observation towers 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 193: Central Park and Top of the Rock

July 6, 2014

Today’s plan was to see Manhattan from above at Top of the Rock! The morning started around 11 am as I got ready, though I wasn’t feeling great—last night’s craziness and too much alcohol had taken its toll. A lingering disappointment from the night before weighed on me; I hadn’t exchanged contact information with Kim, the girl I’d met. It was frustrating, especially since this was probably the third time I’d met someone amazing but lost the chance to reconnect. It really bothered me. In the afternoon, it was back to the laundromat for some laundry. While waiting, I grabbed…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 118: Goodbye Australia, you were great!

April 23, 2014

I woke up around 9:30 am, feeling exhausted due to my disrupted sleep rhythm. Today’s agenda included a visit to Eureka Skydeck 88, a must-see for panoramic views of Melbourne. I took my backpack downstairs and stored it in a locker, a service I had to pay for in this hostel, which was a bit disappointing. Until now, I hadn’t encountered any charges for luggage storage during my journey. While I appreciated the overall quality of this top-notch hostel, the cleanliness of the showers in recent days and the condition of the lockers had not met my expectations. After…

by Maarten

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Australia

Day 93: The Sydney Tower Eye and a night out

March 29, 2014

Today, Daniel and I embarked on a visit to the Sydney Tower Eye. The morning kicked off at 9 am with me groggily rising and heading for a much-needed shower. However, the horror awaited me in the form of clogged toilets and a 15-minute wait. Regretfully, my sandals were trapped in my car, leaving me to brave the showers barefoot. As I stepped into the shower cabin, I couldn’t help but notice the grim conditions – hair, muddy floors, and the occasional cockroach made for an unforgettable experience. To minimize contact with the questionable cleanliness, I strategically placed my shoes in…

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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Malaysia

Day 15: Discovering Langkawi by moped

January 10, 2014

I had a leisurely 15-minute oversleep, which was perfectly fine since today held no obligations. I planned to explore Langkawi by moped, using my own rented one. Yesterday I rented one across the street. Curious about laundry services, I inquired with the hostel owner and learned they provided the service across the street. I dropped off three bags of clothes, and the lady at the laundry shop informed me they would be ready by tomorrow. That’s the convenient routine in Asia—no need to wash yourself; you simply drop off and collect. With this task completed, I focused on preparing…

by Maarten

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Malaysia

Day 8: Kuala Lumpur: The Batu Caves and the Menara tower

January 3, 2014

I coordinated with Michaela to depart the hostel at 8:30 am for the Batu Caves, and later in the evening, I planned to visit the Menara Tower. On that day, a German named Elio, employed at a software company handling diverse projects, joined us. Leaving the hostel, we headed to KL Sentral. Kuala Lumpur’s mass rapid transit system struck me as amusing, reminiscent of children’s toys. To pass through the gates, you use these small blue plastic toy coins. Additionally, changing lines requires a new card or coin, which I found a bit inefficient. An interesting cultural note: public…

by Maarten

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