Tag

hotels

The United States

Day 185: Livin’ in the Splinter’s Paradise

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…

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Fiji

Day 147: It’s Fiji Time!

I was awakened by my alarm at 9 am, but I opted to snooze and indulge in the luxurious comfort of the bed at Tokatoka Resort. Finally rising around 11 am, I observed a slight cloudiness in the sky. However, as long as it didn’t rain, I was content. The weather alternated between cloudy and occasional bursts of sunshine. Opting for an early lunch, I treated myself to an exquisite Caesar salad at the restaurant. Absolutely fantastic. Following my lunch, I settled by the pool to unwind. Having taken a swim the previous day, I anticipated that the cloudy weather…

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Blue skies at Nadi International Airport, Fiji
Fiji

Day 146: Let’s start with a resort for two days

Embarking on my journey from Auckland to Nadi International Airport in Fiji, I anticipated a relaxing stay at the Tokatoka Resort Hotel, a luxurious retreat. Awakening just before 8 am, I felt the excitement of the upcoming adventure. After a quick morning routine of consuming pineapple slices and hydrating, I retrieved my toiletries bag from the car and brushed my teeth. Departing the hostel around 8:30 am, I encountered a minor inconvenience on the road due to a small traffic jam. Despite this, I appreciated the unique traffic management system on the highway—employing a traffic light on the…

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Indonesia

Day 63: Arrival at Suly Resort & Spa in Ubud

At 9 am, I arose, preparing for my journey to Ubud and my stay at the lavish Suly Resort & Spa. After a night of revelry, I was anxious to gauge the extent of my hangover upon waking. Surprisingly, it felt as though I had merely blinked my eyes open. Thankfully, I felt remarkably well—no signs of a hangover whatsoever! Given the previous night’s alcohol intake, this unexpected state of well-being was a pleasant surprise. I hastily prepared myself with no time for a shower or any fancy rituals – those would have to wait until my return. My so…

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Indonesia

Day 59: Jimbaran it is, the reunion with Helmi

Today proved to be a bustling day as I prepared to depart Gili by ferry and immediately head to Jimbaran on Bali via taxi. Rising at 9 am, I had a quick breakfast. Having packed everything the previous night, I was ready for the journey. I settled the payment with the homestay host, expressing my gratitude for the pleasant stay with the family. At 10 am, I bid farewell to Eva and Hanna before boarding my boat around 10:30 am. Initially expecting an hour-long journey from Gili by ferry, it turned out to be a 2-hour sail to Amed…

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Indonesia

Day 49: IJen Resto & Guesthouse

Today marks my arrival at IJen Resto & Guesthouse in Banyuwangi, serving as my gateway accommodation to Kawah Ijen. This morning, I roused at 7 am to drop off my laundry and grab some breakfast. At the reception, I inquired about transportation to Banyuwangi. A staff member mentioned he would take me to the bus terminal once I picked up the laundry. Since the laundry wasn’t due until noon, I opted to return to bed after breakfast, making the most of the wait. At around 11 am, I woke up, took a final shower, and completed the check-out process. The…

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Indonesia

Day 38: A stroll at Jalan Prawirotaman

I woke up late at around 9:30 am in the Ministry of Coffee on Jalan Prawirotaman in Yogyakarta. Beginning my day with a delightful breakfast of French toast topped with honey and butter, I opted for a relaxed schedule. With a noon check-out looming, I spent the morning unwinding in my room, working on blog posts, and watching television. Although the channel did not air movies during the daytime, I made the most of my leisure time. Originally, I intended to continue my stay at the Ministry of Coffee. However, due to the absence of WiFi, I made the…

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Pulau Sambuang, Air Manis Beach, Padang
Indonesia

Day 36:  Things to do in Padang

As planned, Halmi and I set out from Hotel Aliga at 9 am. The day held the promise of exploring Padang together. There’s plenty of things to do in Padang. Our first task was picking up my laundry, swiftly returning it to the hotel. I requested Halmi to wait by the pool while I stowed my clothes in my room. In no time, I treated him to the most expensive Coca-Cola on the menu (35000 IDR) and headed upstairs. Once my clothes were safely stored in my hotel room, I rejoined Halmi by the swimming pool. After capturing some final…

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Indonesia

Day 35: Meeting my abang at the electronics store in Padang

Yesterday, at 9 pm, I bid farewell to Subandi Homestay and embarked on a journey to my next destination: Padang. Anticipating a feast of delightful cuisine in Padang, I set out on a 6-hour drive north from Kersik Tuo, retracing my steps towards Bukittinggi. Nestled along the Indian Ocean, Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, held the promise of stunning beaches. My upcoming plan included exploring Padang before catching a flight to Java from the local airport in the days to come. As my pick-up rolled into Kersik Tuo, I noticed a group of friendly Indonesian locals already occupying the…

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Singapore

Day 1: A luxury start at Marina Bay Sands *****

‘Welcome to Singapore Mr. Splinter!’’ Continued with: ‘’Welcome to Marina Bay Sands Mr. Splinter!’ Embarking on my journey at this magnificent five-star resort in Singapore was nothing short of amazing. A few years back, while casually flipping through TV channels, I stumbled upon the National Geographic channel. In an instant, I was captivated, my eyes glued to the screen as I witnessed the construction of the Skypark of Marina Bay Sands, the second most expensive building in the world. Little did I know at that moment that, someday, I would find myself standing atop that very building, sleeping in one…

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