bus rides Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Gullfoss Waterfall, Golden Triangle Tour, 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

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

Fiji

Day 157: Crossing the date line

June 1, 2014

Today I would travel from Fiji to Honolulu Airport in the United States. I sprang out of bed before my alarm chimed. After a quick breakfast, I delved back into my book. My rendezvous point was the main road by 10:45 am, with the bus scheduled to roll in by 11 am. Bidding farewell to Jeremy and fellow dorm mates, I regretted not exchanging contact info with such a fun guy. The bus journey was smooth, and by around 1:30 pm, I found myself at Nadi International Airport. After a quick pit stop at the restroom, I joined…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Fiji

Day 154: Fiji’s Coral Coast, Pacific Harbour

May 29, 2014

Today’s adventure involves a journey along Fiji’s picturesque Coral Coast, leading me towards the captivating Pacific Harbour. I beat my alarm to the punch, rising at 8 am. Swiftly checking out and stowing my bag, I headed to the restaurant to order breakfast. The previous night, amidst laundry duties, I gathered all the travel intel I needed at Smugglers Cove’s information desk. Today’s bus ride promised a leisurely three-hour journey. Post-breakfast, attempting to tackle some blog reports, my motivation dwindled. I resolved to resume work at my next stop, expecting a fresh burst of productivity. At around 8:15 am…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 30: Passing the equator, arrival in Bukittinggi

January 25, 2014

Yesterday, I departed from Lake Toba for a marathon 15-hour drive on the Trans-Sumatran Highway from Parapat to Bukittinggi. At around 11 pm, a minivan departed from the port town, carrying three other passengers. Anticipating a challenging journey, I was aware that traveling by road from Parapat was the only available option. The Trans-Sumatran Highway, leading from Parapat to Bukittinggi, might sound grand, but in reality, it’s far from being a typical highway. Its dimensions are more reminiscent of a Dutch bicycle path than a standard Western-country highway. It became immediately apparent that this road hasn’t seen maintenance in quite…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Malaysia

Day 9: A night out in Kuala Lumpur, Omygod!

January 4, 2014

I woke up at 9 am and struck up a conversation with a fellow dorm mate named Gopal. Today, we planned to explore Kuala Lumpur together. Gopal, a 38-year-old who could easily pass for 23, exudes youthful energy in both appearance and demeanor. Hailing from Montreal, Canada, he’s a professional drummer who sought refuge in Malaysia to escape the harsh Canadian winter. Having recently visited Manila, the Philippines, he shared some chilling stories about the poverty he encountered. His travels are driven by the quest to find a suitable place to reside, one that offers respite from the Canadian winters…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Malaysia

Day 7: Moving north?!

January 2, 2014

Today, I embarked on a journey from the Little Red Dot to Kuala Lumpur by bus. In the morning, I made my way to Keypoint bus station, where I had to wait for 30 minutes for my Kuala Lumpur-bound bus. During the wait, I purchased and enjoyed some pastries from a local shop. I had booked the bus months ago through an online website. The bus ride turned out to be quite straightforward, and to my surprise, there weren’t many travelers on board. Consequently, I had two seats to myself, making for a comfortable journey. Anticipating smooth roads, my expectations…

by Maarten

Leave a comment