Summer Soujourn

 
 With the parting of summer and somewhat cooling climate, its only fitting I reap the harvests of my summer journey both outer and inner, they somehow reflect each other. It began in May, going to Kenting with friends and staying in an opulent resort in the mts. Cabins and pools, kids playing, wine at night, me addicted to archery.




Then in June, spending Dragon Boat weekend in Green Island.
Camping beside a rocky coral cove beside a dramatic cliff wall, lush black sky full of milky stars, a primordial fire to watch us while we slept, then recovering in the rare sea water hot springs.


Salt water hot springs



 In July we spent 14 days in the Malaysian peninsula and ending in Singapore. I met 2 wonderful men I had a kind of connection with, whom I’m still in contact with. The first a Syrian in KL, who is doing some rare stones trading between Sri Lanka and Dubai who is now trying to get a Taiwanese visa to come visit. The other a roving Irishman I met in a bus to Cherating, where we stayed and traveled down to Singapore together. He did come for a short visit just last weekend here in Tainan and hopefully will return before Christmas.

Pulau Pankgor



I am well acquainted with my own company and don’t mind being alone, but one night in Pulau Pangkor,  I had this excruciating experience. I was so utterly lonely and so acutely aware of it. It was so incredibly painful, a piercing rawness that this night, it was as if the Universe held an enormous galactic mirror up to me. I thought I might burst into tears right there on the paradise beach where all the European holidayers where having dinner with their families watching the pink sunset. I never felt so odd and out of place before, even the monkeys were pointing their fingers at me. To slightly make up for it, I was blessed the next day with a free snorkeling trip to a nearby coral island, by a local, who gave me enough attention and was still a gentleman. Still,  I was recovering from the previous night, of being slammed by the accumulative past 5 years of being independent, being alone, all of it overwhelmed me like karmic avalanche.

So we headed back to the mainland to the other side of the peninsula to Kota Bharu. The difficulty of the travel, waiting for buses hours late, crowded buses w/o seats or AC, night buses w/o sleep, filled that space. Then the magic of traditional Malay culture a few days in Kota Bharu strengthened my spirit. Soon, I met a kindred spirit again, as a kind of blessing. The easy togetherness also threw off my equilibrium, I got used to it, so did Z. I realized I need other people to be my sledgehammer and break through my walls, the illusion of being this strong, independent, single mom.
 
Traveling solitary its like this dance of being alone for a while, which is fine, because its so temporary, then I meet up with lovely company and I certainly did in Malaysia. If that Malayisa/Singapore trip taught me anything, its there is this wide world outside of Tainan full of available, single men of quality (there were some nice Frenchmen along the way too I'll briefly mention).


Singapore Zoo



Universal studios, Singapore

In August, me and some Taiwanese friends went to Alishan. They organized everything. It was like a pilgrimage to this ancient cypress forest with 2000 year old trees, a gorgeous sunset, waking for sunrise, hiking in clouded tea terraces, great food, happy kids, coming home tired and happy.


In early September, for Moon Festival's 3 day weekend, Z and I took a weekend to Guanshan to see the blooming Daylillies in the East Rift Valley in Taiwan's East Coast. Later in September, I met up with an old friend from my Taipei days a decade ago and we went camping in a farm in Kenting. BBQ, more wine, great company, our kids, her great husband, great fun in finding this past friendship and picking up where we parted. I felt lucky. Then, recovering in the Pingtong hot springs, the original Japanese structure, hinting of October.

In October for 10/10 holiday, I took an extra day off and flew to Tokyo for a 4 day stint. Autumn was just beginning to breath her first breaths into this phenomenal city. Z and I didn’t want to come back to Taiwan and even now I’m considering moving to Tokyo in a year or two if I can wait. I know what neighborhood I’d like to live in more or less. There is so much to see, so much under the surface, calling out to me, “explore me, stay here.” The magical part is I had no desire to even go to Japan until like a month ago, and now I can’t get Japan out of my dreams. I simply liked looking at the faces. The people bent over backwards to help me, locals went out of their way to make me stay. Tokyo is this paradox of ancient medieval Endo with uber-modernism, the bustle of crowds on their way, belaying an inner gentleness. There is this gentleness and then you sense this hidden cruelness. I can’t put my finger on it, especially after only 4 days, but I’m hooked.

I’ve been to a lot of countries, exchanged in many courtesies ad currencies but only a handful of places sort of grabbed me, beckoned me to linger a while. After 2 years of working around Western Europe, Galway totally conquered me. I couldn’t leave, I grieved when I had no way to stay there permanently, legally. Guatemala, I was there all 90 days of my visa and mourned leaving. I’d probably be living in Kashmir and married to a Kashmiri if it was more stable. Now after living in Tainan 3 years, 5 years total in Taiwan, I feel that itch again. Ok I admit when we went to KL I exclaimed I could live in KL too (I could, Z could continue her Mandarin, and I could have my piece of Indian culture). So who knows?


Z’s stability, and continuing her Mandarin is paramount. I just feel like the poetic eagle, phoenix being reborn and itching to spread her wings. If that means growing in a new territory, moving, or staying in Tainan and having this inner journey, remains to be lived out.

Malaysia-SIngapore Itinerary

So this is a rough sketch. I usally have an idea what Id like to see and where Id like to go, but Im very open to winging it, depending on the situation and with traveling, especially with a child anything is possible. My coworkers are going to KL at the same time too, so maybe if I send them my info we might have lunch together or something. On my list is henna for me and Z, she wants to go supra red, Indian anything, maybe get some salwar kameez made from an Indian tailor (always fun). I have to buy tea for friends, which is a good excuse to sample too much, or visit some of the plantations. A Malayisan cooking class, make some batik, shadow puppets and loads of street stall satay washed down w/fresh coconut milk.

Malaysia/Singapore Itinerary


Day 1-Day3 –Sunday July 18- Tuesday July 19 KUALA LUMPUR

Arrive KL 725am check in http://www.seraiinn.com/location.asp (45MYR x3= 1290TWD)

.Take Hop on/off bus around major sights, get familiar with city.

.Fish foot spa, Little India walk

.Petronas Towers (Tues am), KLCC Park (playground), Mercura KL Tower (38RM adult/28 child) (630TWD)

.Batu Caves (bus 11,4RM, 45 minutes).

Day 4-5 July20-21 Wed/Thurs: KL to Ipoho (train 4 ½ hours 20RM), bus to Lumut (12RM) or KL-Lumut bus (38 RM), then Lumut ferry to Pulau Pangkor(40 min ferry). Sleep at Teluk Nipah 2 nights. White sand beaches, snorkel, walking trails.

Day 6 July 22 Friday: return to Ipoh. Take 8 hour train (night train?) to Kota Bharu (50RM).

Day 7 July23 Sat: Kota Bharu Check in at KB Backpackers www.kb-backpackers.com.my. Watch Cultural Center shows, shadow puppets, batik painting

Day 8 July 24 Sunday: Kota Bharu, market 3pm in Marang, then take ferry (RM 25) to Pulau Kapas, sleep at Light House (RM50), diving, beaches, snorkeling. [Or skip Kapas and go to Cherating.]

Day 9 July 25 Monday: Pulau Kapas (RM 25 ferry), sleep at LightHouse. Stay another night or go to Cherating?

Day 10 July 26 Tuesday: Cherating, sleep at Mazrah’s Guest Home (RM35), beach, kayak, batik, turtle watching)

Day 11-12 July 27-28 Wed/Thurs: Cherating to Mersing to Pulau Tioman, stay at ABC Bungalows 2 nights(RM 50-150).

Day 13-15 July 29-31 Friday-Sunday: Mersing to Singapore (3 hours 14RM, 2buses daily). Check in at http://www.betelbox.com/hostel_rates.htm $S$34.50 p/night ladies only dorm ( NTD)

http://www.backpackers.com.sg/bookingpromotion.php

Fri: SIA Hop on bus www.siahopon.com , Universal Studios ($120= 2812 NTD).

Sat: all day at the zoo, Night Safari ($32 adult 16 child = 1125 NTD).

Sunday: Little India am market, last minute shopping, New Creation Church, check in airport at 2pm.

Links:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia +++

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Malaysia/kualalumpur.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1771440/top_five_best_things_to_do_with_kids.html?cat=25

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Singapore/singapore.htm

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/

http://www.rwsentosa.com/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore

http://www.newcreation.org.sg/announcements/new-english-service-venue-at-the-grand-cathay

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2069034

http://www.mymalaysiabooks.com/singapore/Singapore%20to%20Malaysia.htm



KLM

Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park – Start your day with a trip to the Petronas Twin Towers, 88 stories high, the third tallest building in the world (1,483 feet). Take the elevators to the Skybridge that connects the two towers of this elegant glass and steel building. The Petronas Twin Towers are open Tues.- Sun., and the Skybridge is closed on Fri. from 1:00pm - 2:30pm.

Adjacent to the towers is a large public park, Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park. There is a two acre modern kid's playground, wading pools (bring your swim suits), a musical fountain, artificial lake, sculptures, plenty of grass and shade trees.

Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower) – Get the bird's eye view of Kuala Lumpur from the KL Tower, a big concrete communications tower with a space age look. Take elevator to observatory deck and grab a snack in the revolving restaurant.

Back on the ground, follow the walkway which links the KL Tower to Bukit Nanas Forest Recreational Park. Suddenly you'll find yourself in a green, shady forest, right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur. Bring your picnic lunch (picnic tables provided). There are trails through the park and a playground.

Central Market (Pasar Seni) – The Central Market, housed in a charming art deco style building, is a place to find out more about Malaysian culture, arts and crafts." Look for shadow puppet plays (wayang kulit), batik painting, art exhibitions, traditional music and dance performances. While you're at Central Market, buy kites. Kite flying is a national pastime in Malaysia. Look for the distinctive "wan bulan" or moon kite, cat kites, bird kites. Ask at your hotel for the best place to fly your kite.

Batu Caves – Hindu shrines were created inside these huge limestone caves, and the combination of spectacular natural beauty and brilliant colors is incredible. The Temple Cave is as big as a church. The Art Gallery Cave has statues and wall paintings from Hindu mythology. As you ascend the long stairway up to the caves, you may be accosted by macaque monkeys (kids hold onto your things)



SINGAPORE

Little India – From Arab Street, cross over the Rochor Canal to Serangoon Road, a neighborhood teeming with Hindu temples, shops with saris and spices. (On Cuff Road, one spice shop still grinds spices by hand.) In flower shops, watch garland makers creating beautiful flower leis. Have your hands painted in traditional henna designs, or your fortune told by a parakeet (the bird picks out a card with your fortune on it.) Shop for bangles and other lovely Indian jewelry, or a Kashmiri shawl. The Cultural Corner at the Little India Arcade has videos and other exhibits, where you can learn more about Indian culture and customs.

Don't miss the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore. The gopurum (tower gate) is intricately decorated with gods, goddesses and fantastic animals. Inside the temple is a statue of Kali, with the elephant-headed Ganesha on one side, and Murugan, riding on a peacock, on the other.

Stop into the Temple of a Thousand Lights, the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple to see a large footprint of the Buddha and a big 50 foot Buddha, adorned with colored lights. For a small fee, you can spin the wheel of fortune to have your fortune told.

Singapore Zoo – In this top-notch zoo the animals are in open enclosures, not behind bars, in a lush tropical rain forest. Plan to spend the day here.

Start out at Treetops Trail, a re-creation of the Southeast Asian rainforest, where you walk high above the trees, looking down to see red langur monkeys and siamangs, mouse deer and water birds below. Visit Orangutan Island and the Asian elephants enclosure, elephant rides are also available. Check the schedule for feeding times for elephants, white tiger, king cobra, and more.

As a special treat, have breakfast with an orangutan. You can feed the orangutan, (how are their table manners?) and have your picture taken. At the entrance to the Zoo, lockers, strollers and wagons are available for rent. Within the zoo are picnic areas, cafes and snack bars.

The land below the wind

During Chinese New Year, Z and I spent 12 nights and 13 days in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.  It was all such a gift, such a blessing to get away from familiar Taiwan for a while, to spend some time just with Z, to share the magical adventure of experiencing a new, unfamiliar, country together. People were wonderful, from helpful locals, to lovely travelers offering advice and encouragement. Its such a confirmation to hear mere strangers verbalize out loud what I have been thinking to myself in private about the hopeful confidence I have that me and Z do and will have a good life. This trip also reconfirmed for me that I am a creative person and the past few years I have undervalued that significant part of myself and of the creative process which is Holy.

To travel is like having an enhanced, supra-condensed form of everyday life. There are moments of being alone and moments of sweet companionship, everything is magnified. Every conversation, every moment of doing nothing, lying in a hammock, or on some ferry or shared taxi, life seems to be pointing something at me, a destination, a new dream, direction. One veil is lifted from my eyes, one moment at a time. I am given vision, my past, with all its hurts and disappointments, the stark reality of where I am Now, standing on the cusp of what will be and its all working in the background for me, for my good. During one of my first nights in Kota Kinabalu, I had one of those dreams. Sometimes I dream of people I have psychic connections with. Usually its my mom or a brother, an old friend or lover, and I truly believe we contact each other, like an intergalactic, space-time telepathic Skype, they receive me and have the same dream time in their time. This time, I contacted Z’s father and I told him, “listen I guess I’ve been alone these 5 years because secretly I’ve been waiting for you to come around. She has been asking about you and you ought to contact her, you know where to find me. As for me, I’m not waiting around for you anymore.” A lot of psychic baggage was lifted off my shoulders.

Sometimes these cosmic messages get lost in the everyday grind of routine. Its hard to be in a place of undeniable vulnerability when every moment of every day is accounted for, even moments of rest are penciled in. My blood needs to be stirred, I need to be launched out of my comfort zone, maybe I need a little bit of danger, definitely high adventure and I am then so aware of how I am loved, loved by God, the Universe, THE higher power, Christ consciousness, whatever you call It. At these moments when He has my absolute attention (I say ‘He’ because I am in this divine relationship, the Beloved) and I say, “God you have my attention, I am listening”, and then I am wooed, the Universe literally sings me a love song.  Not just any love song, but a particular song that once had a special significance to me that I forgot about throughout the years (in this case a song from my Barcelona days that I never told a soul about). And then it becomes more meaningful and personal. Like when we were abandoned by our dodgy driver in Kota Belud, we are saved by angels or stuck in Sipilok from the absence of local transport, we were blessed with personal encounters with endangered animals (in this case an orangutan). What are the “chances” of seeing the rare Rafflesia flower in bloom? So casually my beautifully made, indigenous driver pulls over and the flowers were not even intentioned destination, just by chance, on the way to something also equally wonderful.

There is no good or bad luck, when I am ready to take the chance to buy that ticket, to take the journey, I am truly transported, divinely escorted. In the case of my Borneo experience, my cup truly ran over and I didn’t need to do anything but be there in the position of receiving. It all increased my faith that Z and I are loved and looked after, no need to worry about absolutely anything.

How am I integrating this into my daily life now that I have returned to work, to cleaning my house and rushing to get to work on time? I am not stressing on my floors, no more everyday, 2 times a day, the laundry can wait, and so what if I am late! And if I don’t make it into the gym at lunch, I will survive. In fact I’ve returned with this determination, actually this victory of mind over portion control, in fact I am already always satisfied, satiated. I don’t mind being single nor am I worried about Z being “fatherless”. Her father is Divine and He has given her this ability to re-translate, to be the Alchemist who transforms lead into pure gold. Before the trip I was already content, but I returned with a deeper understanding of content-ness, a fresh experience of Grace that is priceless. So now you see why my trip was such a gift.

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