lookouts Archives - Splinter's Paradise

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

The United States

Day 170: Californian road trip! The City of Angels

June 13, 2014

I reached Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 6 am. After stepping outside the terminal, I decided to use the restroom before retrieving my backpack from the luggage belt. However, as I approached the urinal in the corner, I was met with a disgusting sight: a large piece of feces lying in the urinal. “Welcome to Los Angeles, Maarten,” I muttered to myself with a wry smile. A few minutes later, I retrieved my bag from the baggage pick-up area. Deciding to grab breakfast first, I inquired about nearby dining options from the security officers stationed outside the baggage claim…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 105: Climbing to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m)

April 10, 2014

My mission for the day? Conquer the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. At 9 am, I rose to face the day, greeted by persistently gloomy weather. The previous evening had been marred by drizzles, and the forecast didn’t promise any relief for the next three days, as warned by the knowledgeable lady at the Cooma information center. After a quick morning routine – teeth brushed, a quick visit to the less-than-ideal eco-toilet – I set out from the campsite, embarking on a 15-kilometer drive to Thredbo. Swiftly arriving, I grappled with a decision: ascend the mountain or embrace inertia for the day. The…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 102: The Three Sisters and the Giant Stairway

April 7, 2014

I woke up a bit late, around 9 am. The plan for the day was to visit The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. Feeling surprisingly refreshed from the comfortable hostel bed, I got dressed and promptly checked out. After retrieving my belongings from the refrigerator, I headed to the Blue Mountain National Park, conveniently just 1 kilometer away from the hostel. The Blue Mountains Backpackers Hostel offered excellent value for money, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to others. I parked my car near the lookout and attempted to pay at the parking meter, but it didn’t work despite putting…

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 97: Beaches and the Harbour Bridge climb

April 2, 2014

Awoke at 9:30 am, gearing up for a day that would include a visit to Coogee Beach and the Harbour Bridge climb. After rousing Daniel and Michele, who were eager to join me on the Coogee beach excursion, I remembered Sharon, the Dutch girl, praising the beach and enticing us with the idea of the coastal hike from Coogee to Bondi Beach. Adding to the excitement, Daniel had booked the Harbour Bridge climb for the day, giving us until around 4 pm before we needed to depart. I swiftly prepared, as did the others. In the kitchen, I encountered…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 92: Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD)

March 28, 2014

The plan for the day involved a significant amount of time exploring Sydney’s CBD. Rising at approximately 9 am, I found the room unoccupied. After a quick dental routine, I messaged Daniel, confirming he was awake, and we agreed to meet downstairs later. Seizing the opportunity, I snapped some pictures of our room and the view it offered. While in the room, I encountered an Italian guy named Andrea. Although I had heard about Hannah’s friend Jasmine, our paths did not cross; she had arrived late the previous night and left the dorm early for work. Subsequently, I accompanied Daniel…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 86: Feeling blessed in Surfers Paradise

March 22, 2014

I awoke at 6 am, ready for a day of exploring Surfers Paradise, a charming seaside city on Australia’s Gold Coast. Around 4 am, Jeff was already up and about in the house, a fact Seul-ki had forewarned me about, so I took it in stride. Recognizing that this wasn’t my home, I made a point to respect and accommodate every routine and habit I came across. As I mentioned yesterday, Seul-ki has been staying at Jeff’s house recently. Now, at first glance, Jeff might seem like a bit of a serious, stern character, but trust me, looks can be…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 83: Beautiful Brisbane

March 19, 2014

Yesterday, in a playful manner, I suggested to Toshi and Jeong that we should consider heading to Brisbane to visit a club. Given that it was too late to embark on such a journey last night, we contemplated the possibility of making the trip today. Toshi expressed his intention to think about it during the day and promised to text me later with his decision. Unfortunately, Jeong couldn’t join us as he had to focus on job hunting and finding a more affordable sharehouse. The current guesthouse he stayed in was becoming too expensive. I woke up at approximately 6:20…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 73: Avoiding cyclone Hadi

March 9, 2014

Today promised to be a day marked by strong winds and rain, prompting me to swiftly head south to steer clear of the impending Cyclone Hadi. As the morning unfolded, I found myself waking up in the front passenger seat, which turned out to be a more comfortable night compared to the previous one spent on the backseat. Fortunately, the chair could be adjusted to a sleeping position. Upon waking up, I attended to my morning routine, visiting the toilet, brushing my teeth, and shaving my face. Home Hill, where I dropped off Moni yesterday, turned out to be quite…

by Maarten

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