So I stopped over in Manila Philippines to visit some friends I met in Taiwan! It was a nice relaxing week filled with old city charm and laughter. But getting out of Jakarta was TERRRRRIBLE!
SO I get to the airport in jakarta for my flight and there are these 9 American highschool boys infront of me who are more interested in playing stupid games than actually checking themselves in....it took 50 minutes! 50 MINUTES! to get them checked in.....so I only had about 30 minutes left until boarding....so Its me next I hand over my passport and put my luggage on.....and then the check-in clerk asks "Do you have a visa or on-ward travel plans out of Philippines?"...I reply " No, I don't need a visa I get a free tourist stamp, and I havent booked my ticket home yet, Im staying for for 2 months"....his reply "You may not get on this flight without one or the other of those things please step out of line"....me "WTF ARE YOU JOKING ME?!?!?!?!?" I only have 25 minutes now!! So I ask where there is internet to book myself a flight home to Canada - which is about 1KM away....so I put my ;luggage behind their counter and RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN to the hotel that has internet! I am in no shape to be doing this! I Get there and their internet is closed, so i VERY quickly explain my situation and they let me on - but my visa doesnt work when swiped so I had to run out and get money from an ATM first then come back and pay them I got on and the internet was sooo slowww....I was almost in tears I was so panicked!!! But I finally booked a ticket home off Expedia, printed it, and RANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN that 1KM back to the desk with only 5 minutes to spare and they GLANCE, like SLIGHT SLIGHT SLIGHT GLANCE, at my ticket, and say ok have a good flight. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!??!?!??! And when I arrived in Philippines they NEVERRRRRRR checked or asked for anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW. Hating Jakarta and CEBU airlines for scaring me almost outta my flight!!!! but I arrived PHEW!!
So its 5:30Am, I get off my flight....and nobody is around....hmm??? haha So I find a bistro and try to talk to everybody online but nobody is online cause its 5:30am....so I call Gabe, who is the only one whos number I actually have, but he is in the South oh Philippines in Davao, but he works his magic for me and everybody sorts it out and I meet them on their University campus, De La Salle, which is near the Airport. Woot. And my week was happily ever after. I stayed with an AIESECer in his HUGE mansion of a house in a gated community and just relaxed. Francis took me to Intramurous which is the old walled city and we saw beautiful churches, and I met lots of AIESECers and just hung around Manila :)
Now I flew to Davao and life is good. I am in a hostel for a few days before moving into an apartment with other Interns! Just exploring Davao City. :)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Indonesia - Bali, Yogya, Bandung
Heya,
When I have time I'll update about my month long traveling with Jeannie, but for now I'll update on the last two weeks here in Indonesia!!
Indonesia is a beautiful country - very different than Thailand, mainly because Indonesia is a Muslim country. New sights, new sounds, new smells - my senses are very happy to be here!!
SO I flew Bangkok-Jakarta late at night on June 16th - arriving at 11:30PM. After immigration and security and baggage it was about 1AM.....I had a pre-reserved flight to Bali leaving at 6AM so I just stayed in the airport. I met two girls from Aussie and 1 guy from Philippines, so we all stayed up all night talking. At 4AM I went up to Merpati Airlines to get in for my flight and they said "you dont have a flight, that reservation was for 3 hrs only".....wtf????? I checked it like 2 days before and everything was in order - I reserved the flight instead of purchasing because Indonesian websites so not allow international credit cards to pay for anything...its really stupid. So yeah....here I am in Jakarta airport.....4AM after staying up all night.....and now with no flight...UGH....so I wet to KFC for free internet to look up other flights and find the cheapest. Lionair was cheapest but I had to switch terminals - I waited for the transfer bus but it never came, and meanwhile I had met a girl from Scotland who had a flight and was getting worried -so we split the cost of a taxi instead of waiting. Woot for meeting randoms! haha I then booked my flight and had to wait around until 1PM when it would leave!! ugh....I was SO SO SO exhausted by this time haha eventually I landed in Bali and my CS host, named Titik, picked me up and took me to her house in the Bali country side - stunning scenery! :)
SO Bali! Amazing place - people are great fun - fights are beautiful - and the island is small so I can see everything in a short time! :D Only problem is there is NO public transportation on Bali - so I had to hire a motorbike driver to take me around - I am lousy and do not feel comfortable driving around by myself on a moto. I saw beautiful ocean-side temples including Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu. Ulu Watu had monkeys around - but they were evil monkeys who jumped on Titik's head and stole her sunglasses!!! I tried to hit them with my walking stick but they growled at me and started to chase me~ So I ran squealing like a pig! I was terrified....evil monkeys......
Then Titik took me to Dreamland beach where the waves were HUGE!!! I stood in ankle deep water and a wave would break about 5 meters in front of me and I would be pushed back to forcefully by the way I'd end up 20 feet away trying to stand and not drown!!! hahaha It was fun even though it was scary to see these massive waves coming right at me looking like they wanted to eat me! :D haha
I then went up to Ubud, the cultural centre, of Bali for 2 days/1 night. I saw traditional Balinese dancers for an evening, went to a monkey forest sanctuary, viewed surrounding temples, and went to the market!!! :D Ubud was my favourite place in Bali - beautiful little city with lots to see and do. People were very nice everywhere and the shopping was fantastic :D my type of place!!
Then at 6:10AM June 22nd I flew to Yogyakarta (pronounced Jogjakarta) and landed at 6:20AM>....haha it was an hour long flight but there is a time change between Bali Island and Java island. :) I came to Yogya to see the ancient temples of Borobudor and Prambanan!!! But I also got to see some unknown temples up on mountains and hidden down back lanes. :) I was staying with Ardian, another CS Host, and he took me around everywhere - it was greatly appreciated - I get a friend and a guide to take me around for free :) THe best part about being a blonde - is the random photos people want to take of you. ALL LOCALS come up to me and ask to take my photo with them!! haha I think its great fun - I am all alone traveling so Its great to take photos with randoms and have somebody to talk to. :D
I now just took a Train to Bandung to visit my AIESEC friends I met in Taiwan at APXLDS conference in March!! Well....I love trains.....but I had a guy, about 45, sitting next to me, who when he sat down, put his pillow RIGHT on my shoulder, put his head down, and went to sleep. Meanwhile I am looking bewildered wondering wtf?!?! hahah I was SOOO confused as to why he was leaning on me cause i couldnt move - so I kept moving to maybe get him to get off my shoulder but he would just readjust himself!! hahah after about an hour he FINALLY got off me but I was almost in tears it was so funny by then. hahahha EVERYBODY was Indonesian on the train - so I was all alone trying not to laugh out loud at the hilarity of the situation. hahah But looking around - it seemed to be normal to lean on the person next to you.....you figure there'd be an exception for young blonde foreigners?!?!?? Nope - no exceptions - they are blending me into their culture!! haha! Well no harm done!
SO I arrive in bandung bright and early 6AM to be precise. then I called up Inez who was super and woke up early for me!! And I am now at her apartment!! :) Yesterday I met up with Cao (from APXLDS, Singapore delegate) and Teresa (intern here in Bandung from Texas). We went.......SHOPPING!! Of course!! haha What else! I bought one pretty shirt and some small gifts. Cheap Cheap! :) THen we went to a 'family gathering' hosted by LC Bandung, AIESEC. SO hung out with AIESEC'ers all night and played games, and danced, and smiled. It was a good night. but since I was exhausted - I left when they started to watch the Football game to get a MUCH needed full-nights sleep!! and I did! 10 hours. :D mmmm!!
Now we are up to today!! WOw! We are going to the lake today and to see some of the other sights of Bandung! :)
When I have time I'll update about my month long traveling with Jeannie, but for now I'll update on the last two weeks here in Indonesia!!
Indonesia is a beautiful country - very different than Thailand, mainly because Indonesia is a Muslim country. New sights, new sounds, new smells - my senses are very happy to be here!!
SO I flew Bangkok-Jakarta late at night on June 16th - arriving at 11:30PM. After immigration and security and baggage it was about 1AM.....I had a pre-reserved flight to Bali leaving at 6AM so I just stayed in the airport. I met two girls from Aussie and 1 guy from Philippines, so we all stayed up all night talking. At 4AM I went up to Merpati Airlines to get in for my flight and they said "you dont have a flight, that reservation was for 3 hrs only".....wtf????? I checked it like 2 days before and everything was in order - I reserved the flight instead of purchasing because Indonesian websites so not allow international credit cards to pay for anything...its really stupid. So yeah....here I am in Jakarta airport.....4AM after staying up all night.....and now with no flight...UGH....so I wet to KFC for free internet to look up other flights and find the cheapest. Lionair was cheapest but I had to switch terminals - I waited for the transfer bus but it never came, and meanwhile I had met a girl from Scotland who had a flight and was getting worried -so we split the cost of a taxi instead of waiting. Woot for meeting randoms! haha I then booked my flight and had to wait around until 1PM when it would leave!! ugh....I was SO SO SO exhausted by this time haha eventually I landed in Bali and my CS host, named Titik, picked me up and took me to her house in the Bali country side - stunning scenery! :)
SO Bali! Amazing place - people are great fun - fights are beautiful - and the island is small so I can see everything in a short time! :D Only problem is there is NO public transportation on Bali - so I had to hire a motorbike driver to take me around - I am lousy and do not feel comfortable driving around by myself on a moto. I saw beautiful ocean-side temples including Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu. Ulu Watu had monkeys around - but they were evil monkeys who jumped on Titik's head and stole her sunglasses!!! I tried to hit them with my walking stick but they growled at me and started to chase me~ So I ran squealing like a pig! I was terrified....evil monkeys......
Then Titik took me to Dreamland beach where the waves were HUGE!!! I stood in ankle deep water and a wave would break about 5 meters in front of me and I would be pushed back to forcefully by the way I'd end up 20 feet away trying to stand and not drown!!! hahaha It was fun even though it was scary to see these massive waves coming right at me looking like they wanted to eat me! :D haha
I then went up to Ubud, the cultural centre, of Bali for 2 days/1 night. I saw traditional Balinese dancers for an evening, went to a monkey forest sanctuary, viewed surrounding temples, and went to the market!!! :D Ubud was my favourite place in Bali - beautiful little city with lots to see and do. People were very nice everywhere and the shopping was fantastic :D my type of place!!
Then at 6:10AM June 22nd I flew to Yogyakarta (pronounced Jogjakarta) and landed at 6:20AM>....haha it was an hour long flight but there is a time change between Bali Island and Java island. :) I came to Yogya to see the ancient temples of Borobudor and Prambanan!!! But I also got to see some unknown temples up on mountains and hidden down back lanes. :) I was staying with Ardian, another CS Host, and he took me around everywhere - it was greatly appreciated - I get a friend and a guide to take me around for free :) THe best part about being a blonde - is the random photos people want to take of you. ALL LOCALS come up to me and ask to take my photo with them!! haha I think its great fun - I am all alone traveling so Its great to take photos with randoms and have somebody to talk to. :D
I now just took a Train to Bandung to visit my AIESEC friends I met in Taiwan at APXLDS conference in March!! Well....I love trains.....but I had a guy, about 45, sitting next to me, who when he sat down, put his pillow RIGHT on my shoulder, put his head down, and went to sleep. Meanwhile I am looking bewildered wondering wtf?!?! hahah I was SOOO confused as to why he was leaning on me cause i couldnt move - so I kept moving to maybe get him to get off my shoulder but he would just readjust himself!! hahah after about an hour he FINALLY got off me but I was almost in tears it was so funny by then. hahahha EVERYBODY was Indonesian on the train - so I was all alone trying not to laugh out loud at the hilarity of the situation. hahah But looking around - it seemed to be normal to lean on the person next to you.....you figure there'd be an exception for young blonde foreigners?!?!?? Nope - no exceptions - they are blending me into their culture!! haha! Well no harm done!
SO I arrive in bandung bright and early 6AM to be precise. then I called up Inez who was super and woke up early for me!! And I am now at her apartment!! :) Yesterday I met up with Cao (from APXLDS, Singapore delegate) and Teresa (intern here in Bandung from Texas). We went.......SHOPPING!! Of course!! haha What else! I bought one pretty shirt and some small gifts. Cheap Cheap! :) THen we went to a 'family gathering' hosted by LC Bandung, AIESEC. SO hung out with AIESEC'ers all night and played games, and danced, and smiled. It was a good night. but since I was exhausted - I left when they started to watch the Football game to get a MUCH needed full-nights sleep!! and I did! 10 hours. :D mmmm!!
Now we are up to today!! WOw! We are going to the lake today and to see some of the other sights of Bandung! :)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
What a Month!
Jeannie just left me - but wow! what a great month it has been wandering around Asia!
Photos and details to come.
I am now in Bali, Indonesia staying with a friend. After a hectic flight from Jakarta-Bali, I am exhausted and need to get a FULL nights sleep tonight! I cant wait! mmm bed!
:)
Photos and details to come.
I am now in Bali, Indonesia staying with a friend. After a hectic flight from Jakarta-Bali, I am exhausted and need to get a FULL nights sleep tonight! I cant wait! mmm bed!
:)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Jeannie's Arrival!
So I am anxiously waiting for Jeannie's arrival! I am all packed up and ready to start out Asian adventure! Her flight lands at 9:30PM and I'll go pick her up at the airport!! I got my deposit back on my apartment - Officially moving out on the 26th (So when we come back for one night we have a place to sleep!) - But I will be gone by Tomorrow morning at 5AM! Cambodia here we come! I have made up a VERY extensive itinerary for the two of us! Details details! Squeeze as much as possible in! :D
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Bangkok - War Zone
War Zone
- Seven civilians die, 101 hurt in crackdown - CRES allows troops to fire live ammunition - Reds fight back with rockets, petrol bombs
* Published: 15/05/2010 at 12:00 AM in Bangkok Post
* Newspaper section: News
Seven civilians have died in clashes between United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters and security officers in downtown Bangkok.
Clashes started late yesterday morning and continued throughout the afternoon at the Witthayu intersection, the Thai-Belgium Bridge, Lumpini police station, Ratchaprarop Road, Din Daeng intersection, Silom Road and Soi Sala Daeng.
Soldiers used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds against protesters, who retaliated using home-made rockets and Molotov cocktails to block advancing soldiers and by setting fire to a bus.
The sound of gunfire was heard from both sides.
In the evening, a number of grenade attacks took place on Rama IV and Silom roads.
At least seven red shirt protesters were killed and 101 people were injured yesterday, including three journalists and several soldiers.
Two people reportedly died during the afternoon clashes, while three were killed by grenade explosions on Rama IV Road and at Sala Daeng intersection.
Heavy gunfire and grenade explosions were reported in the Ratchaprarop area late last night, resulting in several injuries.
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation gave soldiers authority to fire live rounds at the lower bodies of attacking protesters.
Soldiers capture red shirt protesters in the Bon Kai area.
A red shirt supporter strips to his underwear to show soldiers he is unarmed near Lumpini boxing stadium.
A protester throws a petrol bomb at advancing troops on Rama IV Road.
Protesters set fire to tyres to keep security forces away near the Witthayu intersection on Rama IV Road.
A novice monk floats a lantern to keep helicopters away from the Ratchaprasong protest site.
Red shirts shoot flares across Rama IV Road to repel soldiers.
RIGHT Foreigners photograph soldiers in action in the Makkasan area.
Red shirts batter an army truck near Din Daeng junction and let out air from its tyres. They reportedly assaulted the soldiers in the truck.
A vendor in the Bon Kai area takes cover under a plastic stool as troops clash with protesters.
A red shirt protester lashes out at soldiers deployed on Ratchaprarop Road yesterday.
Armed soldiers take up lookout posts at buildings on Rama 4 Road.
Rapid-deployment soldiers on a motorcycle aim a gun at protesters.
Soldiers fire rubber bullets at protesters in the Bon Kai area.
Red shirt protesters take over a military truck with one of them aiming a kick at a soldier who has his arms pinned.
Soldiers take up position as anti-government protesters burn tyres near Bon Kai intersection yesterday. Security forces tried to push protesters back, sparking sporadic clashes.
- Seven civilians die, 101 hurt in crackdown - CRES allows troops to fire live ammunition - Reds fight back with rockets, petrol bombs
* Published: 15/05/2010 at 12:00 AM in Bangkok Post
* Newspaper section: News
Seven civilians have died in clashes between United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters and security officers in downtown Bangkok.
Clashes started late yesterday morning and continued throughout the afternoon at the Witthayu intersection, the Thai-Belgium Bridge, Lumpini police station, Ratchaprarop Road, Din Daeng intersection, Silom Road and Soi Sala Daeng.
Soldiers used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds against protesters, who retaliated using home-made rockets and Molotov cocktails to block advancing soldiers and by setting fire to a bus.
The sound of gunfire was heard from both sides.
In the evening, a number of grenade attacks took place on Rama IV and Silom roads.
At least seven red shirt protesters were killed and 101 people were injured yesterday, including three journalists and several soldiers.
Two people reportedly died during the afternoon clashes, while three were killed by grenade explosions on Rama IV Road and at Sala Daeng intersection.
Heavy gunfire and grenade explosions were reported in the Ratchaprarop area late last night, resulting in several injuries.
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation gave soldiers authority to fire live rounds at the lower bodies of attacking protesters.
Soldiers capture red shirt protesters in the Bon Kai area.
A red shirt supporter strips to his underwear to show soldiers he is unarmed near Lumpini boxing stadium.
A protester throws a petrol bomb at advancing troops on Rama IV Road.
Protesters set fire to tyres to keep security forces away near the Witthayu intersection on Rama IV Road.
A novice monk floats a lantern to keep helicopters away from the Ratchaprasong protest site.
Red shirts shoot flares across Rama IV Road to repel soldiers.
RIGHT Foreigners photograph soldiers in action in the Makkasan area.
Red shirts batter an army truck near Din Daeng junction and let out air from its tyres. They reportedly assaulted the soldiers in the truck.
A vendor in the Bon Kai area takes cover under a plastic stool as troops clash with protesters.
A red shirt protester lashes out at soldiers deployed on Ratchaprarop Road yesterday.
Armed soldiers take up lookout posts at buildings on Rama 4 Road.
Rapid-deployment soldiers on a motorcycle aim a gun at protesters.
Soldiers fire rubber bullets at protesters in the Bon Kai area.
Red shirt protesters take over a military truck with one of them aiming a kick at a soldier who has his arms pinned.
Soldiers take up position as anti-government protesters burn tyres near Bon Kai intersection yesterday. Security forces tried to push protesters back, sparking sporadic clashes.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Farewell Party for Nick and Eli!
So we had the first of MANNNNNY farewell parties - This was goodbye to Nick and Eli! We all went out to a club for the evening and it was a ball!! :D
Marco and I
Dhruv and I
Some Ladies - Lotte, Ari, Eniko, Me, Allison, and Pauline.
Allison, Me, and Nina!
The Canadian Team! Josh, Me, Ali, and Geoff!
Marco and I
Dhruv and I
Some Ladies - Lotte, Ari, Eniko, Me, Allison, and Pauline.
Allison, Me, and Nina!
The Canadian Team! Josh, Me, Ali, and Geoff!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Blonde Hair
Only one photo so far - waiting for the others to be put online (somebody elses camera). THis is Jessica, Angelica, and I at the farewell party/Marco's birthday at Culture Club. It was alot of fun but damn was it ever hot!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Laos - Vang Vieng - Swing!!
This is me on the GIGANTIC swing :D Look at me go! ANd then I caught my hand! hahah
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Laos - Vang Vieng
Oh Vang Vieng - What a tourist destination!! haha the WHOLE little city of Vang Vieng.....was foreigners!! haha No locals - it is 100% tourist!! But so so much fun!! There is a river....with mountains surrounding....and you can Tube down the river which is lined with bars that have giant diving boards with rope swings to go into the water with!! Yikes its crazy fun!!! hahha
On the second day - after our arms were tired from paddling on the tube - we rented motor bikes and headed to the surrounding mountains to go cave sight seeing. WOOT! we went to the elephant cave - in the photo there is stalactites that look like an elephant! and then we went into another cave which was 5 km in!!! crazy! and then we went to the WATER cave, where you sit on a tube and pull yourself by a rope into the cave and then paddle around with your little headlamp on your forehead!! hahaha
All and all - a wonderful time in Vang Vieng! Should of partied more though - it was quite casual and relaxing instead of party-hardy but thats ok! :)
On the second day - after our arms were tired from paddling on the tube - we rented motor bikes and headed to the surrounding mountains to go cave sight seeing. WOOT! we went to the elephant cave - in the photo there is stalactites that look like an elephant! and then we went into another cave which was 5 km in!!! crazy! and then we went to the WATER cave, where you sit on a tube and pull yourself by a rope into the cave and then paddle around with your little headlamp on your forehead!! hahaha
All and all - a wonderful time in Vang Vieng! Should of partied more though - it was quite casual and relaxing instead of party-hardy but thats ok! :)
Laos - Vientiane
Hello Friendfolk!
How do you say Hello in Laos?? Im not sure I only speak basic Thai!! haha Although the languages are similar - with my terrible Thai accent - they simply though I was Crazy ;) No Problem there - they are getting the fast track version of me!! :D
So me and my friend Aung went to Laos for 5 days as a little Vacay! WOot! Aung is from Thailand and I met her in Taiwan at the conference APXLDS! She is SUPER DUPER!!
So we took a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG overnight bus ride up to the border../...lucky for me I bought a lovely CLOUDZ pillow on my flight over to Asia, so I brought it on the bus and slept like a baby with NO neck cramps in the morning! Horray for me! I cannot say the same for Aung sadly :(
So we hung around Vientiane for a day looking at pretty temples of gold deliciousness and then, since Laos was previously a French colony....we ATE BAGUETTES AND CHEESE!! MMMMMMMMMM!! YOu dont realize how delicious bread and cheese is until you dont have it in your life anymore!!!
We also somewhat - sorta - kinda went to Paris for a day!! well actually not - but there is an Arc de Triompe in Vientiane that was never fully finished but for the most part its a pretty sight!!!
So it was a fantastic day wandering around!
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