About me

During my high school years, my mind frequently drifted into daydreams of embarking on a global adventure. Instead of delving into...

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Welcome back!

Long overdue I'm relaunching Splinter's Paradise with a fresh new lay-out. Since my world journey in 2014, my passion for travel has grown, taking me to numerous fascinating destinations. Now, it's the perfect moment to document these adventures online. Additionally, I would like to share valuable insights into budget-planning, driving internationally, most common mistakes and planning in general. Stay tuned.


 
Malaysia

Malaysia category

A first introduction to Asia: ten days Malaysia from Kuala
Lumpur to Langkawi. In retrospective, an almost impossible itinerary.

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The Fountains of Bellagio
The United States

Day 176: Losing money at the Strip

I woke up around 10 am with plans to visit the Strip today. As I glanced around the dorm, I noticed some faces missing and new ones taking their place. Sean was nowhere to be found, replaced by a new arrival perched on his bunk bed. This gentleman, an older Indian named Som (pronounced as Zoom), struck up a polite conversation with me. I extended an invitation for him to join me on my trip to the Strip. To my surprise, Som seemed astonished to learn that there was more to Las Vegas than just the Fremont Street Experience! I…

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The big overhead screen on Fremont Street by night, Las Vegas
The United States

Day 175: The Fremont Street Experience

Today, my plan was to delve into the Fremont Street experience in Las Vegas. I woke up late, around 11 am. Yesterday was a long night—I spent hours typing and uploading content. I covered so much about Hawaii and LA; it was quite intense. I began my day by heading to the 7/11 just across the street, barely 40 meters away from the hostel. Stepping outside, I was hit by a wave of intense heat. It felt like opening an oven door and having the warm air blast right into your face. The dry air made me start…

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The United States

Day 174: Golden Gate Park and Lands End

Today, I planned to explore the stunning Golden Gate Park in San Francisco before catching my flight to Las Vegas. We woke up around 10 am, with Phillip rousing me from my slumber as he was keen on grabbing breakfast. Feeling groggy, I wasn’t accustomed to hostel breakfasts, preferring something more indulgent, as usual. Yesterday evening, I had already packed my bag in preparation for departure day today. It was time to move on to a new destination. My flight was scheduled to depart in the evening around 8 pm. We had a mediocre breakfast and departed around 10:50…

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The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, view from Marin Headlands, San Francisco
The United States

Day 173: Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge

Today, Phillip and I had plans to explore Alcatraz Island. Later in the afternoon, we intended to embark on a road trip to Marin Headlands, crossing over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The alarm blared, jolting me awake. It wasn’t mine; it belonged to Phillip. Chuckling, I nudged him, realizing his slumber was undisturbed by the noisy alarm. After rousing him, I quickly freshened up, brushing my teeth. Within 15 minutes, we were in the car, ready to embark on our early morning adventure. As the clock struck 4:50 am, we arrived near the pier, eager to see if…

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The United States

Day 172: McWay Falls and the arrival at San Francisco

Today, Phillip and I planned to explore McWay Falls, another spectacular waterfall on our global adventure. Despite my groggy state at 5 am, I roused Phillip from his deep slumber and urged him to buckle up. As I headed north on the highway, Phillip snoozed peacefully, oblivious to the journey ahead. The overcast skies didn’t dampen my spirits as I embarked on the 45-minute to one-hour drive. Initially, the road was straight, but as we approached the coast, it twisted and turned, offering a scenic journey ahead. Feeling increasingly drowsy, I realized it was time to find a place to…

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The United States

Day 171: The road towards Santa Barbara

Today, Phillip and I planned to visit Santa Barbara as part of our road trip to San Francisco. I woke up around 10 am, feeling surprisingly relaxed despite staying up late working the night before. The three UK girls—though I suspect they were actually from Ireland—joined the party last night. One of them ended up vomiting in the dorm, which was quite the spectacle, haha. I informed Phillip that we would depart at 11 am. While waiting, I took a shower, burned a CD, and headed to Subway for breakfast. Opting for a rare choice, I purchased a…

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The United States

Day 170: Californian road trip! The City of Angels

I reached Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 6 am. After stepping outside the terminal, I decided to use the restroom before retrieving my backpack from the luggage belt. However, as I approached the urinal in the corner, I was met with a disgusting sight: a large piece of feces lying in the urinal. “Welcome to Los Angeles, Maarten,” I muttered to myself with a wry smile. A few minutes later, I retrieved my bag from the baggage pick-up area. Deciding to grab breakfast first, I inquired about nearby dining options from the security officers stationed outside the baggage claim…

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The United States

Day 169: A flight, a hike and a flight

Today I would go on a nice hike at Diamond Head, Oahu. I woke promptly at 5:20 am and swiftly packed my belongings into the car’s trunk. By 5:30 am, I was on the road heading north towards Kailua-Kona airport, a drive Google estimated to take around 30 minutes. Hoping to grab breakfast at Subway along the way, I was disappointed to find none open. I fueled up for the last time in Kona before proceeding to the airport. Arriving at 6 am at the Dollar Rental premises, I was greeted by a staff member who efficiently checked…

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Road in the neighborhood of Kailua-Kona, the Big Island Hawaii
The United States

Day 168: The last drive on the Big Island

Today didn’t offer much excitement until I reached the charming Manago Hotel. I rose around 9 am, got myself ready, and began some writing on my laptop. However, hunger soon beckoned, prompting me to stroll back to the nearby store. As I stepped outside, the lively sounds in the air hinted at a special event—a celebration for King Kamehameha. Grabbing a drink from the shop, I returned to the hotel. Shortly after, I made the impromptu decision to head towards Kailua-Kona. On my way out, I struck up a conversation with two men painting the hotel exterior. They suggested…

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The United States

Day 167: A rainbow, cliffs and a nice hotel room

Today, I planned to explore another waterfall at the Akaka Falls State Park. Around 8 am, the chatter of people in the dorm lobby, including Wendy, reached my ears, but I remained in bed until 9 am. By then, the voices had dissipated. Taking a leisurely approach, I savored some pineapple and a refreshing drink. As I indulged in my morning ritual, I engaged in conversations with friends back home, mindful of the 12-hour time difference in the Netherlands. Despite the dreary weather, which had persisted since yesterday evening’s drizzle, I found a strange comfort in it. Yesterday, the sound…

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