Lake Toba: The paradise lake of North Sumatra
Travel Newsletter: 14 June 2024. Maya train guide, world's longest circular walking route, riding every Hong Kong ferry, and more travel reads
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This week I have been working my way through two separate Sumatra trips. I visited Lake Toba last year, and just recently I took another obscure train ride in South Sumatra.
• Notes on Lake Toba: The paradise lake of North Sumatra
Lake Toba is a volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It’s the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. It should be more famous, yet somehow it gets few visitors.
• Palembang to Lubuk Linggau by train in South Sumatra
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Travel reads
• A true guide to the Maya train, from my rides through 5 cities
“What if you could visit any major tourist site in the Yucatan Peninsula without relying on long bus rides or a rental car? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could hop on a train near the Cancun airport and head south to Playa del Carmen? Or the other direction to Chichen Itza, Merida, Campeche, or Palenque? On the new Maya Train in Mexico, it’s all possible right now.”
I was in Playa del Carmen in 2011, and I could only dream of getting the train to all of these places. Article by Tim from Nomadico.
• The Pacific Crest Trail: The US West Coast's 'greatest footpath'
• Portugal reveals plans to develop world's longest circular walking route
• Art in the Arctic: exploring Bodø, Norway, European capital of culture for 2024
• Is Serifos the perfect Greek island? (archive)
“A writer’s checklist included ferry service, great beaches and good local restaurants. Add rich history, a welcoming population and proximity to other islands. The mythical cave of the Cyclops was gravy.”
• Ultimate World Cruise: What's it like to spend 9 months on a cruise that goes to 60 countries?
• She rode every Hong Kong ferry. So what did she find on city’s remote islands and coasts? (archive)
• These new night trains are a budget solution to travelling Italy, just don’t expect luxury
• Nan latest province to get Unesco world heritage push
“The government aims to promote cultural tourism between Nan in the North of Thailand and Luang Prabang, the old capital of Laos, government spokesman Chai Watcharonke said.”
• Woman walks more than two hours to Iceland airport to avoid $200 taxi charge
This sounds like something I would do.
• A flight attendant’s secrets to surviving long-haul flights
• I’m on Threads, and so is the TSA, and they’re… funny? I can’t say the same for the TSA agents who questioned me in a windowless room in LAX that one time.
…
James Clark – Chiang Mai, Thailand.