Daily Diary 2005


January 2005: Thailand / Malaysia: KL, Sarawak

01 Bangkok: Happy new year! New book: Anne Rice - Blackwood Farm.

02 Bangkok: Phanthip Plaza. Cinema: The Door in the Floor.

03 Bangkok: Massage.

04 Koh Tao: 7+(3)+3hrs travel. Sairee Cottage. Sairee beach.

05 Koh Tao: Rent motorbike. Thian Og Bay beach.

06 Koh Tao: DM theory: Lydia.

07 Koh Tao: DM theory: Lydia.

08 Koh Tao: DM theory: Lydia.

09 Koh Tao: DM confined: Lydia. Diving: Sairee beach. Lydia finished as DM.

10 Koh Tao: Massage.

11 Had Yai: 9+(2)+5hrs travel.

 

MALAYSIA

12 Kuala Lumpur: 8hrs travel. Anuja Backpacker's Inn. Shopping. Cinema: IMAX - Polar Express 3D.

13 Kuala Lumpur: Arranging things for our Indonesia visa.

14 Kuala Lumpur:  Petronas Twin Towers. Cinema: Aviator.

15 Kuala Lumpur: China Town. Central Market.

16 Kuala Lumpur: Zoo Negara.

17 Kuala Lumpur: Sunway Lagoon: Water Theme Park.

18 Kuala Lumpur: The Lake Gardens: Orchid Garden. Deer Park. Cinema: Ocean's 12.

19 Kuala Lumpur: Petronas Twin Towers Bridge.

 

MALAYSIA, Sarawak, Borneo

20 Kuching: 2hrs flight. St Thomas Diocesan Resthouse. Islam Museum. Sarawak Museum. Akuarium Bandaraya. Cinema: The Doll Master.

21 Kuching: Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (3 Orangutans). Chinese History Museum. Cinema: Elektra.

22 Bako National Park: 1hr travel. Forest Hostel. Treks: Tanjung Sapi (0,8km, View Point), Telok Delima (1km), Telok Paku (1,2km, Beach). Proboscis monkeys on Telok Paku trek.

23 Bako National Park: Treks: Lintang (5,25km), Telok Pandan Kecil (1,5km). Proboscis monkeys on Lintang, Telok Delima trek and behind the hostel.

24 Bako National Park-Kuching: Proboscis monkeys in the mangroves by HQ. St Thomas Diocesan Resthouse.

25 Kuching: Sarawak Cultural Village

26 Sibu-Kapit: 8+2,5hrs travel. Kapit Rejang Inn. New book: J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

27 Kapit: Rh Jang Sg. Goh Longhouse.

28 Miri: 2,5+7hrs travel. Thai Foh Inn.

29 Miri: Niah Cave National Park.

30 Miri: Grand Park Inn. Lazy Sunday.

31 Miri: Just as lazy Monday.

 

February 2005: Brunei / Malaysia: Sabah

 

BRUNEI

01 Bandar Seri Begawan: 4,5hrs travel (6 vehicles!). K.H. Soon Resthouse. Jame'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque.

02 Bandar Seri Begawan: Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Jerudong Park Playground.

 

MALAYSIA, Sabah, Borneo

03 Kota Kinabalu: 0,5+1+2,5hrs travel. Hotel Suang Hee.

04 Ranau: Kampong Kokob (Rafflesia flower).

05 Semporna: 9hrs travel. Lee's Resthouse.

06 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles) / Barracuda Point (Turtle, White-tips, Leopard, Nudibranches) + Mabul: Paradise (Crocodile fish, Nudibranches, Pipefish, Turtle).

07 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (Octopus, White-tips, Turtles) / Barracuda Point (Turtle, Grey Reef sharks, White-tips, huge school of Barracuda) + Mabul: Seaventure (Frogfish, Crocodile fish, Humpheads).

08 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (Manta ray, White-tips, Turtles, Napoleon wrasse) / Hanging Gardens (Turtles, White-tips) + Mabul: Drop-off (Leaf fish, Nudibranches).

09 Kota Kinabalu: 9hrs travel. Hotel Suang Hee. Chinese New Year! Cinema: Constantine.

10 Sepilok: Lion dance. 6hrs travel. Sepilok Jungle Resort.

11 Sepilok: Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre.

12 Kinabatangan: Uncle Tan's Wildlife Camp. Night boat Safari.

13 Kinabatangan: Morning boat Safari. Jungle trekking. Afternoon boat Safari. Night Trekking. New book: Jonathan Franzen - The Corrections.

14 Kinabatangan-Semporna: Morning boat Safari. 1+1+2hrs travel. Lee's Resthouse.

15 Semporna: Relax!

16 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (Octopus, White-tips, Leopard, Turtles) / Barracuda Point (Turtles, White-tips, Napoleon Wrasse) + Mabul: SWV (Cuttlefish, Snake eel, Razorfish, Pipefish, Nudibranches).

17 Semporna: New job: Uncle Chang.

18 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (Octopus, White-tips, Turtles, Leaf fish) / Barracuda Point (Turtles, White-tips, Napoleon Wrasse, Seagrass Ghost Pipefish) + Mabul (Mandarinfish).

19 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, Humphead Parrotfish, Giant Trevallies, Leaf fish) / Midreef (Manta, Turtles, White-tips, Giant Trevallies).

20 Semporna: Diving 6FD: Sipadan: South Point (Schools of Trevallies, Manta, White-tips, Turtles, Octopus) / Barracuda Point (Turtles, White-tips). Uncle Chang party.

21 Semporna: Diving 1FD: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, Octopus) / Barracuda Point (Turtles, White-tips, Grey Reef shark).

22 Semporna: Diving: OW: Jon and Lorraine - Theory / Confined water (Sea snake).

23 Semporna: Diving: OW: Jon and Lorraine - Dive 1&2: Mabul: Paradise (Turtles, Cuttlefish, Barracuda school) / Paradise (Turtle) + SWV (Turtles, Nudibranches).

24 Semporna: Diving: OW: Jon and Lorraine - Dive 3&4: Mabul: SWV (Turtle, Nudibranches) / Paradise (Turtle, Cuttlefish, Barracuda school).

25 Semporna: Day off due to foot infection. Editing video. Uncle Chang party.

26 Semporna: Day off.

27 Semporna: Day off.

28 Semporna: Day off.

 

March 2005: Malaysia: Sabah

01 Semporna: Diving: Advanced: Ross: Sipadan: Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtles, Napoleon Wrasses) / Lobster Lair (White-tips, Turtles) + Mabul: SWV (Nudibranches, Pipefish, Morays, Mantis shrimp).

02 Semporna: Diving: Advanced: Ross: Sipadan: South Point (Octopus, White-tips, Turtles, Napoleon Wrasse) / Hanging Garden (Turtles, White-tips) + Mabul: Seaventure (2*Frogfish, Crocodile fish, Nudibranches, Blue-spotted ray).

03 Semporna: Diving 3FD: Kapalai: Mandarin Valley (Ghost pipefish, Juvenile Emperor Angel, Frogfish) / Magic Rock (Stonefish, Nudibranches, Ribbon eel) + Mabul: Paradise (4*Cuttlefish, Mandarinfish)

04 Semporna: Diving 1FD: Sipadan: South Point (Octopus, White-tips, Turtles, Schools of Trevallies) / Hanging Garden (Turtles, White-tips).

05 Semporna: Diving 5FD: Sipadan: Barracuda Point (Leopard, White-tips, Turtles) / Staghorn Crest (Turtles, White-tips, Schools of Trevallies).

06 Semporna: Diving 5FD: Sipadan: Hanging Garden (Leopard, White-tips, Turtles) / South Point (Turtles, White-tips, Leopard, Schools of Trevallies) + Mabul: Seaventures (Frogfish, Nudibranches, Blue-spotted ray).

07 Semporna: Diving 4FD: Mabul: Paradise (Turtles, Pipefish, Frogfish, Nudibranches, Octopus, Squids) + Sipadan: Hanging Garden (Octopus, White-tips, Turtles) / Midreef (Turtle, White-tips, Eagleray, Barracudas).

08 Semporna: Day off.

09 Semporna: Day off. Making the Uncle Chang webpage.

10 Semporna: Diving 5FD: Sipadan: South Point (Turtles, White-tips, Schools of Trevallies) / Hanging Garden (White-tips, Turtles) + Mabul: Paradise (Cuttlefish, Nudibranches, Pipefish).

11 Semporna: Day off.

12 Semporna: Diving: OW: Heath and Simon - Theory / Confined water.

13 Semporna: Diving: OW: Heath and Simon - Dive 1&2: Mabul: Paradise (Turtles) / Paradise (Turtles, Squid, Frogfish).

14 Semporna: Diving: OW: Heath, Simon and Steven - Dive 3&4: Mabul: SWV (Turtles, Morays, Cuttlefish) / Paradise (Turtles, Squid) + Seaventures (2*Frogfish, GIANT moray, Stonefish, Cuttlefish).

15 Semporna: Diving: Advanced: Steven and Eoin: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, Giant trevally) / Hanging Garden (White-tips, Turtles).

16 Semporna: Diving: Advanced: Steven and Eoin: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, School of Trevallies) / Barracuda Point (White-tips) + Mabul: SWV (Cuttlefish, Squids) + Night dive Semporna: Tampi Tampi (Spanish dancer, tiny Cuttlefish, Mimic octopus).

17 Semporna: Diving: 5FD: Sipadan: South Point (Turtles, White-tips, huge Puffer) / Hanging Garden (White-tips, Turtles, Swimming morays) + Mabul: Paradise (Nudibranches, Pipefish, Flying gurnard).

18 Semporna: Diving: 5FD: Sipadan: Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtle, Napoleon wrasse) / Hanging Garden (Turtles, White-tips) + Mabul: Seaventures (Cuttlefish, Nudibranches).

19 Semporna: Diving: 4FD: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles) / Hanging Garden (Turtles, White-tips) + Night dive Semporna: Tampi Tampi (Nudibranches, tiny Cuttlefish, Squids, Snake eel).

20 Semporna: Diving: 3FD: Sipadan: South Point (Grey reef shark, White-tips, Turtles) / Hanging Garden (Turtles) + Kapalai: Mandarin Valley (Juvenile Emperor Angel, Morays, Stonefish).

21 Semporna: Diving: 4FD: Sipadan: South Point (Black-tip, White-tips, Turtles, Giant trevally) / Midreef (Grey reef sharks, White-tips, Turtles, Giant trevally).

22 Semporna: Diving: 5FD: Sipadan: Staghorn Crest (Turtles,White-tips) / Hanging Garden (Turtles,White-tips).

23 Semporna: Diving: 3FD: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, Octopus) / Barracuda Point (Grey reef sharks, White-tips, 2*Octopus, Turtles, Napoleon Wrasse) + Mabul: Paradise (Nudibranches, Pipefish, Cowfish, Blue spotted ray, Mandarin fish, Snake eels).

24 Semporna: Diving: 11FD: Sipadan: Midreef (White-tips, Leopard, Turtles) / Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtles) + Mabul: Seaventures (Nudibranches, Stonefish, swimming Ribbon eel).

25 Semporna: Diving: OW: Richard, Robert and Eva - Theory.

26 Semporna: Diving: OW: Richard, Robert and Eva - Confined water / Dive 1: Mabul: Paradise (Turtles, Cuttlefish, Frogfish).

27 Semporna: Diving: OW: Richard, Robert and Eva - Dive 2,3&4: Mabul: Paradise (Turtle) / SWV (Turtles, Painted frogfish, Nudibranches) / Paradise (Turtles, Frogfish, Bumphead parrotfish) + Night dive Semporna: Tampi Tampi (Painted frogfish, Cuttlefish).

28 Semporna: Diving: 6FD: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips,  Turtles) / Barracuda Point (White-tips, Grey reef shark, Leopard, Turtles, School of Barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, Tuna) + Mabul: SWV (Nudibranches, 2*Stonefish, Painted frogfish).

29 Semporna: Diving: 9FD: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, School of Trevallies) / Hanging Garden (White-tips, Turtles, School of Humpheads, Battacuda, Tuna) + Mabul: Paradise (Turtle, Frogfish, Ribbon eel).

30 Semporna: Diving: 4FD: Sipadan: Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtles, Barracuda) / Midreef (White-tips, Grey reef shark, Turtles, Battacudas) + Mabul: Paradise (Turtle, Cuttlefish, Painted frogfish, Stonefish, Snake eel, Nudibranches).

31 Semporna: Day off due to arm infection.

 

April 2005: Malaysia: Sabah / Indonesia: Sulawesi

01 Semporna: Day off.

02 Semporna: Day off.

03 Semporna: Day off.

04 Semporna: Diving 2FD: Sipadan: South Point (Leaf fish, Octopus, White-tips, Turtles, Schools of Trevallies, Humheads) / Hanging Garden (Turtles, White-tips) + SWV (3*Cuttlefish, Painted frogfish, Nudibranches, Turtle).

05 Semporna: Diving: Advanced: Marco and Stefan: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, Octopus) / Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtles, Squids) + Night dive Semporna: Tampi Tampi (Cuttlefish).

06 Semporna: Diving: Advanced: Marco and Stefan: Sipadan: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, School of Trevallies) / Midreef (White-tips, Turtles, Barracudas, Napoleon wrasse) + SWV (Yellow boxfish, Pipefish, Squids, Nudibranches, Turtle).

07 Semporna: Island boat trip: Sibuan and Sibangkat.

08 Semporna: Diving 2FD: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, School of Trevallies, Octopus) / Hanging Garden (White-tips, Turtles). Dolphins on the way back to Mabul.

09 Semporna: Diving 5FD: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, Schools of Trevallies, Napoleon wrasses) / Midreef (White-tips, Turtles, Barracudas, Napoleon wrasse) + Mabul: Paradise (2*Frogfish, Ribbon eel, Cowfish, Nudibranches, Pipefish, Turtles).

10 Mabul: Diving 1DSD: Mabul: Paradise (Frogfish, Ribbon eel, Mandarinfish, Turtle, Blue spotted rays). Arung Hayat homestay.

11 Mabul: Diving 1DSD: South Point (White-tips, Turtles, School of Trevallies, Napoleon wrasses) / Midreef (Turtles) + Mabul: Seaventures (Painted frogfish).

12 Semporna: Diving 5FD: South Point (White-tips, Turtles) / Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtles, Barracudas, School of Trevallies, Flounder) + Mabul: Paradise (Frogfish, Ribbon eel, Cowfish, Nudibranches, Yellow boxfish, Snake eel). Lee's Resthouse.

13 Semporna: Diving 2FD: South Point (White-tips, Turtles) / Barracuda Point (White-tips, Turtles, Tunas, School of Trevallies, Blue spotted ray) + Kapalai: Cleaner Station (Stonefish, Baramundi, Blue spotted rays, Cowfish, Nudibranches, Juvenile yellow boxfish).

14 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (Turtles, White-tips, Tunas, Napoleon) / Turtle Cavern & Drop-off (Turtles) + Semporna: Tampi-Tampi (Seahorse, Mandarinfish, Octopus, Cuttlefish mating).

15 Semporna: Lepa Lepa festival: Dancing contest.

16 Semporna: Diving: Sipadan: South Point (Turtles, White-tips, Black-tip, Grey reef shark, Eagle ray, Tunas, Octopus, Leaf fish, Swimming moray) / Hanging Garden (Turtles, White-tips, Giant trevally) + Mabul: SWV (Turtle, 2*Cuttlefish, Clown frogfish, Seagrass ghost pipefish, Flounder, Nudibranches). Lepa Lepa festival: Opening show.

17 Semporna: Lepa Lepa festival: Regatta Lepa.

18 Tawau: Al Jazeera Lodging House.

 

INDONESIA, Kalimantan, Borneo

19 Tarakan: 3hrs boat ride. Hotel Jakarta.

20 Tarakan: Waiting for the Pelni ship.

21 Tarakan: Waiting for the Pelni ship.

22 Tarakan-Balikpapan: 20hrs on the Pelni ship.

 

INDONESIA, Sulawesi

23 Balikpapan-Pare Pare-Rantepao: 14hrs on the Pelni ship. 5hrs travel. Wisma Monton.

24 Rantepao: Villages: Bolu- Batutumonga (Viewpoint)- Lokomata (Stonegraves)- Pana- Tikala.

25 Rantepao: Villages: Nanggala (16 barns)- Tondon (Funeral ceremony)- Lemo (Stonegrave)- Londa (Hanging graves and cave).

26 Rantepao: Villages: Ke'te Kesu (Village, hanging graves and cave)- Sangalla- Makale- Rantepangli- Sa'dan (Weaving centre)- Lempo (View point).

27 Rantepao: Market Bolu.

28 Rantepao-Tentena: 11hrs travel. Hotel Victory.

29 Tentena: Salopa Waterfall, Pamona cave, Latea cave, Viewpoint.

30 Tentena-Ampana: 2+6hrs travel. Hotel Oasis.

 

May 2005: Indonesia: Sulawesi / Malaysia / Thailand

01 Togean Island: 2+1hrs boat. Paradise Bungalows.

02 Togean Island: Diving: OW: Katja - Theory. Snorkeling Paradise beach. New book: Dean Koontz - Frankenstein: Prodigal Son.

03 Togean Island: Diving: OW: Katja - Confined Water.

04 Togean Island: Diving: OW: Katja - Dive 1&2: Taipi Island (Blue-spotted rays) / Coral Garden (Cuttlefish, Nudibranches, Blue-spotted ray). New book: James Herbert - The Haunting.

05 Togean Island: Diving: OW: Katja - Dive 3&4: Taipi Wall (Bumphead) / Mini Canyon.

06 Togean Island: New book: Jeffery Tayler - Facing the Congo. Snorkeling Paradise beach.

07 Togean Island: New book: Barbara Kingsolver - The Poisonwood Bible.

08 Togean Island: Diving: B-24 Liberator (WWII bomber: 3/5-1945).

09 Togean Island-Manado: Travel: 4,5hrs boat + 3hrs bemo + 8,5hrs car.

10 Manado: Angkasa Raya Indah Hotel. Visa trouble. Cinema: Laws of Attraction.

11 Manado: Visa hell! Manado Museum. Waruga stone graves. Cinema: Spartan.

12 Tangkoko National Park: 2hrs travel. Tangkoko Ranger Homestay. Dusk trekking (Tarsiers, Black macaques).

13 Tangkoko National Park-Manado: Sick.2,5hrs travel. Angkasa Raya Indah Hotel.

14 Manado: Recovery day.

15 Manado: Cinema: Hitch.

16 Manado-Lembeh: 2hrs travel. Sulawesi Dive Quest Resort. Diving: Tanjung Parigi (4*Frogfish, Seahorse, Cuttlefish, Dragonets, Stingrays, Waspfish, Nudibranches).

17 Lembeh-Manado: Diving: Hair Ball 2 (Frogfish, Baramundi, Ribboneel, Leaffish, Dragonfish, Dragonets, 2*Cuttlefish, Squids, Nudibranches) / TK. 2 (3*Frogfish, Waspfish, Ambon scorpionfish, 2*Seahorses, Crocodile snakeel, Nudibranches, Dragonets, Cuttlefish, Cockatatoo flounder). 2hrs travel. Angkasa Raya Indah Hotel.

18 Manado-Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur: 2hrs flight. National Monument. 2hrs flight. Anuja Backpacker's Inn.

 

MALAYSIA

19 Kuala Lumpur: Cinema: Star Wars Ep. 3 - Revenge of the Sith.

20 Kuala Lumpur: Shopping. Cinema: Kingdom of Heaven.

21 Kuala Lumpur: Shopping.

22 Kuala Lumpur: Cinema: Star Wars Ep. 3 - Revenge of the Sith.

23 Kuala Lumpur: Running around.

 

THAILAND

24 Had Yai-Phi-Phi: 10+4+1,5hrs travel. Harmony House.

25 Phi-Phi: Beach. Liverpool won the CL final!

26 Phi-Phi: Beach.

27 Phi-Phi: Diving: Bida Nok (Swimming Moray) / Palong (Leopard, 2*Cuttlefish).

28 Phi-Phi: Diving: Tonsai Bay (Tsunami clean-up).

29 Phi-Phi: Diving: Tonsai Bay (Tsunami clean-up).

30 Phi-Phi: Diving: Advanced: Stefan and Manuela: King Cruiser Wreck / Shark Point Phuket (Leopard).

31 Phi-Phi: Diving with Sommai: Bida Nok.

 

June 2005: Thailand / Myanmar (Burma) / Laos

01 Phuket: 2hrs travel. Dive Supply.

02 Bangkok: 12hrs travel. Welcome Sawasdee Inn. Arranging tickets/visa. Cinema: Sin City.

03 Bangkok: Shopping MBK. Cinema: The Amityville Horror.

04 Bangkok: Chatujak Weekend Market.

 

MYANMAR (BURMA)

05 Yangon: 1hr flight. Garden Guest House. Bogyoke Aung San Market.

06 Yangon: Shwedagon Paya. Sule Paya.

07 Mandalay: 14hrs travel. Royal Guesthouse. Mahamuni Paya.

08 Mandalay: Mingun Ancient City.

09 Mandalay-Bagan: 8hrs travel. Golden Myanmar Hotel.

10 Bagan: Bagan Ancient City (Tharaba Gateway, Thatbyinnyu Temple, Shwesandaw Pagoda, Shinbinthalyaung Temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, Anada Temple)

11 Bagan: Shwezigon Pagoda.

12 Bagan: Bagan Ancient City (Thargyarhit Pagoda, Htilominlo Temple, Mahabodhi Temple, Shwesandaw Pagoda). New book: David Chandler - Voices from S-21.

13 Bagan-Inle Lake: 12hrs travel. Queen Inn.

14 Inle Lake: Boat trip on Inle Lake.

15 Inle Lake: Burmese Massage.

16 Inle Lake-Bago: 16hrs travel.

17 Bago: San Francisco Motel. Market. Kha Khat Wain Monastery, Shwethalyaung Buddha, Shwemawdaw Paya. New book: Dean Koontz - Watchers.

18 Yangon: 2hrs travel. Okinawa Guesthouse. Nar-Gar Glass Factory.

 

THAILAND

19 Yangon-Bangkok: 1hr flight. Welcome Sawasdee Inn.

20 Bangkok: Cinema: Batman Begins.

21 Bangkok: Cinema: Assault on Precinct 13.

 

LAOS

22 Tadlo: (11+1+1)+(1+2)hrs travel. Tim Guesthouse.

23 Tadlo: Tadlo Waterfall.

24 Tadlo: Elephant ride. Waterfall.

25 Tadlo: Lazy day. New book: Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything.

26 Don Det: 2+4hrs travel. Nou Phit Guesthouse.

27 Don Det: Rent bicycle: Don Khon, Somphamit waterfall.

28 Don Det: Irrawaddy dolphins, Khone Phapheng waterfall.

29 Pakse: 3hrs travel. Nothing special...

30 Vang Vien: 10+3hrs travel. Malany Guesthouse.

 

July 2005:  Laos / Thailand / Norway

01 Vang Vien: Tubing.

02 Vang Vien: Another rainy day! Massage.

03 Luang Prabang: 7hrs travel. Thavisouk Guesthouse. New book: Haruki Murakami - Dance Dance Dance.

04 Luang Prabang: Wat Pha Mahathat.

05 Luang Prabang: Kuang Si Waterfall.

06 Luang Prabang: Royal Palace Museum. Herbal steam bath and Massage.

 

THAILAND

07 Luang Prabang-Chiang Mai: 5hrs speed boat+5hrs bus. Namkhong Guesthouse.

08 Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh. Cinema: The Fantastic Four. Night marked.

09 Chiang Mai: Lydia´s birthday! Motorbike. Chiang Mai Zoo. Cinema: War of the Worlds.

10 Chiang Mai: Day trip: Orchid/Butterfly farm, Elephant dung factory, Chiang Dao Cave, Thaton White Buddha, Three Tribes Village (Long neck Karen, Lahu, Akha), Hmong village. Sunday market.

11 Chiang Mai: Motorbike. Shopping spree.

12 Chiang Mai: Cooking course. New book: Michel Houellebecq - Platform.

13 Bangkok: 14hrs train travel. Welcome Sawasdee Inn. Shopping.

14 Phimai: 6hrs travel. Phimai Inn Hotel.

15 Phimai: Phimai Nonmong School.Grandma dinner.

16 Phimai: Kim and Noi's Wedding: Wedding ceremony, Wedding party.

17 Phimai: Prasat Hin Phimai (Khmer ruins). Wedding party.

18 Hua Hin: 7,5hrs travel. Memory Guesthouse.

19 Hua Hin: Beach.

20 Hua Hin: Beach. 3hrs travel. Welcome Sawasdee Inn.

21 Bangkok: Shopping. Cinema: Somersault + The Machinist.

22 Bangkok: Last day in Thailand.

 

NORWAY

23 Bangkok-Islamabad-Oslo: 5hrs+7,5hrs flight (21hrs incl. stops). New book: Ian Christe - Sound of the Beast - The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal.

25 Sandefjord: Summer cabin.

25 Sandefjord: New book: Charles Wilson - Direct Descendant.

27 Bø: Visiting Grandma.

29 Sandefjord: Summer cabin. New book: Jørn Lier Horst - Nøkkelvitnet.

31 Oslo:

 

August 2005:  Norway / Germany

28 Oslo-Berlin: 1,5hrs flight.

29 Berlin: Concert - Korn, P.M.T.

 

September 2005:  Germany / Poland / Norway

14 Berlin: Concert - Norwegian Intersection: Madder Mortem, Audrey Horne, Red Harvest, Enslaved (Knaack Club).

 

POLAND

18 Krakow: 1,5hrs flight. Hotel Studencki Zaczek. Wawel Castle.

19 Krakow: Auschwitz / Birkenau. Kazimierz.

20 Krakow: Salt Mines of Wieliczka. Wawel Castle: Cathedral Royal Chambers, Dragon's Cave. Cinema: Broken Flowers.

21 Krakow-Berlin: 1,5hrs flight.

 

GERMANY

23 Berlin: Cinema: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

29 Berlin: Altes Museum: Egypt exhibit.

30 Berlin-Oslo: 1,5hrs flight.

 

October 2005:  Norway

01 Oslo: Concert - Scream 15yrs Anniversary: Destruction, Hypocrisy, Conception.

05 Oslo: New apartment: Iduns gate 2 (Fredensborg).

06 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Howl's Moving Castle.

07 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Coca - the Dove from Chechnya, Brotherhood of War, Matando Cabos.

08 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Sympathy for Mr. Vengance, El Rey.

09 Oslo: Moving. Films from the South Festival: Zozo, Late Bloomer, The Murmuring Coast.

10 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Turtles Can Fly, Paradise Now.

11 Oslo: Moving.

12 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Cruel War Stories, Four for None, Forgiveness, Cachimba.

13 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Born into Brothels, The First Night, Lost Embrace.

14 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Stranger of Mine, The Man Who Copied.

15 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: State of Fear, Seven Swords, Swallowtail Butterfly.

16 Oslo: Films from the South Festival: Beautiful City, The Art of Losing, Battle in Heaven.

 

November 2005:  Norway / Germany

GERMANY

03 Oslo-Berlin: 1,5hrs flight. Cinema: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride.

05 Berlin: Rundlederwelten (football art exhibit).

06 Berlin: Dresden: Zwinger / Armoury exhibit, Semper Opera House, Procession of Princes, Frauenkirche Church, Royal Mews.

07 Berlin: Shopping. Nina's birthday party.

08 Berlin-Oslo: 1,5hrs flight.

 

NORWAY

11 Oslo: Job offer: Accenture.

18 Oslo: First day in new job: Accenture.

23 Oslo: Cinema: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

26 Oslo: Kim and Noi gets officially married in the Town Hall.

 

December 2005:  Norway

02 Oslo-Hemsedal: 3,5 hrs travel. Cabin trip.

03 Hemsedal: Skiing, after-ski and party!

04 Hemsedal-Oslo: 3,5 hrs travel.

09 Oslo: Accenture Christmas Party.

16 Oslo: New book: Dan Brown: The Da Vinci Code

27 Oslo: Lydia comes. Cinema: King Kong.

31 Oslo: Happy new Year!