After three mini-buses (one of which included fifteen passengers in a ten passenger bus), a bus and a boat, our 12 hour journey left us in paradise. After two previous visits, I have found myself on Koh Phangan once again. We're not couchsurfing this island, and have agreed to pay about $80 for 14 nights on the beach. This is a bit of a holiday on our holiday, but if you get the chance to visit heaven before it's your time, I figure that you might as well take the opportunity whenever it comes your way. So we are.
If you ever come to Koh Phangan, let me know and I'll give you the scoop. Until then, heaven awaits...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
From KL to Penang
After nine days in Kuala Lumpur, I took a five hour bus to Penang in Northern Malaysia. And my time here has been fantastic. KL is a not so big, big city - it feels to me that the city developed quickly in the past twenty years, but has yet to really catch up; the city is ripe with stunning skyscrapers, pubic transportation, local music, food, people and cultures, yet the taste of poverty found in developing nations is quite real. In other words, the city appears to be on the same level as any major city in the so-called ''Western World'', but you can buy a hearty dinner (including non-alcoholic drinks) for about one or two dollars. Nevertheless, I met a bunch of great people, local and foreign, via couchsurfing and again, I had a fantastic time.
The highlight of my time in Malaysia, however, would have to be a day excursion to an elephant sanctuary. I could write several pages about my experience, but instead, you should just find time and come here to experience it yourself. In a nutshell, I was introduced to the world of elephants. I met about fifteen elephants aging from about 6 months to 80 years. I played with most of them, prepared their food, washed a few, rode one, and had the opportunity to swim with an injured baby to help him exercise. It was an amazing experience. And did you know that elephants are the only other animal on earth that bury their dead!
And now I am in Northern Malaysia in a small island city called Penang. It's nice here - nicer than KL for me because it's much more relaxed around here. And the culture of Malaysia is much more noticeable here. Basically, Malaysia is a Muslim state, but the people here come from all over Asia due to the history of the area. As for the history, just think about Silk Road traders from Egypt to Indonesia mixed with all the native people, and then throw in a couple hundred years of colonialism starting with the Portuguese and ending with the British East Indies Company. And after all of that, imagine Islam conquering the minds of most of the people including the government or kings of old (save the significant amounts of Buddhists, Hindus and Christians who are tolerated without question) and then catalyzing the development of the society most specifically in economic and educational ways. After all of that, you'll have a fairly rough idea of what Malaysia is all about. It's a beautiful country covered in ancient rain forests, full of people from around the world at about 1/4 or less of the price it costs to live in the U.S.
In general, I'm already thinking of returning, if only to take up a friend on his offer of taking me into the jungle for a survival course to learn how to do things like starting fires in the rain, recognizing sounds, getting lost, finding your way again, pulling off leeches, avoiding tigers, elephants and snakes, and really just having a priceless experience. What I am really trying to say is, if you have the time and money, get off your butt and make your way to Malaysia.
Salaam!
The highlight of my time in Malaysia, however, would have to be a day excursion to an elephant sanctuary. I could write several pages about my experience, but instead, you should just find time and come here to experience it yourself. In a nutshell, I was introduced to the world of elephants. I met about fifteen elephants aging from about 6 months to 80 years. I played with most of them, prepared their food, washed a few, rode one, and had the opportunity to swim with an injured baby to help him exercise. It was an amazing experience. And did you know that elephants are the only other animal on earth that bury their dead!
And now I am in Northern Malaysia in a small island city called Penang. It's nice here - nicer than KL for me because it's much more relaxed around here. And the culture of Malaysia is much more noticeable here. Basically, Malaysia is a Muslim state, but the people here come from all over Asia due to the history of the area. As for the history, just think about Silk Road traders from Egypt to Indonesia mixed with all the native people, and then throw in a couple hundred years of colonialism starting with the Portuguese and ending with the British East Indies Company. And after all of that, imagine Islam conquering the minds of most of the people including the government or kings of old (save the significant amounts of Buddhists, Hindus and Christians who are tolerated without question) and then catalyzing the development of the society most specifically in economic and educational ways. After all of that, you'll have a fairly rough idea of what Malaysia is all about. It's a beautiful country covered in ancient rain forests, full of people from around the world at about 1/4 or less of the price it costs to live in the U.S.
In general, I'm already thinking of returning, if only to take up a friend on his offer of taking me into the jungle for a survival course to learn how to do things like starting fires in the rain, recognizing sounds, getting lost, finding your way again, pulling off leeches, avoiding tigers, elephants and snakes, and really just having a priceless experience. What I am really trying to say is, if you have the time and money, get off your butt and make your way to Malaysia.
Salaam!
The Storyteller
His face suddenly awakened. His slightly stained teeth glared out through the stagnant smile and occasional chuckle. Wrinkles quickly flooded and faded across his forehead as if attacking those at the corners of his eyes - his face was full of movement - emotions.
And his hands - his hands were mesmerizing. In a split second they shot from head to toe expressing their own interpretation of the words bouncing from ear to ear. They, too, were full of emotion - audaciously breaking through the air all around him as he captivated his audience with colorful tales of life
With every detail accounted for, he cautiously abused his audience with stunning descriptions of the most mundane. They fell paralyzed into his world...his life...his beauty. They shared, they smiled, their eyes met with the most intimate intentions and then his face fell still. His hands found comfort on his lap The story had ended. They parted ways and were changed forever.
And his hands - his hands were mesmerizing. In a split second they shot from head to toe expressing their own interpretation of the words bouncing from ear to ear. They, too, were full of emotion - audaciously breaking through the air all around him as he captivated his audience with colorful tales of life
With every detail accounted for, he cautiously abused his audience with stunning descriptions of the most mundane. They fell paralyzed into his world...his life...his beauty. They shared, they smiled, their eyes met with the most intimate intentions and then his face fell still. His hands found comfort on his lap The story had ended. They parted ways and were changed forever.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Singa - not so - pore to Malay - me down in the jungle - sia
So I spent about 30 hours in Singapore, and it was great! Shiori and I had our first couchsurfing experience and it was life changing. FYI, if you don't know couchsurfing, you better ask somebody! (www.couchsurfing.com) Anyway, it's an international community of like minded individuals connected via the Internet. Basically, if you register on the website, you are opening up your house, apartment, cardboard box, etc. to travelers from around the world; in return, when you travel the world, you can contact similar people and 99.9 percent of the time you will be welcomed into someones home free of charge. It's beautiful!
As for Singapore, it's a concrete jungle. It's a super duper clean, safe, multicultural island city. It shares elements of perhaps every country in the world, but certainly stands alone. In other words, I ain't never seen nothing like it!
Nevertheless, it's not the most tourist friendly location. It's certainly tropical, strategically located, and in many ways, beautiful. BUT it's quite expensive and there is really not much to see after a few days of sightseeing. If you're looking for a professional career, then it has the world to offer you. If you're looking for a place to relax, you came to the wrong place.
Anyway, our couchsurfing host was fabulous - he treated us as nothing less than family. The one night we were there, we went out for drinks and dinner, got home around 4 a.m., caught a train at 7:30 a.m., and so I am now in Kuala Lumpur. And if Singapore is a concrete jungle, then Malaysia is the jungle. In other words, this place is GREEN!
As for Singapore, it's a concrete jungle. It's a super duper clean, safe, multicultural island city. It shares elements of perhaps every country in the world, but certainly stands alone. In other words, I ain't never seen nothing like it!
Nevertheless, it's not the most tourist friendly location. It's certainly tropical, strategically located, and in many ways, beautiful. BUT it's quite expensive and there is really not much to see after a few days of sightseeing. If you're looking for a professional career, then it has the world to offer you. If you're looking for a place to relax, you came to the wrong place.
Anyway, our couchsurfing host was fabulous - he treated us as nothing less than family. The one night we were there, we went out for drinks and dinner, got home around 4 a.m., caught a train at 7:30 a.m., and so I am now in Kuala Lumpur. And if Singapore is a concrete jungle, then Malaysia is the jungle. In other words, this place is GREEN!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sambal Bali*
Serves about 4 people for 1 meal.
Ingredients :
2 large chopped red chili peppers
1/4 kg (~10-12) chopped small chili peppers (usually green/yellow/orange/red)
1/4 kg chopped onion
2 chopped cloves garlic
salt (to taste), ajinomoto (1 cube), terasi (finger tip amount)
~1/2 cup of coconut oil (enough to cook everything above, but not too much!)
Instructions:
1. Heat the oil to frying temperatures (i.e. HOT!) in a pan.
2. Add onions, garlic, salt, ajinomoto, and terasi. Cook about 5 minutes.
3. Add peppers. Cook no more than 5 more minutes.
4. Let cool, put in dish as a condiment, and enjoy! The final product will obviously be a little oily, but it shouldn't be soaking in oil once you've put it into a small dish.
*You might need to consult your local asian market about the terasi, but they will know! You can probably find the ajinomoto at your local grocery store, but if not, the asian market will know!
*If you've never handled chili peppers, DO NOT touch any part of your body (esp. your face) after handling them until you have thoroughly washed your hands.
*It's not as spicy as you think, but it's ten times more delicious than you could imagine. If you can find the ingredients, try to make it and eat this shit on everything!! It is especially delicious on grilled fish, but any rice dishes including meats, tofu, or beans will be enhanced.
Bon Appetit!
Ingredients :
2 large chopped red chili peppers
1/4 kg (~10-12) chopped small chili peppers (usually green/yellow/orange/red)
1/4 kg chopped onion
2 chopped cloves garlic
salt (to taste), ajinomoto (1 cube), terasi (finger tip amount)
~1/2 cup of coconut oil (enough to cook everything above, but not too much!)
Instructions:
1. Heat the oil to frying temperatures (i.e. HOT!) in a pan.
2. Add onions, garlic, salt, ajinomoto, and terasi. Cook about 5 minutes.
3. Add peppers. Cook no more than 5 more minutes.
4. Let cool, put in dish as a condiment, and enjoy! The final product will obviously be a little oily, but it shouldn't be soaking in oil once you've put it into a small dish.
*You might need to consult your local asian market about the terasi, but they will know! You can probably find the ajinomoto at your local grocery store, but if not, the asian market will know!
*If you've never handled chili peppers, DO NOT touch any part of your body (esp. your face) after handling them until you have thoroughly washed your hands.
*It's not as spicy as you think, but it's ten times more delicious than you could imagine. If you can find the ingredients, try to make it and eat this shit on everything!! It is especially delicious on grilled fish, but any rice dishes including meats, tofu, or beans will be enhanced.
Bon Appetit!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Down, But Not Out!
After about 8 days of having a clogged ear, the gods (as well as demons) of Bali poured pain and suffering down from the heavens, and about 98 percent of it landed in my ear. I woke up on the 3rd of April with my left ear completely swollen shut! Of course, not being able to hear was the last thing on my mind considering the amount of pain shooting through my brain. I was officially down, so it goes without saying that I was unable to meet up with my masseuse for a night on the town - damn you, ear! Nevertheless, off to the Ubud Clinic I went.
I lived in Japan for about three years. I never went to the doctor, nor had any significant ailments save the minor cold. Since I have been on the road, which has only been about 4 months, I have been beaten and cut by the bush, broken a toe, been severely sunburned, and now, dealt with excruciating ear pains. I am certainly hoping for a bit of fresh air when I leave Bali on Thursday.
Nevertheless, the doc prescribed for me about half of the pharmaceuticals found in Indonesia, and I am currently functioning at about 85 to 90 percent. I can almost hear clearly now, the pain is gone! Oh, yes! The past two days have been ripe with moments of clarity, and I have no doubts that I will soon be back to my not-so normal self.
Thus, excitement is in the air as I prepare my bags for my day in Singapore. I have arranged a place to stay for the morning and night that I will be there, and I am currently working on a place to stay in Kuala Lumpur. So all is grand in the land of me. Bali has been great fun, extremely painful, and quite rewarding in so many ways (most significantly, "the recovering from pain" way).
And on a final note, my last Bali entry will be a recipe - the most scrumptious recipe! Until then, patience...
I lived in Japan for about three years. I never went to the doctor, nor had any significant ailments save the minor cold. Since I have been on the road, which has only been about 4 months, I have been beaten and cut by the bush, broken a toe, been severely sunburned, and now, dealt with excruciating ear pains. I am certainly hoping for a bit of fresh air when I leave Bali on Thursday.
Nevertheless, the doc prescribed for me about half of the pharmaceuticals found in Indonesia, and I am currently functioning at about 85 to 90 percent. I can almost hear clearly now, the pain is gone! Oh, yes! The past two days have been ripe with moments of clarity, and I have no doubts that I will soon be back to my not-so normal self.
Thus, excitement is in the air as I prepare my bags for my day in Singapore. I have arranged a place to stay for the morning and night that I will be there, and I am currently working on a place to stay in Kuala Lumpur. So all is grand in the land of me. Bali has been great fun, extremely painful, and quite rewarding in so many ways (most significantly, "the recovering from pain" way).
And on a final note, my last Bali entry will be a recipe - the most scrumptious recipe! Until then, patience...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
I Will Never Let a Woman Touch Me Again
I watched cranes circle above as they searched for the ideal spot to fish in the rice fields below. My mind quickly wandered in and out of consciousness. I mean, it was hard to focus as he rubbed my legs. He put a spell on me as I fell prisoner to this euphoric trance. I am not sure what he did to me, but I do not think I have ever been touched the way he touched me today. I will never forget that foot massage. And I do not think I will ever let a woman massage me again.
He might have also wanted my phone number, but that's another story for another blog. Nevertheless, we are meeting up on Saturday for a night on the town...
He might have also wanted my phone number, but that's another story for another blog. Nevertheless, we are meeting up on Saturday for a night on the town...
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