Mention an upcoming snorkel test to any seasoned diver and they will smile, giggle and probably shake their head. Odds are they’ll have a story or two, or maybe some words of wisdom or warning. Mention a snorkel test to anyone else in the world (read: normal people) and they’ll cock their head to the side…
Category: Asia
Temporary roots on Nusa Lembongan
I’ve now received more than a couple “so…. when’s the next blog post coming?” comments, which is nice since it means people actually read my blog (!!) but also is a bit of a reminder that I have now officially plunged into the deep end of the time warp that is island time, rendering me…
Budget breakdown for one month in the Philippines
“And when is your departure flight from the Philippines?” the check-in agent sweetly asked me as I dropped my bag for the trip from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu City. I smiled back and confidently bluffed “I fly to Bangkok in three weeks.” “Great – if I could just see your flight confirmation?” She called my bluff,…
Bus transfers & breakfast pizza in Moalboal
There is a pocket on the western side of the Filipino island of Cebu called Moalboal. It is far from the biggest tourist destination in the Philippines, but a number of wayward backpackers float in and out for the schools of sardines, the pleasant drift dives along Pescado Island, the sea turtles and the breezy…
A poem for Pandan Island
Screw Palms in a Seussian Style Fleeing the snow, my friends from Sweden did come To the Philippines, expecting some warmth and some sun! The weather delivered and good times – they were had, Both Milos and Oskar were thoroughly glad. But work it did call, and Milos departed, So the second phase of the trip…
Shark diving in Malapascua
One of the great aspects of being self employed is that I no longer wear a watch, and I rarely have to set an alarm. So when I woke up at 4.40 am my body was just confused. I rolled out of the bottom bunk and grabbed my swimsuit and toothbrush before shuffling into the…
Budget breakdown for one month in Northern Thailand
Another month has passed, another 30-day tourist visa has expired and another (small) dent has been made in my bank account. This month it was Thailand, which is notoriously more expensive than some of its neighbouring south-east Asian countries. However, the north is cheaper than the south, so I didn’t head below the Bangkok belt…
Explain yourself, wayward traveller!
“WHY YOU COME TO MAE SOT?!” The speed and volume with which he spit the words at me belied his good intentions, and suddenly I felt I was on trial. I looked around the overly air-conditioned reception bungalow, with its green lianas and teak furnishings, as if I might find an answer in close proximity. Unfortunately, this just…
Ten ways to pass the day in Pai
There is a pocket in Northern Thailand where time falls between the cracks in the hills, which are inexplicable opening up. Luckily generous portions of homegrown roselle tea and banana chips are served, with jam on the side, so there are worse places to trip into a temporal oblivion. Though Pai is pretty clearly on the Thai…
Motorbike malfunctions and mishaps
After India I swore I would never be that idiot Westerner who shows up in some random tropical country, hops on a motorbike and finds myself three days later on crutches in an internet cafe arguing with with the British Airways call centre about why my flight simply must be changed to accommodate my broken…
Budget breakdown for one month in Cambodia
“But how do you afford to travel?” is one of the most frequent questions not only from people at home, but also from others on the road. Most people I meet are on some sort of an extended holiday – usually 3-6 months, but sometimes stretching out as far as a year. Occasionally I’ll meet…
Eat like a local: street food in Cambodia
Fried crickets, skewered snakes and curried arachnids were on my radar well before I even set food in Cambodia. But in reality how does Cambodian street food stack up against my pre-trip Google results? Well, let’s tick off what I have actually seen roadside: Fried crickets? Yes. Curried arachnids? No. Skewered snakes? Yes. But it…
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