The nicest old chap
The Christian pastor had paid for a new family car to be chauffeured from the house where I was prayed for, all the way to my destination in the city of Balikpapan. The driver, a man getting on in years,…
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Record-breaking on the road
The exorcist
Having completed some world record attempt-related evidence processing, I began walking on the road out of Samarinda towards Balikpapan. As usual here in Borneo, friendly locals waved at me and many came running to ask if they could have their…
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That look!
Chastised in Borneo is not how most would opt to travel here. I’ve heard so many locals referring to me as mad, and in fact, I agree with this statement. But my crazy brain has noble aims, including the desire…
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The Samarinda smoker
My anti-smoking stance will never change, not even in a nation where nearly every male over the age of 16 is a chain smoker. Adverts all over Indonesia promote the habit. I have to give credit where it’s due though:…
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River dumpers
I walked off the jetty in yet another Bornean town the name of which escapes me. All I can remember is its pronunciation sounded similar to “Arnold Schwarzenegger”. It was time to walk again, and this time I was walking…
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Paradise speed cruise
Clutching my next speedboat ticket, I descended the concrete steps to the vessel undulating gently against the pier in the wake of small craft dashing around nearby. Seating space was limited and the boat was crammed. I forced my knees…
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Nowhere but this way and that
Pace after pace, I strode down the main road of Tarakan city in the pre-traffic hour rush, with the device bobbing in my pants like a well-behaved pendulum. All premises were closed. Soft sunlight was just beginning to break the…
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Jokowi and more police
I paced out into the streets of Tarakan; this end of city was laid out the way I like things to be – compactly. Only several hundred metres from the ferry I was able to charge my Indonesian mobile phone…
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Kalimantan beckons
The next step of my 100th world record attempt journey looked straightforward enough – it would bring me back into Indonesia. The vessel docked in Tarakan to awaiting porters who jumped onboard to earn their next wage by lugging items…
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More modernity
The 4×4 rolled into Tawau down a wide carriageway almost 30km long. What on earth a small city needs such a grand entry for I had no idea. I lie – I think I do know, in fact: town planners…
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