Today, I’m NOT traveling. One long day to Tentena, one day in Tentena on motor bike exploring, one long day yesterday on bus to get here and now, walking and relaxing. It’s strange being around a city again after being on the islands for so long. I’m carrying wallet and watch, found ice cream, am […]
Travel pause in Rantepao and Tana Toraja Read More »
I’ve arrived! It was quite an interesting trip. Last night, I wasn’t sure if Mr. Rudi was going to bring me all the way or not. I thought so then he mentioned there are three boats. He also told me there was no reason to call Fadhila’s as they would probably be at the dock.
Fadhila’s Cottages near Katupat Read More »
I’ve been here for three days but it feels like I’ve been here for a week or more. Slow pace, deep quiet, silence at night so penetrating it wakes me up. No dogs barking, no honking horns, no traffic, just the slight sound of the generator on the other side of the island, muffled by
Last night in Lestari Melenge Read More »
I’m sitting at the East end of the Island of Melenge in Lestari Bungalows. There are two Lestari’s here. The one near the dock in Melenge is the Losmen. Take a boat from there to the bungalows about 20 minutes away. Lovely beach, very quiet, hammocks on the porch of bungalows. Newer bungalows with private
From Lestari Kadidiri to Lestari Melenge Read More »
While sitting in Melenge Lestari, I did some writing reflecting on my experiences so I’d have them ready when posting. This is one of those. The last day in Gorontalo was a lazy day of relaxing, eating, writing and waiting for the evening ferry. As the day passed, more people showed up who were going
Togian Islands, trip from Gorontalo Read More »
Yes, I’ve been relaxing on the islands for the past 10 days. No internet, no phone, generator for electricity a few hours every evening, quiet so stunning it woke me up at night and the softest white sand beach ever! One ferry broke, the other two were loaded to the gills, it was market day,
In little over 8 hours, I’ll get on the ferry from Gorontalo for the Togian Islands. Tomorrow morning, when we arrive, I’ll get a boat with friends or wait until the 4:00 pm public boat and head to the northern most island, Melenge. My friends told me it was their favorite. Equipped with clean clothes
Immersion and off grid Read More »
One night at Daniel’s, I looked around the dining area and noticed all the different conversations taking place. Russian, French, Spanish, Indonesian, Dutch, Canadian, a woman from China, a man from South Korea, a couple from England….what a mixed pot! One of the Russian’s got a bit belligerent the next afternoon. I think substituting beer
Today is…..well, today. I’d have to find my watch and look up the day to know any different. After three days of traveling, the last one being the longest, I landed in Manado. Manado is the largest city in Northern Sulawesi with a major airport and harbour. Before arriving, I had called a couple hotels
Manado arrival, it was “today” then…. Read More »
Today, with so much time on my hands and with my trip feeling it is changing into a new phase, I had a bit of a haunting question pop up. After traveling like this for three and a half months, how will I ever fit back into my old life and existence? New friends every
A haunting question Read More »
The reality of traveling the way I am is that it does take time. Two days ago, I left Semporna by minivan and headed to the harbour. Through the downtown area, stumbling along to find the harbour and immigration, I finally made it to my boat. It cost for travel so much more than days
Travel realities as I sit in Balikpapan waiting nearly 7 hours…. Read More »
OK, figured out why they call it “paradise”, no one knows what I’m talking about or where it might be? When I ask about an island close to here for snorkeling, they all refer to Derawan which is a long trip. So, I’m off looking for a new paradise which in many ways, I’ve found
Paradise is evasive in Manado, Sulawesi Read More »
I walked around town and found the one hotel that has WiFi and even though I am not staying here, they gave me the password to use their system. The internet cafe next door was completely full. Not a tourist in sight, only small children playing computer games. So, here’s the latest scoop. I’m sitting
I’m here, wherever that is…. Read More »
Today, I went snorkeling. It was lovely, lots of fish, many turtles, moray eels, colorful fish, unusual and weird fish, and a lot of dead coral. Whether from dynamic fishing of years past or heating of the ocean, a lot of the coral was dead. When I was near live coral, the fish population exploded.
Mystery tour beginning tomorrow Read More »
Two days of interesting encounters between yesterday and today. I went walking to the Post Office in Sandakan and was the only tourist there. In fact, once I left the area of the waterfront, I didn’t see another tourist. Everywhere, people looked at me shyly but kept looking back like they hadn’t seen a tall
Semporna: wonderful encounters, snorkeling and nearing the end of Borneo Read More »
I’ve stumbled upon great places to stay and eat on my trip that are not listed on the internet or in Lonely Planet. It’s a strong desire of local business’s to be listed in Lonely Planet as it can really increase their business. However, there are thousands of wonderful little places that are never mentioned
Sandakan: dining and our friend Miu Read More »
A very mysterious thing happened when Steve, Sam and I arrived in Sandakan: the rain stopped. Really, for two whole days, no rain!!! Amazing! Amazing and hot! Our first day here, we had breakfast at Sandakan Backpacker Hostel and headed of on the Heritage Trail Walking Tour. Equipped with a map from the most friendly
Sandakan and Labuk Bay Sanctuary: good friends, food and adventure! Read More »
I am out of the jungle. Pretty amazing journey once again! After my last quick entry, the spontaneous and magical moment of getting off the bus at just the right spot, seeing a sign for Uncle Tan’s, meeting Diego, renting a room, finding out I could go on the river trip that afternoon (in 35
Sabah, Malaysia (Northern Borneo): exhilarating and sad! Read More »
Back in Ranau and waiting for my wonderful dinner to arrive, I opened a new mystery novel I bought in Penang. Those words were the introduction page before the first chapter began. “The unapparent connection is more powerful than the apparent one”. Today was another example of it for me and no surprise that those
“The unapparent connection is more powerful than the apparent one” Heraclitis, 500 B.C. Read More »
From ages ago to this instant, I’ve landed in Borneo. July 2010, when the thought first struck me, it seemed like such a long way off! I started reading as I knew virtually nothing about Borneo, then learned how much there was close to here. A short trip to explore Borneo expanded to a full
Months or moments and a few degrees of separation? Read More »