Shakira, her lovely family and the wonderful people of Padang all made it easy :)

wow thanks!

You are so welcome and thank YOU for watching! STL

Hiya fellow Canuck. Yep, I see more trash washing up especially after storms (and there's been a few) but I've also seen people littering. However, great to see there's more and more awareness (like those kids for example) so the future's looking better and better. I do carry a cloth bag (to avoid having to get a plastic one all the time) but as you say single use plastics are a bane to all SE Asia. Thx for doing your part eh. STL

Thanks! Btw Jets also have a soft spot in my heart;)

Yep no biggee and my bad as I extended at last minute & new room was fine, all good. STL

Majority of my viewers are Thailand subscribers. Too bad most are not watching but the few who are seem to be enjoying (as I did filming:) so all good. STL

The word will spread so keep on doing what you're doing and hopefully we can assist you along the journey. Shakira is amazing with her English. As a past teacher it is so good to hear her say she does the homework.. now that's diligence she will succeed. Bushyboy Oz.

Thank you. YES and I tried to include a snippet from both the Nasi Padang Song and Goyang Nasi Padang but both came up with strikes.... so I also had to strike it out sadly.

They really were!

Thank you, enjoy your travels :)

Thanks!

Hi Tim, thanks so much for watching and for the comment. As you're a Brit (& STL only UK family roots;) would defer to your knowledge. However, in this case from Song 2 to the masterful 'This is a Low' I'm a massive Blur fan. You may be right (as Billy Joel says;) or perhaps you're thinking of Graham Coxon of Blur?? Either way Cox of D-Ream and Dare etc or Coxon of Blur, brilliant both. Yes Shakira for President!! I was in Indonesia this time just over a month but that includes Jakarta, Belitung, Padang, Mentawai etc. Back In Thailand now but 2 more Indonesia vids first from incredible Mentawai Islands (saved best for last; STL

​​@@SideTripLifeDamn you are right as always. I was thinking of Alex James. The cheese man. Thanks for the info 👍

Thanks but actually, 79k subs but only 6k views and the lowest watched yet of my Indonesia series (sadly). This is due to YT promotes vids based on how many of one's own viewers are watching initially. Since majority of mine are Thailand viewers, very few are watching unfortunately. Thus this and other vids in this series are not being promoted by YT (& 90% of a vid's total views come from YT 'recommended' & 'up next', algorithm). So, very glad your good self and a few other regulars are watching and seem to be enjoying and regardless of totals, I thoroughly enjoyed filming this series. Cheers STL

Thank you so much!

What a wonderful area to grow up in! I'm pleased to have rekindled some happy memories and thanks also to your home & people for making happy memories for me too :) STL

Thanks Karl! STL

Thank YOU for always watching :) STL

Balmy +10 in an Ontario winter? Get the sunscreen out lol! Thanks for the sub!

Thx Dean, Mentawai Isles are absolute idyllic gems & up next. STL

Cheers Robert! STL

Cheers Joe! STL

Awesome! Thank you!

Thank you! Mind you those are mostly Thai-centric subs, wish more were watching this series but their loss. Cheers, STL

Pres Shakira and her family were wonderful hosts :) STL

kudos to her parents and teacher!!!@@SideTripLife

Happy holidays also to you and yours in the Philippines! STL

@@SideTripLife Thanks! 🌴🌴🌴🌞🌞🌞

Thanks for being one of the few of my majority Thailand subscribers who are watching this series, MUCH appreciated :) STL

Thanks to the lovey people of Padang:) STL

West Sumatra, soooo many amazing places, people and food! Thanks for the tips! STL

aaahhaaa thank you :) STL

Thanks! I almost went to Bandar Lampung as it looks like a great bike riding area with many beaches around the bay down to Kelagian Lunik Island. Also the train goes from there up to Pekanbaru. Still might do that trip! Let us know if you go. Hati hati and enjoy! STL

True and especially after storms of which there's been a few. Great to see the kids are aware and no litter in prev vid on the local islands: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/asukdNulnL2tpZ8.html

lost in the wind lol

Just a wee xmas break, new vid coming this week :)

lol! All good but had i known some may be butt hurt missing it, will be sure to include it next time ;)

@@SideTripLife thank goodness, I was worried about you 😄 Shakira was awesome, what a bright kid!

@SideTripLife lol...butt-hurt...i see what you did there you clever rascal!

Yep, KL is usually cheaper to fly into from overseas and often regionally too. Bus KL to Surat? I'd take the train, love the train (if time permits). Cheers, STL

Thanks for the kind invite. Well, if you're female, independent and love spontaneity & exploring, sure! (still seeking such a travel partner;) Actually, I mostly prefer solo travel but no worries you'll likely find it easy to meet like minded travellers once you hit SE Asia. Happy travels! STL

@@SideTripLife Ha ha! I'm not female (or gay) I like your style.

lol

Hey there, don't really recall this but was probably just startled thus invoked Shaggy's 'wasn't me' or whatever (as never wanted self-fame doing this, makes me feel quite awkward actually). However, seeing as this unintentionally caused such a strong reaction, please accept my sincerest apologies. Happy holidays. STL