Around the world with 80 gadgets - Around the world with 80 gadgets

It was strange, but wonderful to be back in Australia. The first day I was just exhausted from sleeping for roughly 3 hours on the short airport couch (I hereby curse all non-silent airports!!), so I spent the day lazing by the pool and napping in a lovely air-con room I shared with a German 19-year old girl and her mother.

My impressions of Indonesia are perhaps not among the best, I had chosen a difficult time to travel and quickly tired of people's endless attempts to make me pay more than I should (I really don't like bargaining, it was easy in India because the prices seemed fair from the start there, but in Indonesia I felt that I was paying 5 times more).

One of my last days in Gili I was half awake at 7 am when the bed started shaking in circular movements. At first I thought it was a dream and wasn't really able to decide if I should get up or not, and then I thought it was probably a small earthquake.

My dinner company was silent, but welcome in a Mexican restaurant in Kuta where I had what was probably the most expensive meal on the whole trip (around 4 euro), which of course upset my stomach a little as well as my wallet. When will I ever learn?

The big cities in Java are difficult to navigate in, but I was lucky enough to meet a fellow couchsurfer on the train between Yogyakarta and Surabaya.

Ah, Singapore! It's ridiculously clean compared to India. I even stayed in the area called Little India, which looks a lot like big India minus the flies, the dirt, the constant honking and the spitting. The hostel, footprints, is great, super clean, comfy aircon and friendly and helpful staff.

5 tips for surviving India

1. Remember that India is very different from Western countries. Culture clashes are unavoidable!

Riding a train in India is a little adventure in itself, just like riding the bus. The doors are always open, and people hop on and off while the train is still moving. Tickets are dirt cheap and you usually don't have to wait long for the next one (who needs timetables anyway?).

These 2 weeks have gone so fast, feels like a life age ago that I stood nervous on the airport looking for an ATM ... The last days I spent in Ooty were unfortunately very rainy, but I did enjoy it immensely. The ride up to the mountains was spectacular, a little crowded though.

I really enjoyed my time in Kodaikanal, too bad it rained so much, though, but I definitely recommend it! It was also very relaxing not having to shower 3 times before going to bed and waking up soaked every 2 hours. I slept like a baby!