12.15am, Wednesday 1st of Feb, 2012, marks the start of my great adventure. With one-way ticket to Singapore in hand, I'm off around the world - indefinitely. Follow my adventures as I trek across the globe. I hope to share with you the great people, tastes, sights, sounds and experiences - and the accompanying myriad of emotions - that I encounter along the way. Be warned though, there may sometimes be weeks between posts, as I plan to travel far off the beaten track on many ocassions.

Please do me a favour and read my first post. It really tells you my approach to this whole adventure. Oh, and please leave comments! Either about my posts, or suggestions on things to do/eat, places to go or people to meet either in the area I happen to be in, or will soon be in. Thanks!!

Just remember - not all those who wander are lost!

Tuesday 28 February 2012

If you visit Pulau Tioman, take plenty of Ringit!

Well, immediately after my last post I went and played volleyball with aforementioned Swedes on an idyllic tropical beach, beer in hand (half the time). It rolled into one EPIC party - I finally made it to bed at 7am the next morning!

It was a blur of friendly faces, guitars and singing, bonfires on the beach, and yes, more pier jumping at stupid o'clock (although I kept my clothes AND shoes on this time!).

Apparently I learnt a bit of Swedish - none of which I remember. The only words I know are narken bada and erl. Which, I'm told, is about all I need to know in Swedish. They mean naked swimming and beer.  I'm told Sara also taught me you have beautiful eyes, but my brain decided that with all that occurred that night that it didn't have room to remember such  things.

The next day was all about one word.

Hangover.

When you have a hangover, it's the only word that enters your mind. Ok, that and a few choice expletives and empty promises to never let it happen again.

Yesterday, Monday, I  woke up early to the deafening roar of the tail-end monsoonal rains thrumming on the tin roof of my little chalet. I tried several times to pack my bag. It took about 3 hours with several wisely-timed lie-downs dotted throughout. No, I didn't drink on Sunday. It was still little demons running around in my head and stomach  from Saturday night.

After spending some time treating my feet, I finally managed to check out and find my beloved group of 13 crazy Swedes. Actually, two had already left the island, but that's neither here nor there.

Right until the last minute I ummed and ahhed about staying or leaving, but after such deliberation, I boarded the boat, despite a roomful of protesting Swedes.  In the end, the lack of an atm at Salang (which, by the way, is the nicest part of Tioman) was starting to annoy me, but most importantly, I needed to get my poor sliced and diced feet away from sand and coral for awhile.

3 hours on a boat and then 5 truly harrowing hours on a rickety bus with busted seats and I arrived in Kuala Lumpur about 11.30pm last night. Seriously, the bus driver  deserved a kick in the head!

*Note: Anyone reading this who thinks travel insurance isn't necessary has not been subjected to the life-threatening 'driving' of some of the public transport officers around the world. Pucker factor was at the extreme. I smelt my own fear. I very, very seriously contemplated leaving the bus in the middle of the night who cares WHERE, despite my feet! Everyone else just shut their eyes and pretended to sleep. I'm sure they were actually praying. To every god known to man. Twice.

If you think miracles don't exist, get on a bus with that guy and somehow live. Someone was watching over me last night! Oh, and the two Canadian lads I met who also were waiting for the bus.

Anyway, it's off to find a laundry. And a hotel. I'm splurging tonight. For about $20 Australian, I can get a hotel. It's a done deal. Catch ya later.

Saturday 25 February 2012

Interviews, diving, and naked pier jumping......

Well, after 3 weeks in Singapore, I managed to escape her clutches. Not before I ate some great/crazy food, downed some shots with a bloody big Polish ex RAN diver, and met some truly great people.

Dave is a travel writer from the States, living in Singapore with his lovely wife Kattina. I spent a couple of nights with these two, and seriously, you couldn't meet two nicer people.

Dave is a man after my own heart - traipsing across the globe in his younger years, he and Kattina are still doing just that. He also doesn't mind the odd drink or two, and like me, can talk the hind leg off a donkey. The minute I met Dave, I knew we'd be mates. Dave interviewed me for his new travel website he's designing, where he'll be uploading podcast interviews etc. You can check out his current site at www.globejotting.com

If you're ever in Singapore, head out to a little bar called Sara's. It's a great little pub, and you'll be made to feel welcome. Just don't fall in any holes, hey Dave. ;0) Also, not far from there, is a place where you can go fishing for prawns, 24 hours a day. And drink beer whilst doing it. Ahhh, beer! hehe

I'm now on Pulau Tioman, at Salang, which is on the northern end of the island. I've been diving, but unfortunately, I couldn't equalise on the second dive, and had to pull the pin due to pain in my ears. I didn't particularly feel like a perforated TM.

This island is beautiful! The people are really friendly, and obviously, I've managed to find/start the party every night. A couple of nights ago a couple of Swedish lads and I ended up down the pier, and (forgive my spelling to any Swedes reading this) went Norken Border. (Naked swimming). Actually, we were jetty jumping, at 2am. One of the lad's girlfriend managed to get footage..... :0S

Tonight is a big party - 10 more Swedes arrived today; there are bloody Swedes everywhere!!! Tomorrow I'm off to Tekek, another little spot halfway down the island, and will then hike across the island to Juara, a surf spot on the east coast of Tioman.

Life is pretty bloody good. Ok, I cut the crap out of my feet nude jetty jumping, but other than that, life's sweet. I'll throw up some photos when I get back to the mainland and can get to an internet cafe.

Now I'm off to get a feed and have a beer down the beach. Sucks to be me, right? hehe

Tuesday 21 February 2012

A million memories in just two weeks!!!!

As the title suggests, it's been two weeks since my last post. I'm not going to do a play-by-play account of each day - it will take too long!

Instead, I'll give you a run down of some of the highlights of the people I've met, the things I've done, and the food I've eaten, along with a few tips on Singapore.

Firstly, let me just say that after 3 weeks in Singapore, I am certain I could conduct a one or two day food tour of this country. The food here is so good, and so varied, that even a third day could easily be filled.

And yes, 3 weeks in Singapore. Both Singaporeans and fellow travelers are surprised when I tell them that - I'M surprised!!!

But the people I've met have made it worth it!!!

This entire time I've paid for accommodation twice. Not that I'm leeching off people, but I've just been fortunate enough to meet incredibly kind and generous people. Through Couch Surfing, through mutual friends, and through simply talking to people in the public.

I've enjoyed a day at Universal Studios, as well as a trip to the Changi Museum, a couple of nights of karaoke, a few drinks and a LOT of laughs with two pommy girls, an Aussie girl, a Singaporean girl and a Canadian bloke. They were all absolutely sensational people. And if you're ever in Singapore and choose to go to Universal Studios, do NOT skip the Transformers ride!!!! Best ride I've ever come across!!!!!

Anyway, it's 2.40am here, and I need SLEEP!!! I'm FINALLY heading to Malaysia tomorrow!  Can't wait!! This post is by no means finished - I'll end it tomorrow.

Just know that Singapore is a kick-arse place - ESPECIALLY when you get behind the scenes.

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Durian - delectable or detestable??

So. One of my immediate missions upon arrival in Singapore - try the big, spiky fruit called durian. It's apparently like the 'national' fruit of Singapore. Grown in Malaysia, but Singapore built a big-arse building that looks one. The Esplanade Arts Centre.

Anyway, had a good meal tonight of chicken rice and black chicken soup. Was tasty.

Walking down the road in Geylands, and came across a durian stall. Apparently, they have all different grades.

The more you pay, it seems the creamier the fruit.

Righto. My personal experience. 'Enjoyed' a durian that literally just arrived at the stall - I saw the shipment. The bloke split it open, showed me the creamy, custardy pods and said $30. Struth!!! But - I had it on good authority, it was a good durian.

So the pods were like a deep yellow custard colour, and had the texture of custard that had gone cold.

First thing I noticed though, was that the supposedly crazy-stupid pungeant smell simply wasn't there. It had a unique kind of smell to be sure, but nothing entirely odorous.

So there was one myth kinda busted. Andrew Zimmern, you're a light-weight.....

So, eating the fruit...... Kinda fun to eat - creamy, a little fibrous, gooey in the hands.....  First taste, was not good. It had quite a bitter taste, a mishmash of strange flavours in the front of the mouth. Pretty quickly though, it developed into a much sweeter aftertaste in the back of the palate - not altogether unpleasant.

As I continued to eat the fruit, it was a repeat of that strange combination - unpleasant first explosion of crazy taste, aftertaste of almost brandied-custard. However - after careful consideration, the aftertaste does not justify undergoing the initial bitter flavour.

I endured, carefully memorising the smells, the tastes, the texture. I shouldn't have bothered - apparently, the durian repeats on you LONG after you eat it, and so far, two hours after consuming it, I can testify to that fact! A passing American said, "Wait til the morning"!, so apparently this stuff lingers a LOOOOONG time!!!!

I've even had an 11.6% to drown out the taste, but to no avail.... The only consolation is that it seems the bitterness lessens just a little with every durian burp......

A couple of interesting annecdotes about the durian:

The fruit is never plucked from the tree - it is only harvested once it has naturally fallen from the tree.

A 'good' durian can fetch up to $60 per fruit in Singapore.

It is, according to the Chinese, a 'heat' fruit, meaning it naturally heats the body. Therefore, locals rarely eat it during the day, mostly at night.

Durian is never to be eaten whilst drinking beer, because together they are too 'heaty'. Warms you up too much....

Upon finishing the fruit, it is believed that drinking water poured into the empty pod shell stops you from getting a sore throat.





As for me, would I eat it again? Possibly. Cucumber, in my opinion, is the worst food in the western world, so I compare everything to it. I would rather eat durian than cucumber, that's for sure!!!!

Enjoy a couple of photos. Tomorrow it's off to have breakfast with the orang utans.....

Saturday 4 February 2012

Customs, couches and century eggs.....

Ok, so I'm FINALLY posting a blog in Singapore!

At the Perth airport 4 nights ago I found out the Singaporeans might not like the fact that I have no return/onward ticket.  After only 1 1/2 hours sleep the night before, I managed to get some sleep on the plane.

Arriving in 'Singas', I was worried, but it turned out to be for nothing. I freshened up first, as I was meeting a girl, Siti, straight out of the gate (at 6am), who was going to show me around for the day.

So that meant when I passed through Immigration and Customs, the rest of the passengers had already been through.

A brief tense moment at the Immigration desk where I explained why I had no onward ticket. He told me to write my email on my entrance card, stamped my passport, and that was that!!!

Customs was even easier!  I got my pack, and I had to wave a customs guy down, because they just weren't interest! didn't look in my bags at all - just asked if I had alcohol and how many bottles. I said just the 1, they said that was fine. The whole process through Immigration and Customs took about 5 minutes!

I met Siti, and we immediately jumped on the MRT (mass rapid transport - the train), and went to the Malay sector for pre-breakfast dessert.  We wandered around the markets - and I mean PROPER markets, with all kinds of weird and wonderful meats, seafood, and fruit and veg. We had a couple of desserts - a really bright pink one, and a little green ball that explodes with juicy goodness in your mouth.

We got a couple of drinks, a longan tea-sort of cool drink, which looks a bit like flat coke with longan fruit in it. And a milky drink with seeds and all sorts of stuff in it, which was delicious! Yes, it had seeds! For those of you who don't know particularly well, I hate seeds!

We had a bit of fun and spiced up the longan drink with some duty-free OP Bundy. Rum at 8am - crazy!

The rest of the day consisted of viewing both Hindu and Buddhist temples, and one where supposedly Buddha's tooth is housed. I don't know how authentic it is, but they certainly believe it! They've put it in this enclosed room with a viewing window, and the 'tooth' itself is housed in a which which has been made from 480kg of pure gold!  Even the golden floor tiles are worth $5000 each!

The day was also comprised, of course, of plenty more wonderful food, and a few beers. It's strange - Singapore has some of the strictest laws around, like a $300 on the spot fine for littering, no chance of appeal, but street drinking at any time of the day is completely fine. My kind of place! hehe

Had a volcano Ramen for dinner, which, as the name suggests, was bloody hot, but totally full of flavour! A funny thing happened. We'd put a bit of rum into a bottle of coke. Siti said she sometimes put a bit of chilli powder into her drinks to spice them up. So I poured a heap of chilli powder into the bottle. However, when I next opened it, it friggin' exploded all over me!!! Far worse than the mentos trick. Hilarious!

Miraculously, we weren't kicked out of the restaurant. Then we went next door for dessert! I just couldn't do it, I was too full, but Siti faithfully put away a large portion of dessert. I don't know where too though! Asian have brilliant metabolisms......

Then we went to meet Agie, my first ever gracious Couch Surfing host, and her house mate, Rhia. I was very grateful for their generous hospitality, but for two nights did my best to sleep on a couch 2/3 my length.

My first morning in town and I went to Palawan Beach on Sentosa for a sunrise swim. I had nachos, fish balls, pork wontons, and a garlic bread for breakfast, washed down with a half litre can of beer - just because I could. Breakfast of champions!!!

I wandered around the island for awhile, and found myself at the high ropes course.  No one was there, so I had a bit of a climb hehe. Then I heard what I thought was an alarm, and did a runner! Down the road I heard it again, and realised it must've just been some weird insects or something. Would have been hilarious seeing me spooked by bloody insects and scrambling down the side of a high ropes course to take off!

I went to meet Jirin, a lovely girl from Indonesia studying and working here. Another fellow Couch Surfer (or CSer). She had a free ticket for me to the National Museum, and so we spent just over an hour enjoying the exhibits, including Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'. It was stunning!! As was another painting by some other dude called 'Summer Nights', a painting of two women dancing on a partially moonlit beach, a gallery of people in full silhouette looking on, and waves crashing behind them. Just a brilliant work of art!

From there we pretty much spent the day running around the city in the rain. We went up Singapore's longest escalator, which runs up the outside of one of the buildings on Orchard Road. From the rooftop garden we saw another building across the road with a pool on the roof. I decided I wanted to swim in that pool.

After a bit of searching, we realised it was the Somerset hotel. As soon as we walked in, I realised I wasn't going to be able to just waltz right up and take a dip. So I said to the concierge I was interested in finding out more about the place for future stays in Singapore. He showed me a really nice room, the gym, and of course, the pool. Whilst I was chatting to the guy, Jirin was taking photos of the pool. She absolutely loved the bit of harmless pretend it took to get up to the pool. We jumped on a bus just to see where it ended, and along the way she pointed out a place where they make alcoholic ice-cream. Two of the world's best things in one - of course it's on my list!!! I'll probably check it out today. :0)

I told Agie and Rhia I would cook for them to say thank you for hosting me. Wasn't really the best idea. Rhia was out shopping, and when I'd asked Agie what she didn't eat, she said pork or seafood. So I figured a nice ginger chilli chicken stirfry would be quick, healthy meal, and easy given the lack of oven or grill.

If anyone ever asks you if there's things you don't eat, please be specific! Turns out Agie doesn't eat vegetables! So she just ate the chicken.....

I did really like the girls - we plan on catching up again, probably to see the Singapore Slingers verse Phillipine Patriots basketball game next weekend.

Yesterday was another sunrise swim at Sentosa, this time at Siloso beach, with a Bee Hoon (noodle dish) breakfast.

Then I stumbled on 'Malay Street', an eatery near Universal Studios. I was in heaven!!!

I had mixed pig organ porridge, which was so delicious!!! It consisted of pork, sliced pig tongue, and fried pig intestines in an asian-style porridge, which is different to our style. A little more gelatinous, and hell of a lot tastier!!!

Whilst I waited for a particular stall to open, I sat down and started my diary. I was waiting to try a very specific thing - a century egg....

For those who don't know what a century egg is, it's basically a duck, chicken or quail egg that has been treated in brine and a few other things and left to kind of rot for several weeks to several months.

Well, my plan was to get just a single century egg, but it doesn't work that way here (except for stick foods). So I got a Penang Lor Bak set, consisting of Taiwan sausage, tofu, fish balls, prawn fitter, yam fritter, and of course, a century egg. And as is usually the case, the only thing left on my plate at the end was the cucumber garnish!

How to describe a century egg? Hmmmmm....... I reckon it looks like a dead alien's head, with green slime shit for brains. The albumen, usually white, is dark brown, but translucent, kind of jelly-like. Then there's a thin layer of semi-solid grey/green yolk, followed by the yolk itself, a gooey green mess - the bit of left over yolk on my plate looked like someone vomited bile directly onto my plate. Or a baby with gastro sharted.....

Surprisingly though, it tastes pretty good!! It still tastes like an egg, although not as fresh, but with more flavour.... It didn't have much of a smell at all - seriously, the only really off-putting aspect of this dish is the visual one. But it truly is a vile-looking dish; mainly because just about everyone on the planet knows what an egg is "supposed" to look like!

Even a few of the locals in the line around me said they didn't eat century eggs. Will I eat them again? Of course!!  Hopefully I'll win a few bets doing it, or at least cause someone to throw up - especially if I let some green sludge run down my chin! hehe

I went to the casino, just because I could. In Singapore there are two casinos, and are only a few years old. The government has decreed that foreigners get in for free, but Singaporeans must pay $100 for every single 24 hour period they want to gamble.

The casino was nothing special. They had a smoking section, and seriously, it made me gag, so I high-tailed it out of there!!

There's only one bar, and it hadn't opened yet. The only cool thing was that I managed to get a photo a white lamborghini on display that you weren't supposed to take photos of.

I met THE coolest kid at the Hard Rock Cafe!! Was sitting chatting to the bar when this little kid rocked up, plonked himself down next to me, said, "Bartender, can I have a water please?", then got all excited when Michael Jackson's Thriller clip came on.

I asked him where he was from. He said, "I know. I look Chinese, but sound Indian, right? Well, my parents are from China but we live in India, so that's why I look and talk like I do".

This kid cracked me up!!! We had a bit of a conversation, and I chatted to his parents. I asked them - and him - if was ok to get a photo with him, which I did. He was 5, and totally cool!

Same day, I also discovered my new favourite beer. It's called Pirate beer. Comes in a 500ml can (which a lot of them do here), is a blonde style, so doesn't taste really yeasty, but is 8.5%. And only $5 per cold can from the 7 Eleven. I reckon a few of the beer-drinking Arena gym girls would love it! hehe

I went to hunt down that alco-icecream, but when I came out of the adjoining station, a bunch of highschool kids were playing basketball. I just couldn't resist....

So I joined in with them, and had a ball! My team won a few, and we lost a few. There was a 17 year old kid who was well over 6 foot. One kid, Kevin, asked how old I was. I said nearly 34. He said just like my dad! Cheeky little shit....

After that I met Ren, a truly decent guy from the Philippines. But he went to a good school there, and speaks with a kind of American accent. We chatted for awhile, then I went to meet Jirin at Sentosa for some live jazz music. Ren was too tired, and another person pulled out too. But it was a really nice night.

Got lost coming off the train back to Ren's, but eventually made it, and heavenly bliss!, I got to sleep in a bed for the first time in a long time!!!

Today was all about writing my blog, which I've now obviously done, then off to find a post office. I reckon I'll track down that ice-cream place too....

Ren said we're going to a pool party tonight, so that should be good. Looking forward to meeting a whole bunch of locals.

I'll probably stick around Singas until the 13th, when I'll head across the border and start hiking. Now that I know where an internet cafe is, I'll post a couple of more times before I go.

Won't always be this long - just so much has happened!!!

I'll keep it to weird/wonderful/tasty foods, great/funny experiences, and brilliant people met. Actually, I reckon I'll just go with the flow and write what I feel at the time.... hehehe

Catch ya later!

Thursday 2 February 2012

Cracker of a start!!!!

Well what can I say?? It's been an absolute rip-snorter of a start to my trip!!!

My third post was originally meant to be from the Perth airport, talking a bit about reflections, fear/excitement facing the unknown, and all that jazz.

Well, I did have a valid fear. They told at Perth Customs that I could have a problem actually getting into Singapore, because I didn't have an onward or returning ticket, and didn't even have accommodation booked.

Well, that fear turned out to be COMPLETELY groundless! Breezed through Immigration - just had to explain my plans, and give them my email address. When I picked up my bag from the carousel, I actually had to wave down the customs bloke!!!

 I was waved through without them even asking to open either bag, no matter how casual.

Malay breakfast, Singa lunch etc.

I have to say, I've had about 90min unbroken sleep since Sunday, so I'm functioning properly - in fact, the words keep blurring....

So I'm saying goodnight. Details of my phenomenal days, and the people I've met, is going to have to wait.

My eyeballs...... Anyway, I seriously can't function for more than a 30sec burst before you have to go.  Goodnight world. Feel free to stand by (over the next day or two). Wow, I'm tired!!! Gotta go before I type somewhere - anywhere!? - to eat?????? :0)
! he

Wednesday 25 January 2012

One week to go!!!!

Am I counting down? You bet I am!! In exactly one week as of this moment I will be just finishing clearing customs in Singapore and heading somewhere for breakfast - the most local brekky cuisine I can find!

Given that my last week in Perth - in Australia! - consists of a run of days of 40 degrees celsius and above, accompanied by unusual levels of humidity, and that I'm working up until the day I fly out, I reckon my first day in Singapore will be spent at the waterpark in Jurong.

For just $1.50 SGD, you can spend all day lounging by the pool, getting smashed in the wave pool, or enjoying the several waterslides. It all sounds great to me!

So I'm sure some of my more diehard trekking fans are itching to see my gear list. Don't worry guys, it's coming! But with this oppressive heat (and my bedroom is above a garage that traps heat like a furnace, with no aircon in the house), I've been struggling to get all my packing and prep done in one go.

Last night, for instance: I was on a mission to get everything done, but half way through I had to stop and throw myself into a cold bath.

I'm a bit worried about hiking through SE Asia if this is a taste of what it's going to be like. However, if it's too unbearable, as soon as I cross into Malaysia I'll head for the cooler mountains. So it's all good. :0)

Back to my gear for a minute. I can tell you that everything I am taking fits into (or more to the point will fit into) an Osprey Stratos 34 litre pack. For those who aren't sure of pack sizes, it's basically a day pack. This is going to be my 'home', hopefully for the next few years, so I only ever wanted to take a pack that I could literally take anywhere, that wasn't too cumbersome or excessively heavy, was comfortable to carry over very long distances and for long periods at a time, and fit in all the necessities.

My gear list may end up surprising a few people, especially on how I managed to get it all into a day pack. However, the one thing I have been dilligent about - and even meticulous about - is planning what to take, and sourcing the best items from Australia and abroad.

Well, I need to put the computer down and get back to sorting and packing for an hour before getting ready for work.

But I want to leave you with something. Whoever comes across my blog, whether you've gotten one of my cards or stumbled across it by accident, if I'm in a place, or just about to get to a place, that you know well, either from living there or having traveled there yourself, I would absolutely love it if you left a comment for me about what I should see and do. What local delicacy I should eat! Or most importantly, who I should meet.

I'll write that statement somewhere on this site a bit more permanent than this scrolling post, but for now, just feel free to comment on this post if you would like to share your favourite experiences of Singapore, my first destination.

Stay tuned - my next post will only be a day or two away!!!