South-East Asia

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Manila nightstop

I had a relatively late wake-up today without the alarm around 0730 and took my time with breakfast of mueli and milk before checking out at 1030. I had asked two receptionists during the course of my stay about buses to Manila and they both said I could easily get them at Starmills Robinsons mall […]

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Good Frinight at San Fernando and travel advice

Evening processions at San Fernando At about 1700, I took the jeepney back to San Fernando by myself (the Poles had moved on). I saw a few beautiful floats along the way. In the Cathedral courtyard, there were a small but growing number. Close to 1800, the courtyard was full and it was a glorious […]

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Good Friday at San Fernando

Today is the big day of my trip. It is the day of the gory Good Friday crucifixions. At the Cathedral (Whippings and Cross Bearers) Szymon (whom I met yesterday with his wife-to-be Magdalena) knocked on my door at 0800. He had read that we needed to go really early as Cutud was near Angeles […]

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To Pampanga via Clark

Even though my alarm was set for 0600, my bodyclock woke me at 0530. My flight to Clark near Manila was at 0945. I checked out at 0615 and managed to get a bus at 0640 after having just missed one. At this time, there wasn’t much traffic and I was at the airport around […]

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Thaipusam on the Eve

I walked out to Serangoon Road nearby after breakfast hoping that the Thaipusam procession would be underway and sure enough it was. Devotees witih various forms of kavsdis dribbled through. It wasn’t a continuous stream. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Since I couldn’t get any antihistamine cream and my sandfly bites were in […]

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Back to Singapore for Thaipusam

I chose to take the 1130 ferry to Singapore as it meant I could leave close to my hotel checkout time and get to Singapore around the checkin time (with an hour time difference). After my breakfast of muesli, papaya and milk, Anton picked me up at 1015 and dropped me at Harbour Bay a […]

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Back to Batam

Above:  Last glimpse of Natuna, near Ranai after take-off. With a mid-morning departure from Natuna back to Batam I neither had plenty of time nor had to rush. I had a breakfast of soto next door before being taken to the airport by Yuli. It wasn’t a long drive but speed was restricted in the […]

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Motorcycles Diaries #2

Meng couldn’t take me out today but Bey had offered. As she was busy in the morning, it would be a 1230 start with her.Yuli brought nasi dagang with a choice of egg or tuna, and mini bread balls filled with tuna. I was told I couldn’t have just one so walked away rather full. […]

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Motorcycle Diaries #1

I grabbed a breakfast of gado-gado and very sweet milk coffee next door. I had brought milk and muesli but got tempted into this. Yesterday I had finally agreed to go with the pricey car excursion. That’s what I thought but at 1000 Meng turned up on his motorbike (called “Honda” in Natuna regardless of […]

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Flying to Natuna (and about Natuna)

My destination today is Ranai on the island of Natuna Besar in the Natuna Archipelago, which is part of the Riau Islands of Indonesia. It is not well known so I guess I’d better give it an intro. Background & History of Natuna Natuna consists of 272 islands in the South China Sea that is […]

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