I made it home safe and sound. :) I had a long layover in Incheon (S. Korea) so the airline put me up in a hotel for the 11 hr. layover - it wasn't half bad!
I've been slowly building my work schedule to what it was before I left, so it has been nice to ease back into things. It's crazy how the trip already feels like it was a few months ago!
I put together a short slide show of the highlights on Picasa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gcruver/SEAsiaHighlights#
Hope you enjoy them! If you want more stories or pictures, feel free to call or email gcruver@hotmail.com
love
gina
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Singapore
I actually flew into JB, a Malaysian airport right next to Singapore. I met up with two girls, one from Singapore and one from Spain and we made it though the border crossing together - good thing the Singaporean girl knew what she was doing! So far, that has been my hardest transfer - getting on a bus, off to go through Malay customs, back on a different bus, off again to go through Singapore's immigration, back on a different bus that dropped me off somewhere downtown. Then a taxi to where I'm staying. It might not sound that complicated, but add in a ton of people pushing their way through each place...did I mention I was glad the girl from Singapore was with us?! We made it just fine. :)
The guys I ended up coming down the mountain with actually live in Singapore, so even though they weren't going to be there, they let me stay at their place! It was so nice to walk into a "home" after the trip from KK to Singapore! The place is about 5 minutes from the beach, and 15 from the airport - perfect. I head down to the beach, walk along the promenade complete with everything from restaurants to a large man made lake with ropes going around so you can water ski, wake board or knee board! (there was even a jumping course set up!)
I sat for awhile looking out to the city on the water - the hundreds of barges/ships/crates sitting out in the harbor waiting to come into the port or leave - before I headed to bed.
I met up with one of their friends in the morning, and she drives me to Orchard road. This is apparently THE place to shop in Singapore. Too bad I am not a shopper! I actually wish I knew what was good to buy...it seems like a ton of name brands (not the rip-off kind) are here for pretty cheap! oh well. Sorry if you wanted something fancy from Singapore! :)
Now, I am waiting for my midnight flight to Seoul, then finally home to Seattle on Saturday morning! I can't believe my trip is over - it sure flew by! thanks for all your emails/support!
see you soon
love
g
The guys I ended up coming down the mountain with actually live in Singapore, so even though they weren't going to be there, they let me stay at their place! It was so nice to walk into a "home" after the trip from KK to Singapore! The place is about 5 minutes from the beach, and 15 from the airport - perfect. I head down to the beach, walk along the promenade complete with everything from restaurants to a large man made lake with ropes going around so you can water ski, wake board or knee board! (there was even a jumping course set up!)
I sat for awhile looking out to the city on the water - the hundreds of barges/ships/crates sitting out in the harbor waiting to come into the port or leave - before I headed to bed.
I met up with one of their friends in the morning, and she drives me to Orchard road. This is apparently THE place to shop in Singapore. Too bad I am not a shopper! I actually wish I knew what was good to buy...it seems like a ton of name brands (not the rip-off kind) are here for pretty cheap! oh well. Sorry if you wanted something fancy from Singapore! :)
Now, I am waiting for my midnight flight to Seoul, then finally home to Seattle on Saturday morning! I can't believe my trip is over - it sure flew by! thanks for all your emails/support!
see you soon
love
g
KK part 2
Back in KK, the weather is beautiful - all I need now is to get on one of those islands....so I go to the marina and it turns out I have to wait until the next morning. Oh well, I will spend the afternoon looking around at the shops...oh wait, it is almost the end of Ramadan and most places are closed early. Good thing there are lots of good restaurants on the water!
The next day, I meet my guide and boat at 8am to head out for a three island tour: Mamutik, Sulug and Manukan islands. Each island is beautiful - Sulug is by far the smallest and I get it in my head that it would be fun to go around the rocky shores of the island, so the boat driver drops me (the guide too) off the shore of one of the rocky parts because he can't get close...bright idea Gina. After getting caught in a set of waves near the rocks (they were not small - the waves or the rocks) I figured out it wasn't the most brilliant idea. oops. Good thing the guide was with me!
When we got back to the beautiful, small, sandy, rockless beach, the rest of the group was ready to go (it hadn't really been that long), they had already discovered the snorkeling wasn't very good. So we headed off to the last of the three islands: Manukan. This island was much bigger, with several restaurants, places to stay and much longer, beautiful sandy beaches. (no rocks here!). Ahhh, now I can relax and lay in the sun. I get reports the snorkeling isn't great and there are definitely no turtles... I had enough water already, so I enjoy staying dry. :)
All the shops are definitely closed when we get back to the dock by 5, so I head out for dinner with my new hostel roommate. I think by now all this foreign food is starting to catch up to me, or maybe it was one meal...but I head in early and stay in bed until 11 or 12 the next day. At least my room has AC! Ahhh, yes, and it is the end of Ramadan, which means EVERYTHING is closed, including all pharmacies. fantastic. Good thing I am going to Singapore to stay at a friends house tomorrow. :)
The next day, I meet my guide and boat at 8am to head out for a three island tour: Mamutik, Sulug and Manukan islands. Each island is beautiful - Sulug is by far the smallest and I get it in my head that it would be fun to go around the rocky shores of the island, so the boat driver drops me (the guide too) off the shore of one of the rocky parts because he can't get close...bright idea Gina. After getting caught in a set of waves near the rocks (they were not small - the waves or the rocks) I figured out it wasn't the most brilliant idea. oops. Good thing the guide was with me!
When we got back to the beautiful, small, sandy, rockless beach, the rest of the group was ready to go (it hadn't really been that long), they had already discovered the snorkeling wasn't very good. So we headed off to the last of the three islands: Manukan. This island was much bigger, with several restaurants, places to stay and much longer, beautiful sandy beaches. (no rocks here!). Ahhh, now I can relax and lay in the sun. I get reports the snorkeling isn't great and there are definitely no turtles... I had enough water already, so I enjoy staying dry. :)
All the shops are definitely closed when we get back to the dock by 5, so I head out for dinner with my new hostel roommate. I think by now all this foreign food is starting to catch up to me, or maybe it was one meal...but I head in early and stay in bed until 11 or 12 the next day. At least my room has AC! Ahhh, yes, and it is the end of Ramadan, which means EVERYTHING is closed, including all pharmacies. fantastic. Good thing I am going to Singapore to stay at a friends house tomorrow. :)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Kota Kinabalu (Sept. 25th to Oct. 2nd)
I made it to Kota Kinabalu (KK) with no problem after a 5 hour layover in Jakarta. I met a Malay girl on the plane and we decided to go to the same hostel and split the cab ride. She took me out for a "local" dinner, which was actually pretty good! I don't know that I would have eaten whatever it was that we ate on my own...so I am glad she knew what it was! (soup, some sort of pork with a bread-like fried soy bean thing, and some type of flour pastry - fried of course). Welcome to KK. :)
The next day, I walk the city a bit and figure out how to make my way to Mt. Kinabalu - the highest point in SE Asia standing at 4095 meters. I jump in a small van that leaves when it is full to head to the base of the mountain. After a crazy, squeaky (the van made noises like it was about to break down), curvy, fast drive, I was happy to get out of the van at the park headquarters. (what is with crazy drivers in SE Asia?!)
Of course there is some sort of group in house, and they are sold out of rooms. Not to worry, I walk about a kilometer down the road to some other (dive) place and get a dorm room to myself. Now it's dark and about 8pm and NOTHING is around except stray dogs that bark and try to follow you, so I settle in for an early night...its going to be a big day tomorrow.
I get up early to grab some breakfast and hang out at the headquarters to try and join a small group so I don't have to pay the guide fee myself. It's not long before I meet a Slovenian couple that doesn't mind at all if I join them. We are on the trail around 9am, and begin our 2500 meter, 6K climb. We establish in the beginning to go our own pace, so after the first K, I don't see them again until the top. It's a cloudy day so you can't see much on the way up, but I was so focused on the trail that I might not have enjoyed it anyway! It was a steep climb, with huge steps and a bit of scrambling. I make it to the rest house (where we sleep) in just under 3 hours, and then realized why people start hiking around 11 or 12... There is nothing to do up there...especially since it had just started to rain as I was 1 K from the top, and then down poured once I was inside. Oh yeah, and they don't turn the heat on until 8pm to save power, and they don't run the hot water until 3pm). It wasn't the warmest inside. I am sure that lodge makes a killing off of warm drinks. It was also super windy, which was actually a good thing - it blew the clouds away by 5ish so we could see a beautiful sunset (although it was still way too cold to go outside). Dinner was served at 5, and by 8 they were starting to save power again (because they were finally going to turn on the heat) which pretty much sent everyone to bed - it was going to be an early morning anyway to make it to the summit for sunrise.
Most people left between 2:30-3 to make it the last 2 K to the top... my group and a few others left around 4 so we wouldn't be early. You could hear the wind howling outside, and it just got worse the higher you got - so to be early is to freeze! I thought the hike up was actually pretty fun...the first part had some super steep stairs (just like climbing a ladder), then once we hit the rock face, there were ropes guiding us the rest of the way. It was more of a scramble in some places, which is an adventure with a head lamp! Don't worry, there's no way to get lost as long as you kept the rope in sight. I took shelter behind a huge rock just before the top to wait for the sunrise, then ducked to the other side of the ridge to be protected from the wind to watch the sun come up. The wind is so strong - the clouds are ripping up and over the ridge line hiding the sunrise for a few seconds, then blowing through so we could see it again - it keeps going like this the whole time we are up there. After 15 minutes or so, we decide it is to freezing to stay up there, so now that it is light we start to hurry down. Once my fingers thaw, I slow down to take a few more pictures, then head in for breakfast (Sorry no pics yet, haven't found a fast enough computer! I will post them once I get home). By 8:30am we start to head down (I am now with a new group since the Slovenian couple wasn't having very much fun and left early).
The people in this group decide it is a great idea to go to the hot springs about 45 min away - which is perfect! I was thinking about spending a night in Pouring (where the hot springs were) but it turns out an hour there is enough! We make it back to KK by dinnertime.
Tomorrow I am headed off to explore 3 of the 5 islands in the South China Sea, and hopefully see some turtles!
The next day, I walk the city a bit and figure out how to make my way to Mt. Kinabalu - the highest point in SE Asia standing at 4095 meters. I jump in a small van that leaves when it is full to head to the base of the mountain. After a crazy, squeaky (the van made noises like it was about to break down), curvy, fast drive, I was happy to get out of the van at the park headquarters. (what is with crazy drivers in SE Asia?!)
Of course there is some sort of group in house, and they are sold out of rooms. Not to worry, I walk about a kilometer down the road to some other (dive) place and get a dorm room to myself. Now it's dark and about 8pm and NOTHING is around except stray dogs that bark and try to follow you, so I settle in for an early night...its going to be a big day tomorrow.
I get up early to grab some breakfast and hang out at the headquarters to try and join a small group so I don't have to pay the guide fee myself. It's not long before I meet a Slovenian couple that doesn't mind at all if I join them. We are on the trail around 9am, and begin our 2500 meter, 6K climb. We establish in the beginning to go our own pace, so after the first K, I don't see them again until the top. It's a cloudy day so you can't see much on the way up, but I was so focused on the trail that I might not have enjoyed it anyway! It was a steep climb, with huge steps and a bit of scrambling. I make it to the rest house (where we sleep) in just under 3 hours, and then realized why people start hiking around 11 or 12... There is nothing to do up there...especially since it had just started to rain as I was 1 K from the top, and then down poured once I was inside. Oh yeah, and they don't turn the heat on until 8pm to save power, and they don't run the hot water until 3pm). It wasn't the warmest inside. I am sure that lodge makes a killing off of warm drinks. It was also super windy, which was actually a good thing - it blew the clouds away by 5ish so we could see a beautiful sunset (although it was still way too cold to go outside). Dinner was served at 5, and by 8 they were starting to save power again (because they were finally going to turn on the heat) which pretty much sent everyone to bed - it was going to be an early morning anyway to make it to the summit for sunrise.
Most people left between 2:30-3 to make it the last 2 K to the top... my group and a few others left around 4 so we wouldn't be early. You could hear the wind howling outside, and it just got worse the higher you got - so to be early is to freeze! I thought the hike up was actually pretty fun...the first part had some super steep stairs (just like climbing a ladder), then once we hit the rock face, there were ropes guiding us the rest of the way. It was more of a scramble in some places, which is an adventure with a head lamp! Don't worry, there's no way to get lost as long as you kept the rope in sight. I took shelter behind a huge rock just before the top to wait for the sunrise, then ducked to the other side of the ridge to be protected from the wind to watch the sun come up. The wind is so strong - the clouds are ripping up and over the ridge line hiding the sunrise for a few seconds, then blowing through so we could see it again - it keeps going like this the whole time we are up there. After 15 minutes or so, we decide it is to freezing to stay up there, so now that it is light we start to hurry down. Once my fingers thaw, I slow down to take a few more pictures, then head in for breakfast (Sorry no pics yet, haven't found a fast enough computer! I will post them once I get home). By 8:30am we start to head down (I am now with a new group since the Slovenian couple wasn't having very much fun and left early).
The people in this group decide it is a great idea to go to the hot springs about 45 min away - which is perfect! I was thinking about spending a night in Pouring (where the hot springs were) but it turns out an hour there is enough! We make it back to KK by dinnertime.
Tomorrow I am headed off to explore 3 of the 5 islands in the South China Sea, and hopefully see some turtles!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Kuta, Lombok (22nd to 25th)
I head out for what is supposed to be the most stunning coastline of Lombok the morning of the 22nd. This time it is only 1/2 day of travel! :) I rent a scooter with one of the Germans and a couple Canadians, and we go off to explore the beaches and surf. The main reason people come here I guess is to surf...but since I don't surf - I enjoy watching the surfers! :) The coastline and the beaches really are stunning - and riding a scooter through it all, soaking in the local life is the best!
It was an awesome, mellow three days enjoying the sun, surf, beaches, and good food. Plus, I got pretty good at riding my scooter (good thing it was an automatic)!
Now I am off to Kota Kinabalu to hike and see some turtles before I head home in a week!
It was an awesome, mellow three days enjoying the sun, surf, beaches, and good food. Plus, I got pretty good at riding my scooter (good thing it was an automatic)!
Now I am off to Kota Kinabalu to hike and see some turtles before I head home in a week!
Gili Trawangan (19th-21st)
On the 19th, I caught a bus at 6 am to catch a ferry at 11am, to catch another bus when the ferry got in, to another boat! It was a full day of travel - but most of it was actually enjoyable. (I love boat rides). We got to our last boat (a really long, big canoe with a motor on the back that fit about 20 people) just before sunset, and headed to our final destination, Gili Trawangan. It is the largest of three islands off the northwest coast of Lombok (the island neighboring Bali). The swells were getting bigger as it was getting darker, making for a very adventurous 30 minute ride to the island. I made a few German friends on the bus before, so we stuck together to find a place to stay on the tiny island. It reminds me a bit of Thailand but instead of the over sized wheelbarrow, the only transport on the island were horse and buggy carts. (you don't need much since its only 8km around the whole island.)
The next day, we took advantage of the horse and buggy carts and went on a tour of the island - all of an hour including stops. :) The beaches are absolutely beautiful white sand, with crystal clear water.
One of the days, I went to a neighboring island with one of the girls - Gili Meno is only a 10 minute boat ride away. (a much calmer ride then from Lombok to Gili T!) It is the middle island, much smaller, not half as much to do, and almost as beautiful. It would be perfect if you wanted to get away from everything for awhile. We were happy being there for a few hours... :)
It was a short, beautiful stay on the island!
The next day, we took advantage of the horse and buggy carts and went on a tour of the island - all of an hour including stops. :) The beaches are absolutely beautiful white sand, with crystal clear water.
One of the days, I went to a neighboring island with one of the girls - Gili Meno is only a 10 minute boat ride away. (a much calmer ride then from Lombok to Gili T!) It is the middle island, much smaller, not half as much to do, and almost as beautiful. It would be perfect if you wanted to get away from everything for awhile. We were happy being there for a few hours... :)
It was a short, beautiful stay on the island!
Volunteering part 2
I visited the orphanage 4 different times, teaching yoga, English (as much as I could), and playing games. Every time I walked in the door, I was greeted with tons of hugs - the kids were just so excited to have someone new that would give them attention.
Mostly, I worked with the 5- 8 year olds, trying to teach them new songs, words, and yoga moves. The first couple days were tiring because their attention span wasn't very long - especially with a different language! But they caught on pretty well, and they ended up teaching me a few new games :)
The last day, a few other women from the yoga retreat came with me, and we brought ingredients for banana splits! The kids were a bit shy at first, until they realized what it was! It was a fun day of eating ice cream and playing games. We had to go in the kitchen to prepare the bananas, and realized how little they live on! Every day farmers donate rice and veggies, and then the manager (Ketut) goes to buy a little meat and fruit. There is literally nothing left over in the kitchen.
Before we left, I gave Ketut the donation (from you guys) and he was so grateful - he gave me a huge hug and couldn't stop talking about how much it was going to help the children. They are in the process of building a new sleeping room with bunk beds for the kids (now they sleep on the floor (on pads) in a community room). I saw the group effort as I left one day as the kids were carrying the bricks in - the little girls had 2 bricks, and the bigger boys had 5-7 bricks! Because of our donation, the room will be done, and furnished in a couple weeks! (the money will also go towards their meals) Yeah!
Doing yoga was great - but visiting the orphanage was definitely the highlight of the week.
Mostly, I worked with the 5- 8 year olds, trying to teach them new songs, words, and yoga moves. The first couple days were tiring because their attention span wasn't very long - especially with a different language! But they caught on pretty well, and they ended up teaching me a few new games :)
The last day, a few other women from the yoga retreat came with me, and we brought ingredients for banana splits! The kids were a bit shy at first, until they realized what it was! It was a fun day of eating ice cream and playing games. We had to go in the kitchen to prepare the bananas, and realized how little they live on! Every day farmers donate rice and veggies, and then the manager (Ketut) goes to buy a little meat and fruit. There is literally nothing left over in the kitchen.
Before we left, I gave Ketut the donation (from you guys) and he was so grateful - he gave me a huge hug and couldn't stop talking about how much it was going to help the children. They are in the process of building a new sleeping room with bunk beds for the kids (now they sleep on the floor (on pads) in a community room). I saw the group effort as I left one day as the kids were carrying the bricks in - the little girls had 2 bricks, and the bigger boys had 5-7 bricks! Because of our donation, the room will be done, and furnished in a couple weeks! (the money will also go towards their meals) Yeah!
Doing yoga was great - but visiting the orphanage was definitely the highlight of the week.
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