yesterday, i just completed a 40-hour journey from singapore to fairbanks, alaska (5 flights in total).
it was the first time in my life that i attempted to do something like this, but i really wanted to fulfil my dream of seeing the northern lights in person.
the thing about travelling for 40 hours is that you grab sleep whenever you can, without heed to whether it is day or night. all you do on the journey is fly, sleep, wait; repeat till you get to your destination. on a side note, seeing the sunrise from a plane is simply breathtaking.
so deprived of a restful sleep was i that when i arrived at my hostel at 8.30 am, i fell asleep immediately and woke at 12 pm. headed out to visit the farmers’ market nearby (i love farmers’ markets!!), then took a 2-hour walk around the neighbourhood before heading back. showered, and slept again from like 5.30 pm till 11.30 am the next day (which is today). my roommates must be thinking that i’m such a pig. if only they knew the pain i went through just to get here. hurhur.
haven’t actually properly met my roommates, because i’m always sleeping when they’re around, and when i’m awake they’ve already gone out to do their thing. hur.
am now writing this on my ipad (seriously, the ipad is the best travel companion ever. i don’t have to bring my macbook along anymore!!) in safeway with a cup of warm tea by my side. am also starting to learn to take the local bus, though you have to keep checking the bus timetable as it comes every half-hour or hour, depending on the time of the day.
it’s been a long time since i travelled to a new place on my own, and i’d almost forgotten how it feels like to visit a strange place, knowing no one, and having to figure out my way on my own. thank god for the the internet, and of course google.
was actually planning to cycle around today (the hostel lets us use their bikes at no cost) but i wasn’t feeling too good when i woke up; hopefully i’ll be in better spirits tomorrow to bike. it’s just too troublesome having to plan my itinerary around the bus schedule.
it’s not too cold in the day, and the hostel is pretty warm, so as long as i get back before sundown i should be good.
will be here till the 17th, (18th in singapore?) and spend 2 days on my own in NYC before meeting the family.
2 days left in fairbanks, and i haven’t done much.
but it’s ok; just taking my time chillaxing in supermarkets. ha.