Indonesia: Labuan Bajo, Flores Island

view of Labuan Bajo town

For our 3^rd year anniversary and Christmas holiday, Michael arranged a trip to the Flores Islands. Seeing the Komodo dragons has always been a dream for us, not only because they are part of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World (according to the UNESCO Heritage Site) but we were interested to see these giant lizards in action as well as experience the beauty of the island. 

What’s also highly fascinating is that the Komodo Dragon is one of the very, very few surviving representatives of the Pleistocene era, where creatures and fauna were of gigantic proportions. And now these beautiful lizards are endangered – currently there are only more or less 4,200 dragons left! Their endangerment is highly due to the diminishing fauna and food available to them on the islands they inhabit plus the changes their environments are going through.

Setting Up in Bali: Part II -- Renting Transportation, Communications, and Internet

How to Rent Transportation?

Inflight Article

Something I keep forgetting to do:

How to get from Langkawi to Singapore

We basically retraced our steps until Alor Setar.

From our hostel, we rode a taxi back to the Jetty Port, took the ferry to Kualah Kedah, a cab ride to Alor Setar, then the coach (~RM43) back to Singapore.

This is just one of the ways you can return to Singapore. The other is to fly back or take the train at Arau Railway Station.

This is probably the longest bus trip I’ve ever taken in my life. The entire trip took a little over 10 hours! (so yeah prepare yourself, bring some snacks and water) Good thing was that the bus was pretty comfortable and I slept for most of the trip. 

dinner at Red Tomato before leaving

Previously:  Lounging in Langkawi

Author: Kristin

How to get to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore

After hanging out all over town in Singsing, my friend Jasmin and I made our move for Langkawi, an island on the west of the Malaysia peninsula with a stop-over in Kuala Lumpur.

I’ve heard of the difficulties of traveling it by land but we were both up for an adventure so, we decided to give it a go!

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi

listening to kelly clarkson's concert
outside the hockey stadium while waiting
for the bus departure time. 

Jasmin and I took a cab from Berjaya Square to Sentral Station. From here, we rode the train to Bukit Jalil Station and walked about 5 minutes to the "temporary Bus Station / Terminal" -- because Puduraya Bus Terminal is closed for renovation at the time (it has resumed operations in 2011) -- where we took the late night bus, 11:30PM for Alor Setar. 

How to get to Sesame Street?

"Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"

Doubt anybody ever really knows. Doesn't even say in the song nor has Big Bird, Bert or Ernie mentioned it. Perhaps, Snuffie knows.

Vietnam and Scams

I had a great solo trip to Hanoi this January even when it started out with a bit of a hassle and scare.

How to get from Siem Reap to Koh Chang

Most people would fly back to Bangkok then land travel to Koh Chang. But it’s also possible to get there by BUS from Siem Reap.

How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap - Part 2

This part is about getting from the border to Siem Reap proper.

So you've gotten stamped, survived the chaotic crossing alive and all, and excited to get to the city and see the national heritages and wonders of the place. 

How to get there?

How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap - Part 1

Many travelers make their way to Siem Reap after a stint in Bangkok, as the city is accessible by various modes of land transportation.

I’ve done the mini-van and the local train ways.

the Low-Down:

Fun DAY stuff to do in Bangkok

So you’re over the whole Khao San and Tani Road scenes, or were never really into that and would love to see BKK during the day.

Here are some FUN day stuff to do:

7 Fun things to DO in Osaka

I went to visit my good friend Andrew, who has moved here from Tokyo to work as an English professor at the beautiful Kwansei University. After touring his new school (definitely an upgrade from the language center we both worked for), we went around town to do some sight-seeing, eating, and of course partying!

What to DO and SEE?

5 Amazing Things to DO in Kyoto

Kyoto Imperial Palace

I had a few days off work so what better way to spend it than visiting ‘old Japan’ or what people call the ‘real Japan’ which is Kyoto. 

Kobe: 6 Things to DO in One Day

I had an extra day to spare so I decided to pay a family friend, the Sakoda Family, a visit. Sachiko and her daughter Aki gamely showed me around this little city.

What to do in ONE DAY??