Birthday party
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For those who are a bit bored a little puzzle which took me many bus rides,
boat trips etc. to solve. You just have to find the next number in the array:
1 Hmmm, why would you
11 want to select this
21 text? It is not like
1211 you were planning on
111221 cheating, right?
312211 RIGHT???
...
Good luck,
Ron Vermaas.
Day 394, December 16th, 2000: Legaspi, Philippines
Rain
Church in Silay (near Bacalod on Negros).
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It feel like I just rose from the dead. I have been very ill for a
week: high fever that in the end resulted in an
inflammation of my ears.
My ears swelled up to two times their normal size. I was feeling worse
and worse in my hotelroom and while I could not
hold any food I felt weaker and weaker.
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Silay.
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It was clear I had to find myself a doctor.
Using my last strength I asked for a physician at the hotel reception. And
then it got clear that the hotel is located next to a clinic.
Al this time the doctor was only 100 meters away from me.
Anyway, the medication was good. One of the pills I really had to use
when I was close to my bed as they almost immediately knocked me out.
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Today is my first non-fever day and I am enjoying the mousson in this
remote area: Legaspi. I have come here for the most beautiful symetric
vulcano in the world, but it is invisible due to the rain.
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Warning in lodge near Tomohon volcano, as described in the November 24th update.
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The only way back to the sun is the 14 hour bustrip I took to get here.
As I was already feeling ill then, I have some nice memories of that trip.
Oh, how much fun it is to travel...
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Day 386, December 8th, 2000: Philippines
Old news
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A snake inspecting his dinner in Sulwasesi
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Two weeks ago Ron sent an update from Manila. Today, it finally is on-line!
Mid November Ron already explained that he is using his Nikon Coolpix
camera to tell time. Whenever he wants to know how many hours he spent
thinking about beaches and sand, he simply takes a photo and looks at the display.
Unfortunately, he cannot use the camera as a calculator.
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Half an hour later: almost done...
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White beach at Boracay, rain is approaching...
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In the same period Ron sent the photos of the snake eating a lizard. It took the snake half an hour
to swallow the lizard, and somehow Ron found the time to follow the dinnerparty...
Read the November 24th update to learn why Ron cannot
use his watch anymore...
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...and after the rain has stopped
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Day 352, November 4th, 2000: Dumaguete, Philippines
Every day is a Saturday ;-)
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Terry and Claire on a boat to Gorontalo, Indonesia. Of course, a hammock should be used to lay down, and indeed it broke down after using it as a chair...
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Since last week, I like the Philippines much better, even though it still
is not like Indonesia. I have found some nice beaches and islands.
Putting a cross on your property in Christian dominated Tentena (Indonesia) can avoid it being burned down...
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Today I will do some stuff in Dumaguete and tomorrow I will head towards
Boracay island. This is a very tiny touristic island, which nevertheless is
recommended by everybody. After that I will keep moving north towards
Mindoro and Luzon.
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I tried to use my Round The World ticket, but I did not succeed. So, as of now,
I am buying the tickets that I need, which makes my journey even more
unpredictable.
Have a nice weekend, as it appears to be a Saturday. For me, every day is a Saturday...
Ron.
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Day 339, October 22nd, 2000: Davao, Philippines
"Go where the wind takes me..."
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Ron at the Rinjani volcano, Lombok.
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Ron has been traveling for almost a year now, but will most likely not use his November 19th
return-ticket to Amsterdam. Friday 20th he has taken a flight to the Philippines.
Village at Komodo.
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Monday 23rd he will move on from Davao to Cebu. So far, Ron has not met a single other tourist, and
feels the people are less helpful than the Indonesians.
The good thing is that all kind of fastfood, like McDonalds burgers and pizzas, is widely
available. Ron loves it after eating rice for four months.
Further destinations are unknown yet, but Ron surely wishes to visit Laos, Vietnam, Birma
and Cambodia. Probably, he will go to Bangkok to get the entry visa and tickets. "I'll
go where the wind takes me..."
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Weaving in Toraje.
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Ron really liked the last weeks. Although, referring to Flores, he claimed "Good thing that
there were no internet cafes" this also implied that he had to answer 100 e-mails
about a week ago.
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Dragons at Komodo island.
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Surely he has not been able to give everyone a full personal update, so
read the October 19th story to learn
more about his stay in Indonesia.
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Day 284, August 28th, 2000: Bali
Smile please, welcome to Indonesia
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Just before getting into the bush again, Ron managed to compose a new update
and send some photos. Unfortunately he did not (yet) send any descriptions
of the photos, so let's hope they match with the story...
Ron and friends, pretending to know how to get a sound out of a didgerido.
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After having survived the crocodiles in Australia, Ron got back to Bali.
At the border, being asked for his ticket when he was the last in row,
Ron learned that he has to improve on his bribing:
Would you let this man into your country without asking for a present?
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- That is not a ticket out of Indonesia.
- I know, but I go over land.
- You must have ticket.
- What can I do?
- I don't know. Next time you come to Indonesia you buy ticket?
- Yes, of course.
Just when Ron thought he was through without bribing, the man continued:
- Give me present, 20 US Dollars.
Ron handed the money. Then the man said:
- Smile please, welcome to Indonesia.
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On Sunday August 27th, after having staid in a very nice villa for about
US$ 5 a night, Ron has started a three day busride from Bali to the most
eastern part of Sumbwa. He would have preferred to fly, but no seats were available.
After that he will travel to Komodo and eventualy arrive at Flores.
So, the coming weeks Ron may have a hard time finding an internet connection.
Until then: enjoy the August 26th update.
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Day 249, July 24th, 2000: YogJakarta
Selamat pagi
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Young orang-utan in a reception center
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Thought it was time again for a small update.
Currently I am in Java and heading eastwards. To renew my visa I will
stay one week in Darwin and then
return to Bali from where I'll go north via Sabah and the Philipines to
China. Yeah looking at the things on my wish-list I'll probably add a few
months of travelling.
At the top of Gunung Sibayak, a volcano at Berestagi (Dante, Michelle, Ron and Debra)
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Anyway here is the Sumatra story. I hope you are
all fine and I enjoy your
e-mails
(limited to 10 kByte, please),
Ron.
P.S. Anyone interested to rent my car in NL, just 150 guilder a month for a
prefectly running Toyota Starlet ?
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Day 216, June 21st, 2000: Sumatra
Ron di mana?
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Steward Island track, April 2000
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Or: where is Ron?
June 19th, Ron has taken the boat from Malaysia to Sumatra, ready for a new adventure.
Meanwhile, when still in Kuala Lumpur, he has also bought himself a new Nikon Coolpix
digital camera. To buy it, Ron had to withdraw his daily maximum from
an ATM
during several days. Of course, his new VISA Card finally arrived at the
embassy the very morning he collected the full amount of money...
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For Holland based readers: anyone interested in renting Ron's Dutch Toyota for NLG 150 a month? Mail Ron!
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Even better, although other photographs were lost when Ron was
robbed
in Auckland, he found that his
Kiwi
pictures were not stolen. However, the bird is hard to spot on small size
photos like used on these pages.
Ron is fully up and running again!
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Day 200, June 5th, 2000: Malaysia
Travelling can't be fun all the time...
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One of of the numerous signs, used to indicate a track.
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The last update ended with "Yeah the travelling life is still great and is only
getting better all the time".
Meanwhile, Ron has received a new passport, new tickets and new traveller cheques. Appearantly, he
also managed to get the stuff from his car back into his backpack, and is now in Malaysia
awaiting a new VISA card.
Queen Charlotte Track, as described in the April 18th update.
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Steward Island, as described in the April 18th update.
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Once he has received the new credit card, he will also be able
to buy himself a new camera, although that can never make up for 48MB of lost
pictures. Like the Great Spotted Kiwi (one of the four existing Kiwi birds) he described
in the April 18th update.
Or some nice shootings taken from the top of Mountain Ngauguroe, which Ron
in fact has climbed twice as he did not have a clear view the first time...
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Feel like you missed something? Read the May 30th update
now, which due to a holiday of his ghostwriter, has taken a
while to be put online.
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Day 131, March 28th, 2000: Queenstown, New Zealand
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Inland Pack track
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Queenstown
Life here on the South Island of New Zealand is great.
Currently I am in Queenstown enjoying some comfort after some tracks.
Especially the Inland Pack track, which we did in one day and which required
walking
through rivers all the time (strange fellows these Kiwi's,
they call a river a path) was special but great.
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Ron and his US$ 500 Nissan Bluebird
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Tomorrow I'll drive in my car
(which really hates going uphill, but is fine)
to Te Anau to do the Kepler Track (about 4 days) together with 2
hitch-hikers (Dutchies) who I picked up already a week ago and seem to
stay permanent...
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The Dutch hitch-hikers, Cathelijn and Tijn
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After that some canoing in Milford and then probably to
Invercargill and Steward Island.
I'll see some of you probably in a month or so in Auckland.
See you,
Ron.
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Day 124, March 21st, 2000
Spring 2000: Happy Birthday, Ron!
Ron, Happy Birthday from all of us!
We collected some wishes. The original plan was to make some electronic
greeting card, but I guess there are not enough messages yet to do that.
So, here it is: the
discussion board itself.
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Day 106, March 3rd, 2000: New Zealand
My own car
This morning, I bought a very old Nissan Bluebird here in New Zealand, for about
US$ 500. I did this as the public transport is very bad overhere and one cannot
get to the most beautiful places without a car. I hope to be able to sell it
again in about seven weeks. But even if I cannot sell it, it is still cheaper
than a rental car, unless it bails out on me, which is very well possible as it
is not a
Toyota...
New Zealand is fine, although I miss the Asian chaos a bit already. Everything
is right here. It is like Europe 20 years ago, with prices that are used in The
Netherlands in the year 2000.
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Constable Eddie takes a call
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This morning, when I bought the car, I immediately
got a US$ 100 fine, as the registration card was missing. However, we had taken
this registration card to complete the transfer of the car. Fortunately we were
able to track the police officer, who redraw the ticket. He thought it was kind of
funny.
Ron.
Day 102, February 28th, 2000: Auckland
A bit boring
Right now, I am still in Auckland. It is beautiful here, but very different
from Asia. Suddenly you are not surrounded with Rickshaw men who want to
help you. Everything is taken care of here. This makes it a bit boring.
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Last night I stayed at the house of some friends in
Karekare,
which is the beach where the movie The Piano has been shot. A beautiful place
located on a hill that offers beautiful views at all sides.
Tomorrow I will go south to Rotorua, and after that to Lake Taupo.
Most likely, I will stay in New Zealand for about two months, as one can
walk a lot of nice mountain tracks here.
CU,
Ron.
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A photo from the February 22nd update
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Day 101, February 27th, 2000
Another few hours in Singapore
Just before he took a flight to Auckland, New Zealand, Ron stayed at
Singapore for a few hours and sent another update.
He says there is not too much to tell about the
tropical beach life, but you'll have to find out for yourself.
It took some time before the update was online, but here it is: enjoy the
February 22nd update.
Day 95, February 21st, 2000: Georgetown, Malaysia
Awaiting an airplane seat
Meanwhile I am back in Georgetown, having returned from the Cameron Highlands.
It now appears that it is not easy to get a plane ticket to New Zealand, as
all the Kiwi students are returning from their holidays.
It seems like I have to stay in Malaysia for at least a week. Don't you pity me?
Having to spend my days at some kind of tropical beach or in Kuala Lumpur...
Ron.
Day 92, February 18th, 2000: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Cameron Highlands
I can really recommend the Cameron Highlands. Throughout the year, the temperature
is 18°C to 23°C and one can have nice hikes and food. Furthermore, the lodge
where I am staying provides me with a lot of information about travelling.
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Too good to move on, part 2...
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Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands, in the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, comprise a series
of hill stations at altitudes between 1500 and 1800m (4920 and 5904ft). This
fertile area is the centre of Malaysia's tea industry and it's the place where
locals and visitors come to escape the heat of the plains.
Attractions include jungle walks, waterfalls, tours of tea plantations,
beautiful gardens and plenty of wild flowers. The cool weather tempts visitors
to exertions normally forgotten at sea level, like golf, tennis, and long walks,
but this is really Malaysia's R `n' R capital par excellence for those who
don't like the beach and enjoy a bout of colonial nostalgia.
Most of the budget hotels...
more
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My daily schedule looks like this:
Wake up at 9 a.m., to start a 3 or 4 hours guided hike at 9:30, watch a video, have
diner, play some games or watch another video and go to sleep at about 1 a.m.
It is cold enough to be given a blanket, which you will hapilly use (since Bangkok
I used to sleep without any blanket, or just a thin sheet and a fan).
A lot of people have been here for weeks now, as it is really hard to move on...
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Day 83, February 9th, 2000: Ko Samui
A slideshow
in which Ron explains how to get to the beautiful island of Ko Samui.
Day 80, February 6th, 2000: Ko Samui
Ron is still in Thailand, relaxing at the beaches of the coconut island Ko Samui,
after staying at Ko Tao for about five days.
Within a few days he will travel to Malaysia, hoping to get a cheap flight to New Zealand there.
If you want to be notified when these pages have really
been updated then consider joining the mailing list.
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December 26th, 1999 (received in The Netherlands on January 19th, 2000)
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Namaste from Nepal
An old man again. The day after tomorrow there are eliphant races overhere!
Greetings,
Ron.
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Day 62, Bangkok January 19th, 2000
No pictures yet :-(
After travelling for about 30 hours, I arrived in Bangkok. Very sweaty
overhere. It took me a lot of effort to find a place in a hotel.
The place is crowded with tourists, but it is a relaxing environment.
I was not able to get a card reader for my digital camera at Dubai
Airport. I doubt if I can get such a device here in Thailand, but
I will go to the local Nikon office to try.
Ron.
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Day 60, New Delhi January 17th, 2000
A cheap flight
I have arrived at Delhi and will fly to Bangkok tomorrow. Well,
actually I will fly to Dubai, to wait about 14 hours for my
connection to Bangkok, where I will arrive in the afternoon of
the day after tomorrow. I comfort myself with the fact that the
flight is cheap, and that I might be able to solve my
"digital-camera-cable-problem" in Dubai.
When I am in Bangkok I will write a short report on the past
weeks and let you know some more details. By the way, internet
is really cheap here in Delhi: 20 rupees per hour (42 rupees
being one US Dollar).
For now, I'll get myself back into the chaos named Delhi...
Ron.
Day 48, Varanasi January 5th, 2000
Not in New Delhi yet...
I hope I manage to get a card reader or PCMIA adapter for my
digital camera. For this, Nepal and India are hopeless, but I
have good faith for Thailand.
The internet connection overhere in Varanasi is very bad. I have been busy
resetting and waiting for the last 1.5 hour, so this is it.
I hope the start of the millennium passed well; overhere I did not
notice anything, that is: any trouble. This afternoon I will head
for Delhi together with Claudia, a Swiss I met on my way to India.
Ron.
Day 36, Kathmandu December 24th, 1999
Namaste, friends!
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After spending 24 days in the Middle Ages, I am back in the modern world of
communications and speed. The Annapurna Circuit and the Base Camp were great.
Take a look at the December 24th update!
I wish all of you the best for the holidays, and a good start of the new century.
I believe I am somewhere in the year 2065 now, and I can already tell you that I
like it very much, this new century.
Thanks for all the e-mail. If I get access to an internet cafe in Bangkok, I
will reply to all of them...
Take care,
Ron.
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Day 4, Kathmandu November 22nd, 1999 10:18 a.m. Nepal time
A first note from Kathmandu
This is kind of a test. E-mail is very affordable here, but slow as I am
experiencing now. Nevertheless, this is just a message to comfort you a bit:
As usual, I arrived savely. So far I have not
done much more but eat (outside in the sun, at 20° Celcius) and try to
find my way back to the hotel.
People do not name streets overhere, but rather name a whole area after a nearby
temple. You go to there and ask for, for example, baker Peter. After the
involved person has tried to sell you something first, he may sometimes show
you the right way.
Today I will go for a walk to the Monkey Temple, situated on a hill not too far
away from here. Tomorrow the more serious thing starts, as I will get my permit
for the Annapurna Circuit, after which --if everything works out well-- I will be
in the mountains for about four weeks. The next message is to be expected
after that.
Goodbye and
mail-you-later,
Ron.
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