animals Archives - Splinter's Paradise

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, view from Marin Headlands, San Francisco

Day 173: Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge

June 16, 2014

Today, Phillip and I had plans to explore Alcatraz Island. Later in the afternoon, we intended to embark on a road trip to Marin Headlands, crossing over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The alarm blared, jolting me awake. It wasn’t mine; it belonged to Phillip. Chuckling, I nudged him, realizing his slumber was undisturbed by the noisy alarm. After rousing him, I quickly freshened up, brushing my teeth. Within 15 minutes, we were in the car, ready to embark on our early morning adventure. As the clock struck 4:50 am, we arrived near the pier, eager to see if…

by Maarten

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Day 155: The best shark dive in the world

May 30, 2014

Today marks the long-awaited day when I embark on the renowned shark dive in Fiji. My alarm roused me at 7:50 am, prompting me to begin my day. After a quick teeth-brushing session, I headed to the dive shop, conveniently located just 30 meters from the dormitory. While I had hoped for an available spot, my plan was to head back to bed if it wasn’t possible. Luckily, fortune favored me—some divers were absent, and I secured a spot to join them. Having pre-ordered my breakfast at the restaurant and informed them of my upcoming dive, I swiftly…

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Fiji

Day 153: A sailing trip to Monuriki Island

May 28, 2014

Today’s agenda includes a sailing trip to Monuriki Island, an exquisite uninhabited location renowned as the filming site for the movie Cast Away. I experienced a challenging night, much like the others in the dormitory. The room was chilly and drafty, and the sheet provided wasn’t particularly warm. Rather than enjoying an uninterrupted night’s sleep, I found myself waking up multiple times throughout the night. Jacob attempted to wake me early for sunrise, but I declined and went back to sleep. He and the American girl went to witness the sunrise, and Jacob managed to capture some amazing pictures. An…

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Fiji

Day 151: Swimming with manta rays

May 26, 2014

Today was all about swimming with manta rays in Fiji. Rising at 7:50 am, we gathered for breakfast, and a sense of gloom settled over us as the weather was cloudy. With no particular plans, I decided to return to bed after breakfast. Meanwhile, Dan and Kim, who I met yesterday, embarked on a tour to a local village, an option I chose to skip given the $25 cost, as I anticipated visiting a village and experiencing a kava session later. Kava, a local drink crafted from a root, is known for numbing the tongue and reportedly inducing sleepiness…

by Maarten

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New-Zealand

Day 130: A rainy day at the Franz Josef Glacier

May 5, 2014

At around 9 am, I roused from my slumber to the relentless drumming of rain, a less-than-ideal wake-up call. Today I would make my way to Franz Josef. An unappealing prospect of getting soaked awaited me 50 meters away at the toilet block. So, naturally, I opted for the dry luxury of my car, maneuvering it skillfully to shield myself from the storm – priorities, right? The temperature had been agreeable the night before, ensuring a cozy sleep, albeit a tad delayed. After this strategic car relocation, I chose a new spot, snugly parked near the kitchen building. While a few…

by Maarten

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A blue fish tank atSEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Australia

Day 98: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

April 3, 2014

Today’s plan involved visiting SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with Daniel. I woke up at around 10 am, once again the first one stirring in our dormitory. Still in the realm of dreams were Michele, Daniel, and the Italian couple. I attended to my morning routine, heading to the toilet and brushing my teeth, before making my way to the library. It was time to finally send an email to the insurance company. I took a snapshot of the statement from the sunglasses shop that I received a few days ago and forwarded it to the insurance company. While waiting, I…

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Australia

Day 95: Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussaud’s

March 31, 2014

The plan for the day was to visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussaud’s. I rose early, or at least early by my standards during my stay in Sydney, around 10 am. Upon waking, my first order of business was to text Daniel about heading to the sunglass store. Sorting out everything with my insurance was a priority today, as time was ticking. I had a three-week window to respond, and although the deadline was next week, I aimed to complete it as soon as possible. I had already postponed it once, courtesy of Daniel and his activities—haha…

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Australia

Day 85: Australia Zoo, Sanctuary Cove and Mt. Tamborine

March 21, 2014

I awoke at approximately 6:20 am and departed from the parking lot near Noosa Main Beach. Today’s plan included a visit to Australia Zoo and a meetup with Seul-ki, a friend I had encountered on Fraser Island. Driving around Noosa, I enjoyed breakfast at another parking spot conveniently located in front of Toshi and Jeong’s school. With breakfast concluded, it was time to bid farewell to Noosa. The past few days had been delightful, filled with laughter and enjoyable moments alongside those two delightful Asians. Despite their limited English vocabulary, it brought a smile to my face, especially when…

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Australia

Day 80: Fraser Island unleashed

March 16, 2014

Embarking on Fraser Island’s itinerary for the day, we anticipated visits to the breathtaking Champagne Pools on Fraser Island, the historic Maheno shipwreck, and the refreshing Eli Creek. The Champagne Pools on Fraser Island, in particular, were a highlight I was eager to experience. My day began at 8 am, and I kicked it off with breakfast at the campsite provided by Drop Bear Adventures. The breakfast featured bread with jam and baked bread with eggs, constituting a decent start to the day. Thirty minutes later, we departed from the camp, heading toward Eli Creek. The journey took us fifteen…

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Australia

Day 75: Rockhampton’s Botanical Gardens, Zoo and Mt. Archer

March 11, 2014

Around 7:15 am, my day began with plans to explore Rockhampton’s Botanical Gardens, Rockhampton Zoo, and Mount Archer. The atmosphere in my family’s home was relaxed, and they had prepared a delightful breakfast for me. The pace of things in this household after my arrival yesterday, was slow and easy, a welcome change after a week of rushing. I appreciated the opportunity to take things at a more leisurely pace. Typically, I would quickly grab something to eat and move on, but the unhurried breakfast allowed for a more enjoyable experience. Over the meal, my grandaunt shared stories about…

by Maarten

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