My Lembeh Blog....

[Jonathan Bird]

Hi Everyone,
Since I'm supposed to have pretty good internet access in Lembeh, I thought I would start a blog, so rather than write a trip report when I get back and I have forgotten everything, I'll do it day by day as I go.

Right now I am in Singapore, and I have been awake for 43 straight hours. I took a flight from Boston through London where I had 12 hours to kill. I decided to go east through London rather than west so I could meet with the publisher of my next book and have lunch to discuss the project.

Here is what I can say about London, no offense to our British members. London is expensive, and with the current currency conversion from dollars (about USD$2=1 pound) it is really really expensive. I took a simple commuter train from Heathrow to Paddington station, about a 10-12 minute ride. Round trip, the fare was £31.00 which is about $60. SIXTY FREAKING DOLLARS!! In Boston a cummuter rail run of this length would be around $10.

Heathrow is an absolute nightmare. Think 2 hours to get through security (not including check in, add another hour for that) and a solid hour for customs. They do not allow more than one carry on, even personal items. So even though you get on the plane in Boston with two carry ons (i.e. a bag and a personal item like a briefcase or purse), when you get to London, you either stuff one into the other one, or check one and pay extra to check it because they won't let you through security with two. (Meaning, you can't get to the gate, then have them check it for free, you have to go back to check in and check it BEFORE security).

They had little old ladies stuffing their purse into their carry on and if it wouldn't fit, tough--check the carry on. But you have to leave security, go back to the check in desk and do it, so they make you pay for it as an extra piece of luggage! They had guys trying to stuff a briefcase into a backpack. This is simply retarded. The rest of the world allows a carry on and a personal item. Not in Heathrow. Period. The only exception is for professional photographers, and only those with credentials from a recognized news agency (which is to say if you work for a British newpaper and can prove it. They were not about to let me get away with it even though I had "proof" that I was a professional photographer, including even a couple copies of my books to show.) When I asked to see a manager (who clearly had the authority to simply wave me through) he absolutely refused to do it, became impatient with me, and finally told me it was my fault (as an American) because all these rules "came from America". I held my tongue and didn't remind him where the stupid shoe bomber originated. On that point, they have a whole special machine for checking shoes. So after you go through the machine that Xrays all your gear, you stand in line again at the shoe scanner. RETARDED. (Sorry I am venting a little because it's theraputic, but I also honestly feel this information will help another traveler.)

There are multiple additional randon check points between the security and the plane. If you don't see one and walk by, they scream at you like you are a criminal. If you then stand in every line that looks like you should, they scream at you to keep moving.

I'm afraid England is lost. The terrorists have won. Between the Orwellian security cameras and speed cameras on every corner, the ridiculous prices on everything, the taxes, the welfare program, their own little "alien" problem, and the airport, I am SO freaking glad I live in the USA!! Sorry England, but I will never visit again unless I drive there from FRANCE! (I'm taking a whole new view on France these days).

I had a so-so flight on Singapore air (the plane, seats, entertainment system and service did not meet up with my expectations and in fact was inferior to Korean Air, Malaysian Air and Virgin Atlantic, all airlines I have flown in the past 2 months). Don't get me wrong, Singapore Air is still far superior to most airlines in the USA with the possible exception of American Airlines (and I can't believe I'm saying that but its true--American ain't bad).

Tomorrow I shall fly Silk Air from Singapore to Manado, Indonesia, then journey to Lembeh. Hopefully my next journal entry will be tomorrow night from Lembeh.

Signing off for now....

Jonathan