On on our way to East Timor, we overnighted in Bali, Indonesia, but since our flight landed after dark, we didn’t see much more than our hotel and the backs of our eyelids. But, on the return flight, we had a long layover, and found ourselves with 8hr to explore Bali. Except that Sriwijaya Air changed our flight time without notifying us, so in the end, we only had 6hr to spare. [Read more…] about What to do with 8 hours in Bali
Asia
Qatar, the pearl of the Persian Gulf
“Wait, you’re in Qatar as a tourist?! Why???”. This question was repeatedly asked of me during my two day stay in the small, Middle Eastern country of Qatar. [Read more…] about Qatar, the pearl of the Persian Gulf
Whirlwind Manila
A trip from Palau to Australia shouldn’t take more than 15 hours, but for us, it took 34 hours. When you book your flights on frequent flier miles, you take whatever options are available; you can’t be picky when you’re getting free trips. This meant we flew from Palau to Guam to Manila to Bangkok to Melbourne. With a 12hr layover in the Philippines, we ventured out into Manila, instead of waiting in the airport.
The city is a chaotic, huge place. The streets are clogged with vehicles. Free spaces are filled with makeshift markets selling all manner of crap. There’s a dichotomy between the brand new skyscrapers and the squatters tents.
We walked through Rizal park, a large, green space with monuments to the nation’s heroes. By, 11:30 am, however, the heat was unbearable, and we jumped in a pedicab. 
Edward, our driver, took us around the Intramuros area, the old walled city. Since Spain ruled the Philippines for three centuries, there is a distinctly Spanish feel to this area.
Edward, our driver, took us around the Intramuros area, the old walled city. Since Spain ruled the Philippines for three centuries, there is a distinctly Spanish feel to this area.
For a period of time, it actually felt like we were back in Spain, reminding us of the beginning of our trip, except everyone here spoke English better. It’s funny how the trip has come full circle in that way. The main highlights of the area included the San Agustin church, which is the country’s oldest church, the Manila Cathedral where Pope Francis said mass last year, and Fort Santiago. The Fort was built in the 16th century, and has served as both fortress and prison over the centuries.
We covered only a tiny portion of this sprawling city, but that’s all we had time for during the layover. We appreciated the chance to leave the airport during this long journey and get a taste of another culture. The southern Philippine islands are meant to have great diving, so hopefully we will be able to return at some point, and explore the country in depth.
Beer of Choice: San Miguel
Bangkok, love you long time
Our time in Asia ended with me lying on a thin mattress in a small room in Bangkok, with my legs wrapped around a 60 year old Thai woman wearing a Cheetah print shirt, while Paul grunted in the room next door. No, we were not recreating scenes from the Hangover 2. Nor were we having a stereotypical time with elderly lady boys. We were instead having a Thai massage. We had no idea what to expect. Thai massage is not the relaxing, spa like experience one may imagine. The masseuse used her body to push, pull and stretch mine. For example, she sat on the floor, with her feet pressed into my upper, inner thigh and pulled my foot as she leaned back. She also pounded on the soles of my feet with her fists. When her feet and hands got a little too close to my crotch, I was in fits of giggles, because I am both ticklish and immature. Later, while I laid on my stomach, face pressed into a dirty pillow with an elephant embroidered on it, she knelt on the backs of my thighs, knees jabbing into my hamstrings, and used her elbows to work my back, while I gasped for air. Near the end, she stood on the backs of my legs and walked up and down. Now, she was not the petite Thai woman portrayed in tourism photos. She was a woman who clearly helped herself to second servings of mango sticky rice. Finally, she grasped my arms and jerked me backwards, into a swan pose, eliciting audible cracks from every bone in my back.
It’s kind of like going to a yoga class where the instructor manipulates your body into position and holds the poses for you. And then beats you. So, my thoughts on Thai massage? Was it relaxing? No. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. Beneficial? Not sure…. I am curious to have another one, and see if it’s a similar experience, or if this was a one time encounter with a sadistic masseuse.
Paul’s masseuse wasn’t quite so harsh. But, maybe that’s because she fancied him. After all, she did tell him to come back later at night to see her.
Bangkok is a place to shop. One can buy anything from H&M to Louboutains, from dildos to, ahem, nighttime companions. The outdoor night markets sell all sorts of erotic paraphernalia, including Cialis and Viagra.
After a full day of shopping, what better way to relax than with an uncomfortable, awkward massage at the hands of a crazed Thai lady?
Beer of choice: My Antonia (a collaboration between Birra del Borgo and Dogfish head). This was not a Thai beer, but after 3 months of drinking lager, we took advantage of Bangkok’s craft beer bars.
Puking in Phuket
Was it bad chicken? Or moldy rice? Perhaps the ice wasn’t made from bottled water. Or, maybe the cook didn’t wash his hands after using the toilet. Whatever the cause, the result was that Paul, Lindsay and I spent our first day in Phuket taking turns running to the bathroom.
The morning we were meant to leave Railay, Lindsay started feeling sick. We bought her some Gatorade and crackers, and left her to rest, while we started our trip to Phuket. [Read more…] about Puking in Phuket
It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey
There comes a time in every length trip, when you start to think, “Is this a good idea?” For me, the point that made me think it would be a heck of a lot more more comfortable and safer on my couch came as we were en route to Krabi, Thailand. [Read more…] about It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey