Borobudur Temple Borobudur Temple is the biggest Buddhist temple in the world, which is impressive considering that it’s not in a Buddhist country but in Central Java, Indonesia. [Borobudur Temple] It’s a temple that ranks with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Myanmar’s Bagan as one of the great religious monuments of Southeast Asia. What is more […]
The Tomb of Sir Richard Burton
In the leafy suburbs of Southwest London is a small parish church cemetery that has one of London’s most remarkable tombs. The tomb is of Sir Richard Burton and his wife Isabel. [Burton Mausoleum – St Mary Magdalens Mortlake] Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821 – 1890) was a remarkable man in an age of […]
Bandung was once “Paris of Java” – What is it now?
Bandung in Indonesia was once known as “Paris of Java”. I saw a few T-shirts with the proclamation “Paris Van Java”, but other than that there is not much evidence to suggest that this was once a grand city in the resemblance of the French capital. [Jalan Asia Afrika] Bandung was once a grand city, […]
Transjakarta – The express bus system of Jakarta
Jakarta has a population of approximately 9 million people and no metro system. It’s a city that sprawls in every direction and its traffic congestion is legendary. The city has come up with a workable bus system that has at least made travel in some parts of Jakarta much faster. [Transjakarta Bus] Transjakarta is a […]
Jalan Jaksa – The backpacker budget accommodation street in Jakarta
For backpackers and budget travellers arriving in Jakarta, Jalan Jaksa is the the best option to find budget accommodation. The jalan (street) has Losmen (basic flophouse style accommodation) and budget hotels. The cheapest ones aren’t usally bookable online so you have to get there early to find them, otherwise you can book Jalan Jaksa accommodation […]
Notes on Lake Toba: Tropical lakeside paradise on $15 a day
I set up shop in Tuk-Tuk, which is a little town on the island of Samosir in Lake Toba. Tuk Tuk is the main tourist area of Samosir, reached by ferries from Parapat. Tuk Tuk is on a small peninsula on the island and it’s not over developed. If you have been in the cities […]
Notes on Tokyo: Godzilla, hi-tech toilets, packed subways, fugu fish
Notes from my visit to Tokyo in April, 2007. Godzilla and I On my city map of Tokyo I noticed a dot marked “Godzilla Statue”. In my mind’s eye I pictured a statue at least one storey high of the lizard, perhaps eating a car, with life size people statues fleeing the scene in terror. […]
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal
[Edit: This is a review from my visit in February, 2008. The Budget Terminal has now closed to make way for Terminal 4.] Singapore Changi Airport is world renown for its award-winning facilities. It is the home of Singapore Airlines and it’s a major air travel hub in Asia. Budget airlines though are not interested […]
Orangutans of Sumatra – Gunung Leuser National Park
Orangutans are the worlds largest living arboreal animal and can only be found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia. These two islands have been logged extensively which has endangered the orangutan population. The North of Sumatra has seen less logging and palm oil/rubber plantation development thus has a the largest orangutan population in […]
A self guided tour of Banksy in London
Banksy pieces can be found in several places around London. I used a Banksy Locations Map put together by Art Of The State to track down many of these. They pin the works on google maps and are quick to mark any that have been removed. [Cherub with a bullet proof vest] [One nation under […]
