Over & out!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur (KL, Malaysia) last night, safe and sound unlike the poor lost souls on the Malaysian Airlines flight to China.  So sad!

Our two nights here in KL are in a B&B in a gated suburban community in a large comfortable home.  It is a 20-minute drive from the airport.  Most hotels are in central KL another 20+minutes further on from here.  We chose the B&B for two reasons; one, we don't really like big hotels and two, its close proximity to the airport because we are lugging our 2 metre ski bag around.  It stayed in left luggage at Phuket airport but KL airport doesn't have left luggage due to the threat of terrorism.  I digress, the house is large, airy and comfortable owned by a friendly accommodating young couple (young compared to us maybe early thirties) James & Jo, their children and two cats.

Continuing with one of our favourite touristy things to do 'city bus tour' we thought what a fitting way to finish our time away with a final bus tour.  Jo drove us the 1km to the train station.  The rail system is handy and efficient.  The 'hop on hop off' bus stop was right outside central train station - very easy.   The bus circuit took 2.5 hours.  With limited time it was a great way to see a few of the major attractions KL has to offer.

It has been declared a drought here as it hasn't rained in 9 weeks.  Water restrictions have been in force since last week.  It doesn't worry us though, we are use to drought restrictions coming from such a dry country.  The sky is hazy and there is a smell of smoke in the air - the threat of fire is high in these conditions.

After our bus tour and having a quick look around two shopping plazas we made our way back to the B&B to have a swim.  The day was hot and sweaty.

We had a dinner of fried rice, tandoori chicken and nann bread at a local diner called a Mamak Shop within walking distance from the house. These shops are the centre of life in Malaysian community.  I was asked what I wanted to drink I pointed to the table in front and said that looks nice - can I have one of them.  Turns out it was Milo - strange but true.  Real Milo with lots of ice.  It was good.  I can't remember the last time I had Milo.

It is now time to say goodbye.  This is the last blog I will be writing.  It is so hard to believe it has been 15 months.  It really does only feel like a few months.  Over dinner Jim and I were reminiscing about the trip.  As much as we have seen some amazing places along the way the highlights have been more about events - spending time with each other, family and friends in spectacular scenery with great food, drink and lots of laughs.

What else is there in life than spending time with loved ones.

I wasn't aware Jim took this photo - the young lady was admiring my top
and asked me where I bought it "Kerala, India" I replied

Filming on the streets seen from the bus 

Enjoying the pool at the B&B

This one is for you Dad

Happy anniversary to us!

Yesterday (Wed 5 March) was our 20 year wedding anniversary - thank you for all the well wishes we received.
We celebrated by going on a snorkelling boat trip to Koh Rok.  Koh Rok is a marine national park south from Koh Lanta.  The water was as you can see was crystal clear.  We snorkelled off the boat three times swimming amongst colourful fish and coral.

In the evening we walked up the road to the Greek Taverna for dinner - I know, sounds odd but the Greek couple who run it have been here for years.  It was my idea as I admit I was wanting something without chilli and we had ridden past it a couple of times and it looked popular.  We shared a calamari salad for entree and a seafood platter for a main.  They make their own pita bread & dips which was yummy and good for a change.  I am surprised they can get lamb, fetta etc all things Greek but they do.

We could have been in Greece except we were in Thailand

Today we spent the first part of the morning at a medical clinic so Jim could have his ear(s) irrigated. He says he had been having blocked ears for a while and yesterday he went deaf - I quite enjoyed it for a while - even though I am the talker of the two of us.  Anyway,  all good, he can now hear again. Shaz had to have her ears done last week when we were in Phuket and now Jim.  I admit I had my done while we were in Eze, France.  Something to do with turning 50 maybe????

I went in with Jim as I wanted to watch (just like I did with Shaz)
but Jim wouldn't let me take photos of the wax - ooh yuk!

After the medical emergency we spent most of the day at Klong Nin Beach, a 10-minute ride south from here Klong Khong where our house is.  What a lovely beach, so relaxing with cushions, mats & umbrellas on the beach - all for free - that doesn't happen often and 80's music playing in the background.  For a moment I thought I was backpacking again just like 26 years ago.

Tomorrow, Friday is our last day in paradise.  We are thinking we will go back to Klong Nin for the day and just sit and look at the horizon over the ocean and a have a final beer and mojito.

Koh Lanta Day 3

Woke up this morning and looked out the doors (from our bed) to see mummy cow and her calf eating the hedge that surrounds the pool and then having a drink (out of the pool).  Lucky there are steps up to the pool otherwise they'll be wanting a swim next.




The house sits alone at the end of a street (of sorts) in the middle of a coconut farm.  The beach is a 10 minute walk along a dirt track looking across from the pool.  The beach is Klong Khong and if you walk a further 5 minutes up the beach from our entry point there are many typical Thai beach restaurants and accommodation places.  The beach directly in front of us is not ideal for swimming as it is at the end of Klong Khong but further up near the restaurants it is beautiful and clear and a lovely long beach for walking.

Walking up Klong Khong Beach in the evening

We wandered up the beach last night to pick a restaurant for dinner.  Thailand is blessed with many beautiful spots located on the beach to appreciate the soothing and romantic ambience of overlooking the ocean.

As you can see Jim has arrived safely in Thailand and slotted back into his normal routine of lying on the lounge.  It is nice to have him back lounge lizard and all.  I shouldn't complain he says he didn't miss my habit of needing to find toilets where ever we are - oh well!!!!





We have hired a scooter for the week - so cheap at only 200 Thai Baht a day = $7.35
Koh Lanta is a small rustic island, what you'd expect a Thai island to be a few decades ago.  It is very quiet so Jim feels comfortable tootling along on the country roads and I am more than happy to be a passenger, so much for my car park scooter training in Florence.

Yesterday we drove down the coast from here to the tip ending at the National Park.  Stopping at some scenic spots along the way for morning tea, lunch and a swim (and of course the odd toilet stop).

Driving into a village along the way, the sign read 'slow down to 50' we hadn't driven over 40 by this time and had been riding around for over half an hour so we were safe in not getting a speeding ticket.





Today's plan is to ride north to check out the beaches and neighbourhood.  We might even have a  massage today - I won't tell you how many I've had over the past two months.  Had yummy toasted muesli, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast at one of the cafes on the main road (the only main road of the island) this morning followed by a cafe latte - the best of everything, what more could you ask for.  Winning lotto perhaps to help ease us back into a life of reality which will soon be upon us.

I'll blog again before we leave here on Saturday.  We'll also load our Thailand photos on Flicker this afternoon so don't forget to check later.

Bangtao Beach, Phuket Thailand

After the discipline of ashram life I have certainly gone off the rails - sleeping in, drinking alcohol, eating seafood and chicken and generally leading a decadent life (by ashram standards that is). 

Since leaving the ashram three weeks ago I have been lazing between the pool here at the apartment, Surin Beach (a 20-minute walk away) and our local beach here in Bangtao.  

The first two weeks Mum and Dad were here with me and for the past week Sharon has been here to keep me company.

Shaz leaves tomorrow afternoon and Jim will arrive Wednesday morning.  

It has been a surreal two months without him.  He says he is ready to leave Gulmarg.  I said I hope that means you have missed me and are looking forward to seeing me.  His reply ‘depends on where you take me to eat prawns’.  We all know Jim’s love of prawns!!!

I feel extremely lucky to have had his time with Mum & Dad.  What a fantastic way to finish off our time away.  Mum says she has lived the past 14 months with us through the blog and Skype sessions and has enjoyed every moment.

Sharon and I are both 50 next month, a day apart so what better way to celebrate our 50^th and a friendship spanning 36 years.  It has been a relaxing quiet week.  Shaz has enjoyed the break from her normal routine of a busy family life and commitments.  Me, well I just enjoy the quiet life.

Surin Beach - cheers to 'everything'

 

Jim likes to have a birthday week, lucky for me my 50^th will be a birthday month (or months), starting here this past week with Shaz followed by a family dinner with my family in Brisbane and hopefully a family gathering in Sydney with Jim’s family, a ‘Trailer Trash – to host a murder party’ in Mt Beauty, celebrating again with Shaz and her family in Warburton and finally with Nan & Ed when we arrive in Point Lonsdale at the end of March.  

Not sure how Jim is going to top that – but he will try!

Thailand; a land of beautiful beaches, glorious weather, fresh & tasty food and friendly people.  The weeks here have been carefree and easy, an island paradise.

Buddhist temple top seen peeking above trees everywhere
on the island

Mum & I sharing a coconut shake

Mum & Dad on James Bond Island

Posing on Surin Beach

Jim will only have 3 nights here in Bangtao before we head to Koh Lanta on Saturday for the week.  

http://amazinglanta.com/koh-lanta-pool-villa-klong-khong/

As our trip draws to an end I am winding down with the blogs so stay tuned for what maybe the final blog of our trip written next week from Koh Lanta. 

Escape from Alcatraz, oops I mean ashram

The view from my penthouse apartment
overlooking part of the ashram 

It has been 11 days since graduation day at the ashram and it has taken me this long to feel not so wrung out and tired and ready to put pen to paper so to speak. 

The month at the ashram was likened to a prison (by locals and the boys at Seaflower Hotel – where we spent two months last summer lazing on the beach, Oh, they were the days!) and a boarding school (for those yogis who went to one). 

I can’t really put my finger on why I found it so extremely hard.

Was it the early starts when the bell went off at 5.20am for the morning’s hour of meditation and chanting?

Or the late nights, lights out at 10.30 pm after the evenings meditation and chanting?

Or was it the rigorous days schedule, running from class to class?

Or the fact I was living with 400 other people, 205 that were also doing the course?

Or the physical, emotional and mental challenges faced each day?

Whichever the reason or reasons I felt like I was living in a cage – you could only leave the ashram on a Friday, the one day off for the week.  The discipline of the place was suffocating.  I’m not a rebellious person in any way but it affected me in a negative way and it showed in my demeanor I am sure.

View over the valley from my room's back verandah

The ashram is located in a beautiful setting and I had to remind myself each day to stop and appreciate its beauty.  I would make a point of standing on the verandah of my room at sunrise and sunset to take in the beautiful sky, mountains and jungle surrounds (and to stretch my weary back).

India is a place of raw beauty but also of noise.  Every morning at 5am the ‘spiritual disco’ as my newfound friend Tracey described the chanting coming from a local temple would wake us up before the 5.20am bell.  Everyday there was noise coming from one Hindu festival (of which there are many) or what sounded like a political rally.  We would often go to bed with chanting, music or noise of some description in the background.

Li-Hsien, my non English speaking room mate, we got by with sign language (and body language)

I am using the word 'yogi' out of a sign of respect for my fellow course attendees.   Many had travelled from all over the world including India to be united by yoga.  There were translators from Japan, Taiwan, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Russia, Hindu, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.  We were all experiencing similar emotions over the month but to varying degrees depending on personal circumstances and what brought them to the ashram.  Regardless of emotions running high everyone was friendly and helpful to each other. 

My biggest problem was going in not 100% committed – I really thought it would be easier than spending another 2 months in Gulmarg having to go out every day and ski on terrain which I felt was beyond my capability (and confidence level).  The joke was on me.  At least in Gulmarg I could stop skiing whenever I wanted and go for a leisurely cross-country, enjoying a chai and chat with the locals.  At the ashram if you thought you couldn’t go on or needed a break – tough!  There was no option but to go on.  

Did this develop inner strength – maybe, maybe not!  It felt more like exhaustion at the time. 

Mealtime was another trial for me.  We were given two meals a day – brunch and dinner and in between morning tea was chai (milky spiced tea) and afternoon tea was herbal tea and fruit.

The food was vegetarian (no eggs, onion or garlic) that I like and it was tasty and plentiful and served with herbal tea.   Dinner wasn’t as fresh or as tasty as brunch because it was prepared during the day as the staff finished their shift in the afternoon.   The battle for me was sitting crossed legged on a hard floor trying not to touch knees with my neighbours and eating with my fingers – I resorted to a spoon after a couple of days, then having to queue to rinse my plate whilst trying not to slip (because you are barefoot – no shoes allowed) on the wet floor near the sinks.  My hip was hurting a lot of the time and I was paranoid of slipping on the wet floor and making it worse. 
Mealtime was a quiet affair has it had to be in silence - can you imagine up to 400 people trying to be quiet.

Karma yoga, the duty of selfless service is a priority in the ashram.  Each person is given a job in the running of the place.  My job was in ‘the hell hut, sorry I mean Health Hut.  It was a café (of sorts) serving toasted sandwiches, oats, muesli, juices, chai, milk shakes and fruit salad.  I worked on the fruit salad bench.  I enjoyed assembling the fruit salads but the evening shifts were a nightmare as I say brunch was better than the evening meal so the hut was frantic at night time with people choosing to eat at the Health Hut over dinner.  Lucky there were two shifts – one after brunch and one after dinner and each team got to do a week about.  I gave up having dinner by the end of the second week (due to its lack of appeal and having to rush to eat and be at the hut to start the pm shift.  I can’t complain I did get to eat fruit in between making fruit salads.  I also survived on peanut butter on dry crackers (purchased in Kovalam on a day off) and other nut and fruit treats available at the ashram boutique.  I consumed a lot of sugar during the month. 

Camera shy local Keralan lady, Margot (with her cute French accent) & myself in Health Hut

The first two weeks were the hardest.  I desperately missed Jim because I was unhappy and we had no communication except for a phone call on Fridays.  The start of the third week I thought I am half way through and time flies – I’ll make it.  The last week was the easiest as far as the course content and the asana classes.  I, along with many other yogis were counting down the days.

Being silly as usual - afternoon asana class by the lake,
shame about cow dung floor which ended up mostly on us, the mosquitoes and the threat of falling coconuts
but the breeze was lovely.

Graduation was based on teaching ability, participation in ashram life, karma yoga attitude and the written exam.  Lucky for me my teaching ability and written exam helped me pass because I know I failed miserably in the other areas.  Ashram living was just not for me.  

Graduation ceremony - Tracey (Canadian) & Adora (another special friend- a bit like an Asian/American Raine)

Graduation dinner on the Saturday night was special, a typical Keralan dinner served on a banana leaf.  The teachers served the meal as a sign of respect to the students. The graduation ceremony was after dinner with every yogi being presented with his or her certificate and group photo.  The day the photo was taken satsang (morning session of chanting & meditation) was cut short for the photo shoot.  Imagine 205 people trying to be organised by height.  It was one of the more light-hearted moments at the ashram.  I am taller than Tracey but luckily got to stand beside her for the photo which is nice because we became good friends.  
Due to the photo shoot the morning tea of chai was taken away before most people could get a cup, there was near anarchy.  It was very funny. 

Graduation dinner

Tracey & I in the dining hall awaiting our graduation dinner

If I were asked was the experience worth it – I am still reluctant to say a full hearted yes.  

It is not one I would recommend to any of my friends and I don’t plan to do it again in this lifetime but in saying all of the above I am grateful for the friends I met and the support they gave me over the month and I have come away with seeds (as the teachers liked to say) from the course that I will use in my daily life and yoga practice so I guess I am grateful for the experience after all.

The boys at Sea Flower (JC & Riju) I had to do the rabbit ears for Jim
 -sorry Claire Muntz I know how much you hate rabbit ears

Tracey and I left the ashram as early as we could on the Sunday morning to spend the day in Kovalam.  We had a fun time catching up with the boys at Sea Flower where we stayed the night before heading our separate ways on Monday morning.  Hopefully she will visit us in Australia on her travels this year.

Namaste from Delhi

Here we are back in Hotel Ajanta.  

A familiar place in Delhi we like.  Our trip to get here was long but everything went smoothly.  There was no hold ups along the way.  I calculated we were awake for 30 hours.  We arrived at 4pm yesterday afternoon.  Took a sleeping tablet last night at 9pm and woke at 10am this morning.  Felt a bit groggy at first but spent a few hours after breakfast sitting on the hotel roof soaking up the sun and the never-ending sounds and smells that Delhi offers.  

We were keen to visit the market a few streets away to look for a brass hanging bell and incense holder for our front door.  I know that sounds strange considering we don’t’ even have a front door but one day we will.  We started out on foot and thought we’d take the shortcut to prevent walking past the train station because it is extremely busy with people (and beggars), we couldn't remember our way in the maze of streets so we jumped in a auto rickshaw and caught a bicycle rickshaw back.  It is lazy but it is giving someone a job.  Found the hangers, haggled as you have to and agreed on a price.  I will carry them in my daypack, as we have to watch our weight for our trip home.

 It is now 5.30pm and we are sitting on the hotel’s roof café soaking up the last of the afternoon winter sun and starting to flag a bit.  Tomorrow morning Saturday we head back to the airport very early.  We have to leave the hotel at 3am.  My plane leaves for Trivandrum at 6.15am and Jim’s leaves for Srinagar at 10.45am.  Jim's flight is only 1.5hour but I have go via Mumbai which is 2 hours wait 45-minutes and then fly another 2 hours to Trivandrum.  Then I have an hours drive to the ashram.  I can pay for a prepaid taxi or rickshaw before I leave the airport terminal.  It makes it easier than feeling bamboozled trying to settle on a fare outside the terminal. 

The joint efforts on our blog: me as writer and Jim as photographer/proofreader will probably be on hold for the next month or two.  The ashram has ‘limited Internet access’ (quoted from their website), not sure what this means exactly.  Could be due to intermittent power cuts, limited Internet package and hundreds of ashram attendees trying to use it at the one time.  It is India after all and rural India at that. 

I have one day off per week.  I think it is Friday so I plan to check my email then.  The days agenda at the ashram is long, starting with a 5.20am wake up call and lights out at 10pm with a full day of classes in between and only two meals a day.  No time for communicating either by electronic means or mobile phone, the latter have to be handed in at reception on arrival.  Some people are saying 'you paid for this by choice'. 

Jim will organize a SIM for his mobile on arrival in Gulmarg and he will have normal Internet access at Grand Mumtaz – the hotel we stayed at last season so he will be up and running again in a few days.  He will email me his phone number.  The ashram has a phone/Internet centre so I can always ring him if Internet access  & wifi is unsuccessful.

So until next time - bye for now!  

PS. Jim was keen to take photos with his camera instead of his iPhone like previous.  Check out Flickr for the latest photos downloaded

View from the hotels' rooftop

Looking down to the compound below

Looking down to the street in front of the hotel

On our way to the market

Cross Roads in Life

Early mid life crisis, mature aged gap year: you can call it what you want.  I am sure our family and friends each have their own thoughts on why and what we are doing. 

I prefer to call it ‘living abroad for a year’.  

We have been living (not in the conventional way) in a few different countries with sightseeing along the way.  Catching up with friends from Australia living abroad (I love saying that – abroad, sounds posh) and with friends met over the years travelling who are from abroad: spending time with them on their home ground.

It all started with Lisa and Kenny in Dubai.  We stayed with them for a few weeks.  A big ask - their work lives are demanding and stressful, then having to return home in the evening to people in your apartment.  I’d like to think we added light relief even if it seemed a bit much at the time.  We also got to share holidays with them in Kovalam and San Sebastian both which were good fun.  Sharing my 49th birthday in Kovalam with them will remain one of the highlights of this trip. 

In the UK we have Karen and Dave our English friends who we met in Fiji 10 years ago.  They provided us with a base to come and go from in Cornwall.  They supported us from the day we landed in the UK with their generosity.  They shared everything they have with us:  family, friends and possessions.  

In France we have to thank Carolyn & John (ex Falls Creek people) who let us stay for a few weeks and live with them as part of their family.  Another big ask - to have a couple in your house with the normal day-to-day happenings.  It was nice to belong and we were thankful for that.

We had many laughs with them all along the way and would happily share our home and lives with them whenever we can.

Once again we have to thank Laurel (a good friend from Qld) for sharing her holidays with us.  Giving Jim and I a reprieve from each other.  It was brave of her to agree to spend nearly a month with a couple no matter how good friends they are.  Lucky for us she knows how to deal with us both as a couple and as individuals.  

Then there is Wendi (a good friend from Tawonga) who spent a few days with us in Bramford, UK.  She was a lifesaver or should I say weight gainer.  Wendi is a naturopath and bought some tonics for me all the way from Tawonga to help me rid myself of the pesky Indian worm which, I always seem to pick up there.  I have the remainder of the tonics in my bag so I am armed and ready for this visit.  Shame really, I like being a bit thinner but not at the expense of the worm eating up the nutrients which I should be getting from my food. 

I know a few of you will be thinking ‘Happy is being all touchy feely again’ and I am, like I said in the previous blog the thought of being without Jim for the next two months is making me emotional.

The hardest part of our time away will be returning to Australia to set up home and find work. 

The reasons we left are still there – the cross roads of life – which way to go – work vs lifestyle.  Something we chose to put aside for this period of time in our lives.  Take a year or so off from the daily grind.  I know a few of you will be thinking ‘aren’t they lucky they can do it’ and yes we are but it comes at a price.  The obvious being financial, it is probably not the smartest move financially but once again we chose to do this knowing the consequences.  It has definitely been worth it.  We will have to remember to tell ourselves this come April when we are struggling to settle and find work.

The valley, for many years (20+) offered the perfect lifestyle for us but then something changed.  The balance of work and lifestyle shifted causing an imbalance more so for Jim than me.  Let’s face it - I had a great life.  For the past few years only working part time, being able to study the things I wanted to, skiing whenever it suited me, surrounded by a great group of like-minded friends.  All my lifestyle choices were fulfilled.  Jim’s career at Falls Creek had gone as far as he could go – he was questioning himself and his life hence the move to Sydney.  Looking back the move was perhaps a bit too extreme for us after so many years in quiet and laid back surroundings.   Hence another decision - time out - let’s put our normal or what is considered normal lives on hold.  Now that time out is coming to an end, we are making our way home.  Time to resume our 'normal lives’. 

The big decision ‘ the cross roads of life’ - which way to go!

We (more so me pushing Jim because of the work options) have decided to give Point Lonsdale a go.  We are both hoping Geelong will provide work opportunities that the valley can’t give us.  It is not the mountains but the quiet seaside atmosphere is more to our liking than the never-ending noise of Sydney.  Our year in Sydney was a comfortable one which, wouldn't have been affordable without Stu & Rita's generosity.  Most people would think we were mad to give it up.  We tried to make it happen but our hearts just weren't into it. 

We aren't doing Pt L alone; we have a couple of good friends and Nan & Ed, Jim’s elderly (sorry Nan, she will hate me using that word, I am using it to explain to others) aunty and uncle.  They are very happy we will be close by for younger company (Nan's words not mine -  hard to believe I know but compared to being 80+) and to help them out with IT and household problems.  It will be good for us to give back, not having had any kids of our own.  Both my parents and Jim’s are sad we are not heading north but the timing is not right at the moment. 

The enthusiasm from our family and friends has also made this trip enjoyable for us.  Having weekly Skype sessions with our parents, being able to share with them our home for that week or night.  Without their emotional support and encouragement it wouldn’t have been as much fun. 

I will post another blog tonight from Delhi to say goodbye, at least for the next month or two.