The Journey(s) of Ian

Photos: a. KL from the KL tower, one of those big and famous communication towers. b. Condos which are everywhere in KL. c. The Batu caves and steps. d. Me with a new friend (it was strong, heavy, and did not like me) e. China Town I left Singapore and arrived in Malaysia on a train. This journey began with a comical pass through customs at the Sing train station. My passport was scanned by a Malay woman hidden behind a glass screen, who said something through a speaker grill which I could not understand, and then waved me on. Next three uniformed customs inspectors, without moving from a reclining position, declined to inspect my luggage. My personal feeling is that border control is a joke and merely gives lots of people make work. The train trip was uneventful, as was the arrival at the hi-tech KL Sentral Train Station (with a wireless, broadband Starbucks—class). All this was soon to change: In Singapore I had stayed in a 5 star, but had I decided to go down market in KL, get close...

Singapore I write this in a seedy (but not sleazy) hotel in Kuala Lumpur’s bustling China Town, however, that is another story for another day. Here is my account of my few, but interesting days, in Singapore— To describe my experiences I will first have to make what many readers will believe to be a digression, however, as you will soon see there is a point to this excursus, one, which, I am sure you will agree, is both necessary and educational. Picture, if you will, in your mind’s eye, yourself, walking the streets of Perth, going about your everyday, lawful affairs. As you progress through your activities you will from time to time glance around, and occasionally view a peculiar individual. This stranger has a hagged and worn mien, is clearly deficient in sleep, and has a look of permanent bewilderment upon his befuddled face. With closer inspection you will also see a backpack slung uncomfortably over one shoulder and a camera clipped to his belt (I am visualising a man, feel free...

To start with some images (a picture tells a thousand words—but not if you are a philologist). This blog site does not allow individual notation of images, so I am adding a few notes right at the start: a. loading of the ship in Fremantle. b. At sea looking forward c. At sea looking back. d. The Bridge e. Bridge GPS map display f. Plan of the ship g. The engine room (the chief engineer and Christine) h. Our luxurious facilities i. Pirate attack precautions j. Deck plan k. Stairwell from the top l. Me at the bow! m. Me at the controls !! .............................................. short version: Great fun, an interesting and dirty ship, which rolled a lot but no sea sickness, crew friendly, learnt much, would do again. ...................................................... long version: Arrived! Safe and sound in Singapore after 7 days at sea! The journey began in the port of Fremantle on the afternoon of Tuesday...

After many years of hard work, study, and self-sacrifice it is appropriate that I take some personal time—time to seek new horizons, new adventures, and new opportunities. So, I have decided to visit exotic Asia, and to get there I am using a traditional, but now neglected, means of travel—a freighter! As you can see I have a big, pink ship ready to transport me from Perth to Singapore. Long distance travel these days in predominantly by aeroplane, with rail and cruise ship coming in second and third. This does raise the question as to why I decided to travel on a freighter. The answer is that it is about the journey, not the destination. A plane is a few hours in a crowded tin can, by which means one reaches one’s destination separated physically from one’s point of origin, but not always psychologically. A cruise ship is a long party, with distraction and frivolity, characteristics far from undesirable, but those which do not fit my present mood or desire. The ship I will be travelli...