Maarten, Author at Splinter's Paradise

Day 206: Last day, last outlook and the last night out

July 19, 2014

Today marked the final day of my world journey, which I planned to end with a visit to Hallgrímskirkja church and a night out in Reykjavik. I woke up around 11 am, still feeling groggy. Although I tried to get some work done on my laptop, fatigue got the better of me. Embracing the laid-back mood, I opted for a lazy day, relaxing and napping a bit more in the dorm. Around 3 or 4 pm, I finally emerged and headed to the kitchen for a drink. The smell of someone’s cooking lingered in the air, though it was a…

by Maarten

Iceland

Day 205: The Golden Triangle tour

July 18, 2014

Today, I was set to explore the Golden Triangle, visiting Þingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the geothermal area in Haukadalur. I woke up on time and began my day. After having breakfast, brushing my teeth, and styling my hair, I packed my bag with food and a drink. Despite the gloomy weather, I had my raincoat, so I was prepared for whatever the day would bring. I expected the bus ride to take about an hour, so once I found my seat, I settled in and started listening to music. I drifted into a sort of “slumber mode,”…

by Maarten

Iceland

Day 204: Relaxing at the Blue Lagoon

July 17, 2014

Today’s plan was to visit Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal marvel that tops most must-see lists. I woke up late, around noon, to find the dorm empty once again. Despite being fully booked every night, the hostel seemed to attract travelers who didn’t stick around for long. Clara, the German girl I met yesterday, was one of the rare exceptions—she was staying in Iceland until the upcoming Sunday, making her one of the few who planned a longer visit like me. I began my day with a simple breakfast-turned-lunch in the kitchen, using up the last of my bread…

by Maarten

Iceland

Day 203: The arrival in cloudy Reykjavik

July 16, 2014

Today, I planned to take it easy and explore Reykjavik a bit. We landed at 3 am, but the local time was 6 am—three hours ahead of Pacific Time. The flight from New York was smooth, but I couldn’t sleep a wink. Disembarking was quick, as Keflavik Airport is small. I expected immigration to be a hassle, but it was surprisingly smooth. I handed over my passport, and the officer simply asked where I was from. “The Netherlands, sir,” I replied. “Oh, okay, here you go,” he said, handing back my passport without even glancing at the photo. I walked…

by Maarten

Canada, The United States

Day 202: The last day in North America

July 15, 2014

Today was going to be a chill day. My flight was leaving JFK International Airport later tonight. I woke up around 8:30 am, and the bus was at a standstill—traffic jam everywhere. It was insane, cars as far as the eye could see. In the distance, I could make out Manhattan, but it was still miles away. We were stuck in the bus lane queue, but then the driver decided to take an alternate route. He came over the speakers, telling us that at least now, we were moving. We got to the Port Authority Bus Terminal around…

by Maarten

Canada

Day 201: The last observation deck, the CN Tower

July 14, 2014

The CN Tower was calling, so today was all about snapping some epic shots of Toronto from above. I rolled out of bed at the luxurious hour of 10:30 am—plenty of time before the 12 noon checkout. A quick breakfast, some dorm-packing gymnastics, and one last shower later, I was ready to conquer the day! Bags stored, checked out right on time—smooth start to the day. I spent the afternoon typing reports in the hostel’s main area, feeling productive and smug about my foolproof evening plan: the bus left at 9:30 pm, so I’d head out by 7:30 pm to…

by Maarten

Canada

Day 200: A wet day at the Niagara Falls

July 13, 2014

Checked off a bucket list item: Niagara Falls, and wow, they’re even more spectacular in person! Woke up around 7 am, sneaked out of my bunk like a ninja, and got ready. Brushed my teeth, grabbed my bag, and headed downstairs for breakfast. And let me tell you, the hostel breakfast at the Planet Traveler Hostel? Hands down the best I’ve ever had. They had 15 types of cereals (yep, you read that right) and 10 different bagels, plus milk and all the usual spreads. I went for bagels with peanut butter and packed some extras for the road. At…

by Maarten

Canada

Day 199: The arrival in Toronto

July 12, 2014

Today, I was set to arrive in Toronto, Canada. Last night at the Montreal bus terminal, I met Sofia, a Swedish expat currently living in Toronto. She was on her way back from a four-day trip, just like me. We ended up talking a lot during the night. She shared stories about her recent family visit to Iran and what life was like there—it was fascinating to hear about her experiences. Sofia filled me in on Toronto’s public transport system and even shared some insights about the hostel I’d booked. She mentioned hearing good things about it, which was reassuring…

by Maarten

Day 198: The Biosphere and Mont-Royal

July 11, 2014

After yesterday’s failed attempt to visit the Biosphere, today I was determined to find the architectural building I had been looking for! I woke up around 10 a.m., enjoyed a lovely breakfast, and relaxed. We had to wait for the healthcare person before we could head out. Around 11:30 a.m., we left for Tim Hortons to get some wifi, as the connection at Gopal’s parents’ house had stopped working the day before due to an issue with the telephone line. Gopal, being the problem solver he is, had already called the company to schedule a fix. Today, Gopal had to…

by Maarten

Day 197: The Biodome and the Botanical Gardens

July 10, 2014

There was a mix-up, so today I ended up visiting the Biodome, followed by the Botanical Gardens of Montreal—an absolute must-see in Montreal! I woke up around 9 am to begin the day, took a shower, and headed downstairs. As usual, Gopal (someone I befriended back in Malaysia) was already up. He made me some toast, which I slathered with peanut butter. I poured myself a glass of milk and drank it eagerly, as it had been ages since I last had some. Today, Gopal had to go to work since he had been away for two days. His job…

by Maarten