Irreverently irrelevant.
Sysadmin, developer, web dude in a science research organisation. WordPress, Japan, planes, trains, Arduino, Raspberry Pi/Pico, puns, dad jokes, etc
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The long and the tall of it
The history of Sarawak is like something out of an old adventure novel. Populated originally by headhunting tribes and ruled by Malay sultans, a British adventurer James Brooke aided the Sultan of Brunei in putting down a rebellion and in return was given the governership of the territory. He was the first of the “White…
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Rangas in the jungle
One of the pleasures of this trip is that I don’t have to pay any attention to the antics of (certain political) redheads or those that seek to displace them. Except for today, that is. Our AirAsia flight direct from Penang to Kuching, in Sarawak state on the island of Borneo, was scheduled for 7am,…
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The taste of a name
Westerners eat foods like cereals, toast and bacon and eggs for breakfast. Malaysians eat curries. Both were on offer at the hotel buffet this morning, but when in Penang do what the Penangites do. Laksa, curried chicken and coconut rice for starters, plus lots of fresh tropical fruit. We had to hurry our meal as…
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In a flap
Oh dear, I said no snakes today, didn’t I? I was wrong, there were snakes again. And giant millipedes, cockroaches, lizards, catfish, horseshoe crabs and many, many butterflies. We were at the Penang Butterfly Farm, where delicate butterflies fluttered around us under the canopy of the mock jungle enclosure. An older western lady, presumably the…
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Shiok and/or
The exhaustion of yesterday provided one massive benefit today: Alex slept in. This was greatly welcomed. The hotel has the Australian Asia-Pacific Network available on the television, which means kids shows like Giggle and Hoot, Bananas in Pyjamas (animated in Singapore anyway) and Playschool. More chances to catch up on some typing. B and Alex…
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Flowers, food and footweariness
Time zones can be a bane of the traveller, especially when you have a four year old who doesn’t go back to sleep once he awakes. After staying up late to post photos and recharge everything I had had only four hours of sleep when Alex awoke at 4.30am Singapore time. That’s a late 7.30am…
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Lonely ePlanet
Trains in Thailand are punctual, comfortable, cheap and serve reasonable food. South east Asia on a shoestring, 1st edition, 1975 From our experience they got one out four right (cheap). My how things have changed in the 35 years and 15 editions since that first Lonely Planet book. I’ve just finished reading Brian Thacker’s light and enjoyable…