nomad4ever

Countries around the equator are very different from each other. Latin America is a green jungle-hell and Central Africa is as diverse a landscape as it can get; ranging from deserts to dense forests, savannahs, high peaks and deep valleys.

The Indian Ocean with its Maldives and the scattered Pacific Islands are a different story again; and then there is South East Asia – that’s where I stay.

One thing all those regions have in common: they are damn hot all-year-round, you are perspiring constantly and need to re-plenish your minerals and body fluids. Otherwise you are getting into the dangerzone of dehydration. You definitely don’t want that!

written by Chris

What an earthquake @ Asian Stock Exchanges around the region, after yesterdays announcement! The Thais suffered the most of course. I monitor a few stocks and funds over there, mainly an ABN Amro Certificate (covering the SET50 candidates), which lost about 25% yesterday, with Siam Commercial Banking, Krung Thai Bank and Bangkok Bank all around 19-30% in the red.

On average, it was a 15% crash at the SET, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and a single digit decline in its currency – the Thai Baht.

A blood bath!

written by Chris

Today after lunch, I was just sinking in my arm chair to read ‘The Bali Times’ – it suddenly became a bit hectic in our yard. The cat was running around scared and began hiding combined with some desperate meowing, followed then by an awakening hunting instinct towards the bushes and palm trees in our yard.

What was going on?

Armed with a broom stick I parted some leaves around the plants and noticed some moving shiny brown body. Very slim and lots of curves. The centerfold of the month? No!

written by Chris

Are those governments gone crazy? Instead of cutting their overhead and lowering government and state influences on economy, tax systems and benefit/welfare systems; they pass the buck – to the normal/everyday people who have to get the ‘cart out of the dirt’.

I wonder how long people are still letting things happen like that. Probably forever. It’s like the lamb on its way to the butcher. Get out there, fast! We are a global world these days. Everyone is talking about globalization, it’s time you discover the benefits of globalization for you!

written by Chris

No, not the old Police Song! But why not? Our recent day trip around Bali took us to Lake Batur (Danau Batur) and Mount Agung (Gunung Agung), the highest peak (3014m) on Bali soil in the north-eastern part of the island.

Amazing scenery! It really looks like your are on a different planet. But wait – first you have to get there.

written by Chris

Bali is a rich island – and rich in natural wonders that is! You have volcanoes, resulting in black sandy beaches at the coasts, large green fields and valleys, jungle hills with deep rivers, cool water falls, hot springs and mysterious lakes in mountains of mist.

To visit those lakes, you have to travel north from the main tourist areas. A good way to do that (in case you don’t have any detailed map; there are not many around anyway) is to follow the road signs to Singaraya (the biggest town at the north coast).

written by Chris

I didn’t know until now that Bali is blessed with some internationally competitive beaches. Due to its natures of its volcano origin, most popular beaches in Bali are of black or gray sand with sandy waters with either no waves at all or strong currents, making it a strange experience when swimming there.

The only almost-white beaches I knew so far were Nusa Dua and Sanur, both either very shallow or with almost no waves and lots of dirt and old plastic bags in the water. Kuta/Legian is nice to swim at, but the sand is gray and you really have to watch out for rip-currents or waves that can drag you out to sea. Every few weeks tourists or locals alike drown here, most recently 3 Balinese school boys around 12-14 years of age.

written by Chris

Don’t we all want to be somehow Nomads, Vagabonds, Roamers, Rovers, Pilgrims, Wanderers, Perpetual Travelers, Permanent Tourists, Tramps, Continental Drifters, World Citizens?

What are you waiting for? Life is what you make it! Break the cycle, get out of the rat race, break the habit and peer pressure, downshift, retire young – trot the globe, ‘walk the earth…like Caine in Kung Fu’, make new friends – make your own life!

written by Chris