Travel stories written while I’m on the road exploring. So many adventures and experiences pop up each day, I’ll begin by managing them under travel stories and invite you to follow along.
A brief note on a thought bouncing around my head. I just finished helping two people with ideas for how to travel in Sumatra and where they might want to visit. Angelica form Germany has back trouble so won’t be interested in long bus trips. Dan is from Switzerland and considering going as well. I […]
Inexperienced Expert! Read More »
Last night, I attempted to book a ticket with Air Asia for my flight on to Borneo. On the way back from the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Chocolate Botique, I got off the bus in front of Air Asia offices near here. After printing a copy of my return flight information, she
What am I thinking?! Force never works as good as flow. Read More »
Yesterday, I left Bukit Lawang at 11:00 am and arrived here in Penang at 11:00 pm. Jimmy was closing up shop but kept the final section of security door ajar. I knocked saying hello! He and Julia responded together, “Larry, is that you?” Ah the comfort of new friends! Jimmy confirmed I can and should
Ah HA! I may have found it!!!! Read More »
Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day here and I’m in the one internet place in all Bukit Lawang. Last night, I came to do some work and the power went out. This morning, I’m sitting here in this cool little spot with flat white river rocks for the floor waiting for the humongous tower above to
Christmas in Bukit Lawang Read More »
There is a flow to life, a flow that operated everywhere! Much of the time, people are simply to busy, preoccupied, to focused on “their” goals, or simply out of touch to notice. Richard Bach made this point in the introduction to the book “Illusions” by sharing a similar story: Once, there was a village
Travel Magic: What is needed shows up! Read More »
That money thing; what’s with all the zero’s? Think about how casually you drop a $5 or $20 in the US. A cup of coffee, a scone or croissant, maybe a $15 iTunes card as a gift. What does a $5 or $20 mean in the big scheme of things in the US? Those fly
Travel cost for budget travel Read More »
In the US, many people are curious about how this travel thing works. “You must have a ton of money”! or “You like traveling by yourself?” or “YOU DON’T HAVE A SCHEDULE!!!!!!!” So here’s a little overview of how this works. Take for instance the decision to go to Penang. One moment I’m trekking and
The disoriented travel discovering Sumatra Read More »
Listening to the birds and laughing children from my perch in Lek Jon Cottages looking out of the lake. Mountains ring the mainland on the other side of the water and clouds linger. Smoky and ethereal, morning and evening mist wafts through the trees. Yes, it is very peaceful here! Very different world from where
Surfacing in Sumatra jungle Read More »
The day continues with a twist. I spent quite a bit of time writing a continuation of my earlier post. Something happened, the autosave apparently didn’t save so now I’m starting over. After the last post, I heard a flight announcement and headed toward Gate 5, down the stairs and outside walking directly into a
More Live…now on Sumatra Read More »
This morning at 6:00 to a dark and quiet hostel. Showered, packed and ready before 7:00, I waited to see what would unfold. Last night I was told I needed to leave at 7:00 to make my 9:50 flight. That was before I was told I needed to leave at 7:10. Then it was 7:45
Live from the road to Sumatra Read More »
This morning, I woke in Tanah Rata early to catch the 7:00 am shuttle for Penang. Fortunately, the shuttle only had six people on it so there was plenty of room. Tonight, if the shuttle is able to continue, they have 11 crowding into a 10 person fan. I say “IF” because we had to
I’ve landed in a lovely spot here in Tanah Rata, Daniels also known as Kang Traveller Lodge. It’s off the main street, very quiet, loaded with friendly staff and travelers with a great lounge area. The lounge area is covered and comes with free WiFi so I’m sitting at a grand table typing away and
Cameron Highlands and Tanah Rata Read More »
I stumbled upon a cool festival in Kuala Lumpur. Beneath the station for the light rail was a canal. The side walls of the canal had been painted a turquiose color. I noticed a few vehicles along the edges of the canal with cans, ladders and boxes scattered about. People were doing something to the
After an early morning walk through the jungle, I packed and took the boat across the river to Mama Chop Restaurant. Breakfast concluded, those of us catching a shuttle bus chugged up the steep hill for the bus stop. At that moment, I was envious of those with wheelies! My first shuttle left at 10:00
Made it to Cameron Highlands Read More »
Connections are poor and expensive here so this will be a quick update. I’m staying in the hostel portion of the Mutiara Resort. So much for the hostel, I’m the only one there so it’s a private room. Internet connections there cost $10 MYR per 30 minutes. For comparison, the hostel I’m booked to stay
Taman Negara Update Read More »
Reading an overview of Malaysia last August to see what was available, one place that jumped out to me was Taman Negara. It’s described as possibly the oldest rain forest on earth. It was one of the “must see” spots before I started. Now, more rested and wanting to get out of the city, I’m
Taman Negara, I’m leaving tomorrow Read More »
Last night, I had a toss and turn night. Awake, mind racing, tired, hearing noises, too tired to sleep, thinking about details for my trip and such. I was basically feeling possessed and realized I was going through the travel “bends”. Like surfacing too quickly when diving, there’s a moment when the physical and emotional
Crash test dummy experience Read More »
I went walking through the Lake District and took some photo’s of all the green. I thought that perhaps, my friends and family experiencing bitter cold and winter snows just might get a sense of warmth from a few photo’s. After three days now, it is glorious being surrounded by green. A storm hit here
For my stormy friends Read More »
With the time difference, I’m just getting rolling while many of you are winding down. Here’s a link to where I’m headed shortly. It’s about 13 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur (less than 9 miles) but takes nearly an hour on the local bus. I’m off to catch that bus and see what the rest of
Preview of Batu Caves Read More »
After getting tips this morning, I headed down the street toward China Town. It’s so different during the day than it is at night. On the way, I was looking for the Chinese Medicine pharmacy I was told about. They made sure to tell me to stay to the left side of the road or
First day in Kuala Lumpur and balancing my energy Read More »