Singapore – Surfdog

From Singapore to Penang with a Stop in Kuala Lumpur

Was sitting in Singapore a few days to long. But I could help Delphine a bit with her new apartment so everything good. Since I had an appointment in Bangkok at the 26th it was time to move. And there where other people waiting on the way up as well. Thank you very much Delphine for the couch and hospitality! A quick online check and I found a good company to bring me over the border and up to Kuala Lumpur.

Made for small people

Could not really complain about my bus company. Took the public transport bus to a small mall somewhere in Singapore and they had a nice office to wait. Than a nice girl took me to the bus. Turned out that there where only 2 more passengers on that one. As soon as we where in Malaysia we even had WiFi. What else to ask for?
Somehow the sky opened and closed from time to time – and when it rains it pours!
The driver did not bring me downtown Kuala Lumpur after he asked me where to go. The plan was to meet Gabe at Bangsar LRT station so he dropped me somewhere out-of-town at a LRT station. The train was faster than the bus at rush hour and I was able to be at the station in time. We went for Roti and it was good!

My room in Kuala Lumpur – Cheers Gabe!!

We went to a birthday party and there was Red and lots of pretty girls – win!

Gabes father is almost 98 but works every day. And Sunday it is off to church in the morning. He asked me if I want to come and since I sleep under his roof I went. Out of bed at 8 – shower, coffee and a bit later we where in the car – direction downtown. The last Catholic mass I attended was – hmmmm – I know it was in Kreuzthal and I was quite small – ages! The priest was old and I could not understand a word. The girls on the side used the same PA and I could understand them.
After mass we went to the graveyard to look after the grave of Gabe’s mother.

And after a week it was time to say Adios Amigo! Thanks Gabe Man!

I did want a certain bus company but somehow they managed to put me in this bus. Had the front seat – smooth ride and a good view.

My hostel bed in Georgetown. 3,40 € a night with WiFi. I know – usually I do not go to hostels and I would not have here as well. The ferry got into Georgetown about 19:00, another 15 minutes with the bags to walk towards Love Lane area. At this time in the evening you find no cheap room in high season nowhere in a tourist hot spot in SEA. So i was super happy to get the last bed 🙂

Hmmm Vegetarian soup – yum yum and less than 0.9 €

The Shanghai in the night – naaah – this is not my hotel!

Food food fooood – night market in the streets

The BetelNut Tree – big beer was 14 MR! Same price as the small market next door. And 3,50 MR cheaper than 7/11 – cool!

Now that IS an ice cold beer!!

Off to Singapore for Christmas – Start of the Winter 14/15 Trip

That was quite a busy end of the year for me. Every time I go on a longer trip all sorts of stuff happens a few days before i head out. This year I had friends from Australia visiting, my get away party, a 5 day trip to Chicago and a lot of little things to organize before i could leave for Asia. And all that in the last 10 days. Same same but different every year.
Got a lift to the airport in the morning and then it was off to London. There I had to wait a few hours before LEO the friendly A380 from British Airways took me over Europe and towards Singapore. Than it was quick quick getting to Delphines place, take a shower and off to the Christmas party. A nice way of beginning a 4 month trip.

It was quite warm for winter and the sun was out. Good bye Stuttgart

As usual Heathrow was really busy. So we and a lot of other planes had to circle and wait for clearance to land for a while.

Meet Leo – waiting for the food. Had another 30 minutes delay but finally we where ready to board.

A 380
This time the emergency exit did not work out so I had a regular seat on the upper deck. Well it was not too bad – still sleeping is not really possible. Under the window they fitted a little storage space. Nice!

A 380
Tell you what – on the way back from Chicago on United the screen was smaller than my iPhone 6. Now at last I was able to watch a movie. And there is a USB plug as well. Great!

After a smooth but long flight the islands off the coast where a nice change of view.

There are always a lot of boats parked. They all wait for a spot at the harbor.

Not really the best time of the year – still rainy season over here.

The guys did organize a Christmas party. Thanks Raksha for your place and thanks everybody else for making it happen!

Lots of French food which was all not for me. But there was plenty of salad so I was happy.

My two favorite French girls in Singapore!

I feel save in Singapore. So many cameras….

Did spend a nice afternoon with Leo at a Chinese hawker stall.

Back to Manila – Stopover in Singapore and Home

The time was too short again. But this time i did see a lot more of Banaue and i was the first time in Batad. Since my mother was not doing well and in the hospital i had to cut my trip 5 weeks short and fly home. So i did email Air China at the 27th of February and got a quick reply!

Dear Mr. Hastenteufel,

Good morning!

I have made a temporary booking for you on March 02 departure since March 01 has a higher cost than Mar02. Please see below details. Payment cannot be made on the day of departure , it should be paid through our ticketing office on or before the deadline given below. The equivalent amount in peso will depend on the airline exchange rate on the day we will issue the ticket so you may contact us first in the morning at 8086777 to know the exact amount to be paid in peso. Our office opens by 8:30am – 12:noon / 1:00pm -5:00pm only from Monday to Friday.

So far so good but then the details!

DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT : FEBRUARY 28/ BEFORE 2PM

** no payment on or before the deadline will automatically cancel the booking.

This would not be a problem if i could use the credit card – and yes i can!!!

For credit card payment, the card holder would need to drop by our Makati ticketing office to make the payment before we can issue the ticket. As of the moment, we can only accept VISA, MASTER, AMEX and JCB type of credit cards. Corporate cards and debit cards are not acceptable. Kindly bring a valid ID for our reference.

WTF? I am sitting far in the mountains – no way to be back in Manila the next day at 2 in their office! Totally BS!
On top of that it would only set me back another 405€!!
So i used the power of the interweb and got myself a Singapore Airlines flight for 508 – a bit more but at last i could get the ticket and they want to see the credit card at the counter in the airport when you check in. I can do that!

The crazy Canadian did leave some meds at her room at Randy’s place so i could bring that as well. We both had the flight on the same day. So that was an easy extra Karma point on the way back. And it was nice to meet the Canadians again for a few minutes!

Had a Jeepney and a bus to Manila. Than the fight with the taxi mafia to get one that turns on the meter. Than he had no clue where the hotel was. With the help of Google Maps and the iPhone i got there finally.

Banaue
At the Bus Stand in Banaue

Truck
Interesting construction somewhere on the road to Manila

Truck

After i got to the hotel i dropped my stuff and got into another taxi to get to Mrs. She. Did store some stuff at her place and had to say Adios and Thank You. She took me to a local hot spot for food and it was quite interesting. A karaoke machine as loud as a 747 5 seconds before take off. We had even to wait in line for seats. But the beer was cold and the food was OK! To bad that the other guys had no time.

Good Bye Philippines! We will meet again!

Singapore Airlines Vegetarian Meal

The not so nice Singapore

The Singapore from the brochure

Now imagine that. Out of the plane and down to immigration and you arrive to that!!
It was empty and it took less than 1 minute! Best ever!
I did spend hours in Chicago and 30 minutes in Bangkok would be super fast. Great. A few minutes later i was in the train towards the city.

It is so great to have friends all over the place. Eric did pick me up at a Starbucks and we went to Little India for dinner. Later Delphine and Caroline did join us. That was a short but great reunion – thank you my little French Connection!!

Good to have friends 🙂 See you soon!