nomad4ever

Drug Use or Possession are serious offences in Indonesia and Bali as well. There are usually harsh penalties handed down to those involved in drug cases with Marihuana, Heroin or Cocaine, as Schapelle Corby (4.2 kg of Marihuana were found in her luggage), the Bali Nine, model Michelle Leslie and others experienced in the last couple of years.

On the other hand more common drugs like alcohol, kretek cigarettes or even magic mushrooms are widely available and freely and openly advertised.

written by Chris

Flying kites is as old an tradition as mankind. Wikipedia says that kites were probably first invented about 3.000 years ago in China, made from materials like bamboo and silk. It’s a popular past time and pleasure activity in most countries around the globe, although I believe, that some Asian Countries truly have an obsession for it.

Here you not only see kids doing kiting – it’s a true science, involving the whole family. The usually warm air in Asia seem to help as well.

written by Chris

A Digital Nomad is a person who needs mobile technology to conduct business while on the road which could be within a city, between cities or from other countries. Nomads are not location dependent except through personal choice and could be employed by a business or be freelancers.

This is a growing trend with the uncertainties of long term employment with a single company and rapid changes in emerging technologies, and there is a different mindset required to be successful.

So the guys over at Digital Nomads are trying to figure out what people who seem to live that kind of lifestyle are like and they came up with a meme about it.

written by Chris

Driving with a Taxi is still a very affordable version of transportation in most parts of Asia, even in Singapore or Hong Kong.

If you’ve ever been using a Taxi in Bangkok (which Asia Traveler hasn’t?) you probably can relate to Ali’s observations of the various types of Taxi Drivers. Ali over from Thai Tales is a happy Londoner Gal, living it up and teaching in Thailand’s capitol.

Much of the characters she met there might even be similar to Taxi Drivers in most of today’s Metropolis Cities on our planet; but Bangkok is truly a special kind. Besides flanking down a limousine, you can still have here the original Tuk-Tuk Taxis, even though those vehicles are slowly but steadily getting close to extinction.

written by Chris

If you are a diver, chances are that you are interested in Ship Wrecks, which scatter the oceans of the 7 seas. Ever since human beings sailed the seven seas, ships went missing due to storms, enemies at war, technical failure or just plain human error.

The Bermuda triangle is said to be one of the most famous areas where ships (and even air planes) went missing; but the waters around Europe have their fair share of ship wrecks as well, even though it can be difficult due to strong currents and very cold temperatures to dive, let’s say, Scapa Flow, where the remains of the German Kriegsmarine were sunk after World War I.

written by Chris

Ever since having read Alex Garlands ‘The Beach’ in a bamboo beach hut on Honduras’ Roatan island in Latin America, I was possessed with the idea that there must be a ‘Perfect Beach’ for everyone of us on this our beautiful planet.

So I began to look out for nice getaways in white sandy bays with crystal clear waters on my travels.

I thought the Caribbean, Egypt, Australia or the West Coast of the US would be great places to settle down one day.

written by Chris

While running around this week in Singapore, I found this interesting vehicle advertising an “Overseas Courier Service – Shipping made easy around the world in 103 countries with 247 offices since 1957”.

I wonder how they are operating?

Anyway, the picture quality isn’t so great, I just had the phone camera at hand. The picture was taken @ Raffles Place/Republic Plaza Taxi Stand. It was a bit raining as well.

Since I’m back in Bali now with a brand-new-2-month Visa, you can expect some more frequent articles within the next few days.

written by Chris

Having watched the Melasti and Nyepi Processions here in Bali over the last couple of days; it leaves me still in awe with its colours and sounds. Thousands of people processing from temples to the beaches on the ‘Island of the Gods’.

Bali as the only Hindu oasis in a sea of 17.000 Muslim islands in Indonesia is very serious about its ceremonies.

What’s the low-down?

Melasti is a purification ritual that takes place every year, usually in March or early April, precisely two or three days before the Bali-Hindu New Year day of Nyepi (the Day of silence).

written by Chris