nightlife Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 206: Last day, last outlook and the last night out

July 19, 2014

Today marked the final day of my world journey, which I planned to end with a visit to Hallgrímskirkja church and a night out in Reykjavik. I woke up around 11 am, still feeling groggy. Although I tried to get some work done on my laptop, fatigue got the better of me. Embracing the laid-back mood, I opted for a lazy day, relaxing and napping a bit more in the dorm. Around 3 or 4 pm, I finally emerged and headed to the kitchen for a drink. The smell of someone’s cooking lingered in the air, though it was a…

by Maarten

Canada

Day 198: The Biosphere and Mont-Royal

July 11, 2014

After yesterday’s failed attempt to visit the Biosphere, today I was determined to find the architectural building I had been looking for! I woke up around 10 a.m., enjoyed a lovely breakfast, and relaxed. We had to wait for the healthcare person before we could head out. Around 11:30 a.m., we left for Tim Hortons to get some wifi, as the connection at Gopal’s parents’ house had stopped working the day before due to an issue with the telephone line. Gopal, being the problem solver he is, had already called the company to schedule a fix. Today, Gopal had to…

by Maarten

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Canada

Day 197: The Biodome and the Botanical Gardens

July 10, 2014

There was a mix-up, so today I ended up visiting the Biodome, followed by the Botanical Gardens of Montreal—an absolute must-see in Montreal! I woke up around 9 am to begin the day, took a shower, and headed downstairs. As usual, Gopal (someone I befriended back in Malaysia) was already up. He made me some toast, which I slathered with peanut butter. I poured myself a glass of milk and drank it eagerly, as it had been ages since I last had some. Today, Gopal had to go to work since he had been away for two days. His job…

by Maarten

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Canada

Day 196: Football and The Chair Warriors

July 9, 2014

The plan for the day included attending Gopal’s (who I befriended in Malaysia) performance with his band, the Chair Warriors, where he played drums. Waking up around 9 a.m., I started the day with a refreshing shower before heading downstairs. Gopal greeted me with a breakfast he had prepared—eggs on toast. Grateful for his hospitality, I thanked him warmly. We left the house around 10 a.m., and I was filled with excitement for the Dutch match later in the day. I had high hopes for a win, though, as it turned out, they didn’t deliver—but more on that later. We…

by Maarten

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Canada

Day 195: A mix of Paris, London and America: Montreal

July 8, 2014

Today, I was set to arrive in Montreal, Canada, where I would stay with my friend Gopal. Around 5 am, we completed customs at the Canadian border. The customs officer didn’t ask to see any return tickets but instead posed a series of questions. She inquired about my reasons for visiting, whether I had friends here, if I was carrying money, how much, and if I had brought any souvenirs. After a brief chat, she seemed satisfied, and I was allowed to proceed without any issues. Back on the bus with everyone else, we continued the journey. I couldn’t help…

by Maarten

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A packed crowd a fratty bar, New York City

The United States

Day 190: My first couch surf meeting

July 3, 2014

Stepping out of my comfort zone, I planned to attend my first couch surf event today. The day started late, around 11 a.m., as I woke up feeling tired and unmotivated to head into the city. The idea of visiting Rockefeller Center and its observation deck crossed my mind, but instead, I focused on writing. Progressing through my articles, I managed to upload content up to the Bahamas section—a small but satisfying achievement. Scrolling the internet, I felt a bit desperate to find some company. The hostel was nearly empty, and I really wanted to celebrate the 4th of July…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 113: Exploring Melbourne’s Nightlife

April 18, 2014

Yesterday was a night to remember. What started as a casual dinner at Veronika’s place, turned into an unexpected adventure that left me exhilarated. We decided to head over to Richmond and before we knew it, we were hailing a cab to take us to the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. As we cruised through the buzzing city streets, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building up inside me. Finally, we arrived at our destination and stepped out into a massive street teeming with life. Everywhere we looked, people were out and about, enjoying the pulsating energy of…

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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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

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Indonesia

Day 57: A day at the beach and a party with zee Germans

February 21, 2014

Today promised a day of ultimate relaxation on the captivating beach island of Gili Trawangan. Rising as scheduled at 9 am, I kicked off the day with a leisurely breakfast. To my surprise, an impromptu beach party awaited me on the shores of Gili Trawangan. My plan was simple: bask in the sun and revive my neglected tan. Following a modest toast meal, I gathered my essentials – sunglasses, phone, earphones, and some money – and made my way to the beach. Opting for a beach bed in front of the charming Gili Cafe, I inquired about towels but learned they didn’t…

by Maarten

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