Asia

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Securing my return to New Zealand

My alarm rang at 0430 so I could partake in the roughly weekly Managed Isolation & Quarantine (MIQ) room release lottery so I can return to New Zealand.  I had been doing it through my travels around Europe but at times having a friend do it on my behalf. The randomised entry into the booking […]

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Dentist with a difference

Today I went to the dentist.  I chose this one nearby rather than go to the previous one which required a long drive.  I had been requested to do a Covid-19 rapid test first thing in the morning and WhatsApp the result over to them before going for the appointment. I rang the bell on […]

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Freedom Day!

Getting released Today is freedom day.  I get released from my week of hotel quarantine, having received verbal confirmation of my negative PCR test result yesterday.  One week of quarantine is a breeze and feels very easy compared to two weeks. I woke up early to check the MySejahtera app to check whether my test […]

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Omicron, a new variant

Above:  Steps taken this trip, as measured on my phone. Swabbing Today I had my single outing during my week in hotel quarantine.  I was guided down to the lobby for a PCR swab test down the throat and then up both nostrils.  I was then guided back and unlike last year, I have a […]

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Exciting day in quarantine

Above:  Very welcome change of meal cooked by Elena plus cans from Cecilia. Niggling health issues After having two days of waking up at a respectable local time, I overslept and woke up after 0900.  Flying from west to east is a bugger.  I had woken up around 0300 and took half a pill to […]

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Onwards to hometown

Arrival processing I had planned on checking-out from the Sama-Sama Express Airside Transit Hotel at 0400.  I couldn’t sleep beyond 0230 having had about 5h sleep already.  The extra complimentary hours given to meant that I could have a cuppa tea and leave around 0430 to commence the arrival process into Malaysia. A bus was […]

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Topkapi Palace

PCR Swab With remnants of Paris time in my body clock I fell asleep at midnight.  But for some reason I woke at 0145 super alert.   This is so unlike me.  After sitting up till about 0300 I took half a pill and slept till 0800 After breakfast, my priority was to 5 mins away […]

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Revisiting key sights

Why I’m in Istanbul I came to Istanbul because Covid-19 PCR tests here are ridiculously cheap and fast.  With my entry into Malaysia and Sarawak on consecutive days, longhaul flights and an overnight in connection, there was the possibility I’d end up having to take two separate tests for the two entries.  A free stopover […]

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A well-trodden path that became filled with hassles

Above:  The queue at arrival passport control at Istanbul looked shocking but it moved pretty quickly. Leaving Paris Having gone to sleep at 2100 last night, I woke up at 0400 after 7 respectable hours.  I had set the alarm for a 0545 wake up and a walk to the Roissybus at 0610 and departure […]

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Lazing in Larnaca

I woke at 0530 as I seem to be still adapting go the one hour time change after the end of daylight saving. I started my exploration of Larnaca with a walk along its waterfront which led me to the historic centre.  The St Lazarus church was free to enter and quite ornate.  The Byzantine […]

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