mopeds Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 68: My last day in Indonesia

March 4, 2014

Today, I embark on a journey to Ngurah Rai International Airport for my flight to Australia. Waking up promptly, I swiftly prepared for the day ahead. With a refreshing shower, I gathered the last few items and readied myself. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in a different country. After securely storing my bags at the reception, I headed to the iconic statue in Ubud. Following an unexpected invitation from Jana, a friendly hotel employee, I adjusted my plans, postponing the retrieval of my laundry. At 9:10 am, I met Jana, who needed to make a quick…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 64: Pura Gunung Kawi, pure tranquility

February 28, 2014

Despite setting my alarm for 9 am, I found myself awake around 7 am, ready to embark on a visit to Pura Gunung Kawi, a temple that awaited exploration. While my room seemed familiar, the distinct feature of being on the fourth floor was an instant reminder of the unforgettable events from the previous evening. After a dramatic encounter with a colossal black spider, I made the decision to switch rooms (yes, you read that correctly, no shame here, and no, I’m not one to shy away – you weren’t there!). Although I once held a tarantula at the age of…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 63: Arrival at Suly Resort & Spa in Ubud

February 27, 2014

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…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 62: Tanah Lot and a night out in Kuta

February 26, 2014

Waking up at 9 am, I geared up for a day exploring Tanah Lot on a moped from Kuta. But first, there was a pressing matter – my laptop needed attention. The maze-like streets of Kuta made memorizing a route seem futile, so I relied on road signs to guide me to Denpasar. Navigating solely with my less-than-reliable Google Maps photos felt like a gamble, yet miraculously, I made it. It took some time on the broad and lengthy main road, but eventually, I discovered the Acer service shop nestled between the Holland Bakery and the hospital after consulting locals for…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 61: Back to the hostel life in Kuta!

February 25, 2014

At around 9 am, I woke up but decided to sleep in until 10 am. Today, I was planning to move to a budget hostel, the Rumah Kayu Hostel in Kuta. Helmi was preparing to leave as well; he had plans to meet up with friends. His intention was to spend one more day in Bali and then head to Kuala Lumpur for a job interview (as he is a flight attendant). We said our goodbyes around 10.30 am, and I invited Helmi to visit me in the Netherlands someday. Today, I had some errands to run. The upload went…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 47: The Batu Secret Zoo and new friends

February 11, 2014

Today’s agenda included a visit to the Batu Secret Zoo, a plan contingent on having my own rented moped, a seemingly scarce luxury in Malang. I was stirred awake by some commotion nearby; the telephone at the reception was incessantly ringing, yet no one seemed to be responding. After lingering in bed for about fifteen minutes, I decided to rise and head to the reception. I had a hunch that the incessant phone calls were meant for me. Outside the lobby, I encountered the hotel staff and requested someone to answer the persistent phone. The man obliged and handed the…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 42: Gunung Merapi and Indonesian generosity

February 6, 2014

As I bid farewell to Yogyakarta today, I aimed to savor one last ride on my moped by visiting an observation point for Gunung Merapi. Rising at 4:30 am, I prepared myself, plugged in my headphones, and cruised towards the Borobudur temple once more. Since my arrival three days ago, I had become familiar with the city. Although every street in Yogyakarta seemed similar, I now felt oriented, recognizing the distinct signs of my street and surroundings. Upon reaching a point 40 kilometers north of Yogyakarta, I made a right turn towards Gunung Merapi, eager to capture a scenic…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 41: Kukup Beach

February 5, 2014

Opted to extend my stay in Yogyakarta for a day to explore Kukup beach along the southern coast. So I secured an extra night at my accommodation and prolonged the moped rental. Despite intending to start my day early, I ended up oversleeping. At 9 am, I rose and enjoyed a swift breakfast by the pool. As mentioned earlier, my time at Tropis Homestay has been fantastic, largely due to the exceptional owners. Each morning, I’d relish breakfast by the pool, skillfully prepared and served by the homestay’s gracious hostess. Post serving, she’d inquire about my plans and offer insightful…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 40: The reckless biker mice on a temple run

February 4, 2014

I rose early today, at 4:30 am, with plans to explore the Borobudur and Prambanan temples around Yogyakarta. The previous day, I carefully mapped out my route, realizing that for over an hour, I’d be navigating without the convenience of mobile internet and GPS until I reached the next country. Throughout the two months of my journey, I depended on Google Maps screenshots, my sense of direction, and asking for directions to reach my destinations. Naturally, the roads were deserted since no one was out at this early hour. I headed first to the Borobudur temples, which were located…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 29: The hot springs in Lake Toba

January 24, 2014

Today, I stumbled upon the vibrant Batak village and rejuvenating hot springs at Lake Toba. An unexpected start to the day as I woke up at 8 am, realizing a glitch in my planning – I had mixed up the dates. Swiftly deciding to depart Lake Toba that very night instead of extending my stay, I jumped into action after a quick shower. Leaving my apartment, I marveled at the stunning view of Lake Toba just outside. Grabbing my camera, I ascended the stairs to the lobby, capturing picturesque shots of the surroundings. The contrasting weather from yesterday heightened my disappointment…

by Maarten

Leave a comment