Packer Lodge, Jakarta, Indonesia
Stepping up the walking intensity. Fasting whenever possible. Walked from Puerto Princessa Dallas Lodge (4 Km with pack). Met folks from Sweden, David from Netherlands, Gerkey from Germany and Clara from Australia. We all went to the cinema and watched the latest Hobbit movie, not too impressed with recurring fight plot scenes, but beautiful imagery based on New Zealand.
Accidently forgot to pay 300 peso Hostel bill. Walked 4 Km back to airport. Flight to Manila. Ate unlimited rice at Insal. Airport security said there was “no way” I could walk to my guesthouse. She underestimates the ferocity of my ambition. 10 km walk through Manila with heavy pack. 250 peso dorm room which I never slept in since I met up with Junior from Cebu Guesthouse. He showed me a different side of Manila, Makati. Striking resemblance to a typical college town in the U.S.
Watched a few live bands who switch between Tagalog and English mid-song.
Fell asleep in terminal waiting for the plane. Woken up by staff. Did a free Singapore bus tour – met David from the U.S. Took MRT back to downtown. Walked Chinatown – Fort Canning Park – Orchard Road – Little India (felt ripped off by $9 rice meal) – Arab Street – Marina Bay Sands Hotel – Gardens by the Bay – 20 miles total walking.
Barely slept again. Flight to Jakarta. Learned a few Bahasa words. Saw Monas. Witnessed aftermath of a pedestrian who got hit by motorbike. Bloody, lying motionless on the sidewalk. Met Syrian, Omar, who said he fled Syria and now lives in Dubai. Contagious smile.
