDR50K. I had the itinerary all decided and it was all within their “In Town” zone. With a pickup at 0930, I lay in bed and decided to check the zonal map once […]
7 February 2020
Leaving Singapore I tried to spend some time with my aunt in the morning as it was a very short visit on my part. At her age and with her special condition, she keeps to a certain routine. It appeared she wasn’t too fussed with my presence so I didn’t push it. Heading to the […]
5 February 2020
I had a leisurely morning at the museum. Pekanbaru’s museum is named after Sang Nila Utama, the prince from the broader region that founded Singapore, changing its name from Temasek to Singapura (which the English later changed to Singapore). It was a simple museum where I learnt new things about the familiar, things that I […]
4 February 2020
Leaving hometown Today I make my way from hometown Kuching to Pekanbaru via Kuala Lumpur, so that I’d end up in Singapore and then Bali in a few days time to get back to New Zealand. The Pekanbaru stop was brought about by some frequent flyer points which were expiring. So why, not?! My departure […]
20 January 2020
Long awaited arrival We descended into Bali airport and landed at 0050 with the cabin lights dimmed rather than off. It was still plenty bright, just like during take-off some six hours ago. I wonder if there is a maximum permissible brightness. Other airlines I fly with simply turn the lights off completely. There was […]
2 November 2019
Today I pick up friend Michelle from New Zealand who will visit and stay till my departure. She arrived yesterday morning and will leave five minutes before me next week. I had asked her to stay in town for the first night and given her some sightseeing tips to start off her stay before I […]
11 October 2019
Token sightseeing Having been to Bangkok three times in recent years, I didn’t feel like doing any sightseeing. But as Kim hadn’t been here (in earnest) for a while I thought I should show him the nearby sights. We set out after breakfast at 0930. It was stinking hot when we walked to the Chao […]
10 October 2019
Saying goodbye to Samui I said goodbye to Samui last night after a good cheap dinner in the open-air markets nearby. For a change, food was good and also good-value.. A very meaty chicken panang was only THB70 with rice and a meaty chicken kebab only THB40. Juices were only THB45. To avoid getting ripped […]
8 October 2019
Our paradise We’re really pleased with our selected location, at Lamai Beach and also with our property. We are close to the beach and a few minutes walk from food. The hotel is very quiet and so is much of the Lamai Beach area (and the whole of Samui); apparently it is low season. Our […]