boats and ferries Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 189: Exploring New York’s Manhattan

July 2, 2014

Today was the day to explore Manhattan in New York. I woke up around noon, taking my time to ease into the day. The hostel surprised me with its cleanliness—kudos to the management. The bathroom was spotless and even had a bathtub. I indulged in a long, relaxing shower, appreciating how modern and well-maintained it was. Most hostels tend to have terrible showers, with broken heads that barely produce a trickle of water, but this one was a refreshing exception. Once I was ready, I left the hostel without having breakfast, planning to find a Subway restaurant somewhere in Manhattan…

by Maarten

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The United States

Day 187: The last day chillin’ at the Bahama’s

June 30, 2014

Today would be my last day in the Bahamas. I woke up around 8 AM feeling absolutely dreadful. Pulling back the curtains, I saw a thick blanket of clouds outside—not exactly inspiring. Deciding to prioritize sleep, I crawled back into bed and aimed for a late checkout around 10:50 AM. The tour would have to wait, but honestly, with the limited time and gloomy weather, I didn’t mind skipping it. After resetting all my alarms, I crawled back into bed for a bit more rest. By 10:10 AM, I finally woke up and got moving. I packed my small bag…

by Maarten

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The United States

Day 186: How a jet lag can ruin your day

June 29, 2014

Today was a day of relaxing at the Grand Lucayan Resort. I woke up feeling completely drained, like I’d spent the night partying—except I hadn’t. Groggily, I glanced at the fancy alarm clock on the nightstand: 4:30 PM. “That can’t be right. Where’s my phone?” I muttered, fumbling around until I found it on the floor. One look at the screen, and I blurted out, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I had been out like a light last night—deep, blissful sleep. The bed was just that good. Maybe too good, if I’m honest. Thinking back, I remembered another near-miss…

by Maarten

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The United States

Day 185: Livin’ in the Splinter’s Paradise

June 28, 2014

This morning, my adventure began with a ferry ride to the Grand Bahama Island for luxurious stay at the Grand Lucayan Resort—but first, the ungodly hour of 4:30 AM. Yes, folks, 4:30. While most people were blissfully dreaming, I was stumbling into the bathroom, toothbrush in one hand and razor in the other, trying to kickstart my day without looking like I’d just survived a shipwreck. As I debated whether to shower, the clock and my lack of motivation teamed up against me. The decision? Skip it. Who needs a shower when you’re headed to an island where the sun…

by Maarten

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The clouds reflected in the water—beautiful! Everglades National Park.

The United States

Day 184: The Everglades National Park

June 27, 2014

Today was an incredible adventure as I soared over the waters of Everglades National Park. It was a wild and unforgettable experience! I woke up around 10 a.m. thanks to a kid who barged into the dorm early in the morning, blasting his gangster R&B music while taking a shower. Naturally, the whole room woke up. Annoyed, I decided to give him a taste of karma. When he needed to access his locker, I took my sweet time at mine, pretending to rummage around just to make him wait. Karma really is a bitch. In the morning, I called a…

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

The United States

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…

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Fiji

Day 150: Arrival at Barefoot Manta Island Resort

May 25, 2014

Today, I was looking forward to moving to a new accommodation, Barefoot Manta Island Resort on Drawaqa Island. I was relieved because I had grown tired of the service at Oarsman’s Bay Lodge. I woke up promptly, and breakfast was scheduled for 8 am. It was satisfactory, a standard meal. Following breakfast, I settled into my hammock, enjoying a moment of relaxation with my book. The weather started a bit cloudy, but as time passed, the clouds dispersed, and the sun emerged once more. At approximately 9 am, one of the staff members requested payment, prompting me to return to…

by Maarten

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