08.01 The fan in the ceiling has begun to move. I turned the knob to level 2. It pretty soon got less sultry in the room. The air conditioning is snapping, cracking and popping. I hope that the vehicle of today will not behave in the same way. We are about to leave Siem Reap and Cambodia to fly south.

09.12 The sandals are on and we are on our way to have some breakfast. We will not be having it at the hotel. We didn’t tell them anything about breakfast last evening. We will instead head down our own street. We will eat where we dined on Tuesday. I brought the key with me to keep them from cleaning our room before we check out.

09.28 We’ve ordered breakfast alternative 2; coffee, bread, marmalade, fruit salad and juice. We were greeted here at Angkor Honolulu by a small boy. The very same boy just handed a bag to some buddhist monks who carried umbrellas. The monks corrected the boy for keeping his sandals on while handing them the gift. Monks as well as temples are holy. You shall always address the holy with bare feet.

09.58 It wasn’t fruit salad and juice. It turned out to be fruit salad in juice. It is time to call for the bill.

10.15 They were cleaning our room as we got back to the hotel. Two questions suddenly popped to our minds. They couldn’t clean yesterday because we had the key. So how can they clean now? We are checking out within an hour, why are they cleaning the room now?

10.52 So the time has come to sit in a lobby and wait again. We’ve been offered a ride by another guy than the one we booked with. We made a deal with the guy from yesterday so we will wait for him. We’ve left our Swedish books behind in a book case here. I wonder who will read them.

A tuk tuk-ride to the airport.

10.56 Yet another guy came around. He asked if we were going to the airport. We said yes and he told us that his friend had got a hindrance. What ever the truth is we are after all going to the airport and yet another flight. It is most likely true; he did after all turn up at the time we had booked with the other guy.

11.14 It is as mentioned time for yet another airport. This one is called Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. The backpacks are prepared, all the buckles are fixed. The trolley is brought here and packed. Christer has found out that there is a $25 fee for departure tax. It says Kuala Lumpur/Phnom Penh at the check in counter. Will we touch down in Phnom Penh? Another thing, is my visa valid although it says”used”?

Inside the new airport in Siem Reap.

12.10 The check in line was short, the time in it wasn't. A gentleman from Belgium who was ahead of us did his best to assist all his relatives/friends. After that we paid the airport/departure tax. They checked us so that they would know that we had paid all the fees. The uniformed lady asked if we brought any fluids with us. The friendly man from Belgium got caught in security. He had a bottle of water in his back pocket and some bug repellent in his hand luggage. He was allowed to keep the water. I didn’t have any problems with leaving the country. We are waiting at gate 3. Hey, wait, damn it. I just realised I’ve forgotten something at the hotel. I/we have forgotten to have that cup of coffee that they owe us. Well I will have it the next time we come back.

12.25 Just as we were about to enter the aeroplane one of the gentlemen who handled the luggage wagon shouted ”tuk-tuk?” to the tourists entering the plane. This led to laughter among his colleagues. It is wonderful with people who can keep a distance and it seems like they are capable of making fun of themselves in this country.

This plane will take us from Cambodia to Malaysia.

13.38 We will make a short stop in Phnom Penh. We are rolling towards the gate. I don’t know for how long we will remain here. We’ve both understood that everyone will get out of the plane. We, who are going to Kuala Lumpur are welcomed back though.

13.51 Everyone left the plane. Some had finished flying and headed on. We and the others have passed yet another security and reached a new gate. I don’t know why they have this procedure or when we will head on. Why didn’t they let us remain inside the plane?

14.01 One of the questionmarks has been straighten out. We are leaving again at 14.35. It is displayed on all the monitors here. All I had to do was to look, read and learn.

14.28 It is time to get ready for yet another flight, this time with Malaysian Airlines. The stewardess Lenny has handed out wet wipes/towels. If the ones on the flight to Hanoi were frozen are these on the other side of the centigrade scale. They are burning hot. We’ve started to roll and it is time for some security information. As soon as they are done I will set my watch for Malaysian time. That is one hour ahead.

17.01 The pressure in the cabin is changed and my ears have popped. The fasten seat belt sign is on. We are preparing to land in Kuala Lumpur. It is time for me to even out the pressure.

MALAYSIA

17.58 We are back where this year’s Asian trip began, in Malaysia. They have stamped us in and we’ve fetched our belongings, tickets are bought and we are on our way on the train KLIA Ekspres with the destination KL Sentral. The travel time is estimated to 28 minutes.

18.42 We are at the central station KL Sentral. We have a ticket for the trip to the station Pasar Seni. It is plenty of people here, crowded wagons. Here is a train with few passengers. I rushed onboard and am now standing and writing.

18.47 We are at Pasar Seni. We are waiting for Shu Ming. She will be arriving from the other end of the line. It is grey and raining and we will soon walk towards our final Asian home.

19.29 We met up with Shu Ming and have walked the short distance to our hotel in Chinatown. The new home is called Swiss Inn (http://www.swissinnkualalumpur.com). We walked up the stairs to the reception. We went from there up a floor with the lift, after that followed a brisk walk. We passed through a door, took another lift and are now in room 331. It is time to head out for dinner.

20.02 We took a train to the station Universiti and are now waiting for the right bus.

20.15 The bus is here. We are heading on. Only Shu Ming knows where we are going. There are plenty of people using the public transportation system in this city. Here comes the lady selling tickets.

20.44 The bus stopped and we went out. The bus carried on and we went to Ah Tuan Ee´s Place in Petaling Jaya. It is somewhere around here that Shu Ming lives. We are now in a part of the town called Mutiara Damansara, in an area called "The Curve". She has ordered several dishes and we are about to eat. It is my treat today again. There is still some money left from the amount I got from my parents.

Our dinner at Ah Tuan Ee´s Place.

A photo of "Beef Rendang", a delicious dish you can eat everywhere in Malaysia.

22.30 It was tasty and several kinds of food. It was beef, shrimps, vegetables and other yummy things. We had chendo, palm sugar and coconut milk for dessert. We didn’t catch any bus back, they had stopped going. We took a taxi to Asia Jaya and are now riding the train back home. I almost forgot, we’ve bought a little to drink at 7 Eleven and I’ve bought new pens.

23.58 We are trying out wake up calls signals on our mobile phones. Which one is most human? Which one is most effective? We are also trying some South Korean beer. Shu Ming has brought a can. Thank you!

Friday 8th of August

07.10 There will soon be no more mornings in Asia. That is for Christer and me. At least for this time. It is time to have a shower and to prepare for breakfast.

08.08 It is time for straight eights. It is the eight day in the eight month in 2008. The time is also 08.08. We managed to sleep past a similar moment last year the 7th of July 2007. Breakfast is done and we will soon head out for a new trip.

08.41 Soon has passed and we have reached the bus terminal Puduraya. All we have to do now is to find the right platform. Today we will visit the old colonial town of Melaka, also spellt Malacca. Shu Ming has already arranged with tickets.

08.48 Well, we are not going from platform 10 as expected. Shu Ming has left to find out where we are going from. We are waiting for her not far from where we stood and waited for her the 6th of July 2006. We are near Dunkin Donuts.

08.57 We are seated in the back row of the bus. Christer is sitting on seat A just by the left window. Shu Ming is sitting on D next to him and I am on C by the right window.

09.56 Our bus is rolling on. On both sides of the bus and road we have seen palm trees and hills. We are about 75 kilometres from Melaka.

10.55 The bus rolls in at Melaka Sentral. It is time to stretch the legs and change to another bus. We might also do some switching of fluids here.

The old beautiful Dutch Christ Church in Melaka.

Peter and Shu Ming at Dutch Square (also called Town Square) in Melaka.

Christer on his way to look at the souvenir stalls near Christ Church.

11.04 The pen is mightier than the sword. Christer used the pen from the journal to break open the tin foil seal on his beverage. But I guess the sword would have done it as well. That is if we had brought one with us.

11.18 It cost us 1 ringgit to ride the bus to the centre. I guess the driver wants to finish reading his newspaper first. Well he is done and we are off.

11.38 Someone pushed the button and we heard a "beep". The bus stopped and we got off. We are on a square with a fountain, the red church Christ Church from 1753 and some beautiful flower arrangements. The city has been a trading place since the 16th century. It has been controlled by Portuguese, Dutch and British. The old houses show marks from passed times and rulers. The square is known as Dutch Square.

An old fire engine outside of the museum.

After climbing the stairs of the hill Bukit St Paul we found the ruins of the catholic St Paul´s Church.

Inside the ruins of St Paul´s Church.

Dutch men buried far away from home.

12.28 We’ve walked around and among other things we´ve seen old vehicles from the time the British controlled the place. We found the vehicles near a museum and have seen an old fire engine. We are now standing in the ruins of St Paul´s Church up on the hill Bukit St Paul. A couple of guys are singing and playing for us, the others here and for some old tombstones with inscriptions in Dutch; ”Hier onder leyt begraven”. (Here under lays buried) The area used to be a Portuguese fort called "A famosa".

12.49 We saw some newly weds before we left the church. During the years we´ve seen many newly wed but it has been some time since the last time. We are resting on a stone bench. We are just close to the copy/replica of the old wooden sultan palace. Although all the details and ornaments are made of wood, there is not a single nail driven into the entire building.

If you come to Melaka you will soon get a lot of offers from men driving these.

Melaka Megamall

13.32 We’ve decided to go inside the Melaka Megamall. Here we’ve walked around. It is plenty of stores here. The shop Rastafari was closed due to Friday’s prayers. Muslims running a Rastafari-shop feels odd. We’ve reached Starbucks and will have some coffee.

14.33 The mall visit ended up at Carréfour, a huge supermarket. We’ve bought different kinds of pens. Pens are always great and these ones were cheap and on big sale. We are leaving the mall to head out again.

15.27 We passed the river Sungai Melaka. There Christer managed to scare a lizard of the larger kind as he was about to take a picture of it. The lizard fell/jumped into the river. I wonder if he made it. There are plenty of windmills here, maybe a remain from the Dutch? It is now time for some food at Nancy’s Kitchen.

Christer in front of a windmill near Sungai Melaka (Malacca River).

16.15 The food was eaten and paid for. Shu Ming asked one in the staff about the way to the nearest bus stop. We went there with a great taste in our mouth and good knowledge of the way. The bus has come and we are on the move. Our destination is the bus station Melaka Sentral.

16.35 The trip to Melaka has been pleasant. There is so much to look at here but still not too much. All has been a contrast to what we’ve seen earlier. It is great that so much of the old have been kept.

Shu Ming and Peter walking in the Melaka "Chinatown".

Peter is telling us about something interesting and exciting.

16.55 We’ve prepared for the trip back to Kuala Lumpur. We are sitting on the bus waiting for it to start.

18.47 We are once again in KL. As soon as the bus stops we will visit yet another mall. There we will do some shopping and most likely eat.

19.01 It is a growing amount of cars outside the bus. The speed of the bus is slowing down. I hope we won’t get stuck in the traffic. I want to get home without any problems.

20.02 We left the bus before it reached its destination to gain some time. We took the monorail from Hang Tuah to KL Sentral. As we reached the turnstile I stuck in my ticket to get it approved. The ticket was rejected and I almost made a somersault over the turnstile. The very same thing, except the somersault attempt happened to Christer. After some waiting we were let out. As we got outside we heard a man playing on a larger form of that instrument we have heard in Laos and Cambodia. We rushed on to catch the komuter/commuter and just missed it. We had to go back and catch a bus. The instrument I am talking about is a board with a stick reaching up from it and a string attached in between. You play on it using a bow.

An evening in Kuala Lumpur.

20.53 It is time for our last dinner in this part of Asia. We are at Dragon-I in Mid Valley Megamall (http://www.midvalley.com.my). It feels good to be seated. We do have plenty to do before we can sleep.

22.01 I had great dumplings with different flavours and to that some pork. Christer had noodles and one enormous meatball. Shu Ming ate as well. For dessert we split on balls of honeydew and ice chilled pearl sago. Now the bus is rolling towards the bus stop close to home. What happens? The bus just died. It refuses to start again. It just clicks and beeps.

22.08 We had to get out of the bus and wait. Suddenly it came to life and we are rolling on.

23.03 We got back without any problems and most things are packed. We’ve managed to pack all the things we brought here plus the stuff we bought and got from Shu Ming. We are watching the opening ceremony from the Olympics and just chat around.

Saturday 9th of August

07.06 Yesterday it was straight eights. Now it is time for countdown, The date is 9/8 the time is 07.06, 9..8..7..6.. It is also countdown for everything here. Today it ends and begins. It is the end of our visit here and the journey home has begun. It is over here but a lot can happen before everything has come to an end. The alarm was set for 06.45 or 00.45 in Swedish time.

08.25 The breakfast is eaten and the teeth are brushed. Everything is packed and soon it will begin. I sure hope we will have more luck with the transportation today.

We are leaving Kuala Lumpur

08.46 We got up the last escalator just in time to see the train leave the platform at the station Pasar Seni.

08.59 Another train arrived and we took the monorail one station. Here at KL Sentral we´ve bought a ticket for the airport.

Peter making his final notes from Malaysia. When will we be back?

09.40 We are now at the airport. So far everything is working well.

10.42 It took us half an hour before we could check in. Now the backpacks are ready to fly to Frankfurt. My backpack had a weight of 17.4 kilo and Christer´s 16.2 kilo. This isn't good news. Ryanair, the airline which will fly us home from Frankfurt has a limit at 15 kilo. We are having one final cup of coffee at Caffé Ritazza. We will soon part from Shu Ming. It is so nice to meet and so sad to part.

11.32 We’ve said thanks for everything and good bye to our friend Shu Ming. We caught a local train to the terminal. There we went through security, walked and then even more security. They appeared just as we were going to be checked, the staff/the crew. They all passed; the pilots, the navigator, the stewards and stewardess before it was our turn. Everything went well and we are sitting down waiting. We are watching a little from the Olympics. It is ladies who are playing volleyball, Italy vs Russia.

12.04 Italy won the game 3-1. The Argentinian men won over their Ivorian counterparts 2-1. This time it was soccer. All we have to do for the next couple of hours is to sit down and fly along.

CHANGING TIME ZONE

10.26 We sat down, the plane took of and the watches were set five hours behind to Bahrain time. We are once again flying with Gulf Air. We’ve been flying for three hours and will soon have India under us. Around us are clouds as we are flying at 38,000 feet (11582 metres) altitude. There is a slight turbulence and the aeroplane tends to shake now and then. We are estimated to land within four hours.

Somewhere in the sky over Asia.

12.04 We’ve passed India and are at an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters). There are no clouds around us, only under us. The turbulence is gone and we will land in two hours and twenty minutes. I’ve never flown as high as this.

13.42 Straight under us is Dubai. We´ve got around 40 minutes left of the flight to Bahrain. If you´ve got some money left you can spend it on perfume here at the plane. Opulent Shaik No.77 for men. ”For the prince in your life” $175 or Opulent Shaik No.33 for women. ”From the prince in your life” $228. Both bottles are at 50 millilitres.

BAHRAIN

14.46 We had no problems at all entering the country. All we had to do was to show them our passports. It said in the computer that we had paid the visa in advance. I am standing by a luggage carousel at Bahrain International Airport. I am not waiting for any luggage but for Christer who has gone to wash his face. Here he is and we are off to the customs. We heard in the loudspeakers as we landed that those in need of a wheelchair were kindly requested to remain seated until assistance arrived.

15.09 We are in Bahrain. I am sitting on a bench in a small shed at a bus stop. I hope it is the right bus stop. It is warm, hot and dry. It is around 40 degrees in the shade. Now we´ve got to find something to do during the next hours.

Bahrain-flags and a globe outside of Bahrain International Airport.

The parking lot is as hot as inside an oven. What is it like inside the cars?

15.19 We walked around, found new small bus stops some hundred metres away and on the other side of the road, and we jumped on a bus that took us to the first bus stop. A stubborn taxi driver is doing his best to convince us to go with him. My pen is starting to fail due to the heat.

15.52 A bus with number 2 stopped. It is going to another town but we can go with it.

No, not this year!

15.59 The bus took us to the bus station in Muharraq. Here we’ve switched bus. This one will take us to the capital Manama. There is a guy outside the bus who is screaming. The pen I bought at 7 Eleven is bone dry. I have to use the ones I bought in Melaka. It is kind of odd to ride a bus here. There are hardly any Arabs riding a bus, they go by their own car. The buses are crowded with foreign workers from India and the only women riding the bus are some Philippine guest workers.

16.34 We didn’t go to the bus station. We got off earlier and went as so many times before to Starbucks to get some coffee. Not far from here are the twin towers of World Trade Centre. Between the towers are some wind turbine blades. The no smoking sign here at Starbucks is ever so great. It says; ”To protect the quality of the coffee you are enjoying please refrain from smoking”. We stopped between the bus stop and here to take pictures of the Friday Mosque.

Manama

Friday mosque in Manama.

Peter trying to stand the heat.

17.46 I’ve bought and posted some postcards. It is still pretty hot.

19.09 We’ve walked through the central parts of Manama. It is a mix here, both open areas and narrow alleys. It is modern in glass and concrete and buildings of the older kind. In this mishmash we´ve found an internet café. Here we’ve checked some things and Christer has received the doorcodes to our next sleeping place in Nyköping. We are now at the bus station. We’ve learned from the internet that it has been +42 C here today. We are waiting for the bus that will take us back to the airport. I hope we will find the right bus. On the plus side is the fact that the amount of plus degrees are a bit less now. There isn’t any panic to get out to the airport but we don’t know how long the buses run.

19.25 Bus 2 came along and we boarded it. The driver informed us that we were on the wrong bus station. He took us, without any cost, to the right station. Now we are waiting for another bus. Taxi was just offered but we said no thanks. We are getting good help from some guys in the teens who offered to tell us as our bus gets here.

We walked around in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.

The streets are filled with people during the afternoon when temperatures are getting a bit cooler.

19.33 First came yet a bus number 2 but this one was also wrong. Then came the right bus 2 and we are on our way. The seats at the front of the bus are reserved for women. This is so that they will avoid the presence of unknown men.

20.02 The bus took us to the bus station in Muharraq. The bus for the airport leaves in fifteen minutes. I am getting a little tired.

21.04 We’ve returned to the airport and it is time to find us something to eat. We are having hamburgers and Cola at "Grill and Chill". The English the girl in the counter knew is several miles from Queen’s English and kilometres from the English we tried to understand in Manchester and Liverpool 1999. We are watching the other passengers here at the airport. We wonder if it really looks nice to wear an Arabic dress reaching down to the feet together with a baseball cap.

21.35 This must be the first country where I’ve seen trucks carrying fresh water. Well it is a point in it. With temperatures like today, clean, fresh water must be necessary. Bahrain is after all an island made up from nothing else but sand. I wonder what we will do for the three hours remaining before take off.

22.32 We’ve bought a little to drink. I am sitting and wondering what I will do during the flight. Shall I try to stay awake or sleep as much as I can?

23.42 We are walking around in the world between the passport control and the departure hall with the gate, in the world between awake and asleep. It has been a short, intensive but quite interesting time in Bahrain.

Sunday 10th of August

CHANGING TIME ZONE

00.08 We turned back our watches two more hours and have them set for Central European time. We are set for a flight to Frankfurt in Germany. It is almost 24 hours since we got out of bed. It feels as if it was more. We bought some souvenirs before we boarded the plane. I’ve bought some orange- and date marmalade and other things as well.

There was time for some shopping at the airport in Bahrain.

06.41 We’ve slept, rested, well something at least. We are on our way down to European, German, Frankfurter ground. This day will be spent Frankfurt before we start the ultimate flight home tonight.

GERMANY

08.14 Our luggage came and it doesn’t look the same. Christer´s backpack has changed shape and one zipper is half open. The big zipper on mine was closed but not in the way I use to close it. My toilet bags were wide open and turned upside down in the backpack. One of them was filled with some sticky stuff. It might be shampoo. The only thing missing is my small travel radio. All I’ve found is the volume knob. The rest of it might be somewhere with my other belongings. It isn't any big loss. I got it for free in I think the year 2000.

08.57 I don’t know if it is because of lack of/poor signs and/or tired gentlemen. Whatever the cause it was hard to find the right way to the connecting Skyline which will take us to the railway station. We are there now and will be leaving soon.

Preparing for a day in Frankfurt am Main.

09.08 The train that will take us into Frankfurt will be here in eight minutes. The first four ticket machines were out of order but all went well after that. I am beginning to feel that it was a while since I slept in a bed. Strange, it is just 33-34 hours ago. Manama is feeling distant and Kuala Lumpur too. The other places we been to, was that really this year?

09.21 Our train is delayed with about five minutes and that is why I am writing this. Our matters of transport always seem to appear as soon as I start to write.

09.28 The train came just as expected and we boarded it. Our next stop will be Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. There we have plans to take a shower, change clothes, store away our luggage and get some breakfast. Now all we´ve got to do is to teach our bodies that the time isn't around 14.00-15.00. That is the time in Southeast Asia. Why doesn’t the train start?

10.06 I don’t know what kept the train from starting. We eventually got away. We are now at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. There will be no shower for us. It cost 5 euro to shower. Why must they have so much money for just some hot water? We will anyhow change clothes. Christer is leaving to do so.

11.05 We are cleaner and have changed clothes. The backpacks are locked in a deposit box and now we will have lunch. We are feeling adventurous and will try Asian food at Asia Snacks here at the railway station.

Lots of people wanted to visit the zoo this day. We wonder why?

12.10 It was just as poor with the signs here as it was on the airport. We’ve strayed and searched to be able to catch the metro to the zoo. We were looking for the right line but couldn’t find it. We finally realised that we had to change trains to get there. We bought a ticket and went down on the platform. It turned out to be the wrong one. It was the one for the opposite direction. All we could do was to get up again and down at the right place. We are after all the errors on our way, towards a new zoo on a for us new metro.

12.27 We are outside Zoo Frankfurt. We are far from the only ones here. A to say the least long queue is slowly moving towards the entrance. To make it even worse there is a slight rain in the air.

12.33 The queue and the rain remain around us. We are seated on a bench and hope for a relief, reduction, ceasing.

12.49 We’ve rethought. Forget the zoo. It will take more than forever to get inside due to the queue. We will instead walk around in the city. Christer just got a SMS with the codes to our hostel in Nyköping. They are identical to the ones he had by mail. What makes all these people to go to the zoo today?

13.28 It is time for some afternoon coffee at MainKai Café. (http://www.mainkaicafe.de) We don’t make any connection between the name of the café and a book from the 1920´s. All we have done is to order some coffee. There are very few people out in the streets. Where can they be? Hey I know, they are at the zoo.

On this photo you can see MainKai Café.

The church Dreikönigskirche and some swans in the river Main.

14.04 We are sitting on a park bench by a walk- and cycle path that runs along the river Main. People and Germans are walking, jogging and biking by us. On the river Main a boat is coming. It seems to be a guided historical tour. Historical facts can be heard from the loudspeakers as the boat travels on. The city hasn’t had that much to offer so far. It has just been modern houses.

14.35 We’ve walked across the medieval square Römerberg. Things have all of a sudden turned out really beautiful. Here are all the classic elements; musicians, half-timbered houses, diners and all kinds of vendors. Now we are seated in front of Paulskirche. We are sitting on a metal bench that stretches around a tree. An elderly gentleman is banging a bottle towards the bench. His banging makes the bench shivers and vibrates. Some hungry, curious pigeons have passed us. A velotaxi just passed. Isn't it just a modern cyclo?

Finally we arrived to the Römerberg area and noticed that Frankfurt is actually a very beautiful city.

Christer is having a sausage meal at the central square Römerberg in Frankfurt am Main.

14.58 We’ve sat down at Binding Schirn auf dem Römerberg. Here we will be having a Original Frankfurters with bread and we will be drinking beer.

15.34 Two boiled sausages, meal bread, salad, cucumber and tomato, to drink to this, Binding Bier. Christer has received an SMS from Roberth that informed us that the town of Gori in Georgia which we visited this spring has been bombed by the Russians. A quick beggar has passed. He came, spoke and left. He was gone before I had noticed him.

16.24 We paid for the food and walked past Willy Brandt Platz, there we saw a large euro symbol (the central bank of Europe is situated here) and then back to the station. Soon we will be getting our packs.

A "velotaxi", the German version of the Vietnamese "cyclo" perhaps?

16.46 The quick beggar passed us once again as Christer was checking the internet here at the station. It was the same thing this time. We’ve brought our backpacks from the deposit box. We are waiting for the bus that will take us to Hahn airport.

17.46 I am having problems to stay awake. The fact is that it is 41 hours since we got up from the beds in Kuala Lumpur. I am thankful that it will not be as long before we in the next beds.

18.57 We are back at the airport Frankfurt Hahn and Café Jung. We are actually by the same table as in June. We have to move the belongings from the backpacks to our cabin luggage, this because we want to avoid overweight and extra fees.

European Central Bank in Frankfurt.

19.23 My cabin luggage is filled to its maximum capacity. Here goes. I just have to hope that it will not be my luggage that goes, apart.

20.23 Our backpacks had been slimmed down to 14.5 kilo for mine and 14.0 for Christer´s. The staff in the security were very strict. Christer had to remove his belt although he risked losing his pants. The marmalade I had bought at Bahrain’s airport was thoroughly checked. The Duty-Free seal was still on the plastic bag but that wasn't enough. I had to show them the receipt before they were pleased and let me come through with the marmalade. In line we saw some middle aged Swedish men ever so cocky and high and mighty. They questioned the routines. They turned into frightened schoolboys as it was their turn to be checked though.

21.07 Our flight is delayed. It is estimated to land here at 21.35. We met some people as we left gate 6. They were heading in the opposite direction. They might have had a ticket that allowed them to board first. We’ve also seen two gentlemen who have been around before. They were a part of some Old Boys Grand Prix-gang and took the delay with ease. This would give them more time to drink vodka. Another one from what I assume the same gang is cheering for someone nicknamed “The chamber pot” Yet another one has a t-shirt that says ”Absolut Pot”. I am so looking forward coming home to Sweden, or?

22.05 Finally! We are on board. I will just sit down. But what else is there to do?

23.30 There isn't much to say about the flight to Skavsta. Nothing particular happened, a typical Ryanair-flight, cheap and without anything extra. Next to us on the plane there were some young musicians from Stockholm sitting. Apparently they thought they were the coolest on this earth and had to speak out loud to make sure everyone on the plane knew that they existed. Another “thing” of theirs was to disobey the air hostess.

Monday 11th of August

SWEDEN

00.33 What can I say, what a reception in Sweden. Christer´s ears have popped and it is cold and raining. But our bus is here and we will go with it to the railway station in Nyköping. We will spend yet another night at Railway Hostel. The bus driver has informed us about the hotel at Skavsta. ”Dirt cheap” ”Just $47!" We have stayed at 4 star hotels in Asia for half the price and we feel like a sceptic.

01.12 More or less on the minute 48 hours ago I sat down in Kuala Lumpur and wrote that the journey home had begun. Now I am seated in room 7 at the hostel Railway. I think we were in this room in January as well. I am sitting in/on something as wonderful as a bed. I am looking forward to sleep lying down.

Christer´s nephews Noah and Anton receiving some gifts from Asia.

08.35 I´ve said it before and I am saying it again; a proper sleep is nice, necessary and so much more. Christer has left to leave a bag with gifts to his sister. I have rearranged my packing and most likely missed something. Today is the day to wrap things up. Today the final chapter of the journal will be written. Today is the end of the return of the backpacker.

10.03 We left the payment in the room and dropped the key in the keybox. We went to the railway station café to get us some breakfast, coffee and a large sandwich for $5.50. It is the same price as for just a single smaller sandwich in the Pressbyrån kiosk nextdoor.

Peter having a late breakfast in Nyköping.

10.16 The breakfast is finished. This is a really cosy café, homemade sandwiches, great coffee and happy people who talk to the lady running the place about everything from people in general to the fact that it has been lots of wasps this summer.

10.44 At the top of the post that we are leaning our backpacks against is a K. We are at the bus station in Nyköping and we are waiting for the bus to Gnesta. We met two persons with backpacks as we entered the station area. It felt like a changing of the guards. We handed all over to them. Our journey home goes through Gnesta due to lack of trains leaving Nyköping in the middle of the day.

11.18 Outside the bus are red huts, forests and fields. On my right is a church.

12.14 We are at the station in Gnesta. The sun is shining without any particular heat. Next to me are three men of African descent checking times and destinations for departing trains. The time for us is 12.52 and the destination is Stockholm.

Gnesta

12.56 It has happened again but it will soon be the last time. We are once again on the move. We’ve left Gnesta to head for Stockholm. There we will have lunch before the next trip begins.

13.38 It is time for the final meal of the trip. We are at the Sala Thai-restaurant at the Central railway station in Stockholm. The next train leaves in 50 minutes.

14.26 We’ve bought newspapers. After that we stood for a while and waited for the train to Sundsvall. It was supposed to leave from platform 7 but we didn’t see it. The main reason to this was the fact that we stood on platform 8. We went to the right platform and are now seated.

18.16 Christer has started to walk home. He is making his last trip with his backpack. It is more worn and torn than we are. I am on my way by bus to the north, to my home. It has been fiftythree amazing days. How am I going to do to make everyone understand what we’ve seen and done? I can hardly get it myself. I am going home to empty my backpack. It will be filled again as we travel to……?