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Bhaktapur & Swayambunath

We woke at 0630 and were slow to get ourselves ready. After yesterday’s slow service at breakfast in the hotel, we decided to eat out. We found a garden courtyard not far away which served up the morning spread slightly more promptly. Nevertheless it was about 0830 by the time we set off for Bhaktapur. […]

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Assessing the damage by daylight

Breakfast in the hotel ground-floor courtyard was painfully slow. We walked to Thamel thereafter. The shops were a mix of hiking apparel/gear, souvenirs and cafes. During the walk, we saw a few of vacant lots with signs of destruction. All but one could have been interpreted as normal construction or demolition in a third world […]

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Preponed travel

We woke early to pack and tidy up the apartment before heading to see Mum at 0915 to discuss some family matters before my brother took us to the airport at 0945. AirAsia’s bagdrop was quick and painless today and we managed to get some time and a laksa in the lounge. Our flight to […]

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Around old town

Today we took the boat (tambang) across the river into old town Kuching for a walk.  I do this often enough in order to get errands done but Kim doesn’t get here so much. So it was somewhat of an experience on the boat, and a walk down memory lane in old town.  

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Dentist for peanuts

Last trip back in April, I had been to the government polyclinic for a dental check-up which cost me a MYR1 (USD0.26) registration fee.  They were ultra-comprehensive in marking down the condition of all teeth and the work required.  They booked me an apppointment three months later which timed well with this visit. Today I […]

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Orangutans

It’s only an hour from my apartment to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre where they rehabilitate rescued orangutans.  As Kim doesn’t get to Kuching often, I took him there.  As the apes roam the forest, sightings are not guaranteed especially during the fruiting season when they do not turn up for supplementary feeding.  

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Moving on to the beach

We had a leisurely morning before checking out around 1130 and walking to the bus terminal. It was a breeze taking the bus to Batu Ferringhi for our one night at the Holiday Inn Resort. On the bus I chatted to this woman who had an El Nido bag. As it turns out, she (and […]

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Kek Lok Si temple

We took the bus to Kek Lok Si temple today at Ayer Itam. The walk up was lined with stalls selling commercial and religious items. Strangely, for a Buddhist place, the traders were selling pictures of the Last Supper and Catholic icons too. Whatever makes money! Partway up was a pond full of tortoises. I […]

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Old town exploration

We explored the old town by foot today. Starting from our hotel, we walked north passing many beautiful old Chinese buildings. We found our way to the main street which passed by the Kapitan Keling mosque. The surrounding areas were rather Indian with flower sellers and eateries. We continued to the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion […]

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Clan jetties

One thing I didn’t do in Penang five years ago was visit the clan jetties. These are stilted homes built over the water with a jetty serving as the main access way. We took the CAT (free bus) from near our hotel to the ferry station, from which it was a short walk to the […]

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