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World Adventure

May 2017 - April 2024
From New Zealand to San Diego in a year. The adventure of a lifetime. Read more
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  • 111footprints
  • 28countries
  • 2,539days
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  • 73.7kkilometers
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  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 29

    Malacca, Malaysia

    June 11, 2017 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After crossing the Singapore/Malaysia border by bus, Whitney and I took a two hour air-conditioned bus to the city of Malacca on the West coast of Malaysia. Malacca is best known for its Dutch and Portuguese heritage, so we spent the following two days visiting ancient forts, ruined churches, and night markets in China town. We devoured local Malaysian delights including Malaysian laksa (seafood coconut cream soup), nasi lamak (coconut rice, fried chicken, and sambal), onde onde (rice pastry balls filled with liquid palm sugar), and coconut shakes (ice cream in coconut water and ice); Malaysians sure do love their coconuts! We also survived our first torrential downpour. Now we head to the Malaysian capital city Kuala Lumpur to reunite with our travelling companions, TJ and Alli.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 33

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    June 15, 2017 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    After a two hour air-conditioned bus ride for 24 RM (about $8 NZD), Whitney and I arrived in Kuala Lumpur. We reunited with TJ and Alli (our counterpart U.S. travelling couple) and took to the city to see the local attractions. Just north of the city, we visited the huge Batu caves, a Hindu religious site guarded by a 40m high golden statue. We took the railway to Bukit Bintang, a shopping district harbouring dozens of malls including one with an inside theme park, and were caught out in a tropical thunderstorm (Uber came to the rescue). Most nights we ate a second dinner for cheap at an Indian restaurant near to our hostel (between 50c and $2 per meal). Kuala Lumpur is huge, but very accessible with its metro system. We now head to the east coast of Malaysia for a week of relaxing on the tropical island Pulau Tioman.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 36

    Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

    June 18, 2017 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We spent the past five days in paradise. After a six hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur, a night in the port town of Mersing, and a two hour ferry ride, we arrived on the small island Pulau Tioman off the east coast of Malaysia. It has thick jungle, white sand beaches, and turquoise clear waters. Our accommodation was very basic, but we had AC so it felt like luxury. There were basically two places to choose between to eat but they are both delicious and super cheap. Andreas and I were both stuffed for around $5 NZD.

    Andreas and I decided to get our PADI advanced open water certification. We dived five times over two days. We did a deep dive down to 30m to see a ship wreck. We also learned to navigate with compasses underwater and about fish identification. On our favorite dive we swam through a series of underwater caves in crystal clear water which were packed with schools of fish.

    We made friends with everyone at the dive shop and spent most evenings hanging out on their deck. One evening the guys cooked us a huge meal of "chicken rice" and we spent the night playing music and singing. Andreas enjoyed showing off his ukulele skills. We managed to find some wine (a rare occurrence in Asian countries) and spent our last evening drinking it on the beach. Next we move up the coast to the Perhentian Islands.    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 46

    Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

    June 28, 2017 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Let me start by saying that the Perhentian islands off the north eastern coast of Malaysia are awesome! Crystal clear turquoise waters, long white beaches, and cheap but fantastic diving, what more could you want?!

    We got to the smaller of the two Perhentian islands (Kecil) after a 40 minute boat ride from the small port town, Kuala Besut. We stayed on the southern coast of Kecil on a long white sand beach caed Long Beach. It is packed with dive shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Because the island is so small, we weren't confined to this tourist area, instead we ate most mornings at an all you can eat resort buffet ($5 NZD) on a beach on the nothern side of the island (about a five minute walk).

    During our time on the island, our group kayaked for about six hours around Kecil, frequently making landfall to explore secluded beaches and gathering much needed supplies. We hiked to a windmill in the middle of the island and stumbled upon a decrepit staircase leading us down to a semi-sunken concrete pier. I went diving at the Temple of the Sea where I paid my respects to an underwater mountain buzzing with all kinds of marine life. Whit and I also dived a 90m long sugar transporter wreck which was so big that we swam through it's propeller shaft surrounded by circling barracuda. On the evenings that it wasn't raining (about half), our group was entertained by live fire dancers while we sipped cold Tiger beers.

    After a week of paradise, we leave the Perhentian islands to explore the more temperate Cameron Highlands in the middle of Malaysia.    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 50

    Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

    July 2, 2017 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We wore our jackets and it was magical! We traveled up into the mountains, and as we did the temperature dropped. The Cameron Highlands is famous for its tea fields, strawberries, hiking, and a place for locals to cool down. One day we rented scooters to explore the famous Boh Tea Estate. We imagined we would have a relaxing time sipping tea among the vast tea fields, however, our idea of a peaceful time was quickly shattered when we arrived. It was the last day of a public holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan and the place was packed. The fancy tea estate we had pictured was more of a cafeteria mass producing tea for the long lines of people. We got our tea to go and ended up finding a quiet spot outside. We also went on a factory tour to see how the Boh tea is made. We also spent two days hiking through the jungle. We were amazed at how similar the trails felt to New Zealand. At one point we had a close encounter with a pack of wild dogs which led us to hiking half the trek with big sticks to protect ourselves. The food in Cameron Highlands was great! We had Indian most mornings for breakfast (Idli) and ate like locals using only our right hand without utensils! We also had a delicious steam boat soup which you add all sorts of goodies to. Overall the Cameron Highlands was a beautiful escape. Next stop George Town.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 58

    George Town, Malaysia

    July 10, 2017 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    George Town was fantastic! The city is on the island of Penang off Malaysia's north west coast (two hours south of the Thai border). It is considered to be one of South-East Asia's food meccas and its streets are coloured with vibrant street art.

    During our week in George Town we stayed at the Tipsy Tiger party hostel, in a flash apartment with an infinity pool, and in a hostel above a karaoke bar (great times). We spent our days hiking and swimming in the national park on Penang island, sneaking into hotel pools when we didn't have our own, walking George Town's street art trail, watching the All Blacks vs Lions game in an English pub, and visiting a cat cafe! Our meals were exceptional and affordable with our highlights being local chicken rice and cendol (a Malaysian dessert with coconut, green spaghetti noodles, and red beans). Whitney and I now leave our travel companions TJ and Alli to travel to Phuket. Bring on Thailand and its delicious curries!    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    3
    Day 62

    Phuket, Thailand

    July 14, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    We made it to Thailand! First stop was the wild island of Phuket. We stayed on the famous Patong beach - full of bars, massage parlors, and lady boys. We spent our first day exploring the town, watching tourists parasail from the beach, and gawked at sunburnt old fat men walking hand and hand with beautiful Thai girls. We are definitely back on the tourist trail. In the evening, I researched a reputable massage parlor and Andreas and I both got amazing massages for cheap. I got a Thai massage (a combination of stretching and deep tissue) and Andreas got a relaxing oil massage.

    The second day we rented a scooter and took it all around the island. Scooters are a great way to see the sights. I have not yet driven one and I don't think I want to with all the crazy drivers. Andreas' mountain biking skills really shine weaving around cars and obstacles. I totally trust Andreas and his driving but I can't help being on high alert the entire ride, letting out the occasional "WATCH OUT!", "SLOW DOWN!", or just a general scream. We spent a few hours swimming at a remote beach and then visited the 45m tall Big Buddha statue! While at the Big Buddha, we escaped the heat by attempting to meditate in its presence with a number of tourists and locals. It was a very relaxing and special experience.

    When we exited the Buddha we noticed the sky getting darker. When we started riding away we began to feel a strong wind that almost blew us over. Time to put the pack cover on. Then the rains came and Andreas and I were soaked! We made it to a cafe in Phuket city and waited out the rain. When it finally stopped we headed back to our hotel. Except that was back over the hill into the storm. Suddenly the skies opened and full monsoon rains pelted us so hard it stung. Andreas and I pushed on and arrived back at our hotel soaked through... quite the adventure. Next stop Ko Phi Phi.    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 64

    Kho Phi Phi, Thailand

    July 16, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Our first Thailand island was a success. Although it rained heavily our first evening, the rest of the time the weather was beautiful! Koh Phi Phi is famous for being in a lot of movies and there was a movie being filmed while we were there (Changeland directed by Seth Green). We also watched a Muay Thai tournament and tried our first Thailand bucket drink. The water continues to be bathtub warm and my new goggles helped me see underwater! On our last day Andreas started to feel sick with stomach pains... so we will see how that goes...Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 67

    Railay, Thailand

    July 19, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Railay is a rock climber's dream destination. While it is attached to Thailand's southern peninsula, it is only accessible by boat because of the sheer limestone cliffs surrounding its white sand beaches.

    Whit and I, having rock climbed regularly in New Zealand, were super excited to put our abilities to the test in this Thai paradise. Unfortunately, our bodies had different ideas. On the night that we arrived, I became violently ill and did not leave the room (or its attached bathroom, praise the gods) for the next day either. Then, two nights later and after I had partially recovered, it was Whit's turn for a sleepless night experiencing all of the same symptoms I had suffered. We left Railay the following day exactly how we had expected to leave, aching all over. Sadly this had nothing to do with rock climbing :(    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 70

    Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand

    July 22, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We spent our time on the island of Koh Pha Ngan visiting the secluded beaches by scooter. To get to one beach, Andreas had to put his mountain biking skills to use, taking the scooter across some seriously steep off-road terrain which I opted to walk down. This adventure was worth it however as it led us to a very magical beach that most people got to on their dirt bikes! On the way back up this steep terrain our little scooter struggled to make it, so I pushed as Andreas navigated up the various ditches and loose dirt. We finished off the day by eating a much deserved ice cream and watching the sunset. Next stop Koh Tao.Read more

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