After 4 days, with a lift into town and a bit of an injured shoulder, I decided a rest day was in order. So, myself and Julianne, headed into Horsham for the day. Got all our provisions, had lots of coffee and buns and the best bit. We went for a swim and now I feel so so so clean.
The plans for the next wee while
I am going to stay in the Arapilles until after easter. Then, hopefully, I have a lift to the Blue Mountains. I will stay there for about 10 days (before the weather get too cold), then head back to the Arapilles and Grampians for 2 to 3 weeks. The plan then is to bus to Adelaide, visit a friend, take the great ocean road back to Melbourne and visit a another friend, head to Sydney, hopefully climb in Nowra then its New Zealand for my third adventure.. Anyway, as all good plans do, this will prolly change.. but sure its nice to have a plan.
March 29, 2007
Small World
So, I left Tasmania nice and early on Monday morning, and flew to Melbourne, where I met up with a friend of mine Kate for coffee. It was great to see her and she's been living in Melbourne for the last 2 years, so we had a lot to catch up on.
After, that I met Ryan, one of the guys who we hung out with in Tonsai, as he was gonna give me a lift to the Arapilles. We ran around Melbourne, buying essential, trained it back to his house and then headed off in the desert.
We stopped in Horsham, the closest big (small) town to the Arappiles, to pick up provisions. As I was paying for my food in the supermarket, this guy, in the queue behind me starts chatting to me. Nice friendly guy. Wondering if I was a climber and how long I'd been here. When I told him I just arrived and was on my way. He wondered if I'd gotten hold of the guidebook yet. As I hadn't and its sold out everywhere, he offered to lend me his for a couple of days. Great, that fantastic, thank you :) He ran off to the car to get it as I brought my food back to Ryan's car, when Ryan turned to me and said, do you know who that was? I didn't. Turns out, its Simon Mentz, the author of the guidebook. He he... nice start to the trip.
Small World
Pitched, my tent and was getting myself self settled. Being introduced to people left right and centre. One of the guys, had been touring for a while with Melanie Heather a few weeks in New Zealand. Small World.
The climbing great here by the way, another mecca. I think :). Loads to do of all grades, not just the 8a climbers. Some of the best routes are at the easier grades. For the past couple of days, I have been climbing with an english girl Julianne and an American guy Mark.
... and then it rained ...
A group of 8 of us piled into 2 cars along with full backpacks to embark on the South West mountains of Tasmania. We were going to hike for 1 day into the mountains, camp, hike the ridge around Lake Rhona and back out the next day.
Apparently, this was to be an easy walk and I would be fine in my runners. I was a little worried. We arrived at the forest parked the car, and started to get ready. As I looked around, I saw that everyone was well equiped, boots, gaiters, thermals, nice long rain coats, and it was starting to rain. My face fell ... oh my goodness, am I going to enjoy this.
We started off, walked for an hour before getting to the river, it was nice and low, no problems there. Yikes, what's that on my ankle, yuck, what is it, get it off, yuck, what a leech, get it off, ewww, I hate them, ahhhh. I ran across the river to get to what I thought was safety, no way more leechy, this is not going to be fun,
... and then it rained some more... .
hmmmm, off we trott, and the sun came out, I was happy again. We hiked for another couple of hours, and had some munchies, yikes, more leeches. Yuck, lets keep moving, I thought to myself. As the day progessed, the leeches dissappeared, the sun came out, and the scenery was magnificent. As late afternoon approached we could see the ridge where we would camp, only an hour to go.
.. and then it started to rain again ....
... and then the wind picked up...
... and then it started to hail....
finally we reached the camp, a little cold, but happy. Lovely flat, protected area, beside a lake, loads of trees, perfect. We pitched camp, had some dinner, chatted and went to bed, as the rain picked up again.
The night passed by as it rained and rained. At about midnight, I needed to go for a wee, so I shuffled my way to the front of my tent, to get out, thinking the ground feel really weird, like water. I opened my tent door, and to my horror the porched and half way up my tent was completely flooded and where were my sandals. With the river that was flowing through my porch, hmmm, they must be down stream. So I clambered out of my tent and stood there, in awe. What was I going to do? I had to move. I attempted, ahem, to wake the others but they were all sound asleep, nice and dry above the lake. So, with a lot of grrr, I lifted the heavy, non free standing, calasping all over the place tent and moved up over the lake. Frozen, I got back in and eventually fell back to sleep. To be awoken again at 3 to the sounds of the others moving there tents, the lake had risen again. I awoke in the morning to find that I was flooded again. So for a second time I had to move my tent, and again frozen...
... it was still raining ...
That day, we hiked around the ridge, we left the camp, and the sun was peering out, it looked to be coming into a nice day. I was a little cold, but soon warmed up as we got moving. As we neared the ridge, it started to rain, then hail, and you guessed it, by the time we reached the summit, it was snowing... and I was frozen, though still smiling. The scenery was amazing and company was great.
Back at the camp, we all huddled in our tents, drinking tea and eating snacks, to get warm. It took a couple of hours inside my sleeping bag to properly warm up. I had to borrow clothes from people, because my cotton trousers and tops were wet and well cold.
The next day, after a little cricket, don't ask. We set off back, the skies had cleared and mountains were amazing. We got back to the river to find it had risen a metre or so, which made it an interesting crossing. Linking arms, off we trott... my first river crossing...
It was a fantastic weekend. Thanks guys, I think I have had a glimpse at Tassie winter wonderland.
Apparently, this was to be an easy walk and I would be fine in my runners. I was a little worried. We arrived at the forest parked the car, and started to get ready. As I looked around, I saw that everyone was well equiped, boots, gaiters, thermals, nice long rain coats, and it was starting to rain. My face fell ... oh my goodness, am I going to enjoy this.
We started off, walked for an hour before getting to the river, it was nice and low, no problems there. Yikes, what's that on my ankle, yuck, what is it, get it off, yuck, what a leech, get it off, ewww, I hate them, ahhhh. I ran across the river to get to what I thought was safety, no way more leechy, this is not going to be fun,
... and then it rained some more... .
hmmmm, off we trott, and the sun came out, I was happy again. We hiked for another couple of hours, and had some munchies, yikes, more leeches. Yuck, lets keep moving, I thought to myself. As the day progessed, the leeches dissappeared, the sun came out, and the scenery was magnificent. As late afternoon approached we could see the ridge where we would camp, only an hour to go.
.. and then it started to rain again ....
... and then the wind picked up...
... and then it started to hail....
finally we reached the camp, a little cold, but happy. Lovely flat, protected area, beside a lake, loads of trees, perfect. We pitched camp, had some dinner, chatted and went to bed, as the rain picked up again.
The night passed by as it rained and rained. At about midnight, I needed to go for a wee, so I shuffled my way to the front of my tent, to get out, thinking the ground feel really weird, like water. I opened my tent door, and to my horror the porched and half way up my tent was completely flooded and where were my sandals. With the river that was flowing through my porch, hmmm, they must be down stream. So I clambered out of my tent and stood there, in awe. What was I going to do? I had to move. I attempted, ahem, to wake the others but they were all sound asleep, nice and dry above the lake. So, with a lot of grrr, I lifted the heavy, non free standing, calasping all over the place tent and moved up over the lake. Frozen, I got back in and eventually fell back to sleep. To be awoken again at 3 to the sounds of the others moving there tents, the lake had risen again. I awoke in the morning to find that I was flooded again. So for a second time I had to move my tent, and again frozen...
... it was still raining ...
That day, we hiked around the ridge, we left the camp, and the sun was peering out, it looked to be coming into a nice day. I was a little cold, but soon warmed up as we got moving. As we neared the ridge, it started to rain, then hail, and you guessed it, by the time we reached the summit, it was snowing... and I was frozen, though still smiling. The scenery was amazing and company was great.
Back at the camp, we all huddled in our tents, drinking tea and eating snacks, to get warm. It took a couple of hours inside my sleeping bag to properly warm up. I had to borrow clothes from people, because my cotton trousers and tops were wet and well cold.
The next day, after a little cricket, don't ask. We set off back, the skies had cleared and mountains were amazing. We got back to the river to find it had risen a metre or so, which made it an interesting crossing. Linking arms, off we trott... my first river crossing...
It was a fantastic weekend. Thanks guys, I think I have had a glimpse at Tassie winter wonderland.
March 21, 2007
Organ Pipes
Finally, I got my trip to the Organ Pipes. Gill had a day off, so off we trotted up the hill. We were going to do a three pitch 14. Since Gill is only new to climbing I was gonna lead it all. Which I was happy about - it would be a good confidence booster.
The Organ Pipes sits on the side of Mt. Wellington, the local Hobart crag. Its basically Fairhead overlooking a city, but you approach the crag from below instead of above. Other than that, its Fairhead...
The route got off fine, the first pitch was slow as I was still getting back into the swing of things, placing gear and the like. The switch over of belay went quick smoothly. The second pitch was fine, although I did get myself completely and utterly stuck in a crack.. it was almost a body width crack but with the rack on my harness, well lets saw I could neither move up or down and it took a lot of wiggling to undo myself.... As I continue up to the optional belay place I realised that I had used all my big gear and well there was no little gear on the climb. I put in two really dodgy anchors and was not happy, as I looked around to see what else would be a potential anchor I realised that was sitting behind a gigantic detached flake - how I missed that I don't know. So slinging both ropes around this, I felt alot more settled.
The third pitch, unfortunately, for me, was the toughest. I got half way up and then got really scared...I couldn't figure out what to do, again running low on gear, I was starting to panic and looking for alternative ways up. Nothing :(. There was only one thing to do, I had to commit to the climb, to get out of there. Yikes :(. With a couple of deep breaths, I did just that. I have never climbed so fast. Nothing like an adrenaline boost from a bit of fear to get you moving.
Happy with myself - we abseiled down as the sun was setting. It was a good day :)
The Organ Pipes sits on the side of Mt. Wellington, the local Hobart crag. Its basically Fairhead overlooking a city, but you approach the crag from below instead of above. Other than that, its Fairhead...
The route got off fine, the first pitch was slow as I was still getting back into the swing of things, placing gear and the like. The switch over of belay went quick smoothly. The second pitch was fine, although I did get myself completely and utterly stuck in a crack.. it was almost a body width crack but with the rack on my harness, well lets saw I could neither move up or down and it took a lot of wiggling to undo myself.... As I continue up to the optional belay place I realised that I had used all my big gear and well there was no little gear on the climb. I put in two really dodgy anchors and was not happy, as I looked around to see what else would be a potential anchor I realised that was sitting behind a gigantic detached flake - how I missed that I don't know. So slinging both ropes around this, I felt alot more settled.
The third pitch, unfortunately, for me, was the toughest. I got half way up and then got really scared...I couldn't figure out what to do, again running low on gear, I was starting to panic and looking for alternative ways up. Nothing :(. There was only one thing to do, I had to commit to the climb, to get out of there. Yikes :(. With a couple of deep breaths, I did just that. I have never climbed so fast. Nothing like an adrenaline boost from a bit of fear to get you moving.
Happy with myself - we abseiled down as the sun was setting. It was a good day :)
March 19, 2007
Tasman Peninsula
How to find a Totem Pole? I decided that since it was close, I would go in search of the infamous totem pole (for all you non-climbers out there - it is the most famous climb in Tasmania - and possibly in Australia - unfortunately for me it is very very hard :).
So, Gill kindly lend me her car and off I set to the south west. It was only about one and a half hour drive, although I did stop regularly to admire the scenes.
Finally, I arrived at the Tasman National Park and parked the car. After a quick look at the guidebook, I popped the map into my bag and headed off on a trail name the Tasman Coastal Trail. After walking for an hour admiring the scenes, the strange burnt trees, the boardwalks, the wooden bridges, the mountains in the distance, I began to wonder, shouldn't there be a coast, some sea, perhaps a few cliffs.. I am meant to be on the COASTAL trail. Hmmm :( after a quick reccie of the map, I was not a happy camper, the trail I wanted was a loop, I wanted the other end of it. It would have been ok, if it was a small loop, but if I kept going in the direction I was headed it would take me 2 or 3 days to get to the Totem Pole.. Grrr.
So I turned around and jogged back.. (I am getting into this hill running :).
Finally I located the correct trail, and headed off, again !! Forest on my right and sea and cliffs on my left, much better. So the walk was another couple of hours, but boy was it worth it.
I started to scramble down to see if I could get a good look at the Totem pole. But at about half way when the path started to give beneath me, I decided to turn around. I did get a good look at the candlestick, and could see the top half of the totem pole. I found out afterwards that most people Abseil from where I was to get to the bottom, so I was happy I stopped.
Time to turn around and walk back to the car. Every two steps I took, I saw another lizards. Thinking to myself, if the lizards are out, then so are the snakes, definitely time to go home. Another walk/run back to the car.
So, Gill kindly lend me her car and off I set to the south west. It was only about one and a half hour drive, although I did stop regularly to admire the scenes.
Finally, I arrived at the Tasman National Park and parked the car. After a quick look at the guidebook, I popped the map into my bag and headed off on a trail name the Tasman Coastal Trail. After walking for an hour admiring the scenes, the strange burnt trees, the boardwalks, the wooden bridges, the mountains in the distance, I began to wonder, shouldn't there be a coast, some sea, perhaps a few cliffs.. I am meant to be on the COASTAL trail. Hmmm :( after a quick reccie of the map, I was not a happy camper, the trail I wanted was a loop, I wanted the other end of it. It would have been ok, if it was a small loop, but if I kept going in the direction I was headed it would take me 2 or 3 days to get to the Totem Pole.. Grrr.
So I turned around and jogged back.. (I am getting into this hill running :).
Finally I located the correct trail, and headed off, again !! Forest on my right and sea and cliffs on my left, much better. So the walk was another couple of hours, but boy was it worth it.
I started to scramble down to see if I could get a good look at the Totem pole. But at about half way when the path started to give beneath me, I decided to turn around. I did get a good look at the candlestick, and could see the top half of the totem pole. I found out afterwards that most people Abseil from where I was to get to the bottom, so I was happy I stopped.
Time to turn around and walk back to the car. Every two steps I took, I saw another lizards. Thinking to myself, if the lizards are out, then so are the snakes, definitely time to go home. Another walk/run back to the car.
I'm Alive and I saw a Roo :)
Well ok it was a wallabie, but still it bounced across the road in front of me. Sweet :)
I managed to survive 2 hill runs with Gill, I quite impressed myself really. The first was about 15 KM and the second I guess around 10 KM. Was pretty tired afterwards... ready for sleep.
I managed to survive 2 hill runs with Gill, I quite impressed myself really. The first was about 15 KM and the second I guess around 10 KM. Was pretty tired afterwards... ready for sleep.
March 16, 2007
Happy Paddy's Day
So I have just had a fun filled week.
Monday - Trekking/Hill running around Mt. Wellington.
Tuesday - Wander around town, sports climbing in Frehauf
Wednesday - Hillrun
Thursday - Shoe shopping - ah such a girl :), climbing at the university wall
Friday - swimming, climbing in Conningham
Saturday - ah today, well an attempt at climbing the organ pipes, but got rained off, so instead we had a nice lunch - such is life :) Now I am off home for a hill run, Gill is taking me up the mountain - I am a little scared :)
All is good :)
Hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day, where ever you may be.
Monday - Trekking/Hill running around Mt. Wellington.
Tuesday - Wander around town, sports climbing in Frehauf
Wednesday - Hillrun
Thursday - Shoe shopping - ah such a girl :), climbing at the university wall
Friday - swimming, climbing in Conningham
Saturday - ah today, well an attempt at climbing the organ pipes, but got rained off, so instead we had a nice lunch - such is life :) Now I am off home for a hill run, Gill is taking me up the mountain - I am a little scared :)
All is good :)
Hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day, where ever you may be.
March 12, 2007
Mt Wellington
So Gill and Domhnall went to work and I decided to go hiking. Since Mt Wellington is the mountain directly behind them. That was to be it. I picked my trail, finger post track, followed by pinnacle and zig zag track to the summit, then down the other side to Lost World and back via the Organ pipes, where I picked up the pinnacle track again and return the way I came up, simple :) Hmmm.. think again, I got so lost.... with no properly marked path and a forest full of boulders.. it was a combination of boulder hoping and bum shuffling to get out of there... I nearly paniked :) He eh.... made it out safe and sound it just took hours... by the time I got to the organ pipes, I just wanted to get home, so I ran.. it felt good... and alot quicker, I ran it in an hour...
I was very tired in the morning.
I was very tired in the morning.
Tasmania
I made it... caught all my two flights - slept all the way, and arrived in Hobart to find it raining.. overcast and really quite cool... First impressions, did I get the right flight, I feel like I have just landed in Shannon.
Gill and Domhnall were there at the airport to meet me, which was lovely as the airport was in the middle of nowhere. We went back to their house and chilled out for a few hours, then packed the car and headed to Lauceston to meet up with friends of theirs Rick and Anna. After a wonderful nights sleep - a bed a duvet soft squishy pillows... oh my goodness I was in heaven - we headed to Hillwood a sports climbing crag close by. It kinda resembled, the Giants Causeway but turned on its side. It was very different.
That evening we had a lovely relaxing evening barbaque.
The next day was an adventure to Catarac Gorge, where my trad days were to begin again. I led a couple of nice easy 12's. I reckon about HS/VS but to be honest I have no idea. Anyway it was a nice reintroduction to placing gear... the crag is only minutes from the city of Launceston - beautiful location. Bumped into Grug there, those of you who were in Tonsai will remember him.
We headed home on Sunday morning and myself and Domhnall spent the afternoon weeding the patio... what a way to spend your birthday :), following by a yummy birthday cake and a bottle of champagne :)
Thanks Gill and Domhnall - you really made my birthday special - I thoroughly enjoyed it :)
Gill and Domhnall were there at the airport to meet me, which was lovely as the airport was in the middle of nowhere. We went back to their house and chilled out for a few hours, then packed the car and headed to Lauceston to meet up with friends of theirs Rick and Anna. After a wonderful nights sleep - a bed a duvet soft squishy pillows... oh my goodness I was in heaven - we headed to Hillwood a sports climbing crag close by. It kinda resembled, the Giants Causeway but turned on its side. It was very different.
That evening we had a lovely relaxing evening barbaque.
The next day was an adventure to Catarac Gorge, where my trad days were to begin again. I led a couple of nice easy 12's. I reckon about HS/VS but to be honest I have no idea. Anyway it was a nice reintroduction to placing gear... the crag is only minutes from the city of Launceston - beautiful location. Bumped into Grug there, those of you who were in Tonsai will remember him.
We headed home on Sunday morning and myself and Domhnall spent the afternoon weeding the patio... what a way to spend your birthday :), following by a yummy birthday cake and a bottle of champagne :)
Thanks Gill and Domhnall - you really made my birthday special - I thoroughly enjoyed it :)
Down Under in Sydney
So after a sleepless night in Singapore airport and a 6 hour flight I arrived into Sydney late in the evening. Since the airport was offering a door to door shuttle service, I decided to take the expensive option and go with that. Hmmm, not so sure it was the best idea as it drove around the world before getting to my hostel, which I discovered afterwards was the wrong place. The hostel has two locations and the address I was given was, of course, the wrong one. GRRRR - you can imagine I was not a happy camper as I had to walk to the other hostel.
Anyway, finally I found my way and found my bed and fell into it. I only had a day in Sydney, so I spent it wandering around the sites, visiting Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, George's Street, ... and lots of coffees to keep me awake. It is quite a spectacular city. Its was a wee bit unfortunate though the weather was dull and the Sydney opera house just didn't impress me as I thought it would.
In the evening I took a train out to St. Leonard's to collect my gear from a friend of Mar's, who had very kindly stored it for us, over the last couple of months. So now with a very heavy back pack, it was back to the airport for another night of hard chairs sleep, before getting on the plane to Hobart. Unfortunately this didn't go at all smoothly. My flight was at 6am in the morning which meant check in before 5am and realistically leaving town at about 4am. I thought sleeping in the airport was the lesser of all evils... What I didn't realise until I got to the domestic airport was that it closes at 11pm for 5 hours. I was furious, what was I going to do. I decided to chance my arm in internationals (a train ride away), luckily for me a section of the aiport stayed open, but you needed an international ticket to stay there. Hmmm, would an irish passport suffice. So they let me stay. But I still had to get back to domestic in time for my flight. The train lines close to and only open at 5am. The first train was not till 520, in the morning. It was gonna be close.....
Anyway, finally I found my way and found my bed and fell into it. I only had a day in Sydney, so I spent it wandering around the sites, visiting Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, George's Street, ... and lots of coffees to keep me awake. It is quite a spectacular city. Its was a wee bit unfortunate though the weather was dull and the Sydney opera house just didn't impress me as I thought it would.
In the evening I took a train out to St. Leonard's to collect my gear from a friend of Mar's, who had very kindly stored it for us, over the last couple of months. So now with a very heavy back pack, it was back to the airport for another night of hard chairs sleep, before getting on the plane to Hobart. Unfortunately this didn't go at all smoothly. My flight was at 6am in the morning which meant check in before 5am and realistically leaving town at about 4am. I thought sleeping in the airport was the lesser of all evils... What I didn't realise until I got to the domestic airport was that it closes at 11pm for 5 hours. I was furious, what was I going to do. I decided to chance my arm in internationals (a train ride away), luckily for me a section of the aiport stayed open, but you needed an international ticket to stay there. Hmmm, would an irish passport suffice. So they let me stay. But I still had to get back to domestic in time for my flight. The train lines close to and only open at 5am. The first train was not till 520, in the morning. It was gonna be close.....
March 5, 2007
McDonalds, they are everywhere
I couldn't believe it, there were McDonalds on every street corner in Kuala Lumpur. Not only that, it appeared to be where all the locals ate. That and KFC, Burger King and many other similar venues.
Lost in Singapore
Well, I arrived in Singapore on Sunday afternoon. I assumed, from reading my yellow bible, that the bus would drop me at one of two bus stations. Well, I was wrong, it dropped me at the train station. Go figure! So once I figured that bit out. I then had to work out how to get out of there and somewhere sensible... Not as easy as it seems. You ask someone where the tube station is and they point you in one direction. So just to clarify you ask someone else.. and well they point you in the exact opposite direction. Granted it didn't help that I was calling the MRT the MTR... well... its an easy mistake...
So whilst looking a little silly wandering aimlessly, I bumped into an english couple, looking just as hopeless as me (and this was their second time in Singapore - so I am not doing to bad). Together, we took the MTR by storm and worked our way to Chinatown, where their hostel was. I thought, well, that would be a good place to start to look for somewhere to stay the night. So, I got to the hostel to find it full. The guy behind the desk was nice, though and pointed me to a phone and a list of hostels, as well as pointing to a girl in the corner on the internet, suggesting she was in the same boat. So, yes, you guessed it, we teamed up, and eventually managed to find a very expensive hostel - but close to town. Hmm, gone are the days of 2 dollar rooms, I have to get used to proper prices again.
Being the end of the Chinese New Year, we spent the evening wandering through Chinatown and New Bridge Road, watching the street celebrations.
The next morning - up early - and off to Cairnhill Road to find the British airways
office and work out my tickets. Then a stroll down Orchard Road. Trying on fake glasses and drinking coffee. Then a stroll over to Little India (which I kept calling Little Italy), which I was not as impressed with, where are all the markets. Then to Arab Land, which was a very Muslem part of town. But it was lovely, lots of small street, colourful building, shops and markets. I just felt bad, i didn't have a more conservation top on. Oh well.. you live and learn. We ended the day with food in Chinatown, whilst ordering I bumped into the English couple again (Ben and Patrice).
So whilst looking a little silly wandering aimlessly, I bumped into an english couple, looking just as hopeless as me (and this was their second time in Singapore - so I am not doing to bad). Together, we took the MTR by storm and worked our way to Chinatown, where their hostel was. I thought, well, that would be a good place to start to look for somewhere to stay the night. So, I got to the hostel to find it full. The guy behind the desk was nice, though and pointed me to a phone and a list of hostels, as well as pointing to a girl in the corner on the internet, suggesting she was in the same boat. So, yes, you guessed it, we teamed up, and eventually managed to find a very expensive hostel - but close to town. Hmm, gone are the days of 2 dollar rooms, I have to get used to proper prices again.
Being the end of the Chinese New Year, we spent the evening wandering through Chinatown and New Bridge Road, watching the street celebrations.
The next morning - up early - and off to Cairnhill Road to find the British airways
office and work out my tickets. Then a stroll down Orchard Road. Trying on fake glasses and drinking coffee. Then a stroll over to Little India (which I kept calling Little Italy), which I was not as impressed with, where are all the markets. Then to Arab Land, which was a very Muslem part of town. But it was lovely, lots of small street, colourful building, shops and markets. I just felt bad, i didn't have a more conservation top on. Oh well.. you live and learn. We ended the day with food in Chinatown, whilst ordering I bumped into the English couple again (Ben and Patrice).
March 3, 2007
Living it up Girly Style in K.L
Met up with Eimear Brogan in Kuala Lumpur today. She arrived in early this morning. I think we were both siteseed (is that a word??) out, so decided to wander aimlessly and see what happened. Took the train to see the Petronas twin towers, and ended up in a shopping mall, shopping. Its has been months since I was in a SHOPPING MALL... and you know they are no different this side of the world than the other, Mango, M&S, TribeCa, ....
The continued with Smoothies, Ice cream, a little shopping in the Central Market. It was quite a day. Now I am tired... aw...
I definitely liked K.L, it has a diverse way of life, a city feel, but still SE Asian feel for the most part.
The continued with Smoothies, Ice cream, a little shopping in the Central Market. It was quite a day. Now I am tired... aw...
I definitely liked K.L, it has a diverse way of life, a city feel, but still SE Asian feel for the most part.
Inspiration to Us All
On my way from Trang to Hat Yai, I met this friendly retired couple, who had just spent the last 4 months backpacking to S.E Asia. Fair play to them. But not only that, this is their 17th year of doing so. They live just out side Vancouver, and don't like the winters. So every year they pack up their stuff into two backpacks and off they go.
March 2, 2007
Travelling South
I left the city of Trang yesterday morning and got on a bus to Kuala Lumpur. The journey supposedly to take the next 20 hours. Luckily (or unluckily), it first stopped in Hat Yai for about 4 hours. Giving me a break and a chance to wander around another southern Thai city. Hat Yai struck me as an industrial and comerical city, devoid of tourist attractions. The main and central streets were lined with electronic stores and motorbike dealer ships. However, strolling off one of these main streets, you began to see a more normal (??) asian city, the pavements lined with street stalls and vendors. Ah I feel at home again :)
The night bus to Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, so sleepy I didn't think to take a photograph, but what a bus. Only 3 seats wide, arm chairs no less, fully reclining, with foot stool included. It gets better, I had two of these lovely seats all to myself. When we arrived at the bus station in KL, I was dissappointed, we were 2 hours early - and I was in the middle of a great sleep. Funny :).
Kuala Lumpur. What a city? All, sleepy eyed, I dissembarked the bus, and realised that I had taken out the yellow bible (Lonely Planet) to find a place to stay. What to do? Ah, the touts. Hmmm, I hate it, but its four in the morning, he's offering a free night, and I only pay for tomorrow nights accomodation. Hmmm, so I'm thinking, take the easy option and get some sleep. So I make it as far as WHEELERS my guesthouse to find they only have a dorm room left. Grrr, I must be getting old. But I do prefer my own space. Anyway, they swear to me that they will have a single available tomorrow. Hmm. We'll see. At what I thought was a very reasonable time, I get up to find its midday - oops, I must have been tired. Low and below, the guy behind the desk wasn't lying and I have now my own room. Its small but that's fine. Its all mine. Safe again :).
The morning was ticking on, it was time to explore. First impressions: myraid of colours and ethnic communities combined. The place appears to be bubbling with enthausiam. I spent the afternoon walking around through Little India and China town. My only complaint was I couldn't find anywhere for breakfast (well lunch). All I wanted was a nice coffee house and a bakery. But nothing, not anything remotely malaysian either. I had a choice of McDonalds, Burger King and a few other fast food joints. Begrudingly, I had a cup of what I realised afterwards was instant coffee in McDonalds. I was none to impressed. As the afternoon rolled on, more street vendors became apparent and I managed some fruit and juices. But dinner proved also to be a problem. Everywhere was a fried chicken joint, very halal.. but that was about it. I eventually found a salad. The streets were alive with meat. Not so good for me. Oh and I found a Starbucks cafe. They really have infraltrated the world.
Photos to follow, when I find a trustworthy computer.
The night bus to Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, so sleepy I didn't think to take a photograph, but what a bus. Only 3 seats wide, arm chairs no less, fully reclining, with foot stool included. It gets better, I had two of these lovely seats all to myself. When we arrived at the bus station in KL, I was dissappointed, we were 2 hours early - and I was in the middle of a great sleep. Funny :).
Kuala Lumpur. What a city? All, sleepy eyed, I dissembarked the bus, and realised that I had taken out the yellow bible (Lonely Planet) to find a place to stay. What to do? Ah, the touts. Hmmm, I hate it, but its four in the morning, he's offering a free night, and I only pay for tomorrow nights accomodation. Hmmm, so I'm thinking, take the easy option and get some sleep. So I make it as far as WHEELERS my guesthouse to find they only have a dorm room left. Grrr, I must be getting old. But I do prefer my own space. Anyway, they swear to me that they will have a single available tomorrow. Hmm. We'll see. At what I thought was a very reasonable time, I get up to find its midday - oops, I must have been tired. Low and below, the guy behind the desk wasn't lying and I have now my own room. Its small but that's fine. Its all mine. Safe again :).
The morning was ticking on, it was time to explore. First impressions: myraid of colours and ethnic communities combined. The place appears to be bubbling with enthausiam. I spent the afternoon walking around through Little India and China town. My only complaint was I couldn't find anywhere for breakfast (well lunch). All I wanted was a nice coffee house and a bakery. But nothing, not anything remotely malaysian either. I had a choice of McDonalds, Burger King and a few other fast food joints. Begrudingly, I had a cup of what I realised afterwards was instant coffee in McDonalds. I was none to impressed. As the afternoon rolled on, more street vendors became apparent and I managed some fruit and juices. But dinner proved also to be a problem. Everywhere was a fried chicken joint, very halal.. but that was about it. I eventually found a salad. The streets were alive with meat. Not so good for me. Oh and I found a Starbucks cafe. They really have infraltrated the world.
Photos to follow, when I find a trustworthy computer.
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