#Hostel for Rent in Singapore

[novenahallsblog]

https://www.novenahall.com.sg/rooms-rates/

Novenahall Hostel Rent in Singapore provides you with a pleasant and peaceful living environment that provides you with an extremely comfortable haven. call + 65-97720291

[highereducation01]

Are There Accommodation Options Available Near MDIS Malaysia?

If you're considering pursuing a diploma in education at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) Malaysia, one of the essential aspects to plan for is your accommodation. Fortunately, students have a variety of housing options available near the MDIS Malaysia campus, offering comfort and convenience for their academic journey.

On-Campus Accommodation

MDIS Malaysia provides students with on-campus accommodation, offering a safe and student-centric environment. This option is ideal for those who prefer to live close to their classes, reducing commute time and allowing for easier access to campus facilities.

Benefits of on-campus accommodation:

Proximity to campus: Students can easily attend classes and use library and recreational facilities.

Security: On-campus housing is typically monitored with security personnel and surveillance, ensuring a safe environment for students.

Community Living: Living on-campus allows students to engage with peers and participate in campus life activities.

Off-Campus Accommodation

For students who prefer living off-campus, there are several accommodation options available near MDIS Malaysia. These include private apartments, student hostels, and shared housing.

Popular off-campus accommodation options include:

Private Apartments: Apartments in nearby areas are a popular choice for students seeking more privacy and space. These apartments often come fully furnished with essential amenities.

Student Hostels: Many hostels are designed specifically for students, offering shared rooms, study spaces, and common areas. These hostels usually include meal plans and offer a community-oriented atmosphere.

Shared Housing: Renting a house or apartment with fellow students can be a cost-effective option. Sharing the cost of rent and utilities makes this an affordable and sociable living arrangement.

Cost of Living Near MDIS Malaysia

The cost of living in Malaysia is relatively affordable compared to other countries in the region, making it easier for students to find reasonably priced housing. Rental prices vary depending on the type of accommodation and its distance from the campus. Typically, on-campus accommodation is more affordable and convenient, while off-campus housing may offer more variety and flexibility.

When considering your budget, also factor in other living expenses such as:

Transportation: Public transportation options are widely available, including buses and taxis. Students may also opt to rent bicycles or use ride-hailing services.

Meals: Many on-campus housing options include meal plans, while off-campus residents can enjoy the diverse local food options or prepare their meals in shared kitchens.

Proximity to Essential Amenities

Whether you choose to live on-campus or off-campus, accommodation near MDIS Malaysia is generally located close to essential amenities such as:

Supermarkets: For groceries and daily necessities.

Cafés and Restaurants: A variety of dining options offering local and international cuisine.

Healthcare Facilities: Clinics and hospitals are easily accessible for medical needs.

Public Transportation: Buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services make commuting to and from the campus convenient.

Tips for Choosing Accommodation

When selecting accommodation near MDIS Malaysia, keep the following in mind:

Budget: Ensure the rent and living costs fit within your budget, including utilities and transportation.

Location: Consider the proximity to campus and other essential services.

Roommates: If you prefer shared housing, make sure to find compatible roommates to enhance your living experience.

Facilities: Check if the accommodation provides necessary amenities such as Wi-Fi, laundry services, and study areas.

Conclusion

Pursuing a diploma in education at MDIS Malaysia is a rewarding experience, and finding the right accommodation is an important part of that journey. Whether you choose to live on-campus for convenience or opt for off-campus housing for more independence, Malaysia offers a variety of affordable and comfortable options to meet your needs. Make sure to explore all the possibilities to find the perfect home for your studies!

[roomchailimited]

Sydney to Cairns: A Bangladeshi Traveler's Ultimate Australian Road Trip

Australia, the land down under, promises a mesmerizing blend of bustling urban life and serene natural beauty. For Bangladeshi travelers, embarking on an epic road trip from Sydney to Cairns encapsulates the essence of Australia – from iconic cityscapes to pristine beaches, rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef. This journey, spanning over 2,500 kilometers, is an odyssey that promises unforgettable memories.

1. Planning Your Aussie Road Trip

Choosing the Right Travel Agency

Starting such an extensive trip requires meticulous planning. Roomchai Limited, along with other reputable travel agencies like Obokash and ShareTrip, provides comprehensive packages. These agencies offer everything from flight bookings to customized itineraries, ensuring your journey is hassle-free.

Booking Flights

Begin your adventure with a flight from Dhaka to Sydney. Major airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways offer convenient routes with layovers. Booking in advance can help you secure the best deals and preferred flight times.

Accommodation Options

Australia offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget. From luxury hotels in Sydney's heart to charming coastal bed-and-breakfasts, and budget-friendly hostels, there's something for everyone. Using platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com can provide more flexibility and choices.

Visa Requirements and Assistance

Obtaining an Australian visa is essential. Travel agencies like Roomchai Limited can assist with the visa application process, ensuring all documents are in order and submitted correctly. This assistance can simplify the process and increase the chances of a successful application.

2. Exploring Sydney

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Kickstart your journey in Sydney by exploring its iconic landmarks. Visit the Sydney Opera House for a guided tour and walk across the Harbour Bridge for stunning city views. A scenic ferry ride offers another fantastic perspective of the cityscape.

Bondi Beach and Coastal Walks

A trip to Sydney isn't complete without visiting Bondi Beach. Relax on the sandy shores, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or embark on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, which offers breathtaking views and encounters with marine life.

Taronga Zoo and Wildlife Encounters

Experience Australia's unique wildlife at Taronga Zoo, located on the Sydney Harbour. The zoo provides close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and other native species, making it an exciting and educational visit for travelers of all ages.

3. The Coastal Journey

The Scenic Drive

The drive from Sydney to Cairns is a scenic journey offering diverse landscapes and attractions. Renting a car allows for flexibility, letting you stop at charming coastal towns, national parks, and lookout points along the way.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay, known for its laid-back vibe and stunning beaches, is a must-visit. Enjoy surfing, snorkeling, or simply relaxing by the sea. The Cape Byron Lighthouse offers breathtaking views and is a perfect spot for dolphin sightings.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast, famous for its theme parks, shopping, and nightlife, is another highlight. Spend a day at Sea World or Dreamworld, explore Surfers Paradise, and take in the panoramic views from the Q1 SkyPoint Observation Deck.

4. Discovering Queensland

Brisbane

As you enter Queensland, stop in Brisbane, the state's vibrant capital. Explore South Bank Parklands, visit the Queensland Art Gallery, and enjoy a river cruise. Brisbane offers a mix of cultural experiences and outdoor activities.

Sunshine Coast and Noosa

The Sunshine Coast boasts pristine beaches and lush hinterlands. Noosa is renowned for its beautiful national park, upscale dining, and boutique shopping. It's an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, offers unique experiences. Take a 4WD tour to explore the island's rainforests, freshwater lakes, and sand dunes. Lake McKenzie, with its crystal-clear waters, is a highlight.

5. Tropical Paradise: Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns: Gateway to the Reef

Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, offers a range of activities. Explore the Daintree Rainforest, visit indigenous cultural parks, and experience the vibrant city life.

Great Barrier Reef Adventures

No trip to Cairns is complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Choose from snorkeling, scuba diving, or glass-bottom boat tours to witness the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail

Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway through the rainforest to the village of Kuranda. Return via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding over the treetops for breathtaking views of the tropical landscape.

6. Culinary Delights

Seafood Extravaganza

Australia's coastal regions are renowned for fresh seafood. Enjoy fish and chips by the beach, dine at waterfront restaurants, and visit seafood markets to savor local specialties like barramundi and prawns.

Diverse Dining Experiences

From multicultural Sydney to tropical Cairns, Australia offers diverse dining experiences. Indulge in fine dining in Sydney, farm-to-table cuisine in Byron Bay, and tropical flavors in Cairns.

Local Markets and Food Festivals

Explore local markets and food festivals to discover Australia's culinary delights. The Sydney Fish Market, Eumundi Markets on the Sunshine Coast, and Cairns Night Markets offer a range of local produce and gourmet foods.

7. Practical Travel Tips

Currency and Money Matters

The Australian dollar (AUD) is the local currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller transactions. Currency exchange services are available at airports and major cities.

Language and Communication

English is the official language, making communication easy for Bangladeshi travelers. However, learning a few local phrases and understanding Australian slang can enhance your travel experience.

Health and Safety

Australia is generally safe for travelers, but it's important to take standard precautions. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and be aware of wildlife when exploring nature. Health care facilities are excellent, but travel insurance is recommended.

Conclusion

A journey from Sydney to Cairns offers Bangladeshi travelers a diverse and enriching experience. From the bustling streets of Sydney to the serene beaches of Byron Bay, the vibrant culture of Brisbane, and the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, this odyssey encapsulates the best of Australia. With the expertise of travel agencies like Roomchai Limited, Obokash, and ShareTrip, planning and executing this adventure becomes a seamless experience. Embark on this Aussie odyssey and discover the wonders of Australia through Bangladeshi eyes.

[strangeinternetwasteland]

Finding Home- Dabi x Fem! Reader

This is my submission for Day 6 Places of @konoblog-simps server collab

Warning: Angst, Lots of Fluff, Soft Dabi

WC:2k

Leaving everything behind was the best decision he’d ever made. He was finally free, especially after emptying the bank account his father had for him. Nothing was holding him back. The few days after the big fight the anger was still there. It didn’t come to any physical blow but felt as if there had been. There was no looking back now, he will no longer be the unwanted son. He could change his name, his personality, and his whole story. He could be the person he truly wanted to be.

His first destination was the small city of Takayama in the Gifu Prefecture. The city always held a special appeal to him since it was known for the olden style of Japanese Culture. Something he’d always been interested in since a young boy. He stayed at the Hida Takayama Hostel for a few days. On the last night, he decided to stay at the Takayama Ouan with its breathtaking view of the city. It was here where the two of you met. Both of you spent your time talking about your future dreams and plans, and just enjoyed one another’s company.

The next morning he was planning on moving to a small picturesque town in the southern islands of Japan. ‘It was the perfect beginning to his new life.’ he told you. You decided to join him before continuing your next adventure. Here, the two of you spent two days watching the perfect sunsets the beach was named after. Most people didn’t pay any attention to you both assuming you were lovers lost in the moment.

You two exchanged numbers, in case your paths were fated to cross again. He left for Singapore, and you to South Korea. The few days spent with you left a wonderful impression on Dabi. The following days since Japan Dabi couldn’t stop thinking of you. The way your face lit up when talking about something you were passionate about, or the way you giggled when you were excited. It was those honest and earnest emotions from you he truly enjoyed. The memories helped him on the long and tedious train ride from Singapore through Malaysia. He got off a few times to get food or walk around.

Every stop he thought of calling or texting but restrained himself from doing so. He didn’t want to seem needy or clingy. A week later, when he was staying at a little hostel in Kluang in Malaysia, sipping on the most delectable cup of coffee when his phone chimed from you. You had sent greetings and wished him well. You had traveled through Russian and sent pictures of yourself at the Kremlin. How happy you looked in your picture. He wished he would’ve just joined you at that moment. He sent back well wishes and shared that he was currently enjoying a cup of coffee, with the promise to be the first one to text next time.

As the world trek continued for him, he found himself wandering through China trying all the delicacies he had heard about as he traveled. He spent a few days looking at the pandas, walked along the Silk Road, and saw the Terracotta Army before making his way through Mongolia, and taking in the breathtaking scenery of the grasslands. From Mongolia, he headed to Russia.

When he arrived at the Kremlin in Moscow, he stood exactly where you did, and snapped an identical picture to yours. He texted it to you as soon as he took it. He wore a small smile. You had texted him you were enjoying the beautiful colors of the Grecian seas, and how delectable the food was. He promised to visit Greece as soon as he could but had wanted to visit Mumbai, India first. You smiled knowing that you weren’t truly on this trek alone.

A few weeks had passed after the last text. You decided to text him to check on him. You found out he had been to see Mumbai, and sat on the famous Konkan coast. He also went to Jaipur to try Rajasthani cuisine and the street food in New Delhi. From there he went to Greece to learn and see the architecture of Athens, see the beautiful city of Santorini and see the first university in Greece.

He currently was in Lyon, France, while you were staying in Paris. He had plans to come to Paris in a couple of days. You made plans with him to meet in three days in Paris at a little restaurant called La Maison Rose in Montmartre. You were excited to see him, to say the least. You spent that morning going through all of the clothes you packed only to choose basic black slacks and a black shirt.

When you arrived you saw Dabi sitting at a table he definitely stood out against the Pink building. Your breath caught in your throat looking at him. When he looked up he saw you smiling. You knew that most people stared at him most of the time, and he did a good job ignoring them most of the time. However, with you, he seemed to fidget under your gaze. You weren’t sure if it was because you made him uncomfortable or if he was just like that.

“Hello, Y/N.” He greeted you with a kiss on each cheek. You felt electricity run through your body.

“Hello, how have you been? How is your trip going?” You asked with excitement. The two of you shared the highs and lows of your adventures, the pictures, and every ridiculous story you could. When the day got later you and Dabi grabbed dinner and wine. The feel of the city may have gotten to you, or perhaps it was the alcohol. You took Dabi back to your room and participated in evening affairs, as two lovers would do. This continued for another week. Waking up in his arms, enjoying the Parisian life with tourist flair, and getting to know another human through scandalous endeavors, and philosophical discussions post-coitus were the highlight of your time together.

You two had not discussed what would happen afterward, but deciding to part ways was a mutual agreement. You traveled south to Portugal and Spain, and he went north to the UK, Scotland, and Ireland. Another month had passed before you two had contact. For you, it wasn’t the most wonderful of occasions, but the positive pregnancy test you held in your hand deemed the matter important enough. You hoped he would be some sort of knight in shining armor, but you didn’t put a lot of faith in it. When you reached his voicemail all hope deflated, and you abruptly ended your trip and headed home.

Two more weeks had passed, and while you were still debating on the fate of your unborn child, you wondered what Dabi was up to. After his time in Morocco, he had traveled to Johannesburg, Durban, and then Cape Town in South Africa. When he was finally able to charge his phone properly for more than an hour, he heard your voicemail. His first thought was to call back since it had been two weeks since you had left the voicemail. You didn’t leave any clues or hints to the importance of your message, but you knew he’d call when he could.

It was early when you received his phone call you were in the middle of getting ready to work. You picked it up assuming it was your mother asking you to run an errand after work for her, or your boss asking you to work another double shift today. When your eyes looked at the name on the screen, your heart stopped for a brief second. You grew more and more nervous as you brought the phone to your ear. Without thinking, you pressed the green button.

“Hello.” Dabi’s voice said on the other line. “Hello? Y/N? Can you hear me?” His voice melts your insides. You thought back to the week you spent in Paris together tangled up in one another not caring about anything else.

“Hello?” You finally said into the phone.

“Hey, I am sorry about not calling you back sooner. I haven’t been able to charge my phone properly for some time. How are you doing? How’s your trek going?” His voice seemed light and carefree with a hint of exhaustion.

“Yeah. I am good. I have been back home for about 6 weeks.” You told him as nonchalantly as you could.

“Is something wrong? Are you okay? I thought you had another two weeks left?” His voice was gentle and full of surprise.

“Actually, I have something to tell you. The reason I ended my trip so abruptly was that I found out I was pregnant.” You felt nauseated from telling him. On the other line, you heard some shouting.

“Sorry, Y/N. I have got to go, but I will call you again as soon as I can.” Dabi rushed to say before hanging up the phone. The news hit him like a ton of bricks. He couldn’t remember exactly where you said you were from. He hoped he could find you on any social media site and figure it out from there. After an hour of searching, he figured out you lived in a small town in California. He immediately booked a flight to the closest Airport and hoped that would be enough.

Three days later without any phone calls or news from Dabi, you gave up. You figured that if he really cared, he would’ve called, or at least text you. You were in the middle of your day off when you heard the doorbell ring. Your mother was home for the day and you let her answer the door. From your room, you heard a deep voice speaking with your mother, but you couldn’t make out the words.

“I am very sorry ma’am, I was hoping to find Y/N here, but it seems I have the wrong house. Have a pleasant day.” Dabi spoke and turned around to leave. You rushed down the stairs and saw him.

“Dabi!” You cried out. He lifted his head at the sound of your voice. You tore down the stairs and straight into his arms. You hugged him as hard as you possibly could. You were astonished to see him standing before you, you started to cry. He wrapped his arms around you and buried his face in your hair. He stood and let you cry. Your mom walked away to let you two have a moment. After some time, you seemed to have calmed down. Dabi got down on one knee and proposed to you. You happily agreed.

In the months following, Dabi found a full-time job and rented an apartment for the two of you and the baby. You had a small wedding with your family present. A couple of years after the baby was born and you felt more stable, you planned a vacation for the three of you. You wanted to surprise Dabi and try to reconnect him with his family. After many phone calls to his parents when he wasn’t home. The three of you made your trip back to Japan. You thought back to where it all began on that serendipitous meeting. When you arrived at the airport you were met with open arms from Dabi’s family. You learned about his life growing up and his real name, which you promised to call him only when he was in real trouble.

In a quiet moment alone, Dabi took you aside, kissed you passionately, and thanked you for bringing him home to his family. A few days later, his mother and father thanked you as well. They loved seeing him as a loving husband, and doting parent, but most importantly you brought him back to them. Now their family was whole again.

[softpine]

Could we get another you don't have to read but it's interesting text post?? 👉👈

omg i hope this is what you meant, but umm here’s some backstory about griffin’s roommates? because even my nameless extras apparently need deep lore in my mind?? fjkjsd

TW: mentions of drug addiction, homelessness, religion, abuse, and biphobia. + me not being able to stop talking ever.

jeremy; 19. gay. [also the guy from this post.] jeremy grew up smack in the middle of the bible belt. his parents wanted him to grow up and be a pastor like all the generations before him. he was a model child and no one expected him to run away, so his parents actually thought he was kidnapped when, on a random tuesday, he left in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on his back. the police found him wandering towards the bus stop just a few hours later and dropped him back at home. everyone then repeated the same cycle again and again for years, before jeremy’s parents got fed up and agreed to legally emancipate him if he agreed to just stop embarrassing their family. he finally hit the road on his own when he was 15.

he met griffin at a train station out west a while later. griffin had just left his aunt’s house, and neither of them had any place to be. jeremy is the one that taught him how to pickpocket (although there was a lot less flirting involved in jeremy’s method – he relies heavily on the “dumb tourist desperately needing directions” angle). but jeremy can never stay in one place too long, so he left. a year later, they happened to bump into each other in another state and decided a coincidence like that was too big to ignore. so they started traveling together and eventually ended up in nyc, where they stayed. (well, kinda. jeremy disappears for weeks at a time and comes back with all kinds of stories.)

griffin sometimes gets pissed because jeremy likes to equate their 2 childhoods, but they were really nothing alike. sure, jeremy’s family was oppressive and he could never be himself around them, but they were wealthy, they loved him, they never laid a hand on him, and they’re still hoping he comes home someday. jeremy didn’t leave because he had to, he left because he wanted to. but he can’t seem to grasp the difference. still, he listened when griffin told him he should reach out to his family and let them know he’s okay. now they have scheduled phone calls once a month and they’re all happy with that amount of communication. 

all in all, jeremy is still a kid. he loves comic books, action figures, the atari he & griffin split 50/50, and going to the movies. he’s always looking for the next big adventure or something to make him feel more alive. unfortunately, that’s taken him to some darker places with drugs and alcohol, but he’s doing okay right now. he was worried about moving into an apartment because he thought it would make him feel too trapped, but he actually likes having a place that he chose, that no one is forcing him to be at. oh and no, he and griffin have never dated. jeremy just doesn’t know what personal space means. 

eddie; 34. straight [but probably aro/ace in modern terms]. he’s already been divorced three times, which he assumed is because he's a pushover, never fights for anything or takes his own stance, and seemingly lacks passion in every aspect of his life. for almost ten years, he worked as a personal accountant in the upper east side. his days were mundane: he ate the same breakfast (oatmeal), the same lunch (ham & cheese sandwich), and the same dinner (chicken noodle soup) every day. somewhere around the time of his third divorce, he realized he wasn’t going to find fulfillment unless he searched for it, so he quit his job, cashed out his family inheritance, and traveled through europe. as he was living in hostels and hitchhiking and relying on the kindness of strangers, he started to become well-acquainted with the homeless communities in every place he visited. he realized how out of touch he had become, and how privileged he was to be bored with his life. and thus, he had found his passion.

when he returned to new york, he got a new job in finance for a nonprofit organization for the homeless. that was nice and all, but he never got to see the benefits of his work, so he started volunteering at food banks and shelters. that’s where he met jeremy and griffin. jeremy was fascinated by how truly dull eddie is. he kept waiting for eddie to reveal some deep, wild, secret part of him, but it never happened. eddie never even bragged about his adventures in europe; he would always turn the conversation back around to others. by the time jeremy realized he really is that boring, he was already looking up to eddie as an older brother type (and griffin was just along for the ride).

eddie is the one that’s actually renting the apartment and then renting out the extra space to griffin, jeremy, and vincent at dirt cheap rates while they get on their feet. he agreed to keep doing this as long as they all have jobs (pickpocketing doesn’t count) and try to stay clean in jeremy’s case.

vincent; 21. bi. vincent grew up comfortable, but not wealthy, in queens, with his family who emigrated from singapore before he was born. his parents later got divorced, and now he’s the oldest of a combined total of seven siblings, though he’s always been closer to his mom and stepdad. growing up, his grades were just average, he had a few friends but was too shy to be popular, and he wasn’t particularly athletic either – he was on the swim team for a while, but he hated the competitive aspect. his favorite part was staying behind after practice and having the pool all to himself; he would float on his back for hours, just watching the pool lights reflecting on the ceiling. he struggled to fit in at school. this all changed when he started weightlifting during his senior year. he mainly started doing it as a way to keep himself busy, but he soon realized that the more fit he got, the more attention people paid him. he liked that.

soon after, he started his first relationship with a girl, kelly, who he intended to marry someday. they graduated high school together and both enrolled at the same college – though vincent hadn’t decided a major yet – and things were going great. he even came out to her as bi and she took it really well (especially for the time). they were settled into an apartment of their own at 19.

in his quest to figure out his major, vincent took up all kinds of new hobbies, his favorite being drumming. he even started a garage band with some of his friends. they started playing house shows, which ended up being somewhat popular, though they don’t expect to make it big anytime soon. at one of these shows, vincent ran into griffin and they bonded over their love of rock music. when vincent found out that griffin didn’t have a place to stay that night, he invited him to sleep on his couch – understandably, kelly was angry that he didn’t ask first.

kelly got increasingly more upset as time went on and vincent & griffin became better friends. even though nothing romantic ever happened between them (and i sure hope not, because griffin was like 16 at the start), kelly was convinced that vincent was cheating on her and that she was only there to cover for his “true” sexuality. when they inevitably broke up, vincent was devastated. not only that, but he now had to find a new place to live asap. that’s when griffin mentioned that he and jeremy were renting rooms from eddie and that vincent was welcome to join. and that takes us up to the present! (well, the “present” being 1987).

[nikolai-novak]

Nikolai’s Travel Timeline

Nikolai graduated from high school in 2018, shortly before his 18th birthday in August. Given his family circumstances at the time, he really needed to get away so he took advantage of the fact that he had a full drivers licence and more than enough money to fund his travels.

June 2018 - December 2018

Nikolai was inspired by a photographer that he really liked -- Brian DeFrees -- when it came to mapping out his road trip around the state. In 2011, Brian travelled through 30-odd states in 53 days to see all the major landmarks. Nikolai followed a similar pathway by catching a flight to Virginia, bought a Kombi van, and started the road trip. Nikolai, however, took a full six months to complete the trip. Nikolai visited the following states and explored significantly in each:

Virginia

South Carolina 

Georgia 

Florida 

Louisiana 

Texas

New Mexico 

Arizona

Nevada (in which he caught up with old friends from high school)

California (in which he briefly stopped in and visited his parents to ease their nagging)

Oregon 

Washington (in which he met August Bright for the first time and his intended short stay in Washington was extended considerably. This is a major contributing reason as to why a trip that could have been completed in two months ended up blowing out to six months in duration. (@augustbright)

Idaho 

Montana 

Wyoming

Utah

Colorado 

Nebraska 

South Dakota 

North Dakota 

Minnesota 

Wisconsin 

Iowa

Illinois 

Ohio 

New York 

Nikolai then sold his Kombi van in New York and booked the cheapest round the world ticket that he could find. The ticket included flights from New York --> London --> Bangkok --> Singapore --> Sydney. 

December 2018 - September 2019 

After booking his flight to London, Nikolai spent the next nine and a half months backpacking around Europe. Now this was genuine backpacking, with Nikolai relying on various forms of transport -- including trains, buses, and even hitchhiking at times. His adventures were as follows: 

Great Britain leg -  England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland 

Central Europe, primarily via train - Netherlands, Germany, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, France

Balkans leg - Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo 

Iberian leg - Spain and Portugal 

Transylvanian leg - Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania 

Baltics leg - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Russia 

Scandinavia leg - Denmark, Sweden, Norway 

South Caucasus leg - Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan 

Greek Islands leg 

Note: It was in London that he first met Hannah Callaghan. The two met in a bar, hit it off, and fell into bed together. Nikolai didn’t stay in London for long, however he and Hannah have remained in sporadic contact ever since and will always hook-up again when they’re in the same place at the same time. @hannahcallaghanmu

October 2019 - November 2019

After finishing in Europe, Nikolai booked the next flight on his round the world trip and headed to Bangkok. He spent the next two months backpacking around Thailand, both north and south: 

Thailand - Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui, Khao Sok National Park, Krabi, Rai Leh, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta

December 2019

After finishing his travels in Thailand, Nikolai used the next part of his round the world the world ticket to head to Singapore. 

Singapore - exhausted from all the backpacking, Nikolai just spent a week in a resort in Singapore. Whilst he did explore the city, he was mainly focused on relaxing and recuperating in a 5-star hotel after primarily sleeping in vans, backpacker hostels, and even tents in some places since first beginning his travels.

December 2019 - July 2020

After Singapore, Nikolai booked the last leg of his round the world ticket and headed to Australia. After landing in Sydney, Nikolai scoured local car dealerships and bought himself another second hand Kombi van and commenced a backpacking trip around Australia. Starting from Sydney, Nikolai’s journey was as follows:

New South Wales - The Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Yamba, Byron Bay

Queensland - Gold Coast, Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Lady Musgrave Island, Lady Elliot Island, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Townsville, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

He sold the Kombi van after finishing in Cairns so that he could fly over to Western Australia. After spending about a week on Rottnest Island, he managed to buy a second hand van that the owners had renovated for their own past long distance road trips. From there, the adventure continued: 

Western Australia - Margaret River, Denmark, Albany, Esperance, Perth, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Karijini National Park, Broome, the Kimberley

Northern Territory - Darwin, Litchfield, Kakadu, Katherine, Alice Springs, Uluru, The Red Centre

South Australia - Adelaide, Grampians National Park, then the Great Ocean Road into Victoria 

Victoria - Melbourne, Carlton, St Kilda, Brighton, Collingwood, Fitzroy

Nikolai then sold the van, took a flight over to Tasmania, and rented a vehicle as he knew that he would only be there for a few weeks: 

Tasmania - Hobart, Wild West Coast, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur

Nikolai then took a flight to Australian Capital Territory, where he spent a few last days in Australia before having to fly back to start at MU:

Australian Capital Territory - Canberra, Jervis Bay

July 2020

After finishing his mammoth Australian adventure, Nikolai received the ultimatum from his parents: either come back to California and get a university degree or they would be cutting off his access to his trust fund. Nikolai requested a couple of weeks to think about it and immediately booked a flight to Bali, Indonesia. Nikolai spent the two weeks in Bali thinking about the offer, before reluctantly booking a flight back to California. 

August 2020 - December 2020 

It was during this period that Nikolai was a student at Monarch University, having enrolled to study Exercise Science and Physiology. Nikolai really didn’t want to be at university and certainly wasn’t passionate about his chosen major. Struggling to adjust to life at MU, Nikolai crunched the numbers and he realised he could continue funding his travel expenses through his travel and photography blog. With that realisation, he called his parents bluff and left campus. His parents didn’t fully cut off his access to the trust fund but did restrict it (meaning that he was able to withdraw less money than usual each month) but between that and his blog, he was able to make it work. 

January 2021 - April 2021

After leaving MU, Nikolai impulsively booked a flight to Florida. He intended to just stay for a couple of weeks to party and blow off steam but ended up meeting Este Castillo (@estecastillo) in Miami. The couple of weeks turned into a few months whilst the two of them casually dated -- which is the most commitment that Nikolai has given to anyone since the whole mess with Lily. Whilst in Florida, his blog really started to take off. Despite the fact that he wasn’t travelling as extensively as he had in the past, people really loved his photos of Florida; and he had plenty of unseen pictures and stories from his previous adventures that he finally had the time to fully share. Este and Nikolai eventually had an amicable breakup as Nikolai was itching to hop on a flight. 

May 2021 - June 2021

Hopping on a flight led Nikolai to another backpacking adventure, this time in Brazil. Nikolai really hit a sweet spot with his photography and travel blog -- when he had first started the account after finishing high school, he had posted a photo a day; which really was only the briefest snapshot of his adventures as he would take countless photos each and every day. Each photo was accompanied with a brief caption to explain where said photo was taken. Having had some time to fully fleshed things out in Florida, Nikolai started posting more and more of the photos that he had taken over the last few years and accompanied them with detailed stories. The combination of his photography and genuine passion for travel was a recipe for success and this only continued as he backpacked through Brazil for two months.

July 2021 - current

Nikolai is back at MU and studying Business and Photography because he wants to figure out a way to make his blog into a sustainable career. Nikolai still has thousands of photos in his back catalogue that he can share, along with countless stories. Still, he’s making sure to supplement the blog by fully exploring everything that California has to offer; and whenever he can, he will take short weekend trips away or make the most of semester breaks to ensure that people get a good combination of both old and new content. 

[southeastasianists]

About 1,000 people live on the streets of Singapore, according to the first study done here to measure the scale of homelessness.

The highest levels of homelessness were reported in Bedok, Kallang and in the City, with each district having more than 50 people on the streets, according to the study which was led by Assistant Professor Ng Kok Hoe from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Fewer than 10 homeless people were observed in Bukit Panjang, Sembawang and Sengkang.

The study found that 87 per cent of the homeless people were men. About half of the total were judged to be in their 50s or older. Approximately a third were either separated, divorced or widowed, with a similar number who were single.

In the report, Homeless In Singapore: Results From A Nationwide Street Count, Asst Prof Ng said: “Despite growing public attention in recent years, the size of the homeless population in Singapore has always been unknown.”

Measuring homelessness in a systematic and transparent way enables the researchers to provide guidance for policy and service planning, he said.

Street counts like this should be conducted every few years to provide timely guidance for policy and service planning, he added.

The study focused on street homelessness, about which there is a lack of information, the report said.  Other types of homelessness include living in temporary accommodation or moving frequently because permanent housing is not available.

WHY ARE THEY HOMELESS?

Almost half of the homeless people interviewed - 47 per cent - cited unemployment, irregular work and low wages as reasons for their situation.

About 37 per cent gave family conflict and break-ups as a reason, while 27 per cent said they had housing problems such as an inability to pay rent and mortgages or that they had sold their housing.  

About 40 per cent of the homeless people interviewed stated that they had housing registered under their name. Fifteen per cent said they had public rental flats, while 11 per cent had purchased HDB flats. Others mentioned having a hostel place or a residence overseas.

Some of them said they could think of safer places to sleep such as with friends, family or at their workplaces, but said they did not do so due to family conflict, not wanting to inconvenience friends, problems getting along with co-tenants, or wanting to be near the workplace.

“These responses show that actual access to better housing options is often hindered by practical and social barriers,” Dr Ng said.

HOW THE STUDY WAS DONE

Asst Prof Ng led a team of 480 fieldworkers which included representatives from more than 20 non-governmental organisations and members of the public. All fieldworkers had to attend training prior to participating in the counts.

Together, they covered all 12,000 blocks of residential flats and other public and commercial spaces over a period of three months this year. The map of Singapore was divided into 298 zones grouped into 25 districts. Most of the zones were in public housing estates, where each zone covered about 50 blocks of flats.

These zones also included public facilities and commercial spaces. In the city and other non-residential areas, zones were demarcated so that each zone would take around two hours to cover on foot.

The volunteers recorded the numbers of individuals who were asleep or going to sleep in public spaces, with some evidence - like bedding and belongings - that they are homeless. The volunteers started their count at 11.30pm or later.

CONDITIONS OF THE HOMELESS

Almost half of the interviewees reported health problems and one in four persons had eaten just one meal that day or none at all.

When choosing locations, there appears to be a trade-off between safety and peace, Dr Ng said. Exposed spaces that are under the public eye are safer but noisier, while quieter places may be remote and render homeless people more vulnerable.

Some homeless people accessed medical care frequently, but half of them did not, including a quarter of those who reported health issues. They also faced dangers such as theft, and were often approached and questioned by law enforcement agencies.

The research also showed that homelessness was often chronic, lasting six years or longer for about a third of them. Half of the homeless persons had been sleeping in public for between one and five years, Some of them did not sleep in public every day, but switched between different housing arrangements periodically.

“Persistent street homelessness combined with constant instability characterises their housing insecurity and indicates the considerable challenges of exiting homelessness,” Dr Ng said.

However, many of the homeless persons had found ways to maintain their appearance, did not keep many possessions, and often slept in spaces that were clean and sheltered.

Dr Ng said that close to half of the homeless people interviewed had sought help in the past year. The Social Service Offices were mentioned most frequently, followed by Family Service Centres and Members of Parliament.

There is room for improvement in the current landscape of public and social services, he said.

“The report highlighted opportunities such as expanding outreach services, offering overnight shelters with lower barriers to entry, and removing the joint tenancy requirement as part of HDB’s public rental housing scheme so that there is adequate living space and privacy,” he said.

HELP AVAILABLE

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said on Friday that it appreciates efforts by the community, researchers and volunteers in reaching out to and helping homeless people and rough sleepers.

"We thank Dr Ng Kok Hoe for facilitating our outreach to respondents who were willing to seek assistance from MSF.

"Homelessness is a complex issue that often involves multiple underlying social issues. Dr Ng’s study observed many different profiles: homeless people and rough sleepers who may have their own homes, Singapore residents and foreigners," said MSF in a statement.

The ministry said that over the last two years, it has been partnering with community groups and government agencies to reach out to and assist homeless people and rough sleepers.

"Together, we engage and refer them to shelters and help agencies, such as Social Service Offices and Family Service Centres, to address their longer-term issues," it said.

MSF cited the Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers (PEERS) Network, which was launched in July this year and currently includes 26 agencies, many of them religious institutions.

It also highlighted and thanked partners who have opened up their premises as SafeSoundSleeping Places (S3Ps), which "provide safe accommodation for homeless people and rough sleepers to rest during the night, and makes it easier for government and social service agencies to engage them in a timely manner".

Members of the public who want to help homeless individuals they have encountered can call the ComCare hotline at 1800 222 0000 or refer the person to the nearest Social Service Office or Family Service Centre.

[loggedtravel]

Here's Why You Must Travel to Vietnam at Least Once!

When we were planning our trip to Vietnam last December, we did our fair share of research and chalked out an itinerary, aiming to cover a couple of places but the main reason behind planning this trip was to kick-start the new year in a foreign land, greeting strangers and joining their madness! Little did we know that this country would make us fall in love and keep tickling our nerves to head back again!

With its 3,000 kilometres of a tropical coastline, superb food, mind-blowing history, and a fascinating culture, Vietnam is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in the world. No matter whether you are a beach lover or an art buff, a die-hard foodie, or an adventure seeker- Vietnam definitely has it all in store for you!

1. Vietnam Is One of the Most Affordable Destinations in Southeast Asia

Of course, when you think of travelling abroad, one of the first and foremost things to consider is the budget. As it is widely known, Southeast Asia is a backpacker's hub because of its affordability, and Vietnam, surely, is one of the most budget-friendly destinations you can ever come across. With increasing dependence on the tourism industry for their economy, the Vietnamese have set up their country to be as travel-friendly as possible.

You will get several hostels in the big cities and the local transport will save you from getting doomed! Hostels can cost you under $5 a night and beer will only run you a couple of cents! (Yeah you heard us right!) You can afford a meal under $2 while you can enjoy a nice meal for two in just $10.

Go for homestays while exploring the countryside and you will get a sneak peek into the authentic Vietnamese lifestyle.

2. Learn about Vietnam’s Rich and Spellbinding Past

Visit Us At:

https://luxury-tours.in/tour/6-nights-and-7-days-in-vietnam/

Vietnam's history dates back to nearly 2000 years. The culture shows Chinese, Khmer, and Indian influences, as well as effects from the French colonialism. The Vietnam War of the 1970s immensely affected the nationals. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to get an inside look at what the war was like for many soldiers.

We took a day trip from Saigon and it was indeed an inspiring journey as we listened to all those stories told by our guide. There are many war museums as well, where you can get to know more about the dark days that the nation has seen. Whether you are a history buff or not, the stories of their past will surely touch your soul.

Many NGOs and international organizations provide support to the underprivileged families affected and are still suffering because of the war. We visited a couple of artisan’s villages on our way to Cu Chi Tunnels and saw how people with special needs are engaging in various kinds of handicrafts, with the help of volunteers. If you have some time, then you can also choose to be a volunteer and contribute towards making their lives better.

3. Vietnam’s Natural Beauty Is Breathtaking

Be it the towering mountain ranges in north (Sapa), lined with lush forests, footed with lakes, rivers, and terraced rice fields, or the turquoise waters surrounding the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam is nothing less than a paradise! The country is home to a few of the biggest natural caves in the world (in Dong Hoi), and stunning national parks such as Cuc Phuong (around the town of Ninh Binh). Then there are limestone towers and cliffs in the immense Ha Long Bay that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

The beauty of nature will keep you mesmerized throughout, and you probably will not be able to get enough of it. In addition, if you thought that is it, then let me tell you about the sand dunes in red and white hues covering Central Vietnam and attracting curious travellers to the town of Mui Ne. There is a lot more than that, which you can discover during your gap year adventures in Vietnam.

4. The Vietnamese Cuisine Is Too Good to Resist

Visit Us At:

https://luxury-tours.in/tours/

From Pho, (transparent) spring rolls, banh mi, sticky rice, to the epic seafood – the Vietnamese cuisine is always tasty, fresh, and healthy! No matter whether you are eating at a street-side stall or a fancy restaurant - you will always get to treat yourself with a delicious meal! Our personal favorites were giant seafood filled pancakes, grilled corn on the cob, and warm banana cake in a coconut milk sauce.

If you are keen on learning how to make a perfect bowl of Pho, then you can attend one of the many cooking classes in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. You cannot skip those street food stalls & eateries at the night market - because they serve the best food in the world!

When you are writing out your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to stop for lunch at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa - they have the best banh mi in store for you!

5. Vietnam Offers Endless Opportunities for Adventure Seekers

There is no end to adventures in this country! You can choose to go for treks or hikes in Northern Vietnam, and explore the gorgeous countryside in Sapa or Ha Giang. Otherwise, rent a motorbike to explore like a local!

Thrill-seekers can trek deep into the cave system at Dong Hoi. Head off to Ha Long Bay, kayak through the emerald waters, passing the limestone karsts, and soak in the freshness of nature. Visit the beach towns of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc if you want to surf or snorkel, or go for scuba diving!

6. The Location of Vietnam Is Just Too Perfect

Visit Us At: https://luxury-tours.in/continents//

https://luxury-tours.in/tour-destination/asia/

Yeah - you heard it right! The location of Vietnam is too good to be true - and the connectivity with the neighboring countries absolutely makes it better. You can actually hop on a bus from Hanoi to travel to Luang Prabang in Laos or Siem Reap in Cambodia. The 'Reunification Express' connects to China's own rail system, which will help you to take the train from Hanoi to the Chinese city of Nanning. You can also get buses that connect Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok!

All said there, you could also opt to take a short flight to countries like Malaysia or Singapore, which will not cost much.

I am sure all these factors brought some wanderlust in you!

Well, as we told you before, there is no reason to say 'No' to Vietnam! Contemplating travelling abroad post the pandemic scare and wondering where to go? You can surely consider visiting this beautiful Southeast Asian nation with enough of cultural richness, impeccable natural beauty, bustling cities with friendly people and lots more. In addition, Vietnam has dealt with the COVID crisis in the most outstanding manner - so you need not worry much while planning the trip!

Visit Us At: https://luxury-tours.in/

[novenahallsblog]

https://www.novenahall.com.sg/

We, at Novenahall Students Hostel, offer the best student hostel service in Singapore at an affordable price and with a clean and clear experience. call + 65-97720291

[ackwok]

How do I shower in Hong Kong (and other trip related thoughts) Part 1

So, at our first Roots Seminar, the leaders all went over the tentative dates for when we’ll be going to China - so, naturally, a good chunk of my week has been thinking about all the things I want to do in Hong Kong 😀

I’ve never been to Hong Kong, but from what I know, it’s a pretty congested city where housing is as much, if not more of an issue than it is in San Francisco. That said - why are there so many Airbnb’s? Doesn’t HK have any rules on renting them out for short term stays? Is this contributing to the housing crisis?

... and another thing! What’s with these showers on top of the toilets? It’s a bit strange for someone like me to imagine bathing in the same room where your toilet and sink is. I’ve seen one other place here in the states where this is the case. But for the most part, the shower is usually separate from the toilet, even in micro apartments. 

Is the water supposed to go in the toilet... in the sink... or does it just go on the floor and drain out? Are there ever any issues if it doesn’t drain out? I can just imagine the sight now! Checking out - and the manager coming in, only to find a small pond in the bathroom... Do I need to bring a broom to sweep the water towards the drain? 

Otherwise, I think I’ll be doing an Airbnb this time, instead of spending time in a hostel... unless the rest of the group is getting rooms in a hotel. Thinking back on my whirlwind trip through Vienna, Zurich, Munich, and Salzburg, that was one thing that stressed me out the most - the lack of privacy. 

Yes, I love staying in a hostel, but I recharge best when I’m alone, in the comfort of a private room. Besides, I love how a lot of HK’s are reasonably affordable and close by major thoroughfares! So I can be out late, getting food or going to see the sights, and not have to worry about the distance it’d take to get back!

That said - I think I’ll break down the days I’ll be in Hong Kong, by spending one day in each the main areas that I want to go to, whether it’s to see the sights, admire the scenery, visit family or the cemeteries where a lot of my ancestors were buried! 

Though I have yet to assemble a comprehensive list, I’ll try to spend time on Lantau Island, Sheung Wan/Central, Tsim Sha Tsui/Kowloon, and San Po Kung/ Tseung Kwan O... But we’ll see. I have about half a day, coming back from Guangzhou, three full days, and 3 hours, before I take my flight to Singapore. 

[anne1066-blog]

30th January 2019

This is a new idea that Jane suggested because I have various things niggling at the moment and I can’t quantify them.  So this is a very private blog diary just monitoring how I’m feeling and where I’m at.  I might share it with friends or I might not.  Why put it on a public platform?  Well pressing post makes you really feel you’ve set the feelings free and put it out there even if no one actually reads it.  It worked for me before when I was getting a load of stuff out of my system regarding a failed engagement, cheating and a pretty intense relationship with a much older man who had 3 children.

Where am I at today?  Bloody knackered.  I’ve basically called in sick all week with a recurrence of a cold that didn’t have major symptoms but made me feel crappy and subhuman.  I’ve fought through it a bit to work in extreme cold and also to go an a weekend with friends in York which of course I did enjoy but I also didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have.  It felt way too short.  I need a get away from my life at the moment.  There are a lot of hard decisions to face and I know I’m not managing them all that well.

So to recap what got me to where we are today:

In 2014 I moved to Oxfordshire to set up a cheesemaking dairy.  It was a brand new start for me and had the promise to be an exciting chapter in my life.  I learned a lot from it  - how to plan a new building specifically for a cheesemaking facility, how to find the site, plan the layout, source the milk, decide on a marketable recipe, build a brand (not the first time I’d been involved in branding to be fair) and not least but troubleshoot a recipe which ended up being the achilles heel. As it turned out the milk production standards weren’t really up to the recipe we wanted to make.  After months of cheese we didn’t want to sell, I was made redundant. I don’t want to be bitter but I feel there were some bad commercial decisions made by my business partner who was meant to be in charge of sales.  She charged ahead with full scale production when the cheese wasn’t good enough to sell at full price and she also gave away vast amounts of cheese which could have been sold for at least a price that covered costs.  All of this lead to a financial crisis and that was it - I was gone.

Before that happened, I had what had was a life changing holiday around the world which happened just as the cheesemaking dairy was opening and needing to go into production - it was 6 months over schedule. It was a revelation though.  I flew to countries I had never visited and had to negotiate them by myself.  I had a couple of days in Dubai, flew through Singapore (never left the airport to be fair so it doesn’t really count), flew on to Australia and from there to New Zealand after a very brief overnight stay in a hotel near the airport and from there after driving solo around South Island to Sydney, the Cook Islands, Santa Monica, San Francisco and then home.  It took 6 weeks and it really made me feel confident; not least because after years of being invisible to any guys out there but I got attention in every place I touched down in - some rather more meaningful than others to be fair. In Dubai, I connected with our desert tour guide who was a worker from Pakistan living in the UAE (not Dubai it’s far too expensive but the more restrictive Sharjah where women’s rights are quite seriously undermined).  He was an outsider but loved the desert and remembering the way the Namib desert had made me feel many years ago, so did I.  Our fellow travellers were good time tourists so there seemed a contrast between them enjoying the desert safari tourist activities and me just enjoying the culture of the country and the stillness of the desert.  i know that makes me sound extremely up myself but I can’t think of another way to describe it.  He asked me out on a date which never happened and in retrospect that was a good thing.  I would never have realised that things like holding hands with a potential romantic partner are forbidden in Dubai nor would I have realised that normal activities like kissing a first date can actually get you taken to prison.  After Dubai, I flew to New Zealand but happened to talk to my co passenger on the flight to Adelaide and have a very interesting conversation about colonialism and England’s position in Australia - not heavy - we joked about it - food for thought all the same which s the point of travel after all.  In New Zealand, I met up again with lovely friends I hadn’t seen for years and also met up with my sister and her boyfriend and my friend Cathi’s family who welcomed us as part of their big, lovely family too. It was an amazing time to feel so incredibly accepted and welcomed. And again I connected with someone, my friend’s older brother (also the only other single person there - I may have decided unlike me to flirt a bit with him as we were the only singletons there).  He was a lovely, funny, warm guy who as a chef was a great person to cook with and this was an area we had in common.  After the wedding ended and we moved on to normal life (him) and the rest of my holiday (me) we stayed facebook friends and he often is one of the first people to like my posts even to this day because he’s a genuinely great person. In Sydney, i went out to dinner with my uber glamorous friend Cristiana and because she’s open, chatty and lovely we ended up on a communal table in a restaurant when we went out for a meal and she got involved in conversation with a noisy group of guys sat to our left.  One of them was looking at me and when I went for a ‘comfort break’ he actually approached Cris to say I was lovely and ask who I was! From Sydney I flew to the Cook Islands where I met a lovely lady (not in thet way) who invited me to go swimming with her family after the kids got back from school and who took me down the road to my hostel to collect my swimming things on her motorbike.  My first time on a motorbike and frankly a bit terrifying.  I also get ogled which hadn’t happened in let’s say about 20 years in London.  In San Francisco, a waiter who I had quizzed about local cheeses and wines slipped me his telephone number on my bill.  I didn’t find it until I sorted my receipts back in the UK and hadn’t fancied him anyway so just as well but all helps the ego doesn’t it?  Especially when you’re over 40 at the time and have resigned yourself to no one finding you attractive anymore.

Anyway so that’s my trip and there was so much more too that I don’t have time to write about. The key thing is that I came back feeling much more empowered and confident.  I had travelled the world by myself and not only that but after years feeling invisible I had finally felt attractive again.  Boosted by this, I decided to take action, try internet dating again and this time I actually met someone.  I was a bit concerned about meeting him - he was openly into kink and sexual things I wasn’t experienced in but as well as that he was warm, made me laugh and I was interested.  I wasn’t openly attracted to him when we met.  There was certainly something there - we had been very open when messaging and honest and I fancied his personality but as usual on a first internet date, the nerves kicked in and it was difficult when we first said hello to feel anything much.  I knew that would happen though so when I couldn’t think of anything to say to him and he moved in for a reassuring hug, I decided to turn it into a chemistry test and effectively snogged his face off for about 90 minutes until our table reservation was ready.  That certainly broke the ice so conversation flowed more easily afterwards and I made moves to go back with him to his place after the meal where I could test the theory further.  I was relieved and rather pleased to find that the attraction wasn’t just based on text messages and being a gentleman he also drove me home and stayed in touch afterwards.  We met up a few times and eventually decided to get together.  I would never have had the courage to do this if I hadn’t had my empowering holiday and since we’re still together despite the odds 4 years later it was definitely a good move.  

However this was all very new when I was made redundant. He assured me he wouldn’t be going anywhere but it was too soon to move in together so I moved all my 3 bedroom house’s worth of belongings back to my parents’ house in Marple and looked for a job. I emailed anyone I could think of to explain I was looking for work and found somewhere in London that seemed a great match.  It was with a Spanish importer looking to improve their cheese maturation and whose owner I had worked with before  when setting up Borough Market in London.

Unfortunately although the interview went well, the owner wanted to work with me and my references thought it was a given, I failed their HR tests and I have to be honest it knocked my confidence extremely badly. I took another job that seemed exciting and had been a second choice due only to location - north Yorkshire, a long way away from the lovely new boyfriend.

I worked with them for 3 months before again, redundancy. This time, they great ideas they had had for expansion which I was a key part of, had to be put on hold because of a disastrous Christmas in which various storms flooded large parts of the north of England and cut into their sales. By this time, I had bought a house nearby and now had to find a new job and work out what to do with a house I had hoped to make a home.

Initially I had looked to resurrect the house which had at the time all the hallmarks of having been owned by an elderly couple who loved it and had also done nothing to it since probably the 1960s in a way i would live in.  The plans changed to make it something that could be sold or rented and without wishing to be dramatic, with that a little bit of me died at losing my home.

I didn’t wallow though, there was work to be done.  The house needed substantial work including rewiring, replastering, a new kitchen and new decorating and floors throughout.  By the time it was finished it was actually rather lovely.  I felt sad that i wasn’t going to live in the results of our work and sad that I wouldn’t be living in a beautiful part of the country. Actually I felt very sad not to be living in a house whose renovations I had initially begun with a view to making it my home. But again I had been looking around for another job although with a heavier heart this time.  Being knocked back 3 times will do that to you. This time I had a message from a friend who makes cheese in Suffolk and her cheeses are extremely well regarded so helping her albeit on a basis that wouldn’t be full-time seemed like a great idea.  We tried it out and she reckoned I could work 2-3 days a week although with some big changes to the recipe as she was currently making cheese at midnight and cat napping to accomodate the make schedule.

So I moved to Bungay in Suffolk.  It was different - flat lands where I am used to seeing hills, but it had an artistic, musical community and I  started to look at property prices again wondering about living there if the job worked out.

I had been there a month when Brexit happened.

My constituency was a big Brexit voting area.  I saw people in my local co op looking afraid when their children spoke polis to them.  I began to feel much less welcome myself.  It seemed there was a big difference between the artistic fringe in the area and the locals who resented anyone who moved in whether they were Polish or just from Marple.  I stopped feeling welcome.  I actually felt observed, scrutinised and as though I didn’t belong.  iI felt like Roystn Veasey.  ‘You’re not local are you?’

The vote itself upset me more than I realised it could.  I spent months watching the 2012 Olympics ceremony which was a celebration of multicultural Britain and crying my eyes out as racist hate crimes increased across the country and in he wake of right wing extremists killing the pro-Muslim MP Jo Cox.  During the football in the Europe that preceded the vote as violance and yobbishness hit 1908s levels among chants of ‘We’re leaving the EU and we don’t care’, I could see what the results of the vote were going to be.  An MP was murdered and my worst fears were confirmed.  And yet 52% of the country still cast their votes with a racist ideology and Nigel Fargae’s openly racist campaigning.  If I had been concerned about EU corruption and taking back control, his anti muslim poster and the rise of race crime before the referendum empowering racists to openly abuse people in public in a way they had not felt able to for over 30 years would have convinced me this vote was not going the way I hoped and I would have changed my mind.  I respect anyone who did this and I can not forgive anyone who didn’t.

[gullivertrips]

A Complete Guide to Planning a Perfect Tour in Da Nang

Da Nang is a beautiful coastal city in central Vietnam and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The city is known for its stunning beaches, which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. Da Nang is also home to many historical landmarks and museums, making it a great place to learn about Vietnam’s rich history and culture. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, be sure to add Da Nang to your itinerary. In this blog post, we’ll give you an introduction to the city and some of the best things to see and do while you’re there. When to Visit The best time to visit Da Nang is between the months of November and April. This is when the weather is at its driest and most pleasant. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, however, you may want to visit during the shoulder season of May to October. Keep in mind that the rainy season can bring heavy downpours, so you’ll want to pack your rain gear if you’re visiting during this time. Getting Around The best way to get around Da Nang is by bicycle or motorbike. You can rent a bicycle from your hotel or guesthouse, or you can purchase one from a local shop. If you’re not comfortable riding a bicycle, you can also take a motorbike taxi. This is a great option if you’re only staying in the city for a short time and don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a bicycle or motorbike. Things to Do There are plenty of things to see and do in Da Nang. Here are some of the top activities to add to your itinerary: Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture: This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Cham people, who once inhabited the region. The museum houses a collection of over 300 Cham artifacts, including sculptures, pottery, and jewelry. Explore the Marble Mountains: The Marble Mountains are a group of five limestone and marble mountains that offer stunning views of the city and coastline. You can hike to the top of the mountains or take a cable car. Relax on the Beach: Da Nang is home to some of the best beaches in Vietnam. My Khe Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the city and is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. go on a food tour: Da Nang is known for its delicious food, so be sure to go on a food tour to sample some of the best dishes the city has to offer. These are just a few of the many things to see and do in Da Nang. For more ideas, be sure to check out our blog post on the top things to do in the city. Where to Stay There are a variety of accommodation options in Da Nang to suit all budgets. If you’re looking for a cheap place to stay, you can find guesthouses and hostels for as little as $10 per night. For a more comfortable stay, you can find hotels and resorts starting at around $50 per night. If you’re planning a trip to Da Nang, be sure to check out our blog post on the best places to stay in the city. How to Get There Da Nang International Airport is the city’s main airport and is located just 3 kilometers from the city center. The airport has flights to major cities in Vietnam as well as to international destinations such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. You can also get to Da Nang by bus or train from other cities in Vietnam. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City, for example, takes around 12 hours by bus or 24 hours by train. Da Nang is a beautiful coastal city in central Vietnam and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The city is known for its stunning beaches, which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. Da Nang is also home to many historical landmarks and museums, making it a great place to learn about Vietnam’s rich history and culture. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, be sure to add Da Nang to your itinerary. In this blog post, we’ve given you an introduction to the city and some of the best things to see and do while you’re there. Read the full article

[whattheabcxyz]

2022-07-12

Politics

Support Ukraine in a variety of ways

Health

Unclear why some NSCLC patients respond poorly to COVID-19 vaccination

Shopping

Young couple “uncontactable” after failing to deliver luxury goods worth $32m - 200 customers left in the lurch

Art

Singapore arts pioneer Tan Boon Hui's death “a tremendous blow” to Asian art

People

^ Taiwanese singer Miu Chu dies of breast cancer aged 40

Singapore

SAF regular who filmed some 28 upskirt videos of at least 13 schoolgirls gets 20 weeks' jail

Suspected wheel theft on Singapore-registered car in JB shocks netizens

Affordable freehold landed living with protected views in Bukit Batok

Religious organisations hope to pay less for leasehold land as government reviews tender policies

NTU students auction off hostel rooms, even as foreign students struggle to find lodgings... while NTU says those renting out hall rooms are breaching code of conduct & could be evicted/expelled

HDB to retain at least 2 hectares of Pang Sua Woodland, which will be developed for housing

Crowds throng malls & parks on public holiday despite COVID-19 wave - everyone’s probably been infected & is immune by now

1.5m Singaporeans to receive up to $700 in GST vouchers next month

Travel

Desaru has apparently had a facelift

Scoot flight headed to Singapore turns back to Perth for emergency landing over technical fault

Business

McDonald's Russian successor hit by sanction shortages amid Ukraine war

How a computer science graduate became a jewellery entrepreneur

Entertainment

梁静茹’s song “可惜不是你” made into a parody poking fun at Xi Jinping following Abe’s death - you can still view the video on Youtube here!!!

Transport

Singapore: 7 bus interchanges to be upgraded with family-friendly facilities & more comfortable waiting areas

[novenahall]

Student Hostels in Singapore

International Students hostels are undoubtedly the best place to meet new people from all around the world and make new friends. Furthermore, if you study alone, this is an excellent opportunity to locate a study companion or group with whom you can discuss your lessons or plan out trips to explore the city, for example. Staying in hostels may help you make friends from all over the world and get help with your classes. Another advantage of living in a hostel is improving on cultural awareness, making connections, and learning about other cultures and areas of life through your pals might open up new doors of opportunity for you.

Student Hostels in Singapore are purposefully designed to house students. In other words, student hostels are meant to reduce home duties and errands by providing basic facilities such as laundry service, regular housekeeping, a kitchenette, and complimentary Wi-Fi. You also get the advantage of eating homemade food as often as possible. In renting a place, such luxuries are typically not included in the monthly rent or package. In addition, hostel fees include essential public utilities such as electricity and water use, which are included in your monthly rent. Whereas leased rooms or apartments where the utilities mentioned above are not included in the rent.

Know more about Student Hostel Service in Singapore or call us + 65-97720291 or visit our website https://www.novenahall.com.sg/

[teenguyen92]

Men that I have had sex with

so this is the list...

- Trương Gia Hào: April 2021. I had oral sex with him but after that, he didn't seem interested in having sex with me again even though I want to. It's weird because he still agreed to meet me for a lunch or a drink.

- Cao Phúc Vinh, March 2021. We had oral sex only at his home. This douche didn't have the courtesy to reply my messages several times. He still watches my story recently, probably still wants to fuck me.

- Vũ Trần, March 2021. I asked him to go swimming with me and had no intention at the beginning. But then I got a bit horny looking at his biceps and he gave me a blowjob in the shower, I also sucked his dick but only for a short while.

- Trần Phạm Đăng Huy: 2021, third boyfriend who is 2 years younger than me.

- Lý Minh Quân: 12/2020, second boyfriend, lasted for 3 weeks. He said he was born in 1996 but his ID card said he was born in 1993.

- Patrick Wong Mui: 10/2020, a French-Hongkong guy living in HCMC. We actually slept together once in 2019 but did not have intercourse until 2020.

- Huỳnh Văn Lâm: 2020. We met on Tinder and he just wanted to fuck me instead of having any serious relationship.

- Pat, December 2019. He was a Thai-Chinese man I met in a sauna in Bangkok. We had sex there and then he took me out to eat. On the following day, he rented a hotel room near to the hostel I stayed and asked me to come over, so we had sex the second and third time there. I have no pic of him and don't really remember his face now lol. He was just okay looking.

- Jõññy SurferTea: 4/2019, a British living in Cambodia. We met at de.soi sauna in HCMC. His dick was too big so we did not penetrate.

- Danny Huynh (or Tam Huynh), December 11, 2018. I think we met on Tinder. We had sex once and he didnt use a condom. He cummed on my face eventually. Funny thing is one year later, he already forgot about the sex we had and asked me to hook up again but I haven't done it.

- Charlie Hathaway: 12/2018, British boy from London, 1 year younger than me

- Manuel G Dehesa, a Mexican living in HCMC, maybe somewhere in 2018. He gave me the greatest rimming ever. He did not penetrate me though.

- Ganja Wachdini: 9/2018, an Indonesian, we had sex once at a cruise club in Singapore. It was so dark that I had no idea what he looked like.

- Duy Nguyễn: I think the first time we had sex was around 2017, since then we had sex occasionally, like once every several months. He had a nice body. We had some good sex though his dick was small and he was pretty short for my taste. However, he was pretty cheap and would not pay for the hotel rent so I blocked him and he blocked me.

- Phùng Xuân Trung: 2015, he was a friend of Minh's. After the break up with Minh, I went to the hotels with Trung twice but we did not penetrate as I wasn't feeling it. However, he turned out to be an asshole and told other people about how he got to sleep with his friend's boyfriend (even though I broke up with Minh when we hooked up).

- Nguyễn Đình Minh: 2014, first serious boyfriend, lasted for 6 months

- First guy ever whose name and face I forgot. I think it was 2014. He took my virginity and dumped me. He even asked me to join a threesome afterward. What an asshole! Wait, I just searched for old messages on messenger and found the messages between him and me again. His name is Le Anh Tuan, which is also his facebook. And the night when I lost my virginity was October 13, 2014.

[bunvoyagesarah]

Singapore

Not a ‘laksa’ to do in Singapore, but eat.  

Friday, March 13 I arrived to the Little Red Dot Hostel after an exciting bus ride! There were only about 10 people on the bus. We all had to get off at the border between Malaysia and Singapore. I was following the only person in front of me after we got our exit stamps in Malaysia. She walks and walks, quite speedily all the way down this gangway following signs to Singapore.  I look back for our chartered bus, and next thing I know she’s turned in front of some other city buses and disappeared.  I finally see our bus and walk back towards it, but she is not on it.  We wait about 15 minutes, and I can see the bus driver’s assistant recounting people and tell him it was the girl sitting in front of me that’s missing.   We all have to grab our bags out from under the bus and they remove her bag and then we put ours back on.  We then drive about five minutes into Singapore and go through immigration there, having to take our bags out again to have them scanned by immigration. We proceed to get back on the bus and there’s the girl! She magically appeared and is talking to the bus driver as her bag wasn’t there. She’s on her own with figuring out how to get her bag out of Malaysia and get herself back to Singapore. The rest of us were sure she knew what she was doing, and figure she was smuggling something into Singapore.  

I take the metro into Chinatown.  A lot of things are closed due to Coronavirus, but I find an amazing noodle shop.  I think they were the best homemade noodles and dumplings I’ve had. Then I walk to the Gardens by the Bay, the typical picturesque Singapore with light up tree structures. I sit down along a bench and within two minutes, an announcement comes on saying to maintain social distancing as the light show is about to begin.  I didn’t even know there would be a light show, so I’m pleasantly surprised and lay back to watch the treetops change colors. I could have sat there all night, but walk further into the Gardens by the Bay but due to it now being almost 9:30pm most of the park has closed.  I walk back a different way through the gardens and find these amazing floating “egg” globes on the river, which are doing another light show.  I climb up some staircase and get a magnificent view of Marina Sands Hotel, another picturesque view. By this time, I head back on the metro to my hostel hoping it’s a little livelier than before, but unfortunately there aren’t many travelers there.   Saturday, March 14 Maurice picks me up from my hostel at 9am. He told me to be hungry as we’d be eating a lot. He and his wife, Doris, and eldest daughter Jowyn and I drive back to a hawker village where we get some you tiao, Chinese egg tarts (both carmelized tops and not), and fish balls. The first two I had made for every brunch service at Duck Duck Goat back in 2017, but were much more delicious made by a professional that only sold that one item. Doris and Maurice explained to me lots about Singaporean culture, and how the hawker stations are rented out, often with the owner having a station that only sells drinks (a high profit margin, and easy station to run in my opinion!).  We then walked through the market area and Doris pointed out all the vendors she comes to with her mother. They were going to be moving in the next couple months and then they would be walking distance to this market.  Also, I was sweating a lot this entire time, which Doris then gave me a little portable fan that she kept in her purse (supermom!). Meanwhile, Jowyn just zipped up her fleece jacket.  

After breakfast, we drove to look at their new apartment in the public housing apartment building.  They currently live in private housing apartment building, which has a lot of amenities, like a nice pool in the front of the building and a garden area out their back door. But they were able to buy two public apartments for the price of one private.  They were in the process of renovating the two apartments by knocking down the wall between them to create one large apartment. The apartment was just getting its first coat of paint when I was there, but should be ready for them to move-in, in the next month or so.  

Then we picked up their youngest son from his Chinese lessons and headed back to the apartment where they live now with Doris’s mother and their domestic helper, who had just left for the Philippines for a family emergency the day before. We hung out while the kids swam and watched/recorded a lot of Tiktok videos, and thus began my first ever time seeing Tiktok.

After hanging for a bit, we got Chicken Rice, famous in Singapore and a special request by me, but also a favorite of the kids. We had two huge platers of chicken, including a small plate with some of the innards. The chicken was delicious. I followed what the kids did and ate it with some duck sauce.  We devoured most of it and they took a small portion of the remains.  

Once lunch was over, the Teos drove me back to my hostel with two of the three kids asleep in the back and Phoebe sitting on the floor of the van watching more Tiktok.  Overall, I found the day with them super fun and informative.  I definitely wouldn’t have learned so much about Singapore without them telling me all this cool stuff!

In the evening, I went to the Changi Airport to check out the Jewel, the largest indoor waterfall in the world.  It was indeed massive.  Just sitting there people watching and checking out some of the restaurants in their food hall was enough to keep me busy for an hour or so.

After going back to the hostel, I met another girl in my room, Chloe and we talked for ages about Coronavirus, which all anyone could talk about it. With the virus affecting so many things it was difficult to avoid, but also annoying to continually be on the same topic that was continuously changing.  

I got some famous Singaporean laksa from a restaurant close to my hostel for dinner.  It was much spicier than the laksa I had in Bratislava with Ganesh last July! Sunday, March 15 In the morning, I wanted to go hiking up at the MacRitchie Reservoir.  I found a place to rent a kayak at the bottom of the reservoir.  They do a lot of races there, so that section of the water was off-limits, but I did go as far into the reservoir as I could and then back around the coastline in about 45 minutes.  I was completely soaked as it was just a little kayak that let water up through the bottom.  

Then I walked further into the reservoir for a total of 11km through the Treetops MacRitchie Walk. My choice of flip-flops is not recommended to others. But I thought it would be mostly gravel.  The flip-flops were great for the kayaking portion of the day, not so much for the walking on a rocky path.   After finishing the walk, I was super hungry and found some duck rice from a hawker. I could definitely get used to Singaporean food- duck rice, chicken rice, etc. 

In the evening, I went to this massive shopping center called Mustafa Centre in the Indian district of Singapore.  Anthony Bourdain came here when he filmed an episode of one of his shows. He mentioned doing a scavenger hunt in this building because you could find anything.  After wandering the aisles for 30-40 minutes, I bought the only thing I really needed, which was some sunscreen.  But I do feel like you could have found anything you were looking for here.  It was at least five floors, and felt a bit like a maze with things organized by department.  But Bluetooth headphones? They had at least 15 brands of them. Sunscreen? Every brand name imaginable. Shoes? They have those too. Board games? Are you looking for the classic or rendition version? 

Monday, March 16 I was planning to leave today but had trouble buying my bus ticket online, so went to the office to get what they said was the last seat on the 2pm bus.  From there, I walked to Mount Faber, the tallest point in Singapore at 106 meters. Mount Faber was quite the difference from the 833meter peak in Penang, George Town, Malaysia that I had just done a week before.  Someone had said at the top there was a very cool walkway called the Henderson Waves. It was a nice activity for the morning, but I wouldn’t have gone out of my way again just to see this walkway.  

After the walk, I went back to my hostel via the metro. I had a slight issue as I only needed one Singaporean dollar to get back on the metro, but the machine wouldn’t take cards and I had no money left. After fighting asking the guy in the information booth, I figured out I could use Samsung Pay to tap in and out of the turnstile.  

I then walked back to the bus terminal and headed back to Kuala Lumpur.