A one week road trip across Malaysia

08-09 April - Cherating: Tanjung Inn

09-11 April - Palau Redang Island

11-13 April - Taman Negara National Park

14 April - Fraser's Hill

14-15 April - Kuala Lumpur

Speed-seeing in Singapore

It was already past 1 am when I stepped outta the aircraft in Singapore.  I am always impressed by the dimensions of this Changi International Airport. Walking on carpet for kilometres (pretty strange and uncommon to equip an airport with it) and following the signs leading me to the exit. Public transport was not running anymore – I took the taxi. The driver was cool, telling me his whole life story with a lot of joy.

My hotel was just a few streets away from where I was couchsurfing the last time. I recognized the area which was making it easier the next morning walking in around in Little India before meeting Alessandra and Fabio in Chinatown.

Some Indian and Chinese temples later we had lunch in a hooker stall, adding some fresh juices and shakes to it. Dragon fruit, star fruit, mango, pineapple, … whatever comes to your mind. We walked a bit further on, through the “historical” centre or what’s left of it and had a 30 Dollar cocktail in the roof top bar (55^th floor or something) of Marina Bay Hotel with a stunning view over the city – laser show included.

It took a dinner, one movie and a little sleep...

… well ok, and a little more, like stopping over in Amsterdam, as well as taking a regional bus to change the airport to the domestic one in Kuala Lumpur – and I reached Manila International Airport, Philippines. Tobi was picking me up before we entered the city centre. He had chosen a hotel right in the middle of the party district and we started the stay with some beers in a few bars and clubs. Staying in Manila for one day is more than enough, we’ve seen more than everything, that’s was my impression, and we tried to find a way outta the city.

Next destination: Lake Taal – some kind of active volcanic territory. But if you ask me: a bit overestimated. That meant being back in Manila the next day, again! I already had enough of this stinky and totally chaotic city.

The only way out: booking the night bus to Banaue, sitting in the isle on a plastic camper chair for 9 hours, giving my head a rest on my neighbour’s seat a few times. I arrived with the sun rising, and having some Philippinos around trying to drag me into one of their hotels. I’ve already made my choice. A couple of hours later, I walked though the jungle. Batad, rural and indigenous, and its rice terraces are supposed to be the eight world wonder. And it really was impressive.

Due to running out of time, I had to skip Sagada and the hanging graves. I’d rather took the flight to Legazpi and heading to Donsol, Bicol half island. The reason: diving with the massive whale sharks that can be 15 m of length. But during those days I was there, hundreds of boats were not spotting a single one. “Just” some dolphins ;)

Next hightlight: Mount Mayon, a volcano with a perfect shape. Unfortunately, no tour was available; I mean no hiking tour to the summit. The only thing being available: Quad Tour with a little bit of hiking to get closer, somehow. Well, better than nothing.

Absolutely famous for that half island and part of the country: the Bicol Express! I wanted to give it a try, picked up directly from a local pop up restaurant on the street. So here we go, delicious food to eat out of a few plastic bags. And sweeter than sweet mangos as desert.

Some days were still left before flying back to Singapore and I decided to lean back at the beach somewhere. I took the flight to Cebu City, a taxi and a bus to Moalboal, and a motorcycle to White Beach. The apartment was excellent, the coral reef right in front of the door. A perfect spot to snorkel around, just the jelly fish tentacles were a bit itchy and painful. The under water world, however, was stunning. I spent half the day in there, surrounded by hundreds of colourful fish and seeing corals, turtles and fire fish – a perfect finish.

Family trip to Melchsee Frutt

Prospect of the Melchsee Frutt at 2000 m

It was Friday evening – start of the 2013 skiing event in Swiss. After having done some monster shopping actions, we were ready for take of the following morning, Anne & Gregor, Antje and me. We got through the traffic quit well, arriving in Stöckalp on time to take one of the last gondola.

Metres of snow and fog makes some cottages almost disappear

The apartment was nice and cosy, as usual, football table, table tennis, indoor soccer field and sauna ready to use. So we did. Karl joined us for a while, advising to step on the skis the next day already. The weather will not getting better during the week. The 4 of us had an excellent day, and the Jagertee was having its part as well.

Having a little rest besides the snow shoe path

Monday was chosen to be a ski free day. Instead, a snow shoe hiking path wanted to be discovered – just without any snow shoes. Sort of adventurous. Madeline and Rinkes arrived that evening – thus, group was complete.

Standing pretty close to the edge

The weather was, yeah, let’s say a mix of almost everything that’s possible in the mountains: a bit of sun, clouds, storm, snow, fog. But cool, indeed! Three enjoyable days with relaxing around in the 2000 m high mountains.

Weather conditions getting better and better

Karl wasn’t able to show up once again, so we had to try making cheese fondue by ourselves. Absolutely delicious, but only eatable once a year :D Three days passed by quickly and we had to head back to home on Friday the following day.

Having a tremendous lookout

 

Weekend trip to family Rumpelt in the Ruhr area

Bavarian club / restaurant in Düsseldorf centre

With the brand new Nissan Qashqai (Sixt surprise package) we've been on the road heading to Duisburg, meeting good old friend Paddie Patrick.

Ruhr museum near Essen

Right after arrival, the so called fast seeing (fast sight seeing) started in Duisburg and Düsseldorf on Saturday, followed by Essen on Sunday as well as Cologne on Monday.

Lookout from one of the factory halls

Pretty busy stuff for just three days, and the evenings were filled with a remarkable PSP3 frisbee tournament and a self made pizza marathon.

Fence of the Hohenzollern Bridge in Köln fully packed with "we're in love locks"

New Years Eve celebrated kinda different

Barclay Center - NBA game Cleveland Caveliers vs. Brookly Nets

Just landed after a 24 hour trip (via Amsterdam and Detroit) and already sitting in the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, watching my first live NBA game ever. Kyrie Irving's Cavs visit the much higher ranked Brooklyn Nets. The game was ok, just a bit too quiet and without the stars coming up big.

Sunset through the trees, Central Park, New York City

One evening I was able to take a good shot of the setting sun shining through some skyscrapers. Snow melted making space for some fresh new green tones.

Happy New Year with a couple of drinks on the Circle Line City Cruise

Much better than expected - the "Happy New Year Celebration" on one of the Circle Line City Cruisers. Start was about 9pm, with lots of other tourists, cruising around and having the skyline in sight, stopping right in front of the Statue of Liberty at midnight. That offered a first row view towards the firework. Excellent!!!

View from the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan

We had enough time to discover New York deeply, but concentrated more or less on Manhattan itself. A lot of walking through the streets, checking out some museums and of course, shop till you drop in New Jersey. And one of the Broadway shows was a must see. We've got two tickets for the musical CHICAGO :)

Wall painting, seen from the High Line Walk

New York is not only grey and drab, it also offers colourful graffiti house painting stuff like this one...

 Sunset view from the Rockefeller Center

Bad Frankenhausen compared to Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Bad Frankenhausen

I was passing and going through that city a couple of times, but I've never ever realised how special it really is - Bad Frankenhausen. The area the church is built on is moving, i.e. the tower is not straight anymore, it is bending. And it's getting worse, maintenance and reconstruction is getting necessary. Even nowadays, the angle is greater than the one of The Leaning Tower of Pisa.