botanical gardens Archives - Splinter's Paradise

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

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Australia

Day 100: The Botanical Gardens, the Opera House and the National Gallery

April 5, 2014

My agenda for today included exploring Sydney’s Botanical Gardens, Opera House, and National Gallery. I roused from my slumber around 10 am, intending to kickstart the day by heading to the library and updating my website. In Macquarie, I discovered a new method for uploading content using Filezilla (FTP program). However, my plans hit a snag at the library when I realized that all FTP connections were blocked. Despite my attempt to investigate proxies, I found myself too disinterested to navigate the intricacies of bypassing the blockade. After conducting some internet research, I eventually departed from the library. It occurred…

by Maarten

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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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Malaysia

Day 8: Kuala Lumpur: The Batu Caves and the Menara tower

January 3, 2014

I coordinated with Michaela to depart the hostel at 8:30 am for the Batu Caves, and later in the evening, I planned to visit the Menara Tower. On that day, a German named Elio, employed at a software company handling diverse projects, joined us. Leaving the hostel, we headed to KL Sentral. Kuala Lumpur’s mass rapid transit system struck me as amusing, reminiscent of children’s toys. To pass through the gates, you use these small blue plastic toy coins. Additionally, changing lines requires a new card or coin, which I found a bit inefficient. An interesting cultural note: public…

by Maarten

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Singapore

Day 5: Singapore’s Botanic Gardens and New Year’s Eve

December 31, 2013

Today promised to be a relaxing day as I planned to explore Singapore’s Botanic Gardens and celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, I woke up feeling stressed because I still had an outstanding task: arranging my visa for Indonesia. In Singapore, it would be more convenient to handle the visa than in Malaysia or Indonesia itself. I came across several online stories detailing the challenges of extending visas in Indonesia. The agency in Singapore boasts excellent reviews and a straightforward process. After getting dressed, I headed to the lobby. At the reception desk, I approached the hostel staff and asked if…

by Maarten

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