canyons Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Beautiful views at the Weeping Rock, Zion National Park

Day 181: Off the beaten track: Zion National Park

June 24, 2014

Today, I was set to visit the stunning Zion National Park, a true gem! I woke up right on time, eager to finally see this amazing national park. I woke up Sean, brushed my teeth, did my hair, and we headed out. Sean didn’t mind skipping breakfast. The hostel still hadn’t charged me for the other nights I was staying, and it seemed they had made a mistake. Housekeeping came by several times, asking if the beds beneath and across from me were occupied. The first night, I said yes; the second night, I said no. It seemed like the…

by Maarten

Day 179: One of the seven natural wonders of the world

June 22, 2014

I woke up around 9:30 am, buzzing with excitement for my scenic flight over the Grand Canyon. I needed to confirm the flight in the morning, and luckily, everything was set. The van was scheduled to pick me up in front of the hostel at 10:20. Surprisingly, the scenic flight was quite affordable, costing only $150. Around 10:20, the driver picked me up. I knew it would take some time to get there, with the plane scheduled to take off at 12:30 pm. During the ride, the driver shared fascinating stories about his work in Las…

by Maarten

Day 31: Bukittinggi unleashed

January 26, 2014

Today, I embarked on a journey to explore the vibrant and lush Sianok Canyon in Bukittinggi. Rising with the sun at 4:45 am, I embraced the promise of an exciting day in Bukittinggi. Swiftly changing into fresh attire, I fired up my laptop, connecting with a friend in Holland via a stable Skype connection. Our engaging 30-minute conversation left me invigorated, but soon after, an unexpected bout of illness struck, prompting frequent visits to the restroom. After a brief period of recovery, I opted to catch up on some much-needed rest. By 9 am, my appetite beckoned for breakfast…

by Maarten