- travel quote
one’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things
- henry miller -
- green porno
yes yes i know the video in the previous post is no longer available. i am too lazy to hunt for a replacement. so in its place, let me offer you some highly entertaining green porno.
- it’s a very, very mad world
i’ve never heard of the song before, but i can’t get enough of adam lambert’s version. he made the song so relevant, and sang it with so much emotion and tension that i instantly connected with both the melody and lyrics. that’s what music is truly about innit. even simon cowell was moved to give a standing ovation.
- also a worthy mention….
i published my laos travelogue very quietly two months ago.
do check laos.eatingchaos.com
- hello world
just a quick note to say that i am currently in melbourne, and blogging about my experience in my melbourne travelogue. i’ve also appended the site with my other travelogues.
the address is melbourne.eatingchaos.com
thank you for visiting!
- because i lost my blog groove…..
am microblogging.
- happy moo year!
happy chinese new year! no time to write a post, but here’s a compilation of articles i wrote about chinese lion dances. enjoy!
- how my phone helped me pack lighter
i own a nokia e71. it burnt a hole in my pocket. it is the most expensive phone i have ever owned, and bought. its value however, shone. take my europe trip for example, my phone acted as my:
- 1. GPS Device
i have the garmin software loaded with europe maps. i didn’t use it as much as i expected because i am a true blue explorer at heart and prefer getting lost, striking up conversations with random strangers to ask for directions, and like pouring over tattered maps. but - it did help me once or twice when i was in a rush. also - knowing i had this option to fall onto provided comfort and a certain confidence. - 2. MP3 Player
i debated whether to bring along my ipod nano. the sound quality on my nano was definitely more superior, but i opted not to bring it at the end. one - i wanted to really really pack light. whatever i didn’t need, i left behind. two - my nano had 2GB, my phone 8GB. i can afford to transfer all the songs on my nano to my phone, and still had plenty memory space to spare. - 3. Gaming Device
i also left behind my nintendo ds as i’ve installed several games onto my phone and they should keep me satisfied during long journeys. besides - i didn’t travel all the way to europe to play games! - 4. Currency Converter
i have WorldMate installed. it helps me convert currencies, displaying up to three different currencies at one go. - 5. Weather Forecast
WorldMate also gives me weather forecast up to five days in advance. i periodically have to update the software and i do it when i have free wifi networks. - 6. Notebook Replacement
I have several chat applications installed on my phone. one of them, fring, allows me to login to MSN, Skype and Gtalk at one go. This helps me keep in touch with my family and friends. The places that I stayed at, most of them offer free wifi coverage so I could just hop online and keep in touch.I could also surf the net with Opera Mini, check my mail, read blogs, research the next place i was going, and so on.
I also blogged with my phone. Sure as hell beats carrying a laptop around!
- 7. And all the other things a phone is today
Calculator, alternate camera/video, music player.
- 1. GPS Device
- europe travelogue - published
the europe travelogue is finally published. do enjoy the pictures as i did not write as much as i wanted to. thank you for visiting!
- ten things to do before you go backpacking
- 1. check visa requirements
go to malaysia’s official website for ministry of foreign affairs and check the visa entry requirement for the countries that you are going to. if you need to apply beforehand, make sure you get it done before departing. also - your passport have to be valid for at least six months (usually). - 2. jot down the malaysian embassy address and contact details
write down the malaysian embassy address and contact details as well as opening hours in the country that you are heading to. if there are none, write down for neighbouring countries. email this list to yourself. sms it to yourself. write it down and tuck it into your backpack. you will need this information if you lose your passport during your journey. (touch wood!) - 3. weather forecast
google the weather forecast. if you are going to a temperate country, also note down the wind conditions as this will affect the temperature. check whether it is rainy season. shape your packing list accordingly. - 4. check the plugs
make sure you bring the correct electrical plug adapters. a good site to check is Electricity Around the World. - 5. buy travel insurance
this is not an option. buy your travel insurance. it is so reasonably priced that the cost is almost waivable compared to the cost of the entire journey. during my europe trip, my luggage was delayed for two days. the insurance compensated every cent that i spent on the necessary items that i purchased. not having my luggage in one of the coldest country i have been in is frustrating, but knowing i will be compensated by my insurance made the shopping fun! - 6. photocopying the important documents
photocopy your passport, ic, credit card, plane tickets, train tickets. lock your passport in your room, carry the copy around. keep the photocopied credit card in the room, carry the actual card around. in other words - separate the original and the copies. - 7. scan the important documents
scan your passport, ic, credit card, plane tickets, train tickets. email them to yourself. keep a copy in your phone memory card. if you lost your entire bag (touch wood!) at least you can still download a copy of your identity for the police to expedite their work. - 8. call your mobile service provider
check the sms rates and calling rates from the country that you are travelling to. ask whether there are cheaper alternatives to call home. maxis has their *120* deals. what i usually do before i travel is check the calling rate and the receiving call rates, the sms rates. then i manage my calls & smses accordingly. - 9. pack light
packing less means worrying about less things. means having a lighter load. means less packing/unpacking time. but more importantly - there will be one or two occasions, where you will have to RUN with your backpack. it is in that very moment when you are most grateful for packing lightly. - 10. be ready for change - know your alternatives
things don’t always go as planned. trains will be delayed, flights cancelled, airports close down, the alarm won’t ring. be ready for change, know your alternatives. keep your wits with you and be ready to test Murphy’s Law. don’t forget to laugh.
above everything else, travel with an open heart. that is the only way to do it.
- 1. check visa requirements
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