#and someone was like??? it was a 7 hr ferry one way???

[tweedfrog]

Babe wakeup they're on Tiktok accusing Degas (ballerina painter) of being Jack the Ripper

[theaspiringwanderess]

The West Coast Trail; A Vancouver Island Adventure Of A Lifetime

Packing: Food/Clothes/Essentials | Booking: Reservations/Transport | Research | Facts | My Story | Start | Days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Chez Moniques | Nitinaht Crab Shack

The West Coast Trail is one of the most, if not the most, iconic Canadian west coast adventure a hiker could ask for. It is a 75km test of both physical and mental endurance in one of the most stunning environmental settings you have ever seen. Not everyone that sets out for this great journey completes it, but those that do have a tale to tell for a lifetime and a forever bond with those they meet along the way.

Having completed this epic trail twice now, my approach is to blend a little bit of old and new into a (hopefully) wondrous tail that offers context, wisdom and insight to the journey, while describing the magical things you will experience and the challenges you will face. I’ve also prepared additional posts for your reading pleasure on Packing: Food/Clothes/Essentials and Booking: Reservations/Transport. So please, grab a hot cup of tea, throw on those comfy pjs and sit back and enjoy the read. 

Handy References and Information Material

Every great hike starts with research, especially this one! If you haven't heard of it yet, look up the famed book Blisters and Bliss: A Trekker's Guide to the West Coast Trail by David Foster and Wayne Aitken. This awesomely 80′s comic styled guide adds a little light-hearted humour to a highly detailed account of the WCT which is revised roughly every couple years. It offers both trekking options (north to south AND south to north!) and gives you all the step by step nitty gritty deets in between including history, objects of interest, geological features and safety tips! I suggest taking it with you and read about the section ahead each night. Also, opt to keep it in a safe pack pocket, don’t put it in a plastic bag (I did this my first time and sadly lost my copy to the inescapable moisture and mold).

Check out the West Coast Trail Facebook Page! This page is not manned by Parks Canada. However, it is a great place to meet other hikers, find someone looking to ride share, ask questions and for advice, learn about recent developments and important information (washed out bridges, danger sections, wildlife sightings or concerns... even hear about annoyed hikers picking up others garbage...not kidding lol).

Oh! And there is also a Women’s West Coast Trail Page!

Parks Canada Website. Duh, right?! But you may not realize that Parks Canada has some handy info regarding what to pack (and what not to!), emergency items, wildlife warnings, necessary fees, maps, tide tables, tips and more to make your hike a happy one. Check out the Planning For WCT page here.

You'll also find online a plethora of websites, blogs and articles dedicated to WCT info, tips, advice, and more. I encourage you to read a few personal accounts to get a real life feel of what others experience. Here are some of my favourites (don’t let the names scare you!), plus a very cool and scholarly article from UofBC on the effects of colonial-style tourism in the area and on the local indigenous tribes written in 2020. Fascinating read.

Hike The WCT (website)

Walking the wild coast : territory, belonging, and tourism on the West Coast Trail (UofBC Open Collection)

Lost On The West Coast Trail

How Not To Die On The West Coast Trail

The Facts

The West Coast Trail is 75 km long. That's on the map and, best as I can figure, relatively "as the crow flies". It does not account for the extra steps, the ladders, the climbing, the crawling, the descending, etc, you get the picture. Both times I've gone my fitbit has read almost double or more the distance in 'real ground covered'. For example, when they say its 5km from the Gordon River Trail Head to Thrasher Cove, my fitbit in both cases recorded over 12 km when all was said and done. When they tell you it takes on average 5-6 hours to do that stretch, and you're only covering 1km or less an hour, this is why. You will chuckle in the orientation, as many have, and think, "ya, if you're a SNAIL!", but you will soon realize it’s about the terrain and that you're essentially doing double or more the physical effort to cross it. The same is true for nearly all the trail, even the "easy parts".

Safety First - the majority of accidents and injuries occur in the first 13 kms on the south side of the trail, from Gordon River at km 75, to Camper Bay at km 62. The trail accommodates just over 7500 people a year. Of that, Parks Canada evacuates roughly 80-100 injured persons annually and Nitinaht villagers have claimed to ferry out 100-200 additional hikers off the trail as well, due to injury, misery, etc. It won’t be a bear or cougar that takes you out, it’ll be the wilderness itself. A fall from a wet log or slimy stone is the most common culprit, and it may not even be the fall itself, but what you land on. Sharp rocks, jabbing sticks, etc all cause serious injury. And it always happens when you're TIRED. Don't push yourself. Take a break, have a snack, don't go farther in a day than your body can handle. Better to be a day late than waiting 24 hrs in the bush with no morphine and a broken leg for a boat ride that surely will be agonizing. Just sayin' here...

The WCT historically was maintained for shipwrecked mariners. Many have lost their lives along this trail. I don’t understand how it doesn’t have its own ghost story yet! It has an amazing history with lots of ship wreckage to see along the way if you time the tides right.

Lastly, the temperate rainforest that engulfs the WCT is not only stunning but globally very rare, encompassing less than 1% of ecosystems across the earth. Here you will see plants, trees and animals that may not exist anywhere else on our planet. The Sitka Spruce for example is among not only the tallest trees in the world, but also the oldest, some 700-1000 years old. This means they have seen North America as it was before European Settlers touched it. They are revered by many and highly sought after by loggers, which often leads to conflicts. Many extremely unique animals also reside in the WCT, like the islands' black bears which are actually larger than mainland black bears with massive skulls and only one unique colour phase. The island is also home to cougars, Victoria's famous mini-deer and sea-wolves, the only wolves in the world that have adapted to life on a coastline, they call the Pacific Coast home. With a completely unique diet of seafood they are genetically different from mainland wolves and have also been known to swim in the ocean for many kilometers.

My West Coast Trail Story

Now, before we begin, I'll preface this by saying, don't mistake me for a pro; I am simply someone who has made it off the WCT twice [relatively] safely and lived to share my tale. If you are looking for expert advice I'd say check out the Parks Canada website or the Blisters and Bliss book. But if you are looking for a heartwarming and informative, real life account of the experience, you've come to a great place.

I am now amongst a lucky few that have had the enormous privilege to have hiked the West Coast Trail not only once, but twice in my lifetime thus far. I say thus far because this trail has such a special place in my heart I expect at some point I will likely attempt it again. It changed my life and has had an everlasting impact on the lives of those around me. I learned a lot about myself and even more about those closest to me. What I am capable of, the importance of preparation and planning, the bonds you create with people you meet along the way and the love of those that support you going and take care of things while you're gone. I simply couldn’t have done this without the support of my amazing husband, friends, parents and sister and my wonderful sister in law whom we stayed with this time. But most importantly I missed the encouragement and support of my mother-in-law who lived on the island and sadly has passed since my first trip. She and her friends played such an instrumental role in my first journey with my sister, buying us foods, housing us, driving us, and just overall being so excited to see us off, I truly missed her this time but I know she was there with me in spirit.

In this way the West Coast Trail is a life-shaping experience like no other. You will learn much about yourself, be in awe and hopefully inspired by the incredible natural world around you and you will meet fellow Canadians and global trotters and, in turn, become a part of their WCT story. Let me be amongst the first to congratulate you on this epic endeavor and wish you the happiest, and safest, of journeys and hopefully I can send you off a bit more well prepared for the adventure.

First Timers VS Second Timers

My experience as a first time WCT hiker was extremely different from my second expedition in every way possible.

The first time I hiked the WCT I went with my youngest sister Jenna. We had both hiked and camped before but this was a new experience and everything was raw, a bit scary, amazing and beautiful all at once. I think it just hit us both like a ton of bricks when we landed at the base of that first ladder across the Gordon River. Although Sharon had talked to me for months, mentally preparing me for the hike, when Jenna and I both looked up at the rest of our start group scaling that first beast, looming up from the small beach landing, I know we both had the exact same thought, like, "oh shit, this is for real...".

Why the WCT? Sharon, my good friend and co-worker, had previously attempted it before turning me onto it. Due to an unfortunate incident with her hiking companion, they had to turn in the towel. She has since rocked it twice more and was an absolute wealth of information, support and the wisdom that only an experienced female hiker, mom and athlete can be. Much of what I am sharing with you today began with her. She continues to inspire me every day with her ferocity and determination and boundless want for adventure.

At the time of my first hike in 2016, my mother-in-law lived on Vancouver Island and she and her best friend Jill had kindly arranged for us to stay at another friend's cottage just outside Port Alberni. The friend and her husband fed us well and the beauty of the setting was unimaginable. But the anticipation of what lay ahead weighed heavily on both Jenna and I and neither of us barely slept a wink. The next morning we had our last hot shower and flush toilet experience for the next 7 days and the 4 of us set out for the Gordon River Trail Head.

We piled into Jill’s car the following morning. The ride was long, on gravel switch back logging roads, but the supportive company made the nervous anticipation bearable. I feel like I did not appreciate the ride as much as I should have at the time, but a few 5 am bus rides (and much experience) later, I certainly cherish the thought my mother-in-law and Jill had put into making the beginning special for us both.

Since then, I've booked my island hike transports with the West Coast Trail Express bus. The folks there are super helpful and the experience has always been a good one. In 2018, a WCT facebook group was created which has made connecting with others looking for ride shares and doing the trail much easier AND more informative! You can read about this page and other research options at the top of this post if you missed them ;)

When 2016 saw Jenna and I land at Gordon River's Information Station, I was greeted with an amazing surprise... Sharon and Jackie (another friend) had pre-purchased for me a WCT t-shirt. I cried, there were no words. When 2021 saw Krista and I land at Gordon River's Information Station, I was greeted with a sense of the familiarity of the adventure and vicariously enjoyed the wonder of someone else now experiencing the trail for the first time... READY?!.. and INHALE... can you smell it..? the Adventure?! It's like greeting an old friend again, for the first time.

It's Like Those Choose Your Own Adventure Books, Where You Pick Your Ending...

Remember those..? Maybe..? When Starting the WCT, you can plan to start at either entry point, Gordon River to the south or Pacheena Bay to the north, or now even halfway at Nitinaht. There are advantages to all, so it just depends what is most appealing to you. Most people do the trail within a 6-8 day time frame. This gives a good balance of time vs pack weight. I always try to plan for an extra emergency day, just in case. Things happen here... Long stays requires more provisions and a heavier pack. Shorter stays (in my personal opinion) are extremely challenging, unless you have done the trail before, are very skilled in lightweight packing and are an expert hiker. I still wouldn't recommend it. Plus, if you're going that fast, you're rushing by so much, what's the point? If you've paid and taken the time to be here, enjoy it! That being said, when Jenna and I did the trail we were treated to watching marathoner and athlete Jen Segger run it in one day. ONE DAY. She currently holds the women's record for WCT completion at 13 hrs 44mins (as posted here on her page under 2016). Of course she had no pack and support runners with her and a camera crew. But as she ran by us I think both our jaws dropped. It was like watching Super Woman run by you and you were just lucky if her sweat spayed you as she passed by. 

When you start out, keep in mind your pack is at it's heaviest. Starting at Pacheena Bay entry point means you'll be hiking the easiest parts of the trail first. You'll make excellent time here and cover the most distance over the shortest number of days. Although all areas of the trail offer exquisite and unique beauty, in my opinion the north end is the most magical. Maybe because by the time I reach it Im half delirious and most certainly exhausted so the easier hike is a much welcome break. Both times I've hiked the WCT I have opted to start at the southern trail head point known as Gordon River.

Starting at Gordon River means that you get through the most difficult terrain right at the beginning, when you're freshest, well rested and eager to set out. You also have the added benefit of anticipating the terrain getting easier (rather than harder). To me, this is the most logical approach and why I prefer this route and honestly, there is just something that seems slightly disillusioning about expecting something to get harder along the way. When Jenna and I first made it up that initial ladder we came across several groups finishing their hike. One in particular stuck out, a group of three female friends. We passed the first two who were happy and chatting and weirdly gave us a (mild) warning to disregard their companion, who was somewhere behind them. Ok... sure, we thought. Then along came the third girl... muttering, swearing under her breath, we contemplated what she might do to her companions if she caught up to them and we joked about how that likely was the end of that friendship. 2016 was a much busier year, pre-covid and all, and we met so many more people, Canadians, Germans, Chinese and Auzzies! 

2021 though is the year of the Canadians! If you happen to head out on the WCT this year, although you will still experience a wide range of people (Canada is an extraordinarily diverse nation!), rest assured most currently reside within Canada. Hello Homies! It was, however, a much more muted WCT experience than my past one. Although the Parks staff assured me they have had lots of people come through (I asked!), and the online bookings are sold out, it seemed so much quieter day to day. At the time Krista and I arrived, Parks staff were still only doing outdoor basic debriefing, prior to which we were expected to watch an online information video covering the basics. This was in stark contrast to the very in depth orientation Jenna and I had to attend back in 2016. 

Fellow Canadians, Tsk Tsk...

The biggest difference I noticed that could be as a result of the minimized debrief is the amount of garbage. There is NO garbage removal on the trail. Parks staff DO NOT haul garbage out (its a remote wilderness, do you really expect garbage men??). The WCT is accessible by foot (as in, you hike in... for 75 km) OR by boat, the latter being weather and safety dependant in extreme occasions (ie emergency evacuation). At each campsite we stayed, hikers THIS year (the trail was closed 2020) have left copious amounts of garbage. It’s in the bear bins, on the trail, the beach, in the outhouses... it’s EVERYWHERE. The worst by far was Camper Bay with stinking tuna cans and bags in every bear bin and Cribbs Creek, where the garbage pile extended to a massive bottle collection BEHIND the bear bin.

Why do sites have bear bins in the first place? Because human food and waste smells amazing to BEARS! So we lock it away to keep it, and us, safe. This does not mean a bear can’t smell it, it just means they can’t access it. Now, what happens when food rots and gets stinkier...? Of course it's more enticing. This draws bears, and other animals, to the campsite, which puts your safety, and the safety of each camper, at risk. I have to give Krista major kuudos here because that girl dug in deep, cleaned someone else's mess at each site we stopped at and even hauled out other people's stinky gross trash. Please give her a round of applause for thinking about you because she deserves it. And as Canadians, seriously, we can do better right??

Da' Debrief

Apologies, now that’s out, let's get on. During our debrief we learned some important key points.

2021 has seen unprecedented amounts of animal sightings and encounters. Primarily bear and cougar. There has also been more daytime sightings of wolves, which is considered extremely rare. With the trail closed in 2020, lack of human presence has caused a larger wildlife presence. Be aware, practice safety, travel in groups. Groups are also being asked to accommodate single hikers to reduce risk.

There is a lot of maintenance to be done that wasn't able to be accomplished in 2020 due to the pandemic. Be prepared for washed out boardwalks, bridges and rotten boards. There is also fewer Parks staff to help with this upkeep. Luckily, local members of indigenous tribes, called the Trail Guardians, historically help in a huge way with this and you may even run into them on the trail! We saw their team arrive in their new boat leaving Walbran and at Pacheena we spoke to a Parks staff who's uncle is on the team. It's a small world here.

Following the debrief, the Parks staff escort you to the Gordon River ferry. The fellow here takes you across and plops you down on the small sandy beach, gathers up any hikers waiting for a ride back and heads off on his way. And there you are, left to stare at a huge ladder, really, the first of many.

up, Up, UP You Go!

In 2016 Jenna and I patiently waited at the end of the line to be the last two up the ladder and I tackled the climb with my 50lb pack in tow (phew!). In 2021 Krista and I were the only two standing on the beach, me revelling in my 'barely there' 38lb pack. The trail was our oyster!

The trek from Gordon River to Thrasher Cove is the most challenging and physically demanding on the trail. We left on the 11:30 ferry and finally walked into Thrashers Cove at 5pm - Yes, it DOES take that long. You actually don't see many ladders, a few here and there, but best believe you are still climbing! You scramble up rock faces, you squeeze past trees, you choose your footing extremely carefully and all the while up, up, UP you GO! Even over rocks and hard ground the trail is fairly well worn and easy to follow... most of the time. A short while in you come to the first bridge over the first creek. I have stopped here both times to fill up water bottles, but beware, the scramble back up is more difficult than it looks this year due to the fallen trees. Mountain Goat level scuttling expertise is advised! Much further along, not far from Thrashers, you'll eventually comes across the famed Donkey Engine! This year you will find it to be directly in your path, where as in 2016 I’m quite sure we looked down on it somehow from a higher elevation. Either way, it’s epic and makes for an amazing photo op! To think that thing was hauled by beast and hand up that hill still blows my mind.

Along the way we met a very nice gentleman named Wilson who had intended to hike the WCT with his son. Unfortunately, due to a graduation re-scheduling mishap his son was unable to come, but Wilson decided to soldier on. He was incredibly happy, thoughtful and polite and asked if we minded if he tagged along as we hiked. He regaled us with tails of his trails, immigration to Canada, his wife and family and much more; he was a fascinating fellow! With the wildlife warnings this year, Parks staff request that no one hike alone, if you can, allow a solo hiker to tag along so everyone can stay safe. We graciously obliged and enjoyed his company and great conversation for a couple more days until we parted ways at Nitinaht comfort camping.

Thrasher's Cove is an amazing, but small, campsite. I recall vividly in 2016 the trail down to the beach being extremely treacherous, with steep and slippery embankments and so many ladders! By comparison our 2021 descent seemed like a cake-walk. Here I was, boasting to Krista the challenge that lay before her, but when we got there it was literally a quick hop and skip down. She found anything I said after that to be hard to believe and was convinced I was totally embellishing. It really made me realize how MUCH the trail changes and what dynamic metamorphosis must have occurred in 6 years! I also realized how hard Trail Guardians and Parks staff must work to maintain all this constantly worn out infrastructure. It must a BEAST. Be warned, if you arrive to Thrashers too late in the day it will be tough finding a spot. If this happens to you, check out the south side of the beach, sometimes there's a bit more space there. Ironically, I have set up my tent in the exact same spot both times, right in front of the tiny triangle cave around the rock wall on the south side of the beach. I have claimed this spot now.

Knock, Knock, It's The Ocean!

This is also where knowing how to read your tide tables is extremely important. While camping on the beach you must pitch your tent above the high tide line. The high tide line is where you can see the sand was last wet on the beach. It's not where the water is when you arrive. Look for the wet point on the sand and keep your tent a few good feet above that. When Jenna and I first arrived at Thrashers, I was confident in my tide table reading skills; being from Alberta, I took the time to learn how to read them in advance. But, during the orientation the Park staff had warned our group that our first night was due to be the highest high tide of the year - intimidating to a couple prairie girls! And, which is also a thing if you read up on the moon cycle! (Actually there is a lot of news this year on the effects of the moon's impending orbital wobble on tides, its a fascinating read if you're interested!). So, naturally a bit cautious and overly leery of the horror stories of campers waking up to soaked tents in the middle of the night, my poor sister was worried sick. Exhausted but too afraid to sleep, I promised her I'd stay up till high tide to make sure we were safe. She soon passed out and I settled in reading my book. But the surf was loud and near, a thundering, crashing rukus with each wave and about 2 hours in my sister jolted straight up in her sleeping bag, scaring the ba-geezus outta me crying out 'IS IT HERE?! IS THE OCEAN HERE YET?! ", big-eyed I just stared, then broke out laughing; I settled her back down, reassured her we were safe, now passed the time of concern, and wiggled down into my own sack to drift off. It's still an inside joke to this day and once in a while we chuckle to each other about the time the ocean came knocking.

2021 brought me its own surprise when at 4am I awoke to an unusual scratching noise against our tent next to my head. We had wrapped our rain covers around our [empty] backpacks and snugged them up against the tent to stay dry and save space. Apparently the local otter family found them fascinating and decided to check them out on their morning stroll. An alarm clock certainly fit for the WCT. 

It's A Beach Walk, Not A Cake Walk

Leaving Thrasher's Cove you have two options! You can take the beach route if you time the tides carefully OR you can take the inland route. In 2016 Jenna and I sojourned the inland route. Although the inland hike was pretty, if I'd found the trek down to Thrashers tough, the trek back up would've been classed insane. Sharon’s favourite saying is, what goes down must go up. In 2021 Krista and I timed the tide, leaving at 7:30am, to take the beach route. Although we'd planned to avoid what turned out to not be a bad climb, I'd really wanted to see the famous sea caves! The sea caves themselves were nothing short of AMAZING. There is just no other word. I was so in awe that in my mind they seem to take up almost 3 days of our trip, not just half an hour on the second day.

Although we'd planned to aim for Cullite Creek Campground day 2, we hit a major snag. As we traipsed along, well after the sea caves, we came to a rocky sea shelf that rose high out of the water. As you look up, you might catch a glimpse of some buoys, which commonly mark the beach access to the trail and campgrounds. Thinking this was our access back onto the trail, as you must go inland from here to Campers, we headed up along the higher shelf. We passed an unusual 'Danger' sign. We looked around, but could not identify anything that seemed out of the ordinary for where we were. We kept on. We came to a similar sign on the rock, but again, failed to see what was obviously dangerous. Wasps? Bear den? Surge Channel? There was no fallen bridge, no down ladder. Everything seemed ok. We reached the buoys, and Krista lifted her leg to step over a small trickle of a water... That's when it happened.

Danger on the Trail...

Before she could even complete her step, both feet flew out from beneath her and her whole body, pack and all, smashed onto the rock shelf. She began rocketing like a she was on a pro waterslide down the embankment towards a 9 foot drop into the water pool below. I had the wherewithal to shout out 'grab a rock!', and in the 3 seconds that seemed like 3 hours, I had the presence of mind to ponder how I might explain this to her mother back at home and 4 year old son if things went sideways... but with a 38lb pack on myself and being a few feet behind, there was no way I could move fast enough to do anything but yell.

Luckily, mid-slide, she managed to grab a handhold just long enough to stop and get some footing. Crisis averted, but the damage was done. Wearing shorts, she was sporting some nasty road rash on her cheek and arm, but most of the damage was buffered by the hoodie she'd had tied around her waist. She was bruised, but she was lucky.

Feeling pretty roughed up, we opted to stay at Camper Bay instead and rolled in about 1pm where we washed and treated her ailing buttocks and gave her some much needed pain meds. Along came a few more groups and we felt a bit less sheepish learning 2 of them had also had the exact same experience. Pride slightly less wounded, we made some new friends for the chatter and laid back and chilled for the afternoon. On your parks provided trail map, you will see a small note in red pointing to BA 'B' (beach access B) that warns about a dangerous slope just past the surge channels after Owen Point. It's not kidding.

If you stay at Camper Bay, it's a lovely and large campsite with lots of room for everyone. However, it has a habit of getting very windy, like all the time, and the only time it's not is when the sun goes down. If you're early enough, grab one of the sheltered tent spots in the woods/taller grass along the creek side. It also has a rep for early morning rain and fog. Something about the geography here seems to create its own micro-environment. If you walk out along the beach at low tide and cross the creek to the north, you'll see some neat tidal pools and caves in the rock wall. In the one with the small pool of water you might see a single lonely fish with the pool all to himself. I hope one day the tide washes him in friend.

Reminiscing...

Ironically, day 2 in 2016 was also the day I had a mishap of my own. Tired and worn down, toddling  after Jenna across a log bridge the width of my car, I misstepped. My feet were somehow gone and in a second I found myself sitting on my ass, straddling the log instead of walking on it. I peered down into the 6 foot drop below. Completely in disbelief I suddenly realized Jenna was yelling at me "Are you OK?!" ... Yes! I was! I was ok. Nothing was broken, hurt or otherwise. But it was a wake up call. If you are tired, take a break, don't push on or try to keep up with someone faster. Only hike as fast as your slowest hiker and be patient. Take a breath and remember, the goal is no one dies out here... hopefully.

Gone Are The Days Of Legendary Mud And Tilting Ladders That Make You Poop ... Just A Little

The few days that followed are a bit of a blur. There's so much to see and so little blog space to include it all! We left Campers Bay on a foggy, rain mist morning at about 10am. Since we had to take the inland trail there was no worry about racing the tide on this stretch. We chatted with the couple we met the night before (Mat and Lauren from Calgary!). Everyone was a bit tired that morning.

Although we saw some mud, with a historic heat wave just prior to our trip in 2021, the legendary mud pits that the WCT has typically been known for were non-existent. In 2016 Jenna and I spent most of our inland trail time figuring out how to cross mud-holes, watching where each other stepped and trying not to fall in up to our armpits (I kid you not). This time, there was no mud and if you disagree with me, go again after it rains. I dare you.

This is also the section where we saw the most ladders, most notably through Cullite Creek, which was sadly such a trickle there was no need for the cable car, we just rock hopped across (with ease). We saw some really cool art done along the trail by the Guardians in the new bridge and log cuttings, some even signed their names! Have you tried making a curve with a chainsaw? I was impressed.

This section also has a neat and unique stretch of boardwalk that goes through a fragile wetland. Sections of the boardwalk were out, it looks easy, don't let it fool you!

A brand-spank'in new suspension bridge calls Logan Creek home! In 2016 Jenna and I had to climb a harrowing series of crazy, half-tilted ladders to get to the bridge. I recall my favourite as being the third ladder in a tower, that was so amazingly on a 10 degree angle sideways, and scaling it with my 50lb backpack. It was all I could do not to roll off and meet a perilous end at the bottom of the gully. Today the beautiful new bridge almost disappointed with the ease it took to cross it. NO more ladder climbing, you just walk up the stairs and off you go!

We arrived in Walbran Campsite at 5:30, the creek is perfect for swimming if it’s warm enough. Several groups had a run-in here with a couple breaking the fire ban policy. People on the WCT take this seriously, keep in mind if you start a forest fire here, there’s no where to go and it puts the homes of indigenous peoples at severe risk too. We all simmered, had a tasty meal, chatted with our travel companions, explored the beach a bit and turned in for the night, thoroughly exhausted.

We spent the next two days going from Walbran Campsite to Cribbs and then to Tsuisiat Falls. Due to a problematic and confrontational cougar in 2021 there is no camping permitted along the trail between kilometer 34 to 38. So, naturally, your last stop prior to Nitinaht Narrows is Cribbs Creek.

The Stretch from Walbran to Cribbs is basically all beach walk. The beach is lovely, but don’t let 'beach walk' fool you. It’s just as challenging to walk in sand as it is through forest... and you thought it was going to be easier, didn’t you?! It's like walking through snow without snowshoes and being 30lbs heavier...what a Canadian thought. But! Fear Not! along this stretch is also the famed Chez Moniques burger stop and the Carmanah Lighthouse! The lighthouses are closed to the public this year due to covid, but it’s still a sight to behold as it beams brightly through the fog.

The Legend That Is Chez Moniques

In 2016 Jenna and I made a critical, but common, food planning error. We packed meals based on what we felt was healthy and would give us energy, without accounting for taste. In other words, we packed a lot of dry lentil-based meals that tasted awful and took forever to cook and I couldn't have forced down my throat if you had paid me. I love beans, but dried lentils on the trail... yech! You can read more about our cautionary tale in my food section, and if you're uncertain about foods to pack, it’s worth the read!

So, sufficed to say, that year we had the absolute pleasure of experiencing Chez Moniques in it's prime. It was incredible. Here we were, in the middle of nowhere, exhausted, starving (I was anyway lol), and run off our feet. And out of nowhere arose this mirage of a tent with burgers, fancy meals, peach ciders and more! My god it was intense. We kicked off our boots, stuffed our faces, chatted with Monique, the legend herself, and I protectively cradled the best Okanagan Cider that had ever touched my lips while we waited for the tide to recede. It was magical.

Sadly, between 2017-2018 both Monique and her husband tragically passed away. It was a blow felt around the world by all those who had passed through their doors and experienced their generosity. There is a lovely documentary attributed to their memory here. Today, in 2021, following a devastating 2020 with no business, Monique & Peter's grand-daughter, Katrina Knighton is trying to carry on the dream though the restaurant will be renamed as Nytom. We heard lots of chatter and some hikers did actually see her in person, but unfortunately there are some struggles, including keeping up supply levels, which they are walking in for 1.5 hours (!). We missed them this year, as did many hikers, and I was so sad Krista would not experience it. But! They are rumoured to have services most often morning and around 5pm. Katrina is also very active on the WCT Facebook page, so feel free to drop her a line there for more info!

We arrived in Cribbs Creek at about 2:30pm. It was the end of our Day 4 and what a campsite it was. Lovely soft sand under your toes and beautiful beach. There is nothing here for swimming but we had the most amazing sunset view on the rock shelf that night. Although it didn't rain while we were on the trail, this was the first time we'd seen the sun since we left Victoria.

The Magical Beauty Of Nitinaht And  The Crab Shack Of Your Dreams

We left Cribbs Creek about 9am and stuck to mostly inland trail. Other hikers going the opposite way had warned it was very overgrown but we honestly had no problems with it; it was a little underused, but keep in mind they hadn't seen the south side yet. We made excellent time and arrived in Nitinaht Narrows at 1:09pm. The journey is absolutely stunning. There is a new bridge over the creek at Dare Beach and the forest walk is lovely. The bridge over the Cheewhat River offers great views also. You cannot take water from the river itself but after the bridge there is a freshwater stream marked by a wooden sign if you need it and soon you will come across an old Cabin. When you arrive here, turn around and see the new and amazing Ditidaht home across the river. It has changed a bit, likely with the drought, but in 2016 Jenna and I referred to this stretch as "the place that Disney films are based on". Ivy clung all the way up the trees and just as you wrapped your head around that, the trail winds it's way through a silent coniferous forest where you could almost hear a pin drop, followed by a magical wetland lake with flowering lilly pads the size of your head. But none of this compares to Nitinaht Narrows.

As you walk along the trail, just a few short minutes past the lake, the path will turn from boardwalk to dirt and as you round the bend you will suddenly walk, with no warning, right into Nitinaht! It has caught me by surprise each time. We strolled down the walkways to the dock, left our packs safely on the bench and made our way to the Crab Shack. The blue-green waters of Nitinaht Narrows is something to behold. When you peer over the side of the wharf you see schools of small fish so thick you could almost surely touch them. When I dream of paradise, I dream of here.

Nitinaht Narrows was only recently made an 'official' entry and exit point by Parks Canada in 2014, you can read more about it here. But prior to this, older community members witnessed the inception and rise of the WCT as we know it today and watched it grow. Ferrying hikers across the narrows has become a task handed down from generation to generation. Connected to the ocean, it has tides about 10 minutes apart and historically, many years ago, hikers did drown trying to swim across before getting swept out to sea, naively misjudging the calm-looking waters. About 3 kms past the narrows, the Ditidaht band offers comfort camping options to those looking to settle and day hike the trail or in need of a break from the grind. This is marked with a sign and you will see it on the trail. The crab shack itself has also recently built new cabins as well which start from roughly $100/night (houses 4 bodies and you use your own sleeping bag) and goes up to ($200 and $300) where bedding is provided. They also offer tent platforms for a modest $30/night fee.

The Nitinaht Crab Shack is owned and operated by the Edgar family. They are kind, light-hearted, hospitable and will make you the best meal you have ever had. They work extremely hard and have a great sense of humour. A family member told me the previous day they had served a group of 20 lunch all at the same time! Hippie-Doug was their ring leader that day and he manned the ferry, that took us across the narrows to complete our journey, along with a sweet old chocolate lab you will see in many a hikers' photos. If you catch him at a slow moment he might share a joke and and story with you. But don't leave until you have warmed yourself thoroughly by the wood stove, had the best meal this side of Canada and picked up some treats for the road. The ferry finishes for the day at 4:30pm and then Hippie-Doug settles in for a much deserved break, a meal, and maybe a drink, so don't be late!

Tsu-Tsu-Tsusiat!

We left the warming comfort of the Nitinaht stove at about 3pm and headed on our way. We saw our new friend and traveling tag-along Wilson off at the Ditidaht Comfort Camping site and continued on, arriving at Tsusiat Falls by 6:30pm. You can't see the falls from the beach, but if you reach the hole in the wall at Tsusiat Point, you're just minutes away.

In 2016, the first 5 days of our hike Jenna and I had the most amazing weather. On our 5th day, after the crab shack, while the sun beamed a balmy 25+ C, we ditched our packs on a slope of sand with gentler waters between Nitinaht and Tsusiat Point and ran into the ocean up to our knees, jumping the waves and being astonished at their strength. We laid on the beach afterwards and soaked in the sun. When I think of my little sister, I often think of this carefree day and smile. Enjoy the journey as you go, or you’ll miss the best parts.

Tsusiat Falls is a popular campground. When we arrived the beach was packed. According to 2021 Parks regs, you can only stay one night here to minimize environmental impact. The beach was very different from what I remembered, but the falls were ever glorious. We threw on bathing suites and while Krista enjoyed the brief sun, I took a dip in the beckoning water.

The next morning, with Krista not feeling hot, I'd aimed to get up early and walk back to the Hole In The Wall with my Nikon DSLR camera. When we passed by the day before it was high tide and the Hole was under sea water. However, after a delay, Krista decided to come with me. We packed up, left our bags at Tsusiat and strolled back to the hole together, and a better decision it was. I’d watched a group ahead of us pass through an hour ago, but beneath their tracks you could make out a fresh set of cougar prints. Since low tide was at 10am that morning, that means the tracks were very recent and could only have been made since the water receded. Food for thought.

Darling Bears You Might Be Cute, But I Don't Want To Snuggle

The last 2 days on the WCT (or your first two, depending where you start) are the easiest to hike and where you make up the most ground. We'd intended to land at Darling River Campsite (approx km 14), which from Tsusiat (approx km 25) would make it about an 11 km day. Most of our fellow travellers whom we had become familiar with were aiming for Michigan Creek though, which would add 2 km to our 6th day, but save us that on our 7th and final day out. We decided to see what the day held and if we arrived at Darling early we might continue on. WELL.... what the day held was not entirely what we expected.

In 2016 Jenna and I walked the beach hike between Tsocowis Creek and Michigan Creek. It had started to rain the night before and by morning was a light, but steady, downpour. We donned our rain gear but by noon, and halfway through our distance, it was clear that Jenna's rain jacket was not waterproof. Though she had tested it prior to leaving, it turned out not to be up to WCT-level rain. As we continued on poor Jenna got wetter and wetter and by the time we reached Michigan, she was soaked through to the bone. Water pooled in her boots, and she shivered so hard she couldn't help me with the tent. Realizing this could get worse quickly, I popped the tent, got her changed and snugged into her sleeping bag ASAP. Then I worked on adding a tarp. When the shivering stopped we got a warm meal into her and passed our time taking turns winding up our emergency radio and trying to maintain the faint signal from a long forgotten US talk station till darkness fell. It poured the entire next day as well for a total of over 24 hours straight and our photos at the Pacheena lighthouse are in plastic emergency ponchos.

In 2021 Krista and I opted for the inland trail as we'd previously made better time this way. There is lots to see here, another Donkey Engine and a rusty old grader, and I absolutely love the Billy Goat Bridge. The trail threw us for a bit at Tsocowis Creek, there, phantom branch-offs seemed to lead off and abruptly stop. You have to go down the ladders to continue the inland trail portion (OR access the beach). However, just passed Orange Juice Creek, it was quite clear this section of trail was not well used recently... by people anyway. It was eerily dark, overgrown and passed by what looked like long lost abandoned campsites in caves along the rock wall. As we passed by we heard something stir in the dim light, knocking over an old cup, and we nervously quickened our pace. We began to see pile after pile of fresh bear scat, some so fresh that by the time we reached Darling we figured we must be just behind it. Making a lot of noise we made our way to the beach and relief washed over us as we recognized people half a km ahead... our fellow Albertans, Mat and Lauren! But when they stopped suddenly and started to back up we knew something wasn't right.

Just ahead of them on the beach was our bear. And big guy he was! They figured a lone male. They managed to scare him off and once we caught up the 4 of us made our way as a group to Michigan Creek just down the beach where we figured there was relative safety in numbers.

Bitter Sweet Goodbyes

Our last day from Michigan to the Information Station at Pacheena was a super short one. We were the last hikers to leave Michigan at 8am and among the first ones (ironically) to reach the Parks office at 11:01am. The path is very well maintained and an easy hike. You'll also see a lot of day hikers here, many with dogs. Along the way are some cool sights you won't want to miss, so don't be too quick to rush out. The abandoned dirt bike isn't going anywhere fast anymore, but be sure to check out the sea lion rock just passed km 10. You may even hear them from the trail! Just before the sea lions you'll also pass by the Pacheena Lighthouse. Again, due to covid, you cant access the grounds but you can totally snap a quick pic! The area has so much bear activity Parks Staff joke about running 'bear daycare' here so be vigilant. Two wonderfully enthusiastic young ladies we met along the way carried an amazing tune; Im sure they must've charmed away any "would be" encounters.

In 2016 there was no km 1 sign on the trail and in 2021 there was still no km 1 sign lol. Both times I raced past km 2 and then later wished I'd taken a pic with it. You'll want it as proof! We walked the very last km along the beach, where firm sand makes for easy going. There were bear sightings of a mother and cubs here just before we arrived. We missed them, but were lucky enough to get some great foot-print photos. The very last bench you'll see on the trail is emblazoned with the word 'PARKS'. We sat here for an eternal minute and took some photos. As we strolled towards the Information station I couldn't believe it was over again so quickly.

Looking back, even after time number two, it feels more like a dream. The first time I walked off the trail in 2016 I eagerly anticipated a hot shower, was thoroughly disappointed at finding I had no quarters for to pay for one and I spent the 5 hour bus ride home starving and trying to sleep on a roller coaster. Perhaps not such a glorious end, but I realized I had achieved something few people would in their life time and of that I was SO proud of Jenna and myself. We did it.

When I arrived back at work Sharon had the most glorious little bouquet of flowers for me and she glued tiny cut out flags of all the major trail milestones to skewer sticks throughout. It brought tears to my eyes.... she told me this, "for a while, you will think to yourself, I am NEVER going back to that EVER again. And then, slowly, you will forget all the bad parts and the thought will creep in... maybe, perhaps, I might try it again... and you will find yourself looking it up once more". And she was right, I did. And I am so glad I did... I might even do it again.

[yourworldmyworldourworld-blog1]

Brazil - Just let go and enjoy

Brazil - Rio de Janeiro & Ilha Grande

So Brazil is my country of origin. So I ended up spending quite a bit of time here. I will then give you a few tips on a few things and a few cities so its not an overload. I am also yet to explore its grandeur in full.  São Paulo, I will save you for later my dear one.

RIO DE JANEIRO

I spent approximately a week in Rio, not followed by collectively so I will write below a quick guide.

Day 1 - if you are arriving by plane I advise you try and get into Santos Dumont which is super close to the city centre. From there you can get the VLT which is just outside the airport to Cinelandia and at Cinelandia you can cross the tracks and get into the underground so you can head southbound to Ipanema. Make sure when you buy the ticket (which will be a card) of the VLT you put enough cash for that day (around R$20 should do). If you arrive early and are staying in Ipanema or Copacabana (which I highly recommend as these are safer areas), go for a walk on the beach.

Botanical Gardens

Day 2 - When I arrived I headed straight to the Parque Lage and Botanical Park by Uber (they also have an app called Rio cabs which also works well and its like an Uber). But that depends when you arrive in the city. This trip could take you half a day or a full day depending how easy you want to take it. The Parque Lage and the Botanical Park are beautiful and you can have a coffee and picnic over there. On your way back you can also go for a wonder around the Lagoa (Portuguese for the Lake). I took the bus back but equally you can get an Uber back. Again make sure you miss the rush hour. As for food I recommend this adorable vegetarian / vegan place near the Botanical Gardens called Prana. 

Mureta da Urca

Day 3 - Wake up early and head to Pao de Acucar. It’s a bit difficult to get there by public transport as you will need to get the tube and the bus so perhaps look into getting a cab there. You can also chose to trek up Pao de Acucar. You can either book with a guide all of it or you can do half by yourself. Equally you can just get the cable car (at R$100 for an adult (you have discounts for students)) all the way up. Enjoy the view and then go for a wonder around Urca, or better yet hand around until sunset to enjoy it at the wall (which they call “mureta”). There is only one bar around there and I advise you buy a few large beers (at R$10 if I recall right) and keep the tickets to reclaim later so you don’t have to queue again. I also recommend you order a portion of pasteis (cheese and shrimp are my favourite although meat is good too).

City Centre

Day 4 - Head out early to Cinelandia and check out the library, the royal gabinet and walk around this city centre. There also should be some walking tours leaving from the square in front of the National Library around 9:30am/10am. You can either walk towards the Tomorrow Museum or you can leave this to another day. Whenever you decide to go to the Tomorrow Museum (in Portuguese: Museo do Amanha), make sure you either buy the tickets for the Museum before or you arrive around opening time (10am) so you are not stuck in the queue for too long. This museum is definitely work it and at R$20 per adult its super doable. Then go and wonder around the market to the left of the museum (in fact between the tomorrow museum and the art museum which are on the same square area) and enjoy the view of that huge wall with these worldly colourful faces. If you have time you can also head to Santa Teresa that same day and do the Ruins Park and the colourful steps (Escadaria Selaron). 

Escadaria Selaron

Day 5 - Escadaria Salaron (Escadaria meaning staircase and Salaron the name of the guy who made it) is the various steps up near Lapa made of mosaic. You have a lot of people there but if you head up to a park called Santa Teresa first you have a nice view of the city and then work your way down. Take your time and enjoy the views. Also be careful as the Lapa neighbourhood near the staircase isn’t super safe. You can then go for lunch at one of the many bars in the Lapa (look up places on Avenida Mem de Sa).

A Day at the Beach

Day 6 - You can look to do go and just chill at Barra da Tijuca beach or Ipanema or Copacabana. If you chose a weekend to go and chill at the beach you will see what Rio is truly like. Make sure you buy some mate (which is a typical Rio drink, sold anywhere really but the best one is at the beach from these guys with these metal like tanks). Make sure you also buy the ‘Globo’ snacks they carry around. Only then you can truly experience the Rio spirit. Also make sure you watch the sunset at one of these beaches as its stunning. Equally head down the Ipanema beach to the Pedra do Arpoador (the Arpoador Rock) to watch the sunset. 

Cristo / Christ Redeemer

Day 7 - If the weather is good I would highly recommend waking up early and heading out to the Cristo. I got an a taxi with 99 but you could also plan to get an Uber. I would recommend booking a taxi back. Perhaps speak to the driver or pre-book the Uber as its quite busy and there are less taxis on the way back.

Saturday Markets

Day 8 - If one of your days in Rio is the first Saturday of the month you can head to the Lavradio Street Market. It is a vintage market in the Lapa neighbourhood. There is also the Rio cathedral next door that is a very interesting architecture (built in a triangular manner). 

SAFETY / TIPS

In terms of safely I would say you stay in Copacabana or Ipanema. The Lapa neighbourhood is dangerous although a fun night out. But know that I only went out there with locals I trusted. Rio is beautiful but please be careful because it’s not the safest place so be careful and don’t stray too far from the safe areas (Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana) unaccompanied by locals you trust. 

Other things to do:

Climb Sugar Loaf 

Barra beach

Tijuca Park

Pedro da Gavea climb

ILHA GRANDE

You can take another 3-4 days or even more to head to Ilha Grande which is super close to Rio and super worth the visit.

Day 1 - All you need to do is get the 5am bus to Mangaratiba from the Rio bus station. You can buy the ticket online and get it on the day. I would recommend you arrive at the station around 4am. Once you get to Mangaratiba (a 1.5 hr drive from Rio getting you there around 6:30/7am), head to the port which is about 100m on the same side of the road that the bus will drop you off. There might already be a queue so just join. The boat costs R$17 one way. When you get to Ilha Grande you can buy the return on the day or do what we did which was to get a transfer back that included the boat and the bus back to Rio. The boat to Ilha Grande took around 1hr. When we got there around 9/10am we headed to our camping site. It was called Camping do Bicao. You can chose more expensive options but Camping do Bicao was super well equipped. When you booked with them (at R$30 per person per night for the camping space), you can ask to rent anything from the tent (R$120 per night I believe); mattresses (R$60 per night for a double); pillows and bedding (another R$30 per night I believe). They also have hostel rooms but they go quickly. Everything was clean and super well organised. 

On the same day we arrived we had all our stuff up and organised by 11am. If you rent the tent they help you do it up and take it down for you so you don’t even need to worry about that. We then headed to the Poço (translated to Well but really just a pool of water) which is to the north of the island (20 minutes from the town). We then treked for an 1 hr to the Feiticeira beach and waterfall. Super worth it and doable with half a day. As we came back into town around 3pm we bought some food (I also advise you buy some food in Rio and take it with you as Ilha Grande options are limited and things are expensive). We also booked a tour for the next day called Meia Volta where you do half of the island (that’s what “meia volta” means). Most agencies do the same spots and cost about the same so just ask around and see which one you prefer.

Meia Volta tour

Day 2 - Meia Volta tour. Enjoy and take some food but the boat should have water. Also take a snorkel if you have one. 

Lopes Mendez trek

Day 3 - Make sure you do not miss the trek to Lopes Mendez. Leave early in the morning - say 9/10am. Take at least 1lt of water per person and food. The trek took 2hours but its uphill then downhill. Plus its through the forest so although you don’t usually have the sun on you its pretty humid and super hot. Also make sure you buy your return ticket before you leave (the long boat at 45mins should come to R$15 and the fast boat at 30mins comes to R$25). If someone on the trek tries to sell it for more or doesn’t give you the less expensive options keep walking. Make sure you keep an eye out for anyone selling the tickets and ask how much. We bought our return tickets with a lady at the third to last beach before getting to Lopez Mendez. Normally they keep an eye out and ask people whether they have return tickets. If I were you I would buy the tickets in town for the 5pm slot so you can truly enjoy Lopes Mendez and the other beaches. We arrived at 1pm and realised that 4 hours was not long enough. On our last night we also headed into town to enjoy some music. Be warned that booze is expensive although we managed to find a tiny spot one street away from the Main Street selling stuff fairly cheap.

Day 4 - On this day we headed back to Rio early. We got the transfer (at R$110) including ferry and bus to Rio at 10am. If you decide to stay longer there are other beaches you can explore. 

CRIBSHEET

In Rio Stay either in Ipanema or Copacabana. I rented an air B&B. There are also hostels in Barra da Tijuana which isn’t bad but a bit away from the city centre. 

Places to eat: 

- Mate and Globo biscuits at the beach 

- Jockey Club by the Botanical Gardens

- Prana (address: R. Lopes Quintas, 37) by the Botanical Gardens

- Ella Pizzaria (address: Rua Pacheco Leao, 102) across from the Botanical Gardens

- Puro Restaurant (address: R. Visc. De Carandai, 43) again across from the Botanical Gardens

- Bar Pavao Azul (address: Rua Hilario de Gouveia, 71) in Copacabana. Amazing little bohemian split with amazing “pasteis” (fried pastries) and good vibes.

- Urca Grill (address: Rua Mal. Cantaría, 10). This place you got to go at the end of the day to watch the sunset sat at the wall - you will see what I mean because it will be hard to find a spot to sit. Get some beers and some “pasteis” and enjoy the view and the vibe. 

- Confeitaria Colombo (address: R. Goncalves Dias, 32). This is a century-old cafe with an incredible colonial architecture, amazing traditional snacks, sweets and coffee. It’s in the city centre so perhaps go after a morning stroll / tour / museum visit. 

Where to go:

- Christ Redeemer (half day)

- Mureta da Urca & Sugar Loaf (full day)

- City Centre (walking tour) (half day)

- Escadaria Selaron / Santa Teresa (full day)

[chrysaliseuro2019]

The Boat was Rocking

It was time to leave the Peloponnese and head to the island of Folegandros. Prior to that we wanted to look at the archeological museum in Nafplio and we also had to return the car to Piraeus the port of Athens from where all the ferries leave. Liz had timed it to all fit together. Car due back in Piraeus at 1.30 with a half hour leeway and ferry leaves for Folegandros at 3.45pm. Two hour drive to Piraeus so we wanted to be on the road by 11.15. We headed for breakfast at 8.30 and had a very pleasant one in the main square with just a few people around at that time. Headed for the museum post that and we were the only visitors in there. It is a really attractive building dating from 1713 in the Venetian style. It was very imposing. The first thing we saw which had been the real drawcard was a midden which was 32000 years old (you don't get a chance to see something that old very often) used by hunter gathererer cave dwellers in the region. Looking up the word midden it appears to be some sort of dump for all sorts of domestic waste which might be human excrement, animal bones, shells, molluscs, charcoal could be anything. Presumably the archaeologists gave it the once over and found all sorts of goodies or possibly baddies in there. In truth it looked like some flattened clay so imagination required. Though not too much. I didn't want to contemplate some ancient cave dweller squatting over the midden (though now I am). The rest of the exhibits were very interesting with a lot of artefacts which had been placed in the tombs of eminent people. Also examples of tools and weapons which showed the transition from hunters to other forms of "economy" and survival. Exhibits ranged mostly in age from 6000 BC to around 400 AD but some much older and covered everything from ornate urns and jugs (which were fantastically reconstructed), figurines, jewellery, tools and a suit of armour from 1500 BC which did not look very manoeuvrable. You felt that anyone inside it would be a sitting duck though it would have taken some penetration. Had a touch of the Monty Pythons. We stayed for around an hour and I think someone else rolled up to visit in that time which was just as we all as the 6/7 staff needed something to do given the museum was only on two not huge floors. We headed back and scurried around packing. Liz keeping a very watchful eye on the time and my intricate packing and ablution procedures. The time was called out at 5 minute intervals. It seemed to work as we head off in the car at 11.19 (precisely). Four minutes late, not bad, in fact in my book that's early. The journey was uneventful with a mix of freeway and standard roads. You can do 130km/hr on some stretches of the freeway so that was handy to keep on schedule. You have to stop for tolls every 20/30kms or so which is usually around 2 euros which slow things down a little. The biggest deal at the end was finding a petrol station. I had bypassed the last one so was not popular. We had to roll up at thrifty/hertz and ask for directions - very handy as station was around the corner. Interestingly when we picked the car up it had been left on half full as they said they had not had time to fill it up. We dubiously wondered if this was another lurk as it's pretty hard to return a car on half full. You are bound to go over. We pondered the various ways that dosh could be made on this but perhaps it was genuine. When you believe there's a conspiracy it's usually incompetence. Never ever happened before though in other countries. We handed the car back around 1.45 as close to half full as we could manage so all good and I must say the staff were very friendly and helpful. Now for the ferry. Piraeus is a pretty large passenger ferry port. There seemed to be around 10 or more quays and perhaps more that we couldn't see and they are spread out around a sort of horseshoe bay with a distance of a kilometre or two (hard to tell) covering them. We set off wheeling our bags with back packs on and it was pretty warm but we weren't 100% sure which quay we had to go to though had an idea. Anyway after about 20 mins of wheeling with a few stops including to buy some savoury pastries we entered a gate and were directed to the kiosk of the shipping line we were using. Now around 2.15. Ferry due to leave at 3.45. Of course we had walked past the kiosk on our way so were now doubling back through the heat but had found where we needed to be so didn't care. Not good news, ferry was running late. They weren't sure why but later said it was the weather and certainly the wind was very strong which wasn't filling us with joyous anticipation for the trip. It would be arriving at around 5.00pm. Leaving, some time after that, typically a half hour turn around so we were told. Nothing to do but head for some covered shelters to get out of the sun, eat our pastries and settle down for a long wait. 5.00pm became 6.10 and the ferry finally rolled up around then. Around that time proceedings descended into farce as another ferry from the same shipping line came in first at a slightly different dock nearby. All those waiting for the Folegandros ferry including us scooted over to that ferry, watched cars and people unload only to be told that we needed to go back to the original spot and wait - it wasn't ours. There was scurrying as everyone tried to get good positions to be on early. This presumably was because some did not have reserved seats and wanted to find the pick of the unreserved seats. We had reserved a couple of seats though our last experience on a ferry to Sardinia had been that reserved seats were not reserved seats and people commandeered them. So we were playing it sort of safe and trying to make sure we were not at the rear end of the line. As our ferry approached people moved from side to side 30 or 40 metres trying to anticipate and partly as directed by staff as to where the ramp would actually be. Imagine a couple of hundred people moving back and forth with suitcases, kids and various holiday paraphernalia all in still warm sun. It was quite something and we for our part were trying to stay reasonably at the front too. To add to the confusion a large petrol tanker was right in the midst of us presumably ready to refuel the ferry and had to reverse causing more chaos. We chatted to an amusing guy from New York and his wife who was good naturedly bemoaning the fact that as we stood in the queue he was supposed to be at a beach birthday party on one of the earlier island stops for this ferry. He and his wife had flown from America to specifically make this event. The best laid plans. Still he said the party would still be going when he got there. Finally around 6.30 the ferry started to unload people followed by cars while some onboarders rushed up the ramp against the flow of offboarders trying to stake their spots. This sent the officials into minor apoplexy and these people were stopped at the top of the ramp while disembarkation finished. We all then put our heads down and rushed up. Elbows weren't quite out but there were no beg pardons. Luckily I was with someone who can handle herself in the clinches and Liz beat me up the ramp hands down. One good reason to be up the ramp relatively early was that the formal storage racks for bags soon ran out though in truth people then just stored their bags alongside them and it didn't seem to be a problem. Also the ferry had several stops at different islands and theoretically each island had a separate storage section. We ignored that as clearly did plenty of others and chucked ours where there was a space. All worked well. Finally we had to negotiate the narrow doorway where tickets were checked with a couple of hundred people trying to be first through but from there the bedlam ceased. Our reserved seats were very comfortable. In a separate section with a hundred or so others though the seating was not full. An attendant checked tickets so no one could take your spot. I immediately shot to the bar and they actually did vodka and tonic which Liz was v pleased about after 4 frustrating hours of sitting on our hands preceded by a 2 hour + drive. I enjoyed a couple of cleansing ales too of course and we settled back to await departure. Of course the boat took another hour and a quarter to depart so finally left around 7.45pm - 4 hours late. Thems the travel breaks sometimes. A bit aggravating apart from the boredom of hanging around. It meant we lost the latter part of the evening and a decent dinner in town in Folegandros. Also we were paying essentially for a bed for a night and Folegandros prices not that cheap. If you knew that you would be arriving so late you would stay at the $50 a night job at the port, assuming it existed, though we reconciled ourselves that with a 1.45 am ferry arrival finding a hotel would have been impossible. Anyway, very efficiently, staff at the apartments where we were staying pick you up from the port and much to our relief after a 6 hour journey due to the rocky weather one was there to transfer us to our digs. The boat trip because of the strong wind did cause a bit of seasickness. There was a lot of side to side rocking. I managed to stay OK though felt a tad uncomfortable from time to time but Liz felt a bit queasy though through a mix of sleep and willpower managed to hold things off and we arrived without any technicolor events. You get these days from time to time. Not much you can do but go into some waiting zone, google, write blogs, go for walks, chat. We had left our hotel in Napflio at 11.20 am and arrived at our new one just after 2.00am. 15 hours. The ferry mob were apologetic and free cokes came round and we were told we could all claim a free ferry ride in the future. Do they do Tasmania? We crawled into bed.

[torontotravelblog]

30 Cool Things to do in Toronto, Canada

Toronto won my heart by tornado. After spending a week road tripping around Ontario as well as immersing myself in nature and also peace, Toronto was just the appropriate combination of laid-back attitude as well as big city buzz for me. I discovered the city with lots of time at my hand and also gathered a checklist of 30 cool points to do in Toronto that will be available in useful, whether you are trying to find websites to see, activities to do, places to consume or where to remain. This Toronto city overview has it all!

For me the ideal way to check out a brand-new city is to obtain as near neighborhood life as feasible. So when I had the opportunity to travel to Ontario in fall 2016, I knew I really did not simply wish to invest the normal a couple of days in Toronto and also race from sight to sight ...

I wanted to experience what it seemed like to live in Toronto, locate my much-loved cafe to deal with my writing, find neighbourhood dining establishments and shops, stroll the marketplaces and also classic shops, and also simply generally find out what makes the city so fascinating. I wound up investing 10 days below and did every one of those things-- and also even more. Not every one of the things on this listing of things to do in Toronto are sights, some are straight-out random day-to-day points I did while I was making believe to be a regional-- however all are must do's on your schedule!

Sites & Attractions: Points to do in Toronto

1) Ride the elevator approximately the top of CN Tower

CN Tower is a shocking 553.3 metres high and also held the record for the highest free-standing building till 2007. It is the ninth-tallest tower on the planet as well as for CAD$ 38 you can get to the top of it!

The elevator takes you to 2 different sight decks 342 and 346 metres high. On the lower deck you can walk throughout a glass ceiling-- if you risk-- as well as accessibility an outdoor terrace. You can also book added access to the tower's SkyPod (at 447 metres) or an Edge Stroll on top of the major sheathing of the tower at 356 metres.

CN Tower, 301 Front Street West, internet site

Getting there: City line 1 to St Andrew Station, Tram to Union Station

2) Do a complimentary guided scenic tour at the Royal Ontario Gallery

I had actually not planned on going to the Royal Ontario Museum on the same day as the footwear museum, yet they are so close to one another, that it would have been a missed chance. The ROM provides a significant collection of art, world culture as well as natural history-- there is most definitely excessive to see it done in just one see.

After getting my ticket ($ 20) I did not also understand where to begin-- and that is when I discovered the gallery guide awaiting individuals to join her cost-free assisted tour with one of the galleries in the gallery. I was all in. Doing a random assisted trip turned out a fantastic idea-- not just did I get an expert sight on a gallery I might have not otherwise visited; however it also took the choice where to begin with me. Excursions are provided everyday and many of them are free!

After the excursion, I went on to look into the existing temporary exhibit, which was dedicated to the glass musician Chihuly.

Royal Ontario Gallery, 100 Queen's Park, internet site

Arriving: City line 1 to Museum Station

3) Check Out the Bata Shoe Gallery

The Bata Shoe Gallery is an unique as well as unusual museum experience-- never ever had I assumed I would learn more about the evolution of footwear on a vacation to Canada! The museum has several collections checking out the historic advancement of footwear-- did you understand heels were originally just worn by men ?!-- in addition to standard footwear made use of by very first country people worldwide. I especially appreciated the temporary exhibition regarding standard colouring techniques!

Bata Footwear Museum,327 Bloor St W, website

Arriving: City line 1 or 2 to St George Station

4) Marvel at the design

I liked walking different areas of Toronto and also simply marvel at the design. The mix of industrial as well as property buildings was something I had actually never ever seen rather similar to this prior to. I would walk down a roadway of workplace towers made from glass and all of a sudden the following block would boast red-brick buildings loaded with shops, nail hair salons and also restaurants. I would certainly turn one edge and stand in the center of a long domestic road lined with two-story family houses with front porches and also small yards. It's difficult to pinpoint specifically which locations and also roadways where my favourite, so simply discover on your own!

5) Do a sunset cruise on the Tall Ship Kajama

When I checked out Toronto in September 2016, Toronto Island had been flooded and also my opportunities to see the famous horizon of the city from the water were close to absolutely no. Then I found out about the tall ship Kajama and also its sunset cruise ships.

The ship cruises the harbour of Toronto several times a day throughout the summer season (May to 1st October weekend). Cruises take 1.5 hours plus half an hour of boarding time and offer extraordinary views of the skyline, Toronto Island and also Toronto City Airport. I extremely recommend doing this cruise throughout sundown, as the sinking sun dips the city's metallic towers into pink and orange golden tones. it was breathtaking!

I even saw a little plane come down on the central landing strip of the City Airport terminal-- fairly a surreal experience! There is a totally accredited bar aboard the tall ship and food is acted as well, making this the best dinner task!

235 Queens Quay West, sunset cruise sails at 8 pm, site

Getting there: Tram to Queens Quay West at Harbourfront Centre

6) Join a free street art excursion down Graffiti Street

Road art in Toronto is an intriguing topic-- it's prohibited, as well as if your building obtains sprayed and also someone reports it, YOU have to spend for its removal. Therefore, there are a great deal of owners and companies that quit their walls to be splashed on for payments in addition to committed locations where graffitis are collected in one place.

Among those is Graffiti Street as well as I liked discovering it on a free led scenic tour! The trip lasts about 1.5 hrs and also consists of not just the street, but additionally great deals of other vibrant locations, art pieces as well as image options in the area around Queen Road West.

Scenic tour Guys FREE graffiti walking excursion, fulfill outside the Black Bull Tavern at 298 Queen St. W, daily at 3.30 pm (May-Sept) site

7) Look into the festival schedule at the Harbourfront Centre

Festivals are a fantastic means to submerse yourself in the neighborhood culture as well as at the Harbourfront Centre there is a different celebration going on nearly every weekend break during the summertime.

I was fortunate sufficient to encounter a vegan event arranged by the neighborhood Vegetarian Society. I reached taste vegan foods from all over the world, paid attention to inspiring talks about values as well as nutrition and also paid attention to tons of live songs while resting among residents in the grass.

Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Celebration Schedule

Getting there: Tram to Queens Quay West at Harbourfront Centre

8) Catch a film at TIFF or at the TIFF Bell Lightbox cinema

The Toronto International Film Event is just one of the most significant target market events worldwide, indicating that unlike Cannes, the general public can participate in thousands of film screenings throughout the city throughout the festival.

I checked out the city in September, providing me the chance to see wonderful celebration movies as well as really feel the celebration buzz around me, however even if you go to outside the event duration, you can capture wonderful international arthouse films at the TIFF Bell Lightbox cinema in main Toronto!

Toronto International Movie Festival, annually in September, website

TIFF Bell Lightbox Movie Theater,350 King St W, internet site

Getting there: Metro to St Andrew Station, Cable Car to King St West at John St.

9) Go hiking at Scarborough Bluffs.

Scarborough Bluffs is an area in the east of Toronto's waterfronmt with high cliffs rising up to 90 metres above Lake Ontario. There are several parks on the Bluffs, yet if you head to just one of them, let it be Bluffers Park. This park is the just one with access to the lake and also a beach and naturally beautiful sights of the cliffs and also the water beyond.

Bluffers Park, Scarborough, website,.

Getting there: Tram to Eglinton GO Terminal and after that buses 86 as well as 175.

10) Check Out Toronto Islands by kayak or bike.

As a result of floodings I did not really most likely to Toronto Islands myself, yet I hear it's an amazing location to invest a day out far from the hectic roads of the city. Take the ferry across and afterwards determine whether you wish to walk, bike or kayak around the islands-- I know what I would certainly do!

Kayaks and canoes can be rented at the Boat House, a 10-minute walk from the ferry dock on Centre Island. It's best ahead early to get first choice of readily available boats!

Toronto Islands, site.

Getting there: Tram to Queens Quay Ferryboat Docks Terminal, Ferryboat: Centre Island Ferryboat.

11) Rent a stand-up paddle board at Woodbine Coastline.

Toronto has several beaches, however one of the most effective ones is Woodbine Coastline. A long beachfront with fine sand, lots of trees using color in the stretch of turf right behind it, lots of cafes and also restaurants nearby to leave the groups.

I rented out a stand-up paddle board from WSUP Toronto as well as paddled out onto Lake Ontario to obtain views of the city sky line distant. If you've never ever attempted stand-up paddling before, you can additionally reserve lessons, or sign up with a SUP yoga exercise class!

Woodbine Beach, website.

Getting there: Cable car line 501 to Queen St East at Wineva Ave.

Stand paddling at Woodbine Beach in Toronto.

Regional neighbourhoods in Toronto.

12) Check out the lanes of Kensington Market.

At Kensington Market near Spadina Opportunity, there is a whole lot to do and also see. Trendy coffee shops, bars as well as restaurants line every edge and also lane of the area. Design shops accomplish your wildest inside and stationary dreams. Juice bars are also greener by also marketing plants and also succulents. Numerous bars have cost-free live music and also you'll discover pop-ups in much of the streets or yards off the main roads. I can have surfed the lanes of the market forever!

Kensington Market, Augusta Ave & environments, site.

Arriving: Cable car stations around Spadina Ave, Dundas St W and also College St.

13) Trip a bicycle down Landsdowne Avenue.

I lived near Landsdowne Method in Toronto and liked absolutely nothing more than riding my bike down this street and exploring the neighbourhood. From Corso Italia to West Queen West, Landsdowne connects several of Toronto's coolest areas and also with every huge junction a brand-new experience starts! I found the roadway charming to cycle, due to the fact that website traffic was excusable, and there were lots of various other cyclists on the street.

My AirBnB featured a bike (more below), however there are lots of placs in Toronto wher you can hire bikes. There is likewise a local city bike scheme, called Bike Share Toronto.

14) Explore the Junction area.

The Joint is a neighbourhood in west Toronto near the crossway of Dundas St W as well as Dupont St. The major road of the neighbourhood is Dundas St W and there are several trendy cafe, restaurants as well as takeaways, indoor stores, artist & designer workshops, galleries as well as antique shops-- it's been called among Toronto's coolest areas!

Arriving: City to Dundas West Terminal, bus 40 quits along Dundas St W, internet site.

15) People view on public transport.

You obtained me-- this is not an area-- but the ideal way to uncover new areas and also move around the city like a neighborhood. The City in Toronto is extremely handy as well as links one of the most necessary city centre destinations intriguing for vacationers.

However, I enjoyed to getting on an arbitrary bus or cable car and also riding it together with the citizens. I would certainly people watch inside the carriage and also outside on the streets, left in areas that looked intriguing and uncovered some genuine treasures along the way!

Making use of public transport in Toronto is simple. On buses and trams you call for precise cash money to pay for your ticket and there are ticket makers at metro stations where you can use your card. The easiest choice is to acquire as well as top-up a PRESTO card as well as go cash-free. For transfers make certain to accumulate a transfer ticket from a dispenser near exits of metro stations.

16) Discover the historical Distillery Area.

As soon as the home of Gooderham & Worts Distillery, the Victorian industrial buildings of the Distillery Area are now flaunting a selection of restaurants, bars, art rooms and also style stores. After being stated a heritage website, the buildings were carefully brought back and occupied with cutting-edge innovation and also style. It's a real experience-- historic and futuristic at the same time-- as well as a have to see on your trip to Toronto!

The Distillery Area, internet site.

Getting there: Cable Car 504 to Distillery Loophole.

17) Get your hipster on in West Queen West.

If you are interested in different culture, you can not leave Toronto without spending time in West Queen West. This artistic neighbourhood in west Toronto is residence to vintage shops (more below), dining establishments, ranch shops, stylish bars and store hotels-- you might most likely invest a whole holiday here, just checking out whatever this location needs to provide!

West Queen St W, website.

Getting there: Cable car 301 and 504 quit along West Queen St W.

Restaurants, bars & cafes: Where to eat & drink in Toronto.

18) People watch at I Bargain Coffee.

I Offer Coffee is an unusual little coffee residence with mismatched furnishings in and out. I satisfied an idolizer of mine right here for an interview (not worried in any way) as well as thought it supplied just the ideal type of loosened up, yet productive atmosphere for our conversation.

The cafe sits at the edge of Kensington Market as well as it's a pleasure seeing people stopped by on their method to work or seeking a fast caffeine repair. They roast their own beans, so the coffee right here is very special!

I Bargain Coffee, 84 Nassau Road, Mon-Sat 8 am-- 7 pm, Opens 9 get on Sundays, internet site.

Arriving: Trams 310 or 510 to Spadina Ave at Nassau St South Side.

19) Invest a morning at Dark Horse Coffee Bar.

I invested almost 10 days in Toronto, which indicated I had time to create a little routine for myself as a freelance author as well as tourist. I enjoy mosting likely to coffeehouse in the morning to get some job done and after that discover repairs of the city in the afternoon.

Dark Horse Espresso Bar was a wonderful area to operate in-- and I was absolutely not the only one. There are a couple of little tables and also bar locations by the home windows, but I favored sitting at the large communal table between, surrounded by other freelancers functioning away on their laptop computers.

Top pointer: Make sure your laptop computer is totally billed as there are no sockets on/near the huge table.

Dark Horse Coffee Bar, 215 Spadina Ave, Mon-Fri 7 am to 7 pm, Opens 8 am Saturdays and also Sundays, site.

Getting there: Cable cars 310 or 510 to Spadina Ave at Sullivan St North Side.

20) Have brunch at Hello there Beloved.

Amongst the many restaurants and also coffee bar along Landsdowne Avenue, my 2 favourites were Starving Musician, which serve up cosy morning meal waffles as well as Hello there Beloved which is simply across the street. I had a fab salad bowl there and also appreciated being in the sun by the big home windows.

Hello Beloved, 827 Landsdowne Ave, Mon-Fri 9 am to 3 pm, Opens 10 am on Saturdays and also Sundays, Closed on Tuesdays site.

Starving Musician: the Landsdowne branch really shut, however there are 6 even more Starving Musician coffee shops around the city, web site.

Arriving: City line 2 to Landsdowne Station, Tram 47 to Lansdowne Ave at Wallace Ave.

21) Have lunch at The Excellent Neighour in the Junction.

The major reason that I ventured out into the Junction neighbourhood to begin with, was the reputation of the wonderful coffee bar and restaurants in this area. I was not disappointed and if I had to select my favorite, it would be The Great Neighbor Coffee Bar.

Found in a quiet property side road in the neighbourhood it appears like it's a local favourite amongst artists and families alike. I had a tasty sandwich for lunch as well as appreciated people seeing through the huge windows encountering towards the household streets. An unexpected treasure!

The Great Neighbor, 238 Annette St, Mon-Sun 7 am to 7 pm, internet site.

Arriving: City line 2 to High Park Station.

The Excellent Neighbour at The Joint in Toronto.

22) Preference the vegan pizza at Pizzaiola.

My journey to Toronto came equally as I got on the cusp of veganism-- I was incredibly interested as well as gotten every vegan meal I can get my hands on. My very first vegan pizza was a slice of Vittoria with the most effective tomato sauce ever, baked peppers, tomatoes and marinated zucchini. Pizzas can be bought by the slice as well as there are tons of weighty, vegan and also vegan alternatives offered. There are several Pizzaiola branches throughout Toronto, but I attempted the one in West Queen West.

Pizzaiola, 1172 Queen St W, Opens 11 am to 11 pm, open late Thursdays to Saturdays, website.

Arriving: Trams 301 or 501 to Queen St West at Abell St.

23) Supper at El Catrin.

The historical Distillery District has lots of good options for dinner as well as lunch, but I highly suggest booking a table at El Catrin. This Mexican-inspired dining establishment dishes up great cocktails and all your Mexican favourites-- tasty guacamole, tacos and burritos rupturing with flavour-- what more could you request? There is a warmed patio with lots of outside seats, so you can enjoy your meal as well as the horizon of the Distillery District at the same time.

El Catrin,18 Storage Tank Residence Lane, Open on a daily basis from 11.30 am (11 get on Sundays), web site.

Arriving: Tram 504 to Distillery Loop.

24) Treat yourself to an established menu dinner at Ruby Watchco.

Ruby Watchco is a very unique dining establishment-- primarily due to the fact that you don't get a great deal of options! They serve a seasonal fixed-price set food selection motivated by Canadian food, just collaborating with the freshest active ingredients they can get their hands on.

Vegan choices are available, but you require to call ahead to ensure they have everything they need to whip up a gleaming menu for you!

Ruby Watchco,730 Queen St E, Closed Monday & Sunday site.

Arriving: Various cable cars to Queen St East at Broadview Ave.

25) Consume all the poutine.

You can not leave Toronto without at least trying the Canadian nationwide dish, poutine. Poutine is chips (fries) with sauce and also cheese curds, but vegan choices (with veggie sauce and also tofy curds) is often offered as well! There are tons of legendary areas to choose poutine, but if you just want a quick fix, head to one of the two Poutini's Home of Poutine stores! Vegan poutine readily available.

Poutini's Residence of Poutine, 1112 Queen Street West as well as 617 King Street West, Mon-Fri open from midday, King St W branch closed on Mondays, website.

Getting there: King ST W-- Trams 304 or 504 to King St West at Rose City St; Queen St W-- Trams 301 or 501 to Queen St West at Abell St.

Buying in Toronto.

26) Purchase Asian keepsakes in Chinatown.

Just around the bend of Kensington Market exists Toronto's Chinatown. In the shops lining Spadina Method, I located several of my dearest keepsakes-- wicker indoor pieces, teas and all type of various other bric-a-brac for my level.

Getting there: Various cable car lines to Spadina Ave at Queen St W.

27) Vintage stores in West Queen West.

It doesn't come as a shock that the trendy area of West Queen West has a few of the best vintage stores in Toronto. My favorite stores were in between Dufferin St as well as Sorauren Avenue:.

Public Butter Vintage, 1290 Queen St W, web site.

Residence of Vintage, 1239 Queen St W, site.

In Classic We Depend On, 1580 Queen St W, site.

The Salvation Army, 1447 Queen St W, site.

Getting there: Cable car 301 and also 504 quit along West Queen St W.

28) Window-shop at Hit Salvage.

As mentioned over, the Joint neighbourhood is a heaven for all points interior decoration and also vintages. Wreck Salvage combines the two and supplies a diverse mix of classic interior pieces, upcycled furniture as well as antique gems for your residence.

I restricted myself to window shopping, however also that felt a lot more like walking through a gallery than via a store!

Wreck Salvage, 2880 Dundas St W, website.

Getting there: Metro to Dundas West Station, bus 40 stops along Dundas St W,.

Where to Stay in Toronto.

29) Stick with residents with AirBnB.

I invested most of my time in Toronto sticking with citizens using AirBnB. I had reserved a personal area near Corso Italia as well as shared a home with a French-Canadian/ Brazilian pair and their German shepherd pet-- what a worldwide mix! I enjoyed remaining in your area to discover life in Toronto and read about my hosts' preferred treasures in the area.

My area came with the choice to use one of the bikes my hosts provided, which was very useful for exploring the nearby trendy neighbourhoods of West Queen West and The Joint! There was a bus station close by which took me to Landsdowne metro station within a few mins-- excellent to get to the city centre and back!

30) Spend a night at Thompson Toronto.

There are some wonderful resorts in midtown Toronto, and if you just have a few days to see the main sites and also get a feel for the city, a resort could be a far better alternative than an AirBnB.

I can only advise Thompson Toronto, a fashionable store resort near the Bathhurst St as well as King St W joint. I had a lovely space from where I could see the CN Tower via the trees as well as went for morning meal at the American-style restaurant within the hotel. The main reason that I assume you must treat on your own to at the very least one evening at Thompson Toronto though is its rooftop.

You could not get a much better view than viewing the sun rise over the city's horizon from the infinity swimming pool at the hotel's rooftop balcony!

The post “30 Cool Things to do in Toronto, Canada” was first appeared on Watch me see

The IV Lounge - IV Therapy Toronto Drip Clinic

[localocksmithnearme]

Lincoln MKS Fob Keys And Remote Program San Antonio TX

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Lincoln MKS replacement keys in San Antonio TX

One of the most essential component of any Lincoln MKS is it's key-lock instrumentation, which have to be recovered if devastated or lost. When this sort of a barrier takes place we, at San Antonio Key Replacement, in San Antonio TX, are entirely qualified to undertake all versions of car ignition, lock or key obstacles on premises.

Lincoln MKS chipped key is specifically programmed to work with a specific vehicle and our accomplished personnel can generate Lincoln MKS transponder, sidewinder, keyless entry or passive anti theft system keys, in addition to install, repair or replace any type of locks, ignition and keys on site 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

About Lincoln MKS key-lock system

Established in 1918,  Lincoln is Ford Motor Company subsidiary that assemble leisure vehicles sold to the Middle East, Mexico, China and North America. Since 1997 selection of  Lincoln cars are adopting passive anti theft system as a basic electrical and antitheft lock and key instrument. This keys that can be duplicated by a commonplace on-board process or by diagnostic appliances if one of the keys is misplaced. In 2007  Lincoln appoint the Intelligent Access System with remotes, push-button start and keyless device to effectuate common tasks  like clicking a button to pop open or shut the doors and furthermore push-start ignition or smart key.

Ignition repair

As it seams the most natural syndrome of ignition issue is a car that won't start up, ignition key is hard to turn in the ignition, key wont turn in the ignition switch or broken key in ignition.

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When confronting a flawed key, the signs might be that you’ll have complications turning the key in the ignition which actually mean that the key is dent and need to be out placed. A dent key should be duplicated from the VIN number to fend off the risk of replicating the flaw to the new duplicated key. An auto lockman will employ dedicated Lincoln MKS programmers, diagnostic tools and cutters to issue a brand-new key which will costs $145–$249.

Transponder chipped key generate

A transponder is practically anti-theft system. With transponder chipped key, lock bumping or hot wiring a car isn't as useful anymore if someone thinking about stealing a car.

The main idea behind an immobilized lock and key instrument is a tiny chip concealed generally in the beak of the key, when you slide the key inside the ignition crack-hole, the transponder transmit an exclusive coded signal to the immobiliser. If the car computer system doesn't detect a specific indication code, the car will not ignite.

Though few models and years manufacturers of automobiles accommodate dashboard foundation to make a surplus key on one's own, car key replacement, repair and programming  become absolutely costly then in the past and in addition, if all keys are gone, the vehicle computer unit need to be re-programmed by compatible programmer owned by a locksmith or the dealership.

Lincoln MKS smart-key

Smartkey remotes, also known as (RKS or RKE) anable a car owner to unlock and lock their truck or car remotely as well as other components like opening the trunk or lighting up the fog lamps to raise visibility in raw weather or at night. Moreover, many modernized keys incorporate remote starting feature that is appear to be mandatory on modern cars.

Almost all smart keys incorporate a proximity detector technology that is turned on when the keyless entry device located within a specific range of the vehicle. This Keyless entry device are passive which in fact means that the vehicle can be locked and unlocked or shut off and run the car without any input.

Copy vs lost car keys

After the mid to late 1990s, numerous car manufacturers started to employ electronic keys and immobilizer as an additional protection means in which a car engine control module will detect the programmed key at the moment that you start the car. If the car doesn't detect a matching key, immobilizer deactivate the fuel supply and the car will not light up.

This instrument serve as anti theft to prevent against lock crackerjack or hot wiring the vehicle and help insurance companies and drivers in wiping out car theft worldwide, however the costs of car keys climb to $50-$120 for a primitive copy transponder key and apparently leastways a $100 extra if for a lost key replacement.

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[optimisticweird]

As stated in my previous post, I’ll be sharing in here the things I did, and of course, the photos from my supposed backpacking trip which turned going home trip for the reason that I couldn’t get rid of my reluctantancy, or hesitancy, rather,  and my fear to go alone because the local tourists spots are kinda far from where I was.

1. Taking a different route and a different ferry.

It took my friend/ now roommate a couple of times to convince me to go home with her to our province and to take her route (Cebu – Baybay) and try a different ferry because I thought the ferry we’d take would make me regret the day I was born 😁 since its travel duration (6 hrs) is twice longer than that of a fast craft which I always take. But kidding aside, when I finally got in, to my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best things ever invented and I couldn’t contain my happiness and amazement, although I had a couple of things running on my mind at the same time.

It is totally different from the fast craft from the Cebu – Ormoc route I take. The fast craft is small and it only has seats so people can’t lie down if they want to, while this one is big (probably thrice its size) and it doesn’t only have seats, but also decks (beds). There is a small prayer room, and a vip room for the staff. Everything I love having in one place are here — TV, aircon, CR, comfortable bedspace, and cafeteria, except the wifi, and it’s already a good deal for me because it’s cheaper even though it travels overnight. Going home is closer and cheaper from Baybay as well, but most importantly, the chance of me getting seasick is very low because even though it is slow, I cannot feel that it’s moving on the surface of the sea since it is a big ferry.

In the picture I look like I am upset or sad, but that’s just my face when I’m serious as I have an RBF. I was watching TV then. (I’m sorry I forgot to take photo of the ferry. 😦)  This experience taught me to not be afraid to try or to risk esp. when someone is or other people are there to support, and if not for my friend, I wouldn’t have experienced it and wouldn’t have been able to save much on fares. So nice of her. I couldn’t be more thankful for her kindness. ☺

2. Meeting new people.

She offered to stay at their house since it was around 4 am when we arrived and still dark so I went with her.

Staying at other people’s house isn’t something new to me but I still kind of find it hard at times to adapt. Good thing her family is nice. They were hospitable. They let me eat their food and use their stuff like the wifi and bed. It just felt like I was home when I was there. I also learned a lesson that is we don’t need to really know a person to give them help because anyone who’s in need of it is deserving.

I took this photo outside their house at around 5 am. I had missed this kind of sunrise.

Other photos from Baybay.

3. Visiting VSU (Visayas State University)

Before heading to my hometown Dulag, I made sure I’d get to visit this university which is popular in the province for its branches, the quality of education they provide and of course, its vast area.

I first learned about this when I was in 4th yr high school because some of their staff went to our school and they introduced to us their school and what courses they offer. I was totally amazed with their map on the brochure and since then I had been dreaming to get there.

Good thing a friend of mine whom I met and was one of my close workmates at a previous job and is studying there offered to tour me around. We met around 5 pm because she had exams on the day, so we only got to stroll around the upper part of the university but even though I didn’t get to see the whole area, I was already happy because another bullet has been checked off of my list.

By the way, there is where I’m planning to enroll this coming January but I’m still not sure if I really will be able to. Wish me luck. 😊

4. Visiting mom’s (stepdad’s) place

I headed here the day after I visited VSU because I had decided not to go for my plan to go check the other local tourist spots alone. I don’t know if it is only me, but sometimes I overthink. It makes me conscious when people start looking at me just because I’m the only one taking pictures. (Stupid, eh? 😁 Pardon me. 😊)

So I visited my mom, stepdad and sister in a barangay in our municipality. My mom’s partner isn’t really someone I like for her not only because the idea of having a stepdad never came into mind before, but also for the fact that his children don’t really like my mom even when their mom has already passed away just like my dad. However, there’s not much I can do for now. I cannot take them away from him because it’s not going to be easy as they are not like teenagers, and I don’t have my own place yet here in Cebu which I could let them stay and it’s not as if they would even like the idea of moving here. He’s actually okay and nice though, yet I still wish my mom didn’t entertain him. Call it selfishness or whatever, but I think some people could actually understand where I’m coming from.

Anyway, aside from the reason I mentioned on my previous post that I was afraid my uncle (mom’s only brother who really hates me for what I did) might visit there and see me and hurt me, I also don’t like staying there so I opted to stay at my another uncle’s (my late father’s brother) in another barangay. But before I headed there, my mom and I had a catch up talk. I also gave her shirts (from ukay ukay) I brought from Cebu as they are really cheap here but still good. (I’m not much a fan of ukay-ukay, though.)

5. Staying at my uncle’s place and visiting our abandoned house.

Their house is close to ours (my late father’s house) and I used to go there when I was a child so it wasn’t my first time to stay there and sleepover. They are also the immediate people we would run to every time there was a problem at home and when we needed help. They have always been welcoming esp. now that my uncle is the chairman of the barangay.

My aunt knows that I don’t like staying at my mom’s so she welcomed me. Her daughter who is my age and has been one of my best friends since we were kids was also there so staying, using their stuff and eating their food just felt normal. It was as if I was home. They gave me the same treatment that my friend’s family in Baybay did, so I was able to contemplate on my options and relax although the phone signal was very weak I could barely get online.

We have to cross this river to get to our houses so my uncle had built this improvised bridge.

      So my supposed backpacking trip turned into a staycation trip, staycation at other people’s places. My bad. 😁

When I was there, I took the chance to visit our abandoned house as I really had missed it. I felt sad upon seeing it because its roofings are still good but then its other materials are slowly rotting. Weeds are surrounding it but it’s still liveable. I wonder if mom is willing to let other people use it, or if there are people who would love to stay there.

This is our house and our more than 15 year old well.

This house has a lot of memories I’ll forever keep in my heart and I would love to pay it a visit every once in a while in the future so it should be maintained, I thought to myself.

6. Taking my younger sis to Tacloban City.

It’s the only the city that’s close to us (There are two other cities — Ormoc City and Baybay City in Leyte, by the way.), so I decided to take my sister out on a date because I know my mom barely takes her when she goes to the town and esp. to the city.

So I took her to the mall, had window shopping yet we bought some groceries and we dined at Jollibee. We couldn’t make the most of our visit, though, because the weather was bad and when we arrived home, it was already 9 pm which is already late in the province (’cause it’s too early for the people in the city). But at least we got to spend some time together and that’s what matters.

7. Having fun at Camp Cawayan Resort.

The day before I headed back to friend’s in Baybay, I, together with my only one younger brother (who stays at mom’s sister, because my other younger brother who stays at mom’s brother was busy and we didn’t get to take our youngest sister ’cause we weren’t sure she can swim and we were in hurry as we just rented the motorbike we used,) and 2 cousins went here as I’d been itching to swim in a swimming pool like I always do.

I really love plunging into any body of water because not only it is refreshing, but also I get to improve my swimming skills each time and I become more confident with myself when I’m in the water. (Also, the supertyphoon Yolanda wayback in November 2013 made me realize more than any occassion, about the importance of swimming.)

8. Taking a look at our barangay.

Before leaving for Baybay, I went to the center of our barangay to take a ride to our town proper, but while I was waiting I visited my two aunts whose houses are close to this momument. I checked on them and had some catch up talk.

I used to hang out and play around this monument of General Roxas (which our brgy is named after) with my childhood friends when I was a kid.

This is where I studied Grade 1 until Grade 5. (General Roxas Elementary School) 👇

9. Roadtripping (not literally, though 😁).

On my way back to Baybay, I was lucky to be seated on the front seat of the van because it’s my favorite spot as I get to enjoy seeing the views of the places we pass along and I love it more when there is a good music in the background.

  View this post on Instagram

What do I love about road trip? It is this. 😊 #roadtrip #travel #leytephilippines #destinationsph #countryside #nature

A post shared by Erma Lazada ♡ (@lazada.erma) on Nov 2, 2017 at 10:38pm PDT

I was so glad that there’s not so many houses on the national road from Dulag to Baybay because I find the nature’s view more appealing when I’m riding on a van, although it seems like it’s boring in those places, and it is what I love about the country side. The view of the mountain ranges, the seas, the rice fields, the vacant lots, the coconut trees and especially the sky fills my soul with so much peace.

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So, that’s it. I hope you learn a thing or two from it. Thank you as always for reading. 😍

Making the most of a failed trip. As stated in my previous post, I'll be sharing in here the things I did, and of course, the photos from my supposed backpacking trip which turned going home trip for the reason that I couldn't get rid of my reluctantancy, or hesitancy, rather,  and my fear to go alone because the local tourists spots are kinda far from where I was.

[stagesofabreakup]

Stages of a Breakup: Week 30

1. Stay up until 6:00am

2. Apply for a gym job at 6:15am in the middle of that

3. Wake back up at 10:00 to travel to Brooklyn to see an apartment

4. It’s a tiny box away from all trains so you pass

5. Apply to a babysitting job

6. Try to sleep but just idly watch Netflix until you leave to go to dinner at your mom’s friend Susan’s apartment

7. Buy Black Sesame mochi to take as a gift

8. Have a really nice dinner with Susan and her husband Howard, neither of them like the mochi

9. Read on the train home

10. Rearrange your entire day/cancel things to accommodate someone who asked you last minute to babysit Tuesday from 7:30am to 7:00pm

11. Get a text from them the night before cancelling

12. Sleep until 4:00pm

13. Call your energy company from New Orleans and try to work out what they did with your deposit they haven’t sent back yet

14. Meet your friend Lizzy

15. Get 9 dollars worth of Indian food

16. Talk about jobs as a concept for a while

17. Learn that “Night HIV tester” is a job opening at her company

18. Attempt to walk to a bar she likes that’s 20 blocks away

19. Get sidetracked by a Goodwill

20. Go in

21. Try on a bunch of dresses

22. Realize that the lowest form of cutting is trying on dresses with horizontal stripes

23. Find a bunch of mini notebooks in 3 packs for a dollar

24. Buy 10 of them

25. Commit to doing standup forever

26. Keep walking to the bar

27. Get there

28. Both of us are too tired to go in

29. Go home

30. Walk by a movie theatre

31. Go in to check the times

32. See that a screening of mother! Is starting in 5 min

33. Buy a senior ticket from a machine

34. Save 2 VALUABLE dollars

35. See the movie

36. LOVE it

37. Walk home

38. Get two free sandwiches from a restaurant that’s closing

39. Deposit a check in a Chase 24/hr booth

40. Grin while walking home for 20 blocks

41. Bring about 45 moving boxes upstairs the doorman held for you

42. Write a review of mother!

43. Publish

44. Go to sleep?

45. Wake up at 9:00am to get picked up for a Costco trip by your long lost family members

46. Spend 115 dollars at Costco on frozen food and beer

47. See that you’re running late, reschedule job interview at gym and follow up to sign paperwork at other job

48. Rush home to unload/refrigerate everything

49. Speedwalk to Marymount college

50. Sign papers

51. Speed take the subway to your interview at a gym

52. Have a great interview where you are asked questions like, “If you could be any breakfast cereal which one would it be and why?”, talk about systemic racism

53. Leave the interview feeling good about your performance but also like it is too much work for not enough money (12/hr???!!!!!)

54. Go to a library nearby

55. GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

56. Walk by the One World Trade Center

57. It’s so beautiful!

58. Find a gift card by the trash to Century 21

59. Stay up until 7:30am watching and reviewing ‘The Standups’ on Netflix

60. Hang out with your friend Alex

61. Eat a plantain and cheese empanada

62. Drink night mimosas

63. Watch the season premiere of Nathan For You by chance!!!!

64. Find out that the guy you hooked up with kind of in college who told you he was seeing someone the last time he was here isn’t dating anyone/wasn’t seriously then

65. Feel confused? Hurt? Upset? Neutral? Relieved?

66. Go home later than you wanted to and feel scared walking/traveling

67. Go to see the apartment you’re most excited for!!!!!!!

68. Leave not feeling great about your chances of getting it!!!!!

69. Also she said the internet doesn’t reach her room which

70. Is completely

71. Fucked up and

72. Unacceptable

73. But you can get an internet extender

74. Take the train home

75. Realize when you get out of the station you have to meet a mom for a babysitting interview basically right now

76. Walk over to a playground

77. Meet her and her son who is spoiled

78. But she is cool and tells you he can be an asshole

79. Go to a Sephora

80. Spend a leisurely 48 minutes in there applying 50 dollar eyeshadow and blue lipstick

81. Go home feeling great

82. Get home and reassess that feeling

83. Stay up until 7:00am again

84. Get up early to meet a babysitting family in Brooklyn

85. Be so exhausted you mess up the times

86. Are 30 minutes late

87. Do the interview but they tell you it’s a red flag

88. You understand why they feel that way but it still makes you feel like shit

89. Wonder if they’ve ever had insomnia from anxiety

90. Go to a library and get a Brooklyn library card !!!!! (New York is so big it has different systems)

91. Write in the library for a while

92. Take the train home

93. Stay up until 3:30 watching 30 Rock to see when they pull it from Netflix ( ☹)

94. Start watching Arrested Development

95. Stay up until 7:30am again

96. Wake up

97. Get dressed

98. Help your dad unload stuff from the car-he is in town to pack up your Grandma’s apartment & move her down to North Carolina

99. Get dressed nicer to go to your Grandma’s party

100. Eat cheese and drink wine with a lot of women whose husband’s are dead

101. Drive back to Broad Channel with your Dad and Grandma

102. Get McDonalds as a family

103. Sleep on a weird chaise lounge red leather chair

104. Stay up until maybe only 5:00am this time

105. Wake up

106. Eat a bagel with cream cheese

107. Take some of your Grandma’s old clothes for a friend (they’re stylish!!)

108. Find your Grandpa’s old poker chips

109. Take the ferry back with your dad

110. Get back to the apartment

111. Your cousin and dad start arguing about the apartment

112. Your cousin is being particularly shitty

113. Your cousin throws a glass of water on your dad

114. YOUR DAD CHOKES HIM AND YOU HAVE TO PULL HIM OFF AND PUSH HIM INTO A WALL AND A PLATE BREAKS AND YOU CUT HIM WITH YOUR NAILS BY MISTAKE IN THE PROCESS AND YOU’RE BOTH BLEEDING

115. Cry

116. Cry some more

117. Your dad cries

118. Your cousin cries as much as it seems possible for him to

119. Kind of mediate

120. An agreement is tentatively reached

121. Your dad gives your cousin money to get a pizza

122. Eat

123. You all start packing

124. Go through a lot of Christmas ornaments

125. Eat a full size Milky Way bar

126. Hear back from the dream apartment girl that she does want to offer it to you but it’s actually only for 5 months instead of longer term

127. Tell her you’ll think about it and tell her tomorrow

128. Talk to your mom on the phone, get advice about the apartment, don’t tell her about the choking

129. Decide to take it

130. Your ex-boyfriend messages you a song you heard about half a year ago on fb

131. Message him back something polite but aloof (can he feel you pulling away??? Nah he probably doesn’t care at all!!!)

132. Message someone about a babysitting job

133. Decide to self-medicate with Arrested Development

134. Find more food to eat

[vidovicart]

How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap

Posted: 2/28/2019 | February 28th, 2019

Southeast Asia may be a huge region — but it’s super easy to get around.

It’s well-traveled (backpackers have been following “the banana pancake trail” since the late ’60s), and there’s an extensive network designed to ensure that you can easily get from A to B.

In Hanoi and need to get to Bangkok? In Vientiane and want to go Malaysia? Or Ko Samui? No problem. Someone can arrange that.

But what’s the best way to get around Southeast Asia on a budget?

How can you go from point A to point B in the most efficient and easiest manner?

Here’s how you can travel around Southeast Asia on the cheap, with example prices and estimated travel times.

Table of Contents

Get Around Southeast Asia By Plane

Get Around Southeast Asia By Bus

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

Getting Around Towns

Distances/Times Around Southeast Asia?

Get Around Southeast Asia By Flying

This is the quickest but most expensive way to get around Southeast Asia. There are a lot of budget airlines (like Ryanair or EasyJet in Europe) in the region: Scoot (merged with Tigerair), Jetstar, and AirAsia are the biggest. Nok Air has a lot of flights within Thailand, and VietJet Air is popular in Vietnam. Lion Air serves Indonesia, but its safety record is really spotty and I would not fly them.

Here are some sample prices for some of the biggest routes:

Bangkok to Singapore – $55 (one way), $120 (round-trip)

Phuket City to Vientiane – $95 (one way), $180 (round-trip)

Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok – $48 (one way), $108 (round-trip)

Bali (Denpasar) to Kuala Lumpur – $75 (one way), $110 (round-trip)

Siem Reap to Hanoi – $125 (one way), $169 (round-trip)

Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur – $28 (one way), $56 (round-trip)

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City – $80 (one way), $125 (round-trip)

Yangon to Manila – $107 (one way), $226 (round-trip)

Yangon to Bangkok – $45 (one way), $82 (round-trip)

If you book early, you can save on fares, as most of the airlines offer deeply discounted fare sales all the time, especially Air Asia. The best places to find cheap flights are Momondo and Skyscanner.

Keep in mind two things, though:

First, budget airlines all fly from smaller, more out-of-the-way airports, so be prepared to take buses or taxis there (and plan for traffic).

Second, all these airlines make their money by charging fees for everything, so expect baggage fees, credit card “convenience” fees, check-in fees, fees on fees, etc., etc.! If the fees add up, it can often be cheaper to fly one of the larger, more traditional air carriers, especially when you consider the main airport might be more centrally located.

All in all, I only recommend flying if you are pressed for time or find a super cheap deal.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Local or Tourist Bus

The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Southeast Asia is by bus. Buses will take you anywhere you want to go, no matter how far.

Buses are generally run by a plethora of small operators (there is no version of Greyhound here). You simply go with the operator that services the route you want to travel or with the company the tourist agency or guesthouse set you up with.

In Southeast Asia, you don’t have to plan ahead that much either. You simply show up at the bus station and buy your ticket! They use a first-come, first-serve basis but are rarely full. You don’t need to book them in advance or online — although, if I know where I’m going, I often book my bus the day before simply as a precaution. In all my years traveling this region, I’ve never shown up and been turned away.

Here are some sample fares and travel times for bus routes in Southeast Asia (in USD):

Bangkok to Chiang Mai – $17 (10 hours)

Bangkok to Pattaya – $4.75 (3 hours)

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – $7.17 (3:40 hrs)

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – $12 (5:30 hrs)

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – $12.23 (5 hrs)

Vientiane to Luang Prabang – $27 (10 hrs)

Da Nang to Hanoi – $13.80 (14 hrs)

Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh – $11 (4 hrs)

Kuta Beach to Ubud – $6 (1 hr)

Puerto Princesa to El Nido – $12 (5 hrs)

Yangon to Bagan – $18.50 (9 hrs)

Hanoi to Halong Bay – $7.35 (4 hrs)

Moreover, the backpacker trail in Southeast Asia is so well established that there is a very well-oiled “tourist bus” system here. (Usually, when you book buses from tourist agencies or guesthouses, they put you on these tourist buses.) These buses will pick you up at your accommodation or have a set meetup point in the tourist area and take you directly to your next destination.

For example, if you need to go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you’d buy a ticket, meet the bus (probably on Khao San Road), and enjoy the night ride up to Chiang Mai with other travelers. No stops at other bus stations — just a straight shot to Chiang Mai.

And while tourist buses are very convenient, they are also usually about 25% more expensive than the buses locals use. They generally cost $5-8 USD for a 5-6-hour journey; overnight buses are $22 USD or more depending on distance.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

There are two organized backpacker specific bus companies that serve Asia: Bamba Experience and Stray Asia. These are hop-on-hop-off buses that travel set routes across the continent.

Bamba Experience’s flexible passes start at around $600 USD for 15 days. Stray Asia’s pass is about $1,836 for a minimum of 40 days.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of these services. You’re paying for flexibility, but it’s easy to get around the region as well as meet people, so I would skip this method of travel. Even if you’re a first-time traveler, the tourist buses can do everything these tours can do for you.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Train service in Southeast Asia is basically nonexistent other than in Thailand, the only country that has an extensive train system around the country (and onward to Singapore), and Vietnam, which has a train along the coast, though it is slow and expensive compared to the bus (1,445,445 VND/$62 USD from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City instead of 695,865 VND/$30 USD).

Train prices are determined by distance and class, so the farther you go, the more you pay. Night trains with sleeper cars are more expensive than day trains: the night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes 12 hours and costs 965 THB ($29 USD) for a sleeper seat, but that same train during the day is 230 THB ($7 USD).

You can travel by train between Singapore, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bangkok as well. It’s a long journey that will take you over a day to get there, but you can find fares for as little as $80 USD. If you’re a train enthusiast, it’s one of the most classic rides out there. If you have the time, I highly recommend the experience.

Myanmar has train service but it’s very limited. There is no website for Myanmar Railways, but the ministry of rail transportation has a schedule (don’t depend on this though — you’re better off finding out exact times at a station). You can also use 12go.asia to look up routes and buy tickets. There are trains every day between Yangon and Mandalay, with stops in Bago, Taungoo, Naypyitaw, and Thazi. This entire 15-hour route costs about 4,600 K ($3 USD) for an ordinary seat and 12,750 K ($8 USD) for sleeper class. There are a handful of other routes as well, like Yangon to Inglee Lake via Thazi.

In Indonesia, the main cities of Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo), and Banyuwangi (the ferry terminal for Bali)) are well linked by train, including. Economy class to Jakarta to Surabaya takes 15 hours and costs about 104,000 IDR ($7 USD), while a 9-hour executive-class trip can cost up to 1,250,000 IDR ($90 USD). Surabaya to Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo) takes 2-3 hours and costs 29,000 IDR ($2 USD) for economy or 150,000 IDR ($11 USD) for executive class. Surabaya to Banyuwangi (for Bali) takes 6-7 hours and costs as little as 56,000 IDR ($4 USD) for economy or 190,000 IDR ($13.50 USD) for executive class. You can reserve your tickets at tiket.com.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

I don’t recommend renting a car. Rental cars are expensive and the roads here are nuts. I would never drive around the region.

However, a lot of people motorbike around the area. I don’t know much about this, but Travelfish does. He’s the guru on this. Check it out here.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

While this won’t be your main way of getting around, it will definitely come into play in certain countries. If you’re exploring the islands of Thailand, for example, you’ll need to rely on boats and ferries. And if you’re backpacking around Indonesia or the Philippines, ferries will be the cheapest way to island-hop (but definitely not the fastest!).

It’s worth noting that ferries in Southeast Asia don’t often adhere to Western safety standards and lack of life jackets is an issue. Some people recommend staying on the top deck so it’s easier to quickly leave the boat if necessary.

While it’s not necessary to book in advance, it’s a good idea during peak season or on more popular routes to book your tickets the day before you plan to travel to make sure you have a spot. You can buy tickets on the ferry company’s website or via a ticket agent like 12go.asia. However, every agent or hostel or hotel can get you a ferry ticket too. It’s really simple!

Here are a few sample routes and prices to help you plan:

Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok – $5 (one way)

Bali to the Gili Islands – $30 (one way)

Koh Tao to Koh Samui – $16 (one way)

Sihanoukville to Koh Rong – $25 (round-trip)

Manilla to Puerto Princesa – $30 (one way)

You might also consider doing a multiday cruise on popular waterways like the Mekong River or Halong Bay. On the Mekong River in Laos, slow boats from Huay-Xai will drop you off in Luang Prabang. Slow boats take 2-3 days, stopping at guesthouses for nightly accommodation. Prices will vary depending on the quality of your tour company, but a decent tour will run you around 1,000,000 LAK ($116 USD).

Halong Bay tours from Hanoi start around 850,000-1,403,377 VND ($35-60 USD) for two-day trips and increase exponentially from there.

Getting Around Towns on the Cheap

Local buses are really your best and cheapest option when you’re traveling in town as well. Fares typically cost less than $1 (and even less if you buy multi-trip passes). All of the towns you’ll visit will have reliable, affordable public bus systems.

In some of the bigger cities (Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur), you’ll even find subways and tram systems. Jakarta and Hanoi are working on building their subway systems, but buses are still the best option in those places for now.

I normally advise budget travelers to skip taxis because they are way too expensive. But in Southeast Asia, you don’t have to always stick to this rule. Taxis and tuk-tuks (small shared taxis with no meters) are options here. They require a bit of haggling and cost more than public transportation, but they are clearly more convenient when you’re in a jam or not yet accustomed to an area.

In Singapore and Indonesia, taxi drivers do put on the meter. In Bangkok, you can get taxi drivers to use the meter, but if you’re hailing one in a tourist area, he might try to avoid using it. In Vietnam, the meter is usually rigged, but if you use a reputable company like Mai Linh, you won’t have any problems.

Grab (an Uber offspring) is a household name in Southeast Asia. It, too, is convenient, but it sometimes costs even more than a taxi. Gojek in Indonesia is a similar option. Be forewarned: If you order a Grab or Gojek, you might wind up on the back of a motorbike!

How Long Does it Take to Get Around Southeast Asia?

Here is a distance and travel-time table of how long it takes to get around Southeast Asia.

Route

Distance (km/miles)

Air (hrs)

Bus (hrs)

Rail (hrs)

Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville

214/133

1

5

7

Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City

230/115

1

6

N/A

Hanoi – Vientiane

800/497

1:10

22

16

Chiang Mai – Bangkok

688/428

1:20

10

14:40

Bangkok – Phuket

840/525

1:25

13

N/A

Kuala Lumpur – Singapore

350/217

1

7

7

Phuket – Kuala Lumpur

964/599

1:30

18

N/A

Bali – Lombok

75/46

0:30

4 (via ferry)

N/A

Yangon – Bagan

626/390

1:15

9

17.5

Jakarta – Bali

1,173/729

1:50

30

12 (ferry terminal)

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang

183/114

N/A

6

N/A

Manila – El Nido

613/380

1:20

10 (ferry terminal)

N/A

Manila – Boracay

442/275

0:55

3 (ferry terminal)

N/A

***

In short, Southeast Asia is pretty easy to get around: take the train as often as you can in Thailand, take the train in Vietnam if you have the time, and take buses everywhere else. If you’re pressed for time, take the night trains or fly. And if you find a good flight deal, definitely fly!

Simple and easy.

As long as you do that you’ll be able to get around Southeast Asia on a budget and make the most efficient use of your time and money!

Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Southeast Asia? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Southeast Asia with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 4

The post How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

[travelguy4444]

How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap

Posted: 2/28/2019 | February 28th, 2019

Southeast Asia may be a huge region — but it’s super easy to get around.

It’s well-traveled (backpackers have been following “the banana pancake trail” since the late ’60s), and there’s an extensive network designed to ensure that you can easily get from A to B.

In Hanoi and need to get to Bangkok? In Vientiane and want to go Malaysia? Or Ko Samui? No problem. Someone can arrange that.

But what’s the best way to get around Southeast Asia on a budget?

How can you go from point A to point B in the most efficient and easiest manner?

Here’s how you can travel around Southeast Asia on the cheap, with example prices and estimated travel times.

Table of Contents

Get Around Southeast Asia By Plane

Get Around Southeast Asia By Bus

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

Getting Around Towns

Distances/Times Around Southeast Asia?

Get Around Southeast Asia By Flying

This is the quickest but most expensive way to get around Southeast Asia. There are a lot of budget airlines (like Ryanair or EasyJet in Europe) in the region: Scoot (merged with Tigerair), Jetstar, and AirAsia are the biggest. Nok Air has a lot of flights within Thailand, and VietJet Air is popular in Vietnam. Lion Air serves Indonesia, but its safety record is really spotty and I would not fly them.

Here are some sample prices for some of the biggest routes:

Bangkok to Singapore – $55 (one way), $120 (round-trip)

Phuket City to Vientiane – $95 (one way), $180 (round-trip)

Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok – $48 (one way), $108 (round-trip)

Bali (Denpasar) to Kuala Lumpur – $75 (one way), $110 (round-trip)

Siem Reap to Hanoi – $125 (one way), $169 (round-trip)

Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur – $28 (one way), $56 (round-trip)

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City – $80 (one way), $125 (round-trip)

Yangon to Manila – $107 (one way), $226 (round-trip)

Yangon to Bangkok – $45 (one way), $82 (round-trip)

If you book early, you can save on fares, as most of the airlines offer deeply discounted fare sales all the time, especially Air Asia. The best places to find cheap flights are Momondo and Skyscanner.

Keep in mind two things, though:

First, budget airlines all fly from smaller, more out-of-the-way airports, so be prepared to take buses or taxis there (and plan for traffic).

Second, all these airlines make their money by charging fees for everything, so expect baggage fees, credit card “convenience” fees, check-in fees, fees on fees, etc., etc.! If the fees add up, it can often be cheaper to fly one of the larger, more traditional air carriers, especially when you consider the main airport might be more centrally located.

All in all, I only recommend flying if you are pressed for time or find a super cheap deal.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Local or Tourist Bus

The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Southeast Asia is by bus. Buses will take you anywhere you want to go, no matter how far.

Buses are generally run by a plethora of small operators (there is no version of Greyhound here). You simply go with the operator that services the route you want to travel or with the company the tourist agency or guesthouse set you up with.

In Southeast Asia, you don’t have to plan ahead that much either. You simply show up at the bus station and buy your ticket! They use a first-come, first-serve basis but are rarely full. You don’t need to book them in advance or online — although, if I know where I’m going, I often book my bus the day before simply as a precaution. In all my years traveling this region, I’ve never shown up and been turned away.

Here are some sample fares and travel times for bus routes in Southeast Asia (in USD):

Bangkok to Chiang Mai – $17 (10 hours)

Bangkok to Pattaya – $4.75 (3 hours)

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – $7.17 (3:40 hrs)

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – $12 (5:30 hrs)

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – $12.23 (5 hrs)

Vientiane to Luang Prabang – $27 (10 hrs)

Da Nang to Hanoi – $13.80 (14 hrs)

Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh – $11 (4 hrs)

Kuta Beach to Ubud – $6 (1 hr)

Puerto Princesa to El Nido – $12 (5 hrs)

Yangon to Bagan – $18.50 (9 hrs)

Hanoi to Halong Bay – $7.35 (4 hrs)

Moreover, the backpacker trail in Southeast Asia is so well established that there is a very well-oiled “tourist bus” system here. (Usually, when you book buses from tourist agencies or guesthouses, they put you on these tourist buses.) These buses will pick you up at your accommodation or have a set meetup point in the tourist area and take you directly to your next destination.

For example, if you need to go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you’d buy a ticket, meet the bus (probably on Khao San Road), and enjoy the night ride up to Chiang Mai with other travelers. No stops at other bus stations — just a straight shot to Chiang Mai.

And while tourist buses are very convenient, they are also usually about 25% more expensive than the buses locals use. They generally cost $5-8 USD for a 5-6-hour journey; overnight buses are $22 USD or more depending on distance.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

There are two organized backpacker specific bus companies that serve Asia: Bamba Experience and Stray Asia. These are hop-on-hop-off buses that travel set routes across the continent.

Bamba Experience’s flexible passes start at around $600 USD for 15 days. Stray Asia’s pass is about $1,836 for a minimum of 40 days.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of these services. You’re paying for flexibility, but it’s easy to get around the region as well as meet people, so I would skip this method of travel. Even if you’re a first-time traveler, the tourist buses can do everything these tours can do for you.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Train service in Southeast Asia is basically nonexistent other than in Thailand, the only country that has an extensive train system around the country (and onward to Singapore), and Vietnam, which has a train along the coast, though it is slow and expensive compared to the bus (1,445,445 VND/$62 USD from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City instead of 695,865 VND/$30 USD).

Train prices are determined by distance and class, so the farther you go, the more you pay. Night trains with sleeper cars are more expensive than day trains: the night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes 12 hours and costs 965 THB ($29 USD) for a sleeper seat, but that same train during the day is 230 THB ($7 USD).

You can travel by train between Singapore, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bangkok as well. It’s a long journey that will take you over a day to get there, but you can find fares for as little as $80 USD. If you’re a train enthusiast, it’s one of the most classic rides out there. If you have the time, I highly recommend the experience.

Myanmar has train service but it’s very limited. There is no website for Myanmar Railways, but the ministry of rail transportation has a schedule (don’t depend on this though — you’re better off finding out exact times at a station). You can also use 12go.asia to look up routes and buy tickets. There are trains every day between Yangon and Mandalay, with stops in Bago, Taungoo, Naypyitaw, and Thazi. This entire 15-hour route costs about 4,600 K ($3 USD) for an ordinary seat and 12,750 K ($8 USD) for sleeper class. There are a handful of other routes as well, like Yangon to Inglee Lake via Thazi.

In Indonesia, the main cities of Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo), and Banyuwangi (the ferry terminal for Bali)) are well linked by train, including. Economy class to Jakarta to Surabaya takes 15 hours and costs about 104,000 IDR ($7 USD), while a 9-hour executive-class trip can cost up to 1,250,000 IDR ($90 USD). Surabaya to Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo) takes 2-3 hours and costs 29,000 IDR ($2 USD) for economy or 150,000 IDR ($11 USD) for executive class. Surabaya to Banyuwangi (for Bali) takes 6-7 hours and costs as little as 56,000 IDR ($4 USD) for economy or 190,000 IDR ($13.50 USD) for executive class. You can reserve your tickets at tiket.com.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

I don’t recommend renting a car. Rental cars are expensive and the roads here are nuts. I would never drive around the region.

However, a lot of people motorbike around the area. I don’t know much about this, but Travelfish does. He’s the guru on this. Check it out here.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

While this won’t be your main way of getting around, it will definitely come into play in certain countries. If you’re exploring the islands of Thailand, for example, you’ll need to rely on boats and ferries. And if you’re backpacking around Indonesia or the Philippines, ferries will be the cheapest way to island-hop (but definitely not the fastest!).

It’s worth noting that ferries in Southeast Asia don’t often adhere to Western safety standards and lack of life jackets is an issue. Some people recommend staying on the top deck so it’s easier to quickly leave the boat if necessary.

While it’s not necessary to book in advance, it’s a good idea during peak season or on more popular routes to book your tickets the day before you plan to travel to make sure you have a spot. You can buy tickets on the ferry company’s website or via a ticket agent like 12go.asia. However, every agent or hostel or hotel can get you a ferry ticket too. It’s really simple!

Here are a few sample routes and prices to help you plan:

Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok – $5 (one way)

Bali to the Gili Islands – $30 (one way)

Koh Tao to Koh Samui – $16 (one way)

Sihanoukville to Koh Rong – $25 (round-trip)

Manilla to Puerto Princesa – $30 (one way)

You might also consider doing a multiday cruise on popular waterways like the Mekong River or Halong Bay. On the Mekong River in Laos, slow boats from Huay-Xai will drop you off in Luang Prabang. Slow boats take 2-3 days, stopping at guesthouses for nightly accommodation. Prices will vary depending on the quality of your tour company, but a decent tour will run you around 1,000,000 LAK ($116 USD).

Halong Bay tours from Hanoi start around 850,000-1,403,377 VND ($35-60 USD) for two-day trips and increase exponentially from there.

Getting Around Towns on the Cheap

Local buses are really your best and cheapest option when you’re traveling in town as well. Fares typically cost less than $1 (and even less if you buy multi-trip passes). All of the towns you’ll visit will have reliable, affordable public bus systems.

In some of the bigger cities (Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur), you’ll even find subways and tram systems. Jakarta and Hanoi are working on building their subway systems, but buses are still the best option in those places for now.

I normally advise budget travelers to skip taxis because they are way too expensive. But in Southeast Asia, you don’t have to always stick to this rule. Taxis and tuk-tuks (small shared taxis with no meters) are options here. They require a bit of haggling and cost more than public transportation, but they are clearly more convenient when you’re in a jam or not yet accustomed to an area.

In Singapore and Indonesia, taxi drivers do put on the meter. In Bangkok, you can get taxi drivers to use the meter, but if you’re hailing one in a tourist area, he might try to avoid using it. In Vietnam, the meter is usually rigged, but if you use a reputable company like Mai Linh, you won’t have any problems.

Grab (an Uber offspring) is a household name in Southeast Asia. It, too, is convenient, but it sometimes costs even more than a taxi. Gojek in Indonesia is a similar option. Be forewarned: If you order a Grab or Gojek, you might wind up on the back of a motorbike!

How Long Does it Take to Get Around Southeast Asia?

Here is a distance and travel-time table of how long it takes to get around Southeast Asia.

Route

Distance (km/miles)

Air (hrs)

Bus (hrs)

Rail (hrs)

Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville

214/133

1

5

7

Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City

230/115

1

6

N/A

Hanoi – Vientiane

800/497

1:10

22

16

Chiang Mai – Bangkok

688/428

1:20

10

14:40

Bangkok – Phuket

840/525

1:25

13

N/A

Kuala Lumpur – Singapore

350/217

1

7

7

Phuket – Kuala Lumpur

964/599

1:30

18

N/A

Bali – Lombok

75/46

0:30

4 (via ferry)

N/A

Yangon – Bagan

626/390

1:15

9

17.5

Jakarta – Bali

1,173/729

1:50

30

12 (ferry terminal)

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang

183/114

N/A

6

N/A

Manila – El Nido

613/380

1:20

10 (ferry terminal)

N/A

Manila – Boracay

442/275

0:55

3 (ferry terminal)

N/A

***

In short, Southeast Asia is pretty easy to get around: take the train as often as you can in Thailand, take the train in Vietnam if you have the time, and take buses everywhere else. If you’re pressed for time, take the night trains or fly. And if you find a good flight deal, definitely fly!

Simple and easy.

As long as you do that you’ll be able to get around Southeast Asia on a budget and make the most efficient use of your time and money!

Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Southeast Asia? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Southeast Asia with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 4

The post How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

source https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/get-around-southeast-asia/

[tamboradventure]

How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap

Posted: 2/28/2019 | February 28th, 2019

Southeast Asia may be a huge region — but it’s super easy to get around.

It’s well-traveled (backpackers have been following “the banana pancake trail” since the late ’60s), and there’s an extensive network designed to ensure that you can easily get from A to B.

In Hanoi and need to get to Bangkok? In Vientiane and want to go Malaysia? Or Ko Samui? No problem. Someone can arrange that.

But what’s the best way to get around Southeast Asia on a budget?

How can you go from point A to point B in the most efficient and easiest manner?

Here’s how you can travel around Southeast Asia on the cheap, with example prices and estimated travel times.

Table of Contents

Get Around Southeast Asia By Plane

Get Around Southeast Asia By Bus

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

Getting Around Towns

Distances/Times Around Southeast Asia?

Get Around Southeast Asia By Flying

This is the quickest but most expensive way to get around Southeast Asia. There are a lot of budget airlines (like Ryanair or EasyJet in Europe) in the region: Scoot (merged with Tigerair), Jetstar, and AirAsia are the biggest. Nok Air has a lot of flights within Thailand, and VietJet Air is popular in Vietnam. Lion Air serves Indonesia, but its safety record is really spotty and I would not fly them.

Here are some sample prices for some of the biggest routes:

Bangkok to Singapore – $55 (one way), $120 (round-trip)

Phuket City to Vientiane – $95 (one way), $180 (round-trip)

Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok – $48 (one way), $108 (round-trip)

Bali (Denpasar) to Kuala Lumpur – $75 (one way), $110 (round-trip)

Siem Reap to Hanoi – $125 (one way), $169 (round-trip)

Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur – $28 (one way), $56 (round-trip)

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City – $80 (one way), $125 (round-trip)

Yangon to Manila – $107 (one way), $226 (round-trip)

Yangon to Bangkok – $45 (one way), $82 (round-trip)

If you book early, you can save on fares, as most of the airlines offer deeply discounted fare sales all the time, especially Air Asia. The best places to find cheap flights are Momondo and Skyscanner.

Keep in mind two things, though:

First, budget airlines all fly from smaller, more out-of-the-way airports, so be prepared to take buses or taxis there (and plan for traffic).

Second, all these airlines make their money by charging fees for everything, so expect baggage fees, credit card “convenience” fees, check-in fees, fees on fees, etc., etc.! If the fees add up, it can often be cheaper to fly one of the larger, more traditional air carriers, especially when you consider the main airport might be more centrally located.

All in all, I only recommend flying if you are pressed for time or find a super cheap deal.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Local or Tourist Bus

The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Southeast Asia is by bus. Buses will take you anywhere you want to go, no matter how far.

Buses are generally run by a plethora of small operators (there is no version of Greyhound here). You simply go with the operator that services the route you want to travel or with the company the tourist agency or guesthouse set you up with.

In Southeast Asia, you don’t have to plan ahead that much either. You simply show up at the bus station and buy your ticket! They use a first-come, first-serve basis but are rarely full. You don’t need to book them in advance or online — although, if I know where I’m going, I often book my bus the day before simply as a precaution. In all my years traveling this region, I’ve never shown up and been turned away.

Here are some sample fares and travel times for bus routes in Southeast Asia (in USD):

Bangkok to Chiang Mai – $17 (10 hours)

Bangkok to Pattaya – $4.75 (3 hours)

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – $7.17 (3:40 hrs)

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – $12 (5:30 hrs)

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – $12.23 (5 hrs)

Vientiane to Luang Prabang – $27 (10 hrs)

Da Nang to Hanoi – $13.80 (14 hrs)

Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh – $11 (4 hrs)

Kuta Beach to Ubud – $6 (1 hr)

Puerto Princesa to El Nido – $12 (5 hrs)

Yangon to Bagan – $18.50 (9 hrs)

Hanoi to Halong Bay – $7.35 (4 hrs)

Moreover, the backpacker trail in Southeast Asia is so well established that there is a very well-oiled “tourist bus” system here. (Usually, when you book buses from tourist agencies or guesthouses, they put you on these tourist buses.) These buses will pick you up at your accommodation or have a set meetup point in the tourist area and take you directly to your next destination.

For example, if you need to go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you’d buy a ticket, meet the bus (probably on Khao San Road), and enjoy the night ride up to Chiang Mai with other travelers. No stops at other bus stations — just a straight shot to Chiang Mai.

And while tourist buses are very convenient, they are also usually about 25% more expensive than the buses locals use. They generally cost $5-8 USD for a 5-6-hour journey; overnight buses are $22 USD or more depending on distance.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

There are two organized backpacker specific bus companies that serve Asia: Bamba Experience and Stray Asia. These are hop-on-hop-off buses that travel set routes across the continent.

Bamba Experience’s flexible passes start at around $600 USD for 15 days. Stray Asia’s pass is about $1,836 for a minimum of 40 days.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of these services. You’re paying for flexibility, but it’s easy to get around the region as well as meet people, so I would skip this method of travel. Even if you’re a first-time traveler, the tourist buses can do everything these tours can do for you.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Train service in Southeast Asia is basically nonexistent other than in Thailand, the only country that has an extensive train system around the country (and onward to Singapore), and Vietnam, which has a train along the coast, though it is slow and expensive compared to the bus (1,445,445 VND/$62 USD from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City instead of 695,865 VND/$30 USD).

Train prices are determined by distance and class, so the farther you go, the more you pay. Night trains with sleeper cars are more expensive than day trains: the night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes 12 hours and costs 965 THB ($29 USD) for a sleeper seat, but that same train during the day is 230 THB ($7 USD).

You can travel by train between Singapore, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bangkok as well. It’s a long journey that will take you over a day to get there, but you can find fares for as little as $80 USD. If you’re a train enthusiast, it’s one of the most classic rides out there. If you have the time, I highly recommend the experience.

Myanmar has train service but it’s very limited. There is no website for Myanmar Railways, but the ministry of rail transportation has a schedule (don’t depend on this though — you’re better off finding out exact times at a station). You can also use 12go.asia to look up routes and buy tickets. There are trains every day between Yangon and Mandalay, with stops in Bago, Taungoo, Naypyitaw, and Thazi. This entire 15-hour route costs about 4,600 K ($3 USD) for an ordinary seat and 12,750 K ($8 USD) for sleeper class. There are a handful of other routes as well, like Yangon to Inglee Lake via Thazi.

In Indonesia, the main cities of Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo), and Banyuwangi (the ferry terminal for Bali)) are well linked by train, including. Economy class to Jakarta to Surabaya takes 15 hours and costs about 104,000 IDR ($7 USD), while a 9-hour executive-class trip can cost up to 1,250,000 IDR ($90 USD). Surabaya to Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo) takes 2-3 hours and costs 29,000 IDR ($2 USD) for economy or 150,000 IDR ($11 USD) for executive class. Surabaya to Banyuwangi (for Bali) takes 6-7 hours and costs as little as 56,000 IDR ($4 USD) for economy or 190,000 IDR ($13.50 USD) for executive class. You can reserve your tickets at tiket.com.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

I don’t recommend renting a car. Rental cars are expensive and the roads here are nuts. I would never drive around the region.

However, a lot of people motorbike around the area. I don’t know much about this, but Travelfish does. He’s the guru on this. Check it out here.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

While this won’t be your main way of getting around, it will definitely come into play in certain countries. If you’re exploring the islands of Thailand, for example, you’ll need to rely on boats and ferries. And if you’re backpacking around Indonesia or the Philippines, ferries will be the cheapest way to island-hop (but definitely not the fastest!).

It’s worth noting that ferries in Southeast Asia don’t often adhere to Western safety standards and lack of life jackets is an issue. Some people recommend staying on the top deck so it’s easier to quickly leave the boat if necessary.

While it’s not necessary to book in advance, it’s a good idea during peak season or on more popular routes to book your tickets the day before you plan to travel to make sure you have a spot. You can buy tickets on the ferry company’s website or via a ticket agent like 12go.asia. However, every agent or hostel or hotel can get you a ferry ticket too. It’s really simple!

Here are a few sample routes and prices to help you plan:

Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok – $5 (one way)

Bali to the Gili Islands – $30 (one way)

Koh Tao to Koh Samui – $16 (one way)

Sihanoukville to Koh Rong – $25 (round-trip)

Manilla to Puerto Princesa – $30 (one way)

You might also consider doing a multiday cruise on popular waterways like the Mekong River or Halong Bay. On the Mekong River in Laos, slow boats from Huay-Xai will drop you off in Luang Prabang. Slow boats take 2-3 days, stopping at guesthouses for nightly accommodation. Prices will vary depending on the quality of your tour company, but a decent tour will run you around 1,000,000 LAK ($116 USD).

Halong Bay tours from Hanoi start around 850,000-1,403,377 VND ($35-60 USD) for two-day trips and increase exponentially from there.

Getting Around Towns on the Cheap

Local buses are really your best and cheapest option when you’re traveling in town as well. Fares typically cost less than $1 (and even less if you buy multi-trip passes). All of the towns you’ll visit will have reliable, affordable public bus systems.

In some of the bigger cities (Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur), you’ll even find subways and tram systems. Jakarta and Hanoi are working on building their subway systems, but buses are still the best option in those places for now.

I normally advise budget travelers to skip taxis because they are way too expensive. But in Southeast Asia, you don’t have to always stick to this rule. Taxis and tuk-tuks (small shared taxis with no meters) are options here. They require a bit of haggling and cost more than public transportation, but they are clearly more convenient when you’re in a jam or not yet accustomed to an area.

In Singapore and Indonesia, taxi drivers do put on the meter. In Bangkok, you can get taxi drivers to use the meter, but if you’re hailing one in a tourist area, he might try to avoid using it. In Vietnam, the meter is usually rigged, but if you use a reputable company like Mai Linh, you won’t have any problems.

Grab (an Uber offspring) is a household name in Southeast Asia. It, too, is convenient, but it sometimes costs even more than a taxi. Gojek in Indonesia is a similar option. Be forewarned: If you order a Grab or Gojek, you might wind up on the back of a motorbike!

How Long Does it Take to Get Around Southeast Asia?

Here is a distance and travel-time table of how long it takes to get around Southeast Asia.

Route

Distance (km/miles)

Air (hrs)

Bus (hrs)

Rail (hrs)

Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville

214/133

1

5

7

Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City

230/115

1

6

N/A

Hanoi – Vientiane

800/497

1:10

22

16

Chiang Mai – Bangkok

688/428

1:20

10

14:40

Bangkok – Phuket

840/525

1:25

13

N/A

Kuala Lumpur – Singapore

350/217

1

7

7

Phuket – Kuala Lumpur

964/599

1:30

18

N/A

Bali – Lombok

75/46

0:30

4 (via ferry)

N/A

Yangon – Bagan

626/390

1:15

9

17.5

Jakarta – Bali

1,173/729

1:50

30

12 (ferry terminal)

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang

183/114

N/A

6

N/A

Manila – El Nido

613/380

1:20

10 (ferry terminal)

N/A

Manila – Boracay

442/275

0:55

3 (ferry terminal)

N/A

***

In short, Southeast Asia is pretty easy to get around: take the train as often as you can in Thailand, take the train in Vietnam if you have the time, and take buses everywhere else. If you’re pressed for time, take the night trains or fly. And if you find a good flight deal, definitely fly!

Simple and easy.

As long as you do that you’ll be able to get around Southeast Asia on a budget and make the most efficient use of your time and money!

Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Southeast Asia? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Southeast Asia with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 4

The post How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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[broadwayandshakespeare]

Sunday in New York!

Our alarm went off around 7am, and we reluctantly dragged ourselves out of our beds. We got dressed, packed up, and went downstairs to check out. We were at a diner down the street by 8am, we ate some good food, and then we set out on our second day in NYC.

As we were headed to our first destination we passed the Penguin Random House building, and yes, I fangirled. The lobby was so cute! Books lined the walls in bookcases, illuminated by light, and a small sitting area in front of a large reception desk. Off to the side were the elevators. Oh how I wish I could work in that building (or, at least for that company). Anyways, our first real destination was the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Julliard. I wish I could’ve gone to the ballet, or to see the New York Philharmonic, or an opera, but alas, when you’re only in New York City for 36 hours, there’s only so much you can do.

After that, we walked up 8th Ave along Central Park until we reached the Museum of Natural History. We were looking for Ben Stiller, or a live T-Rex, or a miniature Owen Wilson, but unfortunately we didn’t find them. We got there around 9:45, so the museum hadn’t even opened yet. There were people waiting to get inside. We decided to continue on our journey.

We walked across Central Park and found the Great Lawn, and had an amazing view of the New York City skyline to the south. They put up fences around the lawn because it was newly seeded and they obviously want the grass to grow, but I just wanted to run across the field. I just wanted to be Amy Adams singing and running with my arms spread wide like I didn’t have a care in the world. I guess the park people had a different idea.

We walked to the Guggenheim Museum, and as much as I wanted to go in, the line to get in there was insane. As was the line to get into the MET (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). That line was basically the length of the entire block, so that was a hard pass for Peyton and I. The wind was also really brutal out on the streets, so we walked back into the park and walked south. We found the famous boathouse restaurant, the Bethesda fountain and terrace, and then the Mall and Literary Walk

down the middle of Central Park. Seeing all those places was really cool. We also found the iconic bridge with a perfect view of the famous Plaza Hotel. We didn’t go inside, but I can see why people are so obsessed with June weddings at the Plaza.

By this point, me feet feel like they’re going to fall off, but I know Peyton and I want to see so many things before we leave, so we axed the idea of walking everywhere and hopped on the subway down to the 9/11 Memorial. We saw the new World Trade Center, and then we arrived at Ground Zero. It was a chilling experience. I was disgusted with the amount of disrespectful tourists I saw. “Let’s selfie and smile and pretend like thousands of lives weren’t lost on this very site.” Assholes (oh… sorry, did I say that out loud?)

As Peyton and I wandered further south, we walked back over to Broadway and found ourselves at Trinity Church. We walked inside, and damn, it was beautiful. It smelled old and smelled of incense and I loved it. There’s also a plaque on the ground where Queen Elizabeth II stood when she visited New York and Trinity Church in 1976. We realized after we returned home that Alexander Hamilton is buried in the cemetery at Trinity Church, as are two of the Schuyler sisters (just more to tie into the show we saw the previous day).

We ran into the Charging Bull statue as we walked further down Broadway, and then we made it to Battery Park at the very tip of the island. When Peyton and I first thought about doing this trip in April, we never thought we’d be able to do all the stuff uptown, midtown, and downtown, but somehow we did it. We could see the Statue of Liberty from the park, but we decided against the ferry out to see it up close (they cost too much).

Our feet were protesting, so we hopped back on the subway and made our way over to Washington Square Park. If I tried hard enough, I could pretend I could hear August Rush playing his guitar off to the side of the park.

At this point, Peyton and I had crossed off everything on our list of things to do. We were really hungry, friggin tired, and I probably would’ve been in less pain if I sawed off my feet. But somehow we thought we could walk the 25 blocks back to 34th street. We walked a few blocks, and then called it quits. We found the nearest subway entrance and got on the train, riding it all the way back to Penn Station. After getting lost in the station (it’s so massive) we bought pizzas for lunch, and ate them super quickly. Like, I’ve never eaten a pizza that fast before. We also grabbed a dozen Krispy Kremes for the travelling we were about to do.

We bought tickets for the NJ Transit back to the airport, and once we got there we camped out in the food court before heading through security. I had a nap, then we watched a bit of National Treasure (inspired by Trinity Church, of course) and decided we should probably go through security. Belongings in the bins, shoes off, and scanned in the body scanner, they waved us through and wished us safe travels. It pays to be a friendly Canadian sometimes. Now this is where we started hitting more bumps in our trip.

I got an email saying our flight was delayed an hour (from 8:30 to 9:30). Honestly, not a big deal, but we were really tired and we just wanted to get back to Toronto and to my house to sleep. They’d delayed the flight because of high winds, so the earlier flights were running late, which then pushed our flight back. Around 7:15pm they send me another email saying the plane is now delayed to 9:45pm. Ugh, fine, whatever. Peyton and I went to sit at a restaurant and we shared some food, and then we went back to sit at the gate.

The next email I got said the flight wouldn’t be leaving until 10:05pm. At that point, someone at the gate came over the speaker system and said, “Attention those who are flying Porter this evening. We’ve been delayed several times because of the weather, but the plane should be arriving around 9:40pm. Billy Bishop airport closes at 11pm, due to the city curfew. If you don’t make it to Toronto by 11pm, you will be diverted to Hamilton Airport and will be shuttled back to Toronto by bus. So, because of this, when the plane arrives, please be ready to run onto the plane and get ready for an immediate takeoff. We really want to try to get to Toronto on time.”

So, the plane arrives at 9:40pm. The few passengers from that flight walk off the plane, and we can see flight attendants running around behind the gate doors. Flight attendants run back on the plane, and then they start rushing us all through the doors to the plane. The doors were closed at 9:46pm. That is the quickest I’ve ever seen a plane board, and every seat was occupied. They went through the safety information very quickly, and then we were moving away from the building and down to the runway. We were taxiing to the runaway at 57 km/hr (that’s the fastest I’ve ever seen a plane taxi before). We also had the quickest takeoff ever. It’s like “oh, we’re speeding up, speeding up, oh god we’re already off the ground, holy crap.”

At 10:50pm the pilot spoke to the passengers and told us that we were either landing at Billy Bishop right at 11pm, or we’d be diverting to Pearson Airport. Either way, they weren’t going to take us to Hamilton. His exact words were “We’ll make it happen.”

At exactly 11pm, our wheels touched down at Billy Bishop airport. We all clapped for the pilots. They made the typical 75 minute flight, like, 55 minutes. The flight attendants were really snotty, probably because they were stressed about making the landing on time, but at least the pilots did a good job.

Peyton and I made it back to my house around 11:45ish and fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke up the next day, my feet were swollen, one of my eyes didn’t really want to open, I had a pounding headache, and I couldn’t stop coughing. I called in sick to work, Peyton caught a bus back to London, and I went back to sleep for another six hours (and still woke up with a pounding headache).

It was such a crazy weekend, but ohmygod I would do it all over again if I could. The thing I’ve dreamed about for my entire life finally became a reality, and I still can’t believe it. Peyton and I have already talked about going back, so we can actually visit those museums that we didn’t really have time to see this time ‘round.

New York, I love you ❤

Let’s Hear It For New York (Part 2) Sunday in New York! Our alarm went off around 7am, and we reluctantly dragged ourselves out of our beds.

[kazlifeadventures]

Cruising to the end!

This cruise was a last last minute decision, encouraged by my friend Jas in Trini (and some of my friends back home). I'd cruised before, but never solo. Let alone solo in a foreign country! The over night ferry cruises to get to Germany last month don't count..

Any way turns out cruising Americans love that Aussie accent to.. somehow I met this amazing couple from Maryland on the first night. We clicked and ended up spending at least part of each evening together. Great minds think alike (and have the same drink/bar tastes)...

This cruise was a 7 night Eastern Carribean adventure taking in 3 ports out of Fort Lauderdale.

Sint Maartens / St Martins island was amazing. It blows my mind that such a tiny place is literally split in two. France owns the 53km sq northern side of the island where it's known Saint Martin with its capital Marigot. This area is wholly part of France, and as such they are part of the European Union. The currency is euro (although mist places will also accepr US dollars) and the people speak French as well as English.

St Maartens, on the Southern Dutch side with its capital of Phillipsburg is the smaller portion of the island at 34km sq. Where it's small in stature is made up by controlling the largest port and being able to accommodate the large cruise ships. This section is technically one of four constituemt countries that form part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Here they currently accept the Netherlands Antillean guilder (this is changing soon!) as well as US dollars.

The island itself was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Colombus, and at one stage was major producer of salt via a multitude of salt ponds some of which are still visible (but no longer used) today. The division between the 2 countries dates back to 1648, where the Dutch and the French finally agreed to split the territory via signing the treaty of Concordia. As you go from one side to the other it's clear how much emphasis on looking after the country has been placed by their respective governing bodies. Fun fact - as small as it is, it is still an international call to call from one side to the other! Oh, and the main airport on the French side is the one where they fly over you on the beach and you have to hang on to the fence to stop blowing away...

I did a bus tour to both sides of the island taking in the crazy iguanas in trees... seriously those things were huge and everywhere! I then spent the remainder of my day in Phillipsburg exploring it's gorgeous little streets and architecture, hanging on the fabulous beach, drinking beer and eating jerk chicken...I like to call that 'full immersion '😁

Then we were off to overnight to our next stop. San Juan, Puerto Rico. This one was an oddly short stop, which I found out later may have been due to some very high port costs (apparently US port areas charge steep fees based on time in port making it less cost effective to stay longer). Anyway we technically had about 6 hrs in port. After a leisurely start that saw me trying to convince myself to get off the boat, I wandered ashore with half a plan and ended up walking around the old town and city area for a good 2.5 hrs. Puerto Rico is classed as a US territory, so rather than being governed wholly by the US and it's constitution, it's kind of like the US over sees what goes on but the country govern themselves and follow parts of the US constitution. It's really complicated to explain fully, so go look it up and it'll make more sense! Anyway the city of San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521. The city lays claim to some of the most extensive preserved examples of Spanish coastal fortifications, as well as some amazing historical buildings. You all know how much I love a good fort, and here they were dotted along the cliffs of the city. Fort San Felipe Del Moro, Fort San Cristobal and La Fortaleza. No, I did not climb all over them... I wandered to each of them and marvelled at he ingenuity, but refrained from needing to climb to the top (I'm blaming time constraints ...🤣) anyway the gorgeous Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, a colonial era cemetery dating from 1863 is located just outside the walls of Fort San Felipe Del Moro and together the two form a breathtaking break in the skyline to the shore. Luckily for me a tourist from one if the tours warned me to get off the wall overlooking the ceremony as apparently you get a 500 USD fine for standing on it! No signs telling you that, so hey, dodged a bullet there! Later back on the ship, I overheard some fellow passengers stating they thought San Juan was a poor and dirty city. I guess all this travel has allowed me to see past that without realising. I thought it had a charm about it, (some of its residents thought they had charm too - queue guy trying to chat me up as he drove next to me in his car...🤣). It wasn't any dirtier than any other city I've visited (in fact there have been a hack of alot of places that were way worse, as were parts of LA - which I was yet to see) It's well known the country is struggling immensely with corruption and the vast divide in income for its citizens. The people I encountered were well versed in Touristing (again, like every where!) I really liked my time here, and would have liked longer in order to have been able to venture out of the city to see some of the natural wonders this country possesses.

Off overnight again, this time to the port of Labadee, a resort port on the island of Haiti that is owned by the cruise ship company. What a perfect Carribean stop, beaches, bbq, cocktails, sun and the glorious water of the Caribbean. I had only intended a multi beach swim /lunch/ then back on the ship stop, but ended up meeting a lovely young couple of newlyweds from Florida who wanted to spend the day 'chatting with the Aussie cause your accent is amazing'. 😂 hey I learned alot more about America and the music in Nashville (the husband was originally from there), and found out what 'dip ' is so it was a win-win. Btw 'dip' is like a tobacco but you don't chew it you stick it inside your bottom lip and then spit every now and then... kinda gross, but hey whatever floats ya boat!

Haiti outside of the resort area is a mess. A real mess. It's a country in financial crisis, with an unstable government and a collapsing infrastructure struggling to cope with the lawlessness of some of its inhabitants. I didn't do any of the tours as they didn't leave the safety of the resort bubble, so you weren't seeing the 'real' Haiti. I did end up buying a bracelet from a local artist and somehow being given 2 necklaces by another two artists...don't ask me what happened but to my relief, having them on seemed to deter other hardy salesmen. The people of Haiti still gain an income from having the ships come in, so for that I was grateful. It's not enough to fix their problems though....

All too soon we were back on board and off for our last night at sea, and for me, off to LA. Rather than doing the 6hr or so worth of flights followed by the big one back to Aus, I'd opted to fly to LA and spend one night there, leaving late the next evening. Synchronicity saw me receive the email for my free night of accomodation that I'd earnt earlier at one of the chain hotels in the US. This meant my last night was a freebie, go me! I got in late the night before, so literally had a day in LA. Jumped a tour that took me out to Marina Del Ray, Little Venice, Venice Beach, Santa Monica pier, Hollywood, the walk of fame, Mann's theatre... all the biggies! As much as I'd have liked to do the studio tours, no time. I will say I was underwhelmed by most of what so saw. Maybe I have been awed by too many things, but I thought LA was not worth the hype. The Hollywood walk of fame needed a bloody good clean, Venice Beach was just a beach with a whole lot of over priced tourist traps... I dunno. I'm hoping this isn't all of the West Coast because I was intending to go back and make it happen... (once I can convince someone to join me and share driving cause this one needs a co - pilot!)😁

I finally have to go back to Australia and make a decision about my job, where I'm going to live...pretty much have to go back and adult again (gosh darn it!).

How much has this adventure changed me? Immeasurably. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to do this. I am so proud of who I am and what I've achieved. Am I glad I did it - hell yeah! Would I change anything? Hell no! Everything that has happened, happened for a reason, changing it would change where I am now. I have learnt some amazing things about travelling, hints and tricks for booking places, how transport works in different countries, whether it's cheaper to buy tickets early/last minute. Logistical lessons most definitely. What I've learnt about me, could fill a book....

If I could encourage one person to take the step and travel solo and feel this joy and strength...even the smallest step, the shortest of time..just do it.

The people I have met have added something to each stage of my journey. No matter how small our interaction. For that I want to say a massive "Thank you", to each and every one of you. You have given me so much more than you would ever know or understand.

This isn't the end. It's only the beginning. There's a whole lot more of the world out there that I'm itching to explore ... I'll have to do it in pieces though as I've yet to discover the magic formula to allow me to continue to finance myself to keep travelling...

Where to next? Not sure yet... choice is an amazing luxury! Some of my trips I'll need a co-pilot to make it easier so that in itself will take time. Not sure how many people could handle travelling with me!!😉

[lianneoelke]

Watney Wanders: Part 4

Yeah this is a long post. Buckle in.

The last blog entry ended with a devastating mechanical cliffhanger; I apologize for any stress or lost sleep this caused. It turns out we were able to order a new alternator from NAPA in Queen Charlotte and arranged with a mechanic to fix it while we were away. NBD.

After we made mechanical arrangements, we explored the Haida Heritage Centre by Skidegate. It’s a great place to learn about Haida history and culture. Our tour guide explained, for example, that there are different types of poles. Some are freestanding; the unique carving serves as a family crest/ house number, so that incoming boats knew who lived where. Others held a mortuary plaque or the remains of a chieftain or matriarch inside a bentwood box. Other poles were attached to the front of the house, often with a small, carved doorway, so whoever went through had to bow their head in humility and hope there was no one waiting on the other side with an axe.

We spent the night before the big kayak trip sorting out all our gear into dry bags and making sure we had enough food.

We were picked up bright and early on June 21 by Bryce, the guide/ owner/ operator of Green Coast Kayaking. One ferry and dirt road later, we ended up at Moresby camp, where we saw the Zodiac that was supposed to carry gear, food, and kayaks for twelve people. We thought there was no way we could fit everything on. Turns out we could.

Gotta layer up!

Yeah, that all fit on the Zodiac. 

I kept a lil journal throughout the trip thinking I’d revise my notes into something readable at the end. I have no intention of doing this, so I’m just typing out exactly what I wrote. I didn’t bother going into detail about how beautiful everything was and stuff as I figured pictures would say it all. Again, pure laziness.

Day 1:

Sandspit to Raspberry Cove.

3-4 hr zodiac

we saw whales

rice + beans + salmon

test paddle

Brian broke a spork

Day 2:

Cape Fanny

made curry. flew drone.

saw whale

Bryan With A Y: our other guide. He just happened to have a big beard and the same phone and same drone and same pants and same love of the outdoors as Brian With An I. 

Day 3:

secret? cove for lunch.

hung out w/ seal.

made roasted veggies + rice

lip swollen for no reason

saw a whale

Day 4:

woke up to a flute at 6am.

sunny weather gone. WTF

paddle to Anthony Island/  SGaang Gwaay. learned about Haida villages, saw mortuary poles, listened to watchman. v. neat. longish crossing after, to some point that begins w/ B. v. tiring for a paddling noob. bathed in a creek. candy good.

saw 4 whales. Brian v. good at spotting whales.

These mortuary poles are over a hundred years old, in various states of decay. The poles aren’t maintained; the Haida let them fall and return to the earth. SGaang Gwaay is a Unesco World Heritage site, and we’re lucky to have seen it while so many poles are still standing.

The Haida are big fans of Finding Dory.

Day 5:

I woke up this morning w/ an unreasonably swollen lower lip. the whole thing was inflated like a bad botox job. I was ashamed. thankfully there is a nurse with us, and she said it was a reaction to a sunburn. I put some sea water on it and by the end of the day it went down.

no paddling today. instead we went on a “small walk” that turned into all 12 of us bushwhacking up and down the forest for 3.5 hours. by the time we got back it was sunny.

other people (Brian, obvs) saw whales today. I did not. starting to regret not bringing my glasses.

Day 6:

one epic beach to another. this morning’s exposed, choppy paddle was difficult in a narrow kayak made for someone more experienced. I thought I’d lose it. but I didn’t.

happy to be staying in Rose Inlet for tonight + tomorrow. great hammock opportunities.

no whales today.

Day 7:

explored Rose Inlet. crossed a few creeks to get to the estuary. when we went back the tide turned them into rivers. so we got a lil wet.

dears + eagles + seals + crabs + jellyfish + seabirds today, but bears were a no show.

it was our last day on the kayaks, and it was gloriously sunny.

skittles are gone.

all chewy candy is gone.

I miss Alley Cat.

I guess book recs are a regular feature of this blog now. The Tiger by John Valiant (author of The Golden Spruce) is an excellent non-fiction account of the chilling hunt for a man-eating tiger in Russia’s far east, and a history of humanity’s co-existence with very big cats.

Day 8:

v. choppy waters. pushed the zodiac to it’s limits. fun though.

saw many whales. whale city. 

finally saw a bear on the drive back.

got beer. got food. found a place to stay with showers and laundry.

Highlight: The hammock/ Skittles/ sunshine/ reading at Rose Inlet.

Lowlight: The lip thing.

Gold Star: Layers! Base layers, mid layers, outer layers. I love them all. Runner up goes to Bryce and Bryan, the kayak guides. 

We’ve cleaned our gear and organized Watney, so we’re in good shape for Bowron Lakes next week! I, for one, am much more confident in my paddling skills. Hopefully they’re enough to do 116 km of canoeing and portaging in 6 days, then hiking 60 km the next 3 days. It all seemed like such a good idea when I booked everything in January…

[drslothenstein548-blog]

KingsRoad Tool

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Infiniti I35 Fob Keys And Remote Program San Antonio TX

San Antonio Key Replacement lines every sort of locks, ignition and keys Infiniti I35 lock smith services using superlative, skilled agents that have wide experience with all car manufacturers year and model. We are on a prompt call twenty four hour 7 day a week 365 days a year devoted to suit our customers urgencies by outfitting rapid road-side answers to their car key lock malfunctions. We go above and beyond to assure swift response to repair your ignition cylinder, put you back in your vehicle or make a new key rapidly on site.

We are decked with modern proper lock cracking tools, key programmers and key removal devices competent to give broken smart-key, ignition switch repair, transponder key chip programming, key extraction and sidewinder key cutting services.

Infiniti I35 keys replacement in San Antonio TX

Our Infiniti I35 key smith is a current source for a satisfactory and inexpensive Infiniti I35 lost key made, averting the hauling to the dealerships and wait gratuitous time for your turn. San Antonio Key Replacement accommodates migratory ignition key made, remote fobik keys, ignition switch replacement, keyless entry or OEM transponder onsite, including a twenty four hour emergency lock-out service for circumstances like stranded keys in vehicle or trunk, lost keys formation or smashed ignition key extraction and more. San Antonio Key Replacement deliver first class Infiniti I35 chipped keys services in San Antonio TX onsite.

About Infiniti I35 key lock system

Infiniti is a U.S.A manufacturer of cars originated in 1989, overall exists as a collateral of Nissan with product range accommodating affluence cars.  Infiniti began using  transponder keys in 1997 on several cars. A  transponder key can accommodate a remote, to unlock or lock the doors and trunk and maybe even fire up the car, withal a basic mechanical chipped key is available to manually do similar purposes.

In 2007,  Infiniti started the use of Intelligent Key with Push-button Ignition key-less entry on several cars.

Ignition lock repair

The Infiniti I35 ignition lock has several phases that start up different instrumentation when the key is turned. The ignition switch will start up the electronic parts on the 1st stage, start up the fuel supply on the second stage and start up the car engine on the third stage.

One of the most frequent question we get asked over the phone for assitance with, is troubleshooting ignition  problems. Even though we are always ecstatic to tackle and help in diagnosis your condition, it can be terribly hard to fulfill over the phone. On top of having the right Infiniti I35 diagnostic and lock pick tools, an elemental proficiency of how vehicle ignition  run is fundamental, however before you call an ignnition expert please check following:

</p> <h5>dash board light are off</h5> <p> If you turn the key in ignition on and no lights turn on at the instrument panel meaning that no electrical power coming from the car battery. It may be a deplated battery or maybe even a failed electronic wiring connection or alternator could be the reason for this. Light up the front lights, if they wont work, it means the battery has died which is a job for a  mechanic.

</p> <h5>Key will not turn</h5> <p> Most car enclose a steering column locking mechanism that lock itself every time you remove the ignition key out  at the end of a drive. Frequently, the steering wheel is in a position that employs pressure to the ignition , and wont let the key from turning (when you park on a hill) or when one of the front wheels is depressed against an object (e.g. sidewalk edge).

* Before you start fixing this complication, assure that your motor vehicle has the parking brake applied.

Hold the  wheel and try to swing the  steering wheel  right and left and back and forth while gently shake left and right the ignition  key - this might help in releasing the steering wheel.

The ignition is highly important systems of any car and consisting manifold small components that can be difficult to inspect by an incompetent hands, so the best you may do facing ignition cylinder  malfunctions is to double check you are in fact trying to start your own car and schedule with a car lockman to arrive to your premise to rekey, replace  repair the ignition or key which will priced as about $155–$340.

Transponder key create

State-of-the-art car equipped to the brim with car main computer and vehicle keys are equipped to the brim with discrete chip placed stowed in the apex of the key or on the blade (in V.A.T) keys. When the chipped key is slides into the ignition key hole, the transponder emits a unique signal for the immobiliser to be verified. Without this explicit authorization code, the car will not light up.

When someone want to copy or lose his key, the chip need to be reset with the same key-code so it would be designated by the car computer module.

A few vehicle makers years and models implement dash-board console interface for reproduction of keys, though if all keys are misplaced, the engine control unit need to be re-programmed by suitable key programming machine owned by the dealer-ship or a locksmith.

Infiniti I35 proximity key

Smart-key remotes, or (RKS or RKE) anable a user to unlock and lock their truck or car clicking the remote and furthermore alternative components as releasing the trunk or lighting up the beam light to upsurge visibility at night or in icy weather. Moreover, many modern keys incorporate remote starting feature which is turnning to be mandatory on current cars.

Most smartkeys incorporate a proximity-detector-based system that is turned on when the keyless device found within a explicit range of the car. This Keyless entry device are hands-free which actually means that the vehicle can be unlocked and locked or shut down and ignite the car ignition without any input.

Copy vs lost car keys

Vehicle keys lately cost way more then $2.99 metal bladed keys at one of your local walmart or home depot store. Present-day Infiniti I35 keys became digital  fob key, smart key, switch-blade key and laser cut consisting transponder keys that need to be programmed with diagnostic tools to the motor vehicle . If the vehicle ECM doesn't detect a compatible transponder, the fuel supply will disarm and the vehicle wouldn't burst. This technology serves as a safety factor safeguarding the car will forget a stolen or misplaced key.

Though dash-board procedure is handy on some older vehicles to smoothly duplicate keys, in most cases to get an extra key duplicated, the chip in the key need to be programmed by an appropriate programming machine carried by a locksmith or the dealer which ordinarily priced at around $60-$120 further to the cost of the blankey.

Losing all the keys to a car is a complete different situation, since the ECM need to be reprogrammed to utilize the new key and dismiss the original one which actually means that you’ll have hire a mobile car key-smith or tow your car to the dealer-ship.

Utilizing this routine serves as a safety factor safeguarding the car will forget the stolen or misplaced key, yet key recovery, solution available only to the Infiniti I35 dealer or a licensed locksmith and accordingly will costs $180–$270.

24 hr car lock-out

When you locked out of your car, the first thing to realize that with newer car electric wiring it can be profoundly risky trying to slim-jim car door by a non professional hands.

Our technicians can carefully regulate nearly every style of car lockouts based on the same lockpick equipage to fit any car lock out problem you’re putting up with in no time.

Car locks refitting

San Antonio Key Replacement is honoured to impart all kind of Infiniti I35 converse services on premises to replace a shattered, lost or sacked keys. Approximately all state-of-the-art car are armed with electrical key and lock system and the operation obligatory to get your lock adapted ought to involve the decent coder for the precise motor vehicle. Instead of ferrying your car to the dealer, just elevate the cellphone and call our central office in San Antonio TX and one of our vehicle modify workforce will be with you ASAP with a unsteadfast workshop truck consisting current key cutters, blank keys, ignition parts and programmers ready to work out any sort of emergency conditions.

Final words

Did you broke your keys in the ignition, misplaces the keys to your vehicle or purchase a duplicate key-less entry and need it programmed? Congratulation! We are on call 24 hour and are able to come out to you within the least possible amount of time to conveniently arrange drivers with vehicle lock-out, ignition repair and replacement keys) on site. If you lost your car key or can't turn your key in the ignition call us now (210)598-8120. Our experts pack lockpick and key programmer devices and are able to come out to your juncture rapidly to program a fresh flipkey, replace a lost key or repair your ignition lock at your side and get you safely back on your way ASAP. . If you are searching for Car key replacement service in San Antonio Texas call (210)598-8120 for a reliable local automotive locksmith, who duplicate and replace trunk, door and ignition keys and remote fob made on the spot.