South-East Asia

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A day I’d happily relive … in a different way!

Two of the girls came down with food poisoning at 0400 and weren’t able to make the dive trip. They had shared two meals. Fortunately the rest of us ate something different. For breakfast, Karsten and I grabbed some bread and cakes from the local bakery to accompany the free coffee from the hotel. He […]

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Island hopping

Karsten and I grabbed an excellent breakfast at a place he had found. For PHP200, we had a full buffet breakfast for the same price as a simple omelette and toast at most other places. Despite the pricey rooms, it seemed to be the preferred accommodation of the few mainland Chinese in town. All the […]

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Going to the nest

We had booked a shared minivan to take us to El Nido, a seaside town.  I don’t know why it is called “the nest” in Spanish but it feels like it is named after a Nestle infant milk powder. The ETD was 0930 but we had to ready at 0830 in case we were collected […]

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The hero and the princess

Leaving Manila and impressions thereof With the much-deserved lie-in (to compensate for previous night flight), an 1100 checkout from the hotel and a 1600 flight, I couldn’t do very much. After checking out, I taxied to Victory Liner’s Pasay terminal to buy a bus ticket for my journey to Banaue in northern Luzon. From there […]

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Exploring Manila

Arriving in Manila Coincidentally (as with my flight a few hours ago) my flight on Cebu Pacific to Manila left 20 minutes early too! On board, I lay down on three seats but couldn’t sleep. The 3h30 flight wasn’t long enough to warrant a sleeping pill. Upon arrival, the queues for immigration were very long […]

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Good-bye pain!

I woke with a hint of soreness; it is the sixth day after Kinabalu. I was told by many the pain would last about five days. I didn’t feel any more of it until I walked down the stairs at Kuching Airport to get on to the apron to board my flight to Kuala Lumpur. […]

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Flying home for Chinese New Year

I woke up sorer than yesterday.  So I spent the day between bed and the mall for essentials like food, massage and a haircut.  Just as well I organised a late checkout for a small fee. I departed for the airport at 1645 in rush hour, getting to the airport an hour later.  With the […]

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Conquering Mt Kinabalu: Aftermath

I woke up a little sore; not as bad as I expected. Hopefully it won’t last five days like what others have told me. I had a massage late morning, rested and did close to nothing. I didn’t think much of my achievement or accomplishment as it didn’t feel like one. I didn’t even look […]

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Conquering Mt Kinabalu: Day 2 (Sweet Success)

Getting to the summit I was up before the alarm which was set for 0150. Supper (which was a good cooked breakfast) was served at 0200. I met my guide at 0230 and set off. The walk started with steps, yes more bloody steps. Like yesterday, I nearly gave up in the first half hour. […]

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Conquering Mt Kinabalu: Day 1

Getting to Park HQ I walked down to the hotel lobby at 0715 for my transport to Kinabalu Park HQ; it was perfect timing as the driver had just walked in. Also on the transport was a large man from the USA who teaches in Beijing, on a day trip to the Park. The ride […]

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