Where is Rune?

Rune just got himself a high speed HSDPA modem, connecting wirelessly to the mobile network and the internet. A great tool to have here! Price of the modem is Rp 2,230,000 (USD 243), and the first 3 months are free up to 2.5 GB a month, thereafter Rp 625,000 a month. A speed test against a server in Norway proved a download speed of about 500 kbps and upload speed of 350 kbps.

This is the residence where Rune is staying in Balikpapan:

A day at the beach:

After about a week or so in Manila, Rune flew with Cebu Pacific Air to Jakarta, Indonesia, last weekend (Friday evening, 7 September), where he stayed in a small homestay in an area called jalan Jaksa in central Jakarta. It costs Rp 60,000 per night, or about 6 US Dollars. “Soft Laundry”, which is also a guest house.

So after staying in five star hotels in Manila (Vivere Hotel and Shangri-La Hotel) where daily room rates are $170++, BUT Rune’s employer pays for it, hehe, it is of course different when Rune has to pay for it himself! So $6 is acceptable in Jakarta.

And on Sunday 9 September Rune flew from Jakarta to Balikpapan, where he is currently staying in a private house.

Now sitting in Excelso Kafe where they got wireless internet and posting this.

Rune made a change in his plans and is now in Manila, Philippines, to do a job assignment.

How come? Surprisingly, a few days ago my boss admitted he could not find a replacement for me, and asked if I wanted to continue in my current position, “on the road”, and “until further notice”, just by bringing a laptop and connect to the internet wherever available. Of course I accepted, this is like winning the lottery! Basically I just need a computer and internet connection to do my job. The only condition is that I have to go to Manila first to attend some meetings. We have a subcontractor at a factory there.

On Wednesday 29 August Rune flew from Oslo to Manila via Helsinki and Hong Kong with Finnair, and arrived in Manila the day after.

For how long in Manila? Nobody knows yet!

GPS track log. Departing Helsinki for Hong Kong.

Transit in Hong Kong.

Indonesian visa obtained! Price: NOK 270 (USD 46).

Rune got his Indian visa today, valid for 5 years. Price: NOK 1300 (USD 220).