I'm back in Denmark. Right now, I am sitting in a couch in my parents' home looking out into the garden. And looking back at the photos from my last month as Kiwi.
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The mountain in the distance is Mt. Ngauruhoe
Also known as Mt. Doom
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| The first part of the Tangariro crossing is hot |
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| Desert with sparse vegetation |
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| Felt good to cool down at this little waterfall in the shade |
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| As we go up it becomes even more barren |
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At the top it is flat
It looks like a lunar landscape,
but it is windy and cold |
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| The steep slopes channel the wind from the plateau upwards |
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| The view is alright |
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After sliding back down the mountainside
it's time to go home |
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The path goes through a jungle-like forest near the end
a contrast to the clear, dry mountain air |
Back at the flat I am getting ready to leave. Selling the car, quitting my job and planning the trip
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I always have time for a game of Agricola
I'm winning this one :) |
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| A final game of Race for the Galaxy on the eve of my flight |
On my way back to Denmark, I stop over in Malaysia and Singapore. Why not take a few days on a tropical island given the chance?
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| The ferry took me to Tioman Island |
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All of the excitement is underneath the surface
there are corrals everywhere |
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Not this surface,
it's got large reptiles everywhere |
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Singaporeans would call it "run down" in a not-subtle euphemism for poor
and you can't argue with the abandoned temples and cars taken over by monkeys |
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| This path is much harder to navigate in the dark |
Singapore is a different country entirely. Where Malaysia seems like the perfect place to relax in the sun, Singapore is all business. Strangely, I find the strict rules of the nanny state society much more friendly than the intricate web of social interactions that make up the Malaysian system.
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| Everyone lives in skyscrapers |
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| That's how 5 million people can live on a tiny island |
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| And still have greenery everywhere |
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| Tall photo for tall buildings |
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The river is close to home for Mrs. Lai
That is Sin Yat's mother, whom I stayed with |
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There's some art in the city, but I think the scene is still young
compared to the extraordinary architecture |
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The Merlion is a small water-spewing statue
it represents the ferocious prosperity of Singapore
and its connection to the sea |
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Marina Bay Sands is such an iconic building that it says
Singapore more clearly than the Merlion |
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I'm going through the middle leg of Marina Bay Sands
behind it is the Gardens by the Bay park |
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| The domes of the park are impressive indoor flower exhibitions |
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In the park these Super Trees are at the center
They are copper sculptures with plants crawling up the sides
Solar panels on top makes them the energy source of the park |
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At night they do cool light and music shows
It looks like the trees are dancing an epic ballet |
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I spent about 3 hours in this massive flower dome
listening to an audio tour with cool stories about the plants |
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| Singapore has got some nice beaches |
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| They bought the sand from Cambodia |
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| It's nice despite the backdrop of anchored container ships |
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China town is so cool
when you have a local to show you the best places to eat |
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| Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are neighbours on Temple Street |
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Oh I love this fruit!
If you ever go to Singapore in Durian season you have to taste it
You can't miss it
Because you will smell it from far away |
This will be the last post on this blog. There is some sadness in that, but it also means a new chapter in my life is about to open. I hope you have enjoyed following me in New Zealand.
All the best
Jakob
