Last Minute Buses, Slow Trains, Lost Passports and Sleeper Train to Kuala Lumpur

It was all a big rush leaving Singapore. We had been to Night Safari, leaving it around 8.30 pm, having to get to Keppel Road Train Station for our 10 pm Singapore to Malaysia sleeper Train across the border into Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur. WE had left it tight, and we had also left our bags at Read more about Last Minute Buses, Slow Trains, Lost Passports and Sleeper Train to Kuala Lumpur[…]

Night Safari Singapore Zoo 2009

Backpacking in Singapore: Night Safari

You’re thinking what the hell is “Night Safari”? But it’s obvious. The answer’s in the title. Singapore had the world’s first night safari. So while there and with one of the world’s most famous zoos so close, we couldn’t resist the temptation to do the “Night Safari” in Singapore. It would mean being up close Read more about Backpacking in Singapore: Night Safari[…]

Singapore: The Island; The City; The Country

Singapore, in case you didn’t know is a hat-trick of things all in one. It’s an island (or strictly, lots of islands), it’s a big city (or metropolis) and its a country. It’s also used by many people as a half way point between the United Kingdom and Australia. Without wanting to be obvious or Read more about Singapore: The Island; The City; The Country[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

It had to be done. It was so obvious. There we were in Singapore, Asia and staying in a hostel just 25 minutes walk from the world famous Raffles Hotel. The Raffles Hotel is possibly the most famous hotel in Asia. It began life in 1887 and was founded by the Armenian Sarkies brothers. Monarchs Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore[…]

World Borders: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (Malaysia – Singapore train)

Knowing we had made it to the correct terminal in Kuala Lumpur Sentral was such a relief. I had already swapped a few Malaysian Ringitts in Taouyan Airport rather than aimlessly spend my final few Taiwan Dollars on junk at the airport. This barely gave us time to buy anything for the train. Natalja managed Read more about World Borders: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (Malaysia – Singapore train)[…]

An Evening Of Shorts: Comedy in Taipei, Taiwan

Millwall Neil suggested we go to watch some “English comedy” in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. “You’re kidding” I said, as the only people I had spoke to in the previous 2 weeks could speak no English at all. He said that he had read it in the only English newspaper in Taiwan, The Taipei Times. In Read more about An Evening Of Shorts: Comedy in Taipei, Taiwan[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan: Going to the Top of The World’s Tallest Building Taipei 101

I have been up many tall/high buildings before (Empire State Building, USA; CN Tower, Canada; Sky Tower, Auckland; Scrabatar, Northern Ireland), but never in the world’s “tallest” building. Taipei 101 was finished in 2003 and claims to be the world’s tallest building (of any description). It is certainly by no means the world’s “highest” building Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Going to the Top of The World’s Tallest Building Taipei 101[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan🇹🇼: Blood Taipei

  OK its a joke and a ridiculous pun. Something that in 2004, either myself or Lock In Lee would have been proud of. “What blood type are you?” someone asks. “I’m blood type A” I reply. Without the pun, I ended up in Taipei for the final leg of our Taiwan adventure. I had Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan🇹🇼: Blood Taipei[…]

Jonny Blair living a lifestyle of travel in Shinying shrimp fishing

Backpacking in Taiwan🇹🇼: Shrimp Fishing in Xinying

It was another random Friday night in Shinying and surely this one has to be one of the most enjoyable Friday nights of all time. We went Shrimp Fishing in Taiwan! Really! It was suggested to us on the Thursday night, whilst at the night market with two of Neil’s workmates – Binh and David. Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan🇹🇼: Shrimp Fishing in Xinying[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan🇹🇼: Exploring Taichung

Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan. It wasn’t our plan to actually go there and see it. It does have some appeal, but as my Lonely Planet guide stated, “Taichung is hardly a must-see.” And for that very reason, our first 12 days in Taiwan avoided this massive smoggy city. That is except Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan🇹🇼: Exploring Taichung[…]