Returning home

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.

The mountain in the distance is Mt. Ngauruhoe
Also known as Mt. Doom

The first part of the Tangariro crossing is hot

Desert with sparse vegetation

Felt good to cool down at this little waterfall in the shade

As we go up it becomes even more barren

At the top it is flat
It looks like a lunar landscape,
but it is windy and cold

The steep slopes channel the wind from the plateau upwards

The view is alright

After sliding back down the mountainside
it's time to go home

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

I always have time for a game of Agricola
I'm winning this one :)

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?

The ferry took me to Tioman Island

All of the excitement is underneath the surface
there are corrals everywhere

Not this surface,
it's got large reptiles everywhere

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

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.

Everyone lives in skyscrapers

That's how 5 million people can live on a tiny island

And still have greenery everywhere

Tall photo for tall buildings

The river is close to home for Mrs. Lai
That is Sin Yat's mother, whom I stayed with

There's some art in the city, but I think the scene is still young
compared to the extraordinary architecture

The Merlion is a small water-spewing statue
it represents the ferocious prosperity of Singapore
and its connection to the sea

Marina Bay Sands is such an iconic building that it says
Singapore more clearly than the Merlion

I'm going through the middle leg of Marina Bay Sands
behind it is the Gardens by the Bay park

The domes of the park are impressive indoor flower exhibitions

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

At night they do cool light and music shows
It looks like the trees are dancing an epic ballet

I spent about 3 hours in this massive flower dome
listening to an audio tour with cool stories about the plants

Singapore has got some nice beaches

They bought the sand from Cambodia

It's nice despite the backdrop of anchored container ships

China town is so cool
when you have a local to show you the best places to eat

Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are neighbours on Temple Street

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