Lost.

Can't wait to get lost :)

Soon.

Travel Is Not The Answer

I'd like to share this wonderful article by Miranda Ward on Brave New Traveler.

She opens with :

"We often hope to leave our troubles behind when we travel. Problem is, they follow us wherever we go."

Excerpts :

When we go somewhere new we hope either that the banalities of everyday life won’t follow us, or that we’ll become someone different in the context of a different space. But travel is not some magical process of transformation.

At best, travel is a state of mind – a way of revising our views of the world and ourselves, of exploring and watching. But it’s never the answer to all of our problems, never a method of erasing anxieties, and to a certain extent this will always be a disappointment.

What I forget is that it’s actually freeing to know all this – for if we do, we can start to think of travel beyond sightseeing and souvenir collecting.

Well written; good stuff to ponder on, including the commenters' posts.

Travel IS a state of mind; it's not just about geography.

Looking Out and Looking Back

When flying I actually prefer to have an aisle seat.

Why? Because I do not like to disturb other passengers to go to the washroom, and aisle seats are less claustrophobic. I like my own personal space, as much as possible. Short flights are not too bad, they are bearable, anything over an hour is kind of restrictive for me. So thank God for books and other things to read.

Anyway, I have booked Air Asia's hot seat only once ever (cheapskate? Yes, I am sticking to a budget). The rest of the time I just hope I'll get a whole row to myself :P.

On some lucky days I got window seats, and got to admire white fluffy cotton candy clouds and awesome views like these :

To Langkawi.

To Bario. I cannot remember the name of those twin peaks.

Mount Kinabalu - on the early morning flight to Sandakan. The pilot always announces this and I never fail to be in awe.

Somewhere over Baram.

Looking back on the year, I am happy that all my travel plans materialised, except for one, plus I enjoyed a few unplanned trips as well.

I sometimes wonder if I'll ever get tired of travelling one day. The airport and the departure lounge are beginning to feel strangely familiar. And I don't even flip much when the flight is retimed or delayed. I'm getting better at travelling light, and reading maps. My pair of brown selipar is well-travelled; happily worn out.

Hmm. I think the approaching year-end is making me a little bit sentimental.

Can't wait for 2010!

Love : by Robert Indiana

The other day I saw this sculpture in a TV show about New York, can't remember which one probably something on Channel 707.

This iconic pop art piece by Robert Indiana has been depicted on TV and many movies, yet I never bothered to find out more until recently. Google it for more information; I just wonder why we do not have art pieces like this in our country. It should read 'CINTA', no?

I want to take a picture next to one, apparently there is one in Singapore, that's the nearest. Where in Singapore - have to find that one out.

"Amor" -in Piazza della Scala, Milan.

In JFK Plaza, "Love Park", Philly.

"Ahava" - love in Hebrew; Jerusalem.

Made.

"Close your eyes and imagine where you want to be. Imagine the complete journey you need to take in order to get there. Now go pack. Your reservations have been made."

- Michelle Ustaszeski, American writer and photographer.

Da Vinci : The Genius in KL

Since travelling throughout Europe is still a wish in the distant future, it'll be some time before I can realise my dream to see Leonardo's greatest works.

Well, what do you know : for now Italy can wait :), as Pusat Sains Negara has brought Da Vinci - The Genius, an acclaimed exhibition, direct and all the way from Italy, so we can get to know more about his life as an inventor, artist, scientist, anatomist, engineer and architect.

It runs from 1st October 2009 to 17 January 2010, so since I will have a trip to KL during the period, I will make it a point to visit the exhibition.

I need tickets, so here's Daniel The Gallivanter to the rescue. Thanks!

The tickets are RM25 per adult FREE, by the way. If you would like to have one FREE, all you have to do is read here.

Now to figure out where Pusat Sains Negara is.

Project Alpha : Kenny Sia, The Travelling Marathoner Blogger

Hands up - those who don't know who Kenny Sia is.

Celebrity blogger? Marathon runner? And now, fitness centre entrepreneur?

I had the honour (?) of meeting - or rather, bumping into - him twice :)

The first encounter was at the Borneo International Marathon in KK last year, and then this year it was at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching. On both occasions, he was very friendly and obliging to small talk and such from blog stalkers like moi.

Took this pic of Kenny, view from the rear at RWMF 2009.

In Episode 7, Kenny the Shy One enjoys a massage session, cut short because he had to ...

So, in this Project Alpha that's currently running, he talks about not having a girlfriend because of the all the travelling that he does; which seems to be every other day from what his blog. I like to read his blog especially when he posts about his travels overseas (and for that reason I read Nicole too).

I say : haiya Kenny, very simple solution; bring your girlfriend along in your travelslah!

If not, I volunteer! As travel buddylah ... :P

It's A Rat's Life

An excerpt from an email I just received:

The Rat - Forecast for 2010

The Year of the Tiger is going to be fast-paced for the Rat, which in itself does tend to make them slightly uncomfortable.

But it is essential that they go with the flow and seize opportunities and take adventures – this year is going to be important for them. A lot of Rats may have dreamt of travel in 2009 but were unable to take trips either due to financial or work commitments. This year will be so different! Travel will feature strongly for many and if there is dream destination in mind, it may become a reality during 2010.

Notice the word, travel? *BIG GRIN*

"There Are Places I Remember ..."

Just fell in love with Jason's rendition of the old Beatles fav, In My Life.

Performed Oct 11, 2009 in Chula Vista, CA.

Credit:Thanks to SharkReefMini

My perfect theme song for those long reflective moments.

Mo' Money?

For those bitten by the travel bug, I think the ultimate dream would be to travel the world.

Preferably with all the time and all the money that is needed.

For most people, the dream gets a rude awakening when reality sets in, we have doubts ranging from 'I don't have the time' to 'I don't have the money' to may be even 'I don't think I can do it'.

I know I am one of them. Especially the $$$$ part.

It is timely then that I stumbled upon this wonderful article by Christine Gilbert, from Almost Fearless.com.

The best bits? She writes:

The problem is, as far as goals go, it’s almost impossible to achieve unless you’re willing to compromise something else. First, let me quickly tell you why more money and travel don’t necessarily go hand in hand

More Money = Less Time = No Travel

Don’t believe me? Ask anyone with a lot of money how much they travel. Then ask anyone who travels how much money they have. Retirees don’t count. Neither do lottery winners. How many hours per week do the people who make double your annual salary work?

And this:

Don’t spend as much. I know spending feels like a reward for all that hard work, but unless you get control of it, you’ll outspend your earnings, no matter what you make. Cut your spending in half and you just gave yourself a 50% raise.

She closes with this gem:

Make more money if you want, but don’t let it become more than it is – a means of exchange so you can buy back your life.

Reading this made me think a bit, and may be my food for thought for the next few days. I certainly do not wish to end up with more money but no life.

Will be away from tomorrow onwards to somewhere I had second thoughts of going to due to recent incidents.

*Fingers crossed* and God-willing, everything will be alright.

Elephants : Gentle Giants of the Animal Kingdom

I think elephants are such graceful, elegant creatures despite their size. Jim Thompson must've had them as his inspiration.

My elephant encounters so far have been limited to the circus and the zoo, and the various ones 'working' in captivity. Yet to see an elephant in the wild, in its natural habitat; and am keeping my fingers crossed I'll get to see some soon.

And I didn't know September 22 is Elephant Appreciation Day!

Open Our Minds

Taken last month, at the Singgahsana Lodge, Kuching.

We're so conditioned to look 'outwards', sometimes we need to reverse that.

Relentless Craving

So it has a name that doesn't sound like bugositis, or something like that.

A Rush of Blood

I am scared of heights.

But I think I can manage this:

Picture from Bridge Climb Sydney.

What an adrenaline rush it would be!

The highest point is 134 metres above sea level. Cost : AUD$188-$295, rather pricey. Choice of day, night, twilight or exclusive dawn climbs.

If I ever have the chance to do this, I think it would cure my height vertigo (acrophobia - I wikipedia-ed) for good. Right now, even looking down from three stories up makes me feel queasy.

Either this, or the Macau Skywalk. Or a bungy jump.

*gulp*

Whenever that will be.

Lovelocks

My readings and site-hopping have brought me to this interesting picture, which in turn led to the discovery of lovelocks :

Credit : lovebot.tumblr.com

Locks of love are the padlocks fixed by loving couples, on to a fence or a pole or metallic chain/string alongside some wall etc at a public place, to symbolize their eternal love. A couple would hang a padlock after inscribing their name or initials on it and throw the key away so that their love is locked forever. Some couple use two inter-twined locks, each lock bearing their name/initials. Besides lovers, often family members and close friends also put such locks at these places, to lock their relationship forever - CuriousJM

From Google Earth Community, in CuriousJM's Locks of Love Around The World, you can read more about lovelocks, and places around the world which have them. There are some great pictures too! This one in Ponte Milvio, Rome is amazing in the sense that people kept on putting the padlocks on the street light until it's bent due to the weight. The street light was later saved when the authorities provided chains for the padlocks to be hung from.

Image from Panoramio by psetron

Lovelock locations are in China (where this tradition is thought to have originated), South Korea, Estonia, Russia, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, USA and Guam.

I am sure there are romantic travellers around the world who will make it their mission to visit as many of the locations as they can.

Now, that's what I call passion.

Be Still and Soak in the Moment

An excerpt from the aforementioned Shapiro's book A Sense of Place :

"When seeing a new place, I often think : I am going to come back here later - when I am rich, or when I have more time, or when I have a purpose, or when I am with someone I love - and do this right. But it is self-deception. More often than not, my feet lead me somewhere new rather than somewhere I've already been. And as I sat at that window watching the train bore through the heart of China, I had a different, more probable thought, and I wrote it down : I better remember what this place looks like. I will never be back."

- Brad Newsham, All the Right Places

Don't we all think like that most of the time? I'll come back when _________ (insert whatever). This thought crossed my mind a few times during my travels. Most notably, I am reminded of my first trip to Bali.

Standing on the cliff off the fairways of Nirwana Golf Resort, overlooking the sea and Tanah Lot; the evening skies starting to filter in the various shades of gold and crimson, making me squint; the warm salty breeze blowing in my face; the waves splashing on to the rocks in some kind of rhythm; I thought to myself : I must come back here when.....

Then, I couldn't finish the sentence.

Because I don't know when I will come back. Or why.

It was then that I understood what a seasoned traveller meant when we had a short unexpected encounter. He has travelled to many exotic and historic places around the world - Egypt, North and South America, all over Europe, Asia and so on. He's done almost everything from climbing mountains and bungy jumping to riding camels and swimming with sharks.

I asked him : How come you didn't bring along your camera? His answer : It is all up here (pointing to his head). It took me a few seconds to respond : I get what you mean. He said : Besides, I don't have room for all the pictures and wouldn't know what to do with them.

Now, what I really want to do when I'm struck by the awesomeness of God's creations, is to be still, soak in the beauty of the moment, and let my heart have conversations with itself. Let the moment be imprinted in my mind.

I want to remember how each place made me feel.

Who knows, I might not be back.

Book : A Sense of Place

Currently reading :

Michael Shapiro's A Sense of Place -

Great Travel Writers Talk ABout Their Craft, Lives and Inspiration

Blurb:

Michael Shapiro's illuminating conversations with the world's great travel writers reveal deeply-held views about the craft of writing, the world, and home. Go with him and ride over dusty Montana roads to Tim Cahill's writing cabin, step into the Dickensian clutter of Redmond O'Hanlon's house in Oxford, visit Frances Mayes in her Tuscan villa, gaze at Peter Matthiessen's rustic zendo on Long Island, and empty a bottle of wine with Jonathan Raban in a Seattle study that seems like a ship's cabin.

So far I am enjoying this book immensely!

My Favourite Thing..

My favourite thing, too :)

Off for a short 'never-been' weekend.

Life List of An Adventurer

I used to be a To Do List person. Because I like lists.

I listed things, and get a high from crossing out items on them, especially those major, time-consuming things.

Not so now. I've stopped being too .. 'pedantic'? (I hate using the word 'anal') and am easier on myself.

Recent readings brought me to this man whom I have never heard of before this. But when I read his story...man, his achievements are amazing! Funnily, he's not that well-known, even his Wikipedia entry is not comprehensive. Or maybe I'm the just that katak under that tempurung.

Have you heard of him : John Goddard?

He wrote his lifelist when he was 15, a list of 127 things he would like to do in his lifetime. There's like another 15 more or so to go. He sure does look old already, some sites list his birthyear as 1924/25.

What a list, what a list to achieve in one lifetime. May seem impossible but this man is close to achieving it. Not sure if he can still do Everest at his age, but hey, who am I to doubt him? In comparison, my aim to step foot in every Malaysian state suddenly vapourises into oblivion.

My own so called 'life list' done last year, is a little bit shorter at 28 items, and definitely not as adventurous and exotic. Heck I even have 'cook a perfect nasi lemak' there in my list!

Maybe it's high time for a thorough review.

Saturday Morning

"To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour."

William Blake