About me

During my high school years, my mind frequently drifted into daydreams of embarking on a global adventure. Instead of delving into...

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Welcome back!

Long overdue I'm relaunching Splinter's Paradise with a fresh new lay-out. Since my world journey in 2014, my passion for travel has grown, taking me to numerous fascinating destinations. Now, it's the perfect moment to document these adventures online. Additionally, I would like to share valuable insights into budget-planning, driving internationally, most common mistakes and planning in general. Stay tuned.


 
Malaysia

Malaysia category

A first introduction to Asia: ten days Malaysia from Kuala
Lumpur to Langkawi. In retrospective, an almost impossible itinerary.

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The United States

Day 183: A walk to South Beach

Today, I planned to keep it low-key with a brief visit and a leisurely stroll along Miami’s South Beach. I woke up around 4 p.m.—insane, I know. The disturbance was caused by a staff member showing a woman into the room. I didn’t recognize the staff member, but her voice sounded surprisingly masculine. My sleep schedule had been completely thrown off by my time in Las Vegas, where I’d mostly slept during the day and stayed awake at night, largely due to the heat. Now in Miami, I was in the Eastern Time Zone, which is three hours ahead of…

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The United States

Day 182: I’m in Miami bitch!

Today was the day I’d be flying out to Miami. I woke up around 8 a.m. and got ready, as did Sean. He left in a hurry to catch his bus to L.A. I grabbed breakfast at the 7-Eleven and headed for the highway. By 8:40, I arrived at the car return site. The inspection was quick—the car was in perfect condition, and the fuel was topped off. I was good to go. Airport car rentals are so hassle-free; I loved the convenience. I hopped on the shuttle bus to the airport, which took about 7 minutes. By 9 a.m…

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Beautiful views at the Weeping Rock, Zion National Park
The United States, Uncategorized

Day 181: Off the beaten track: Zion National Park

Today, I was set to visit the stunning Zion National Park, a true gem! I woke up right on time, eager to finally see this amazing national park. I woke up Sean, brushed my teeth, did my hair, and we headed out. Sean didn’t mind skipping breakfast. The hostel still hadn’t charged me for the other nights I was staying, and it seemed they had made a mistake. Housekeeping came by several times, asking if the beds beneath and across from me were occupied. The first night, I said yes; the second night, I said no. It seemed like the…

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The United States

Day 180: Visiting Hoover Dam

After flying over the Hoover Dam yesterday, I decided to visit the massive structure today. I overslept and woke up around 11 am, cursing myself. I had planned to visit a special national park, but now there wasn’t enough time. So, I stuck to my usual routine: grabbed breakfast at the 7-Eleven across the street, ate in the hostel’s air-conditioned kitchen, and made a new plan for the day. Frustrated with myself, I decided the Hoover Dam would be worth a visit. I had really wanted to see both national parks, but now I could only manage one since they…

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The United States

Day 179: One of the seven natural wonders of the world

I woke up around 9:30 am, buzzing with excitement for my scenic flight over the Grand Canyon. I needed to confirm the flight in the morning, and luckily, everything was set. The van was scheduled to pick me up in front of the hostel at 10:20. Surprisingly, the scenic flight was quite affordable, costing only $150. Around 10:20, the driver picked me up. I knew it would take some time to get there, with the plane scheduled to take off at 12:30 pm. During the ride, the driver shared fascinating stories about his work in Las…

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The United States

Day 178: Final gambling at the Strip

Today would be my final day gambling at the strip. I woke up around midnight after spending the entire night using my laptop in the dorm. It was blissfully empty since everyone else was out partying at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). Having the place to myself was quite enjoyable. I made good use of the room’s refrigerator, which was really convenient. After realizing someone had been drinking my Coke from the communal kitchen for the past two days, I decided to keep my drinks in the room to prevent any more thefts. Those coke thieves were absolute morons! After…

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The United States

Day 177: Avoiding the heat and major gamble risks

Today marked my final day of gambling at the Fremont Street Experience. I woke up late, well into the afternoon. Given the scorching heat outside, I didn’t mind the late start. Venturing outdoors in such weather was simply unbearable. The only excursion I made while awake was to grab some food at seven eleven. The rest of the day was spent in contemplation and planning. I decided it was time to rent a car again. Having a vehicle would greatly streamline my itinerary, allowing me to arrange tours and visit national parks at my own pace. The decision weighed heavily…

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The Fountains of Bellagio
The United States

Day 176: Losing money at the Strip

I woke up around 10 am with plans to visit the Strip today. As I glanced around the dorm, I noticed some faces missing and new ones taking their place. Sean was nowhere to be found, replaced by a new arrival perched on his bunk bed. This gentleman, an older Indian named Som (pronounced as Zoom), struck up a polite conversation with me. I extended an invitation for him to join me on my trip to the Strip. To my surprise, Som seemed astonished to learn that there was more to Las Vegas than just the Fremont Street Experience! I…

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The big overhead screen on Fremont Street by night, Las Vegas
The United States

Day 175: The Fremont Street Experience

Today, my plan was to delve into the Fremont Street experience in Las Vegas. I woke up late, around 11 am. Yesterday was a long night—I spent hours typing and uploading content. I covered so much about Hawaii and LA; it was quite intense. I began my day by heading to the 7/11 just across the street, barely 40 meters away from the hostel. Stepping outside, I was hit by a wave of intense heat. It felt like opening an oven door and having the warm air blast right into your face. The dry air made me start…

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The United States

Day 174: Golden Gate Park and Lands End

Today, I planned to explore the stunning Golden Gate Park in San Francisco before catching my flight to Las Vegas. We woke up around 10 am, with Phillip rousing me from my slumber as he was keen on grabbing breakfast. Feeling groggy, I wasn’t accustomed to hostel breakfasts, preferring something more indulgent, as usual. Yesterday evening, I had already packed my bag in preparation for departure day today. It was time to move on to a new destination. My flight was scheduled to depart in the evening around 8 pm. We had a mediocre breakfast and departed around 10:50…

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