Kuching is one of my favourite Asian Capitals. I think it is a very easy place to travel for Westerners and is a great base to explore the Borneo Interior.
I also review the backpackers accommodation I am staying at, The B and B Inn. I’ve been here for a few weeks and feel they do a number of things right with regard to tourist accommodation.
The B and B Inn is the first registered inn catering for backpackers in Kuching. A lot of backpacker’s accommodation in Kuching are not registered and can lead to problems with travel insurance if things go wrong, e.g. fire
To prebook accommodation at the B & B Inn
Phone: +60 82 237 366
email: phanlily@hotmail.com
Address: 30-1 Jalan Tubuan, Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo
For all the big decisions in life, I don’t think one is ever prepared. I think it is a matter of learning as you go.
Two months into my round the world trip it is time to assess how things are going, particularly regarding the making money on the road goal.
I’ve been reading a few books and exploring a few ideas, and one thing I would like to do is pass on my knowledge of video production on to others.
So I put out a call to all my subscribers and any one else interested, to make a video featuring the top four things to do in your home town.
Let’s make this easy and old school, no need for fancy editing, just edit in camera, with camera phone, webcam, whatever.
Try and keep the video under 2 minutes, which means 30 secs for each segment.
Imagine you are showing a visitor the highlights of where you live, your fave four things.
Load your video to your youtube channel, title it ‘Fave Four in (your town)’ and in two weeks time (Tues. 18 Oct) I will feature the best videos on my ‘overlander’ channel.
Explore New Zealand’s top tourist destinations with the locals.
Stories include:
In Auckland, I took a ‘favorite five’ tour with Dr Maya, checking out the Mt Eden lookout, the Parnell French Market, Mt Eden shopping village, Piha Beach and finally fish and chips at Mission Bay.
The Bay of islands is a aquatic paradise made up of some 150 islands. I take to the water, going on a fishing trip and swimming with Dolphins. I also learn about Maori culture, getting an insight into why the Waitangi Heritage site is afraid of the scourge of Tourism, and what Maori Tattoos and the Hongi Greeting represent.
Local gym owner Belinda Bennett takes me to a secret location, but insists on blindfolding me, handcuffing me and locking me in the boot of her car, in order to keep the spot under wraps. I interviewed Maori Masseuse Wiki about Maori healing techniques, such as romiromi massage and the use of healing plants like Kawakawa. I then visit Te Puia National Maori Carving School where I interview Cori Marsters about this ancient art.
Film in Cuba Street, asking people what they liked about Wellington. Met some amazing people and as one person said, ‘There is always a secret doorway in Wellington’ where you may find a bar, an art gallery or musicians performing.
I interview Maverick businessman, Peter Yealands who runs Yealands Estate, a 1,000 Hectare winery that has been hailed the most sustainable winery in the world. Yealands has introduced some innovative sustainable practices in their vineyard, such as grazing miniature ‘babydoll’ sheep, instead of using mowing equipment, and developing a biodegradable plastic bottle.
Hitchhike from Nelson to Takaka, and then onto Abel Tasman National Park. I learn about how the hippies moved into the Takaka region in the 1970′s, and how even today the area is made up of lifestylers trying to live off the land.
If Queenstown was a person, it would be a teenager.
So the best way to appreciate Queenstown is to act like a teenager;
do things for the first time, like skydiving or bungy,
stay up and party all night,
and then laze about in a spa the next day.
I was in Christchurch on a Wednesday night and wanted to check out the nightlife.
I happened to find a venue that was running a Burlesque competition.
Being a bit cheeky, I thought what better way to explore a city founded on puritan religious values, than to feature tassles and lingerie.
See the beauty and hospitality of Ireland, through the eyes of it’s people.
Stories include:
In Dublin I interviewed Niamh Ni Mhir who works for Hostel World,a local IT business that rode the Celtic Tiger to become the biggest Hostel booking website online Niamh explains how Ireland has changed since my last visit, in the early 1990 s and also tells us what it is she likes about living in Dublin.
I interview Kathleen Moran about the Kilkenny Craft Centre and how Kilkenny established itself as Ireland’s craft capital.
In Belfast I interviewed Sean McKernan, a photographer who in 1983 set up a photo exhibition called Belfast Exposed, featuring a lot of images from the height of the troubles.
On the Aran Islands I interviewed Teresa Millane, an old style (Sean Nos) singer.
In Galway I interviewed actor Diarmuid de Faoite about the flourishing arts scene.
The small fishing Village of Dingle on the West Coast of Ireland is home to a friendly Dolphin called Fungi, who seems to prefer the company of humans to his own kind.
In Doolin I interviewed Banjo player, Kevin Griffin about why Doolin has become the traditional music capital of Ireland.
Sean now runs an multifunction arts centre called BX Arts.
Sean discusses how Belfast has changed since the 1997 ceasefire.
In Cork I try and trace my Irish ancestors (O’Shea), and look at the modern day immigration of Polish workers to Ireland.
For my final Irish story, I visit Cahersiveen where there are some Stone Forts that may well been the home of my Shea ancestors.
Travel Tasmania seeing it’s top destinations through the eyes of the locals. Stories include:
Rob Pennicott and his artist wife Michaye live an idyllic family life on Bruny Island. Surrounded by nature and a bountiful sea, Bruny appears to be paradise, but as Rob suggests, may not be for everyone. I also discuss the sad history of Truganini, the last full blooded Tasmanian Aborigine.
In Hobart I interview Sudanese musician Ajak Kwai about her experience living in Tasmania.
Formation of the Australian Greens Political Party. I take a flight to the South West Wilderness area of Tasmania, learning about Critchley Parker Junior, an ill fated explorer who hoped to form a new Jewish State in the region. I also interview Senator Bob Brown, leader of the world’s first Greens Political Party.
This action packed video is three stories packed into one. First I feature archival footage from the seminal Franklin River campaign, then I investigate the Facial Tumor Disease effecting the wild Tasmanian Devil Population, and finally I do a story on Port Arthur, an historic convict colony where I interview guide Laura Leeworthy, do their ghost tour and film a Ghost!!
Fishing for Trout in Tasmania offers anglers some of the most remote Lake Fishing in the world. I interview Janice Spencer about the Land of 3,000 Lakes. Janice was the first female angler ever accepted for an Australian competition Fly Fishing Team.
Tasmania has some of the biggest cold water surf breaks in the world. I visit Marrawah on the north west corner, a location renowned for it’s year round surf. I interview 16 yr old local Zak Grey.
Cruising the winding roads of Tasmania on a Harley Davidson with Simon Richardson. Simon owns the Launceston Harley Davidson Dealership and believes Tasmania offers bikers great touring opportunities, with mountainous roads and free camping. I also visit Stanley, Tasmania’s Best Town. Simon rides a 1980 Shovelhead Harley Trike.
For my last Tasmania story I visited Campbelltown’s sombre convict brick display and then interviewed an Irish Woman in the Town of National Park, near the Mt Field National Park. Trish Rawlins believes Tasmania is like Ireland before it lost all it’s trees.
Just out of Ubud you can find the village of Mas. Various villages around Bali specialise in particular craft. Mas is famous for it’s mask making.
The masks were originally produced for sacred temple dances, but with the advent of tourism, are now also created for wall decorations.
A mask carver is called a ‘undagi tapel’ and the tradition is usually passed down through families. Mask making is a respected occupation and is practised by members of the Brahman case since they know the required rituals involved in making a sacred mask.
I discuss the two types of massages available in Bali. It is important for men in particular to be aware of this so as not to lead to misunderstanding.
There is a traditional massage which one can usually get in beauty salons, and there is the complete massage, which usually finishes with a happy ending! These complete massages are usually offered by women not working in beauty salons, but just working the street, renting a small room.
The cost of a traditional massage is very reasonable, about $4-5 AUD for an hour. The cost for a happy ending massage you will have to investigate yourself!
I wander the narrow lanes away from the tourist strip restaurants of Kuta to find meals half the price. I order a Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Mango Juice which cost me less than $2 AUD. I speak with owner Dewik about meal options for vegetarians.
Thanks to Dewik of Sapo Laish 1, Jl. Batu Pageh Legian Kelot, Kuta
On the bus trip to Ubud I met Lucy and Stephanie, two French girls backpacking around Bali for 2 weeks. Stephanie worked in Jakarta and had a strong grasp of the Indonesian language. They seemed to know a lot about Bali, so I decided to let them host the Ubud video. Lucy takes on shopping and Stephanie discusses cuisine.
For more info on Sjaki-Tari-Us http://www.sjakitarius.nl/eng/index.html
Thanks to Discovery sound for providing me with Indonesian music loops – http://www.youtube.com/discoverysound
Christchurch has recently been in the news with regard to being the site of three damaging earthquakes. I film just after the September 4th 2010 quake and there is still some signs of damage to buildings around the CBD.
Christchurch was founded as a planned Church of England religious settlement. In 1850 four boatloads of pilgrims arrived with aspirations of creating a city built around a central Cathedral and College.
It seems the pilgrims wanted to create a little piece of England in Christchurch. Down by the Avon River one can find Oaks and Chestnuts, and even partake in the very English pursuit of punting.
My punter happened to be an English gap year student. I asked him what he found to be the main difference between Christchurch and mother England.
I was in Christchurch on a Wednesday night and wanted to check out the nightlife.
I happened to find a venue that was running a Burlesque competition.
Being a bit cheeky, I thought what better way to explore a city founded on puritan religious values, than to feature tassles and lingerie.
I interview Burlesque performers Ruby Ruin and Nancy Nightshade. For more information on Christchurch’s Burlesque scene: http://www.facebook.com/AylasAngelsBurlesque
Mark Shea is an innovative Australian filmmaker who for the past 10 years has produced travel documentaries from around the world.
His unique style explores regional cultures by ‘meeting the locals’.
On July 24th 2011 he sets off on a new journey, starting in Bali, with the goal to travel ‘overland’ to each continent.
Exploring Digital Nomadism and Lifestyle Design, he will produce videos while on the road and aims to survive solely on passive income made from his online ventures.
Countries visited so far:
*Indonesia *Singapore *Malaysia Mark has been travelling for 196 days 19 hours 35 minutes 50 seconds
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