2018, what a year!

31st of December 2018, what a year. Not to bring anyone down, but I think it was my saddest year so far, not in terms of that I haven't done or accomplished much (even though I travelled less than I usually do), but because I have felt sad quite a bit because of lots of things from the past and present. I just refuse to stay stuck in it. And maybe it wasn't even my saddest, but there's so much that happened, the entire year is just confusing and weird. My last years' resolution was to find happiness in something other than travelling, well I haven't. I went away in January and then again in October which is too long of a spread for me. Of course I did find happiness in going out, having fun with friends and family, making new friends. I also still find happiness in little things, I always have. I can still stop with whatever I'm doing and look up or outside or wherever and smile, because deep down, I am happy. Very much so indeed. But what I get out of travelling is nowhere else to be found (yet). And I guess everyone is allowed a few black days a year right :). I've had a lot of firsts, some good, some not so good. I felt sad, happy, at peace, numbed, lost, confused, silly, exhausted, I have loved, laughed, cried (not just sad tears, happy tears too), made new friends, lost contact with old friends, danced like there's no tomorrow, drank as if I had no liver, went to the gym, quit the gym, got braces (again), fell off my bike and hugged the street with my face and healed Speedy Gonzales speed, laughed so hard it made me gasp for air, lost balance, found it again, without doubt made mistakes and found my peace with them, said goodbye to my car after almost 8 years, purchased a new car, read books again and I can go on and on and on.

I also went through my pictures on Facebook (well from 2010-2013) and deleted thousands. Wow, those were the days, what I mostly saw was so much happiness and it made me relive those moments, it made me look back with joy and process some of the things that I hadn't before. Things that used to be, but no longer are and that's okay. Life isn't fun if not a rollercoaster right?!

There's a first for everything;

-       Motorcycle lesson (awesome!!!)

-       Bed bugs (still not sure that's what it was)

-       Big Mac (didn't impress me very much…)

-       Brazilian wax (and another, and another,…)

-       Energetic massage (very relaxing)

-       Kidney stones (not so relaxing..)

-       Ultra sound (and no not to check for a baby, but due to the kidney stones)

-       Cheese fondue (at least as far as my memory goes)

-       Christmas without seeing The Grinch who stole Christmas or Polar Express (but with E.T.!!)

-       Birthdays, Christmas and today without my oma

My oma is still with me every single day, but it's very strange to not visit her anymore, especially on these days, and to hold her hand. I wrote my mom a Christmas card and automatically grabbed one for my oma, but then realizing she wasn't here anymore. I still wrote her one and put it with her picture. It's these things and days that automatically are connected to my oma. I also remember last year on the 31^st, when I walked in my oma's room all smiling and happy, only to find my mom at my oma's bedside because she was not well. As I went home, sad, I wondered if this was it. I lit a big wishing lantern for her that night at midnight (that my mom gave me earlier that week) and after it almost crashed into the bushes, it made its way up again and went high into the sky, I made a wish for my oma to be okay and watched it fly out of sight. She did get better after that and we (my mom, me and her) made more memories, which I am very happy to have.

And then there's next year…

I have a lot planned for next year, travel plans that is! A few weekends away in Europe (including a wedding), a trip in Spring to Guatamala (I can always change my mind, but that's the destination of choice at the moment), visiting family in Florida, a trip to Indonesia with my mom (it will be her first time going back in over 60 years), New Years in Oz with friends. But as I don't plan ahead that much,nothing is set in stone yet. I also informed at my current job if there's any chance of me going away for a longer period of time and they're looking into it (3-6months), this would be for 2020 :)!

Well, there's not much more to tell you. I wish you all the best for 2019! And no, there's no new years' resolutions, just to continue life with all its bumps and turns and make the best of it, to keep it balanced and smile for no reason :).

With love,

T.

Verona; Wine, Food & Kidney Stones..

After being back for about a week and a half, I was already packing a small bag to leave yet again. A long weekend away that I planned a while ago. You see, the company I work for has their own 'sports programm' called Commited Power (running, cycling, nordic walking) and they organize events each year, of which some abroad. The runners were invited to run a half or full marathon in Verona, Italy this year and since a few direct collegues were participating, I decided to go for a city trip the same weekend to cheer them on and see the city. Another collegue/friend, that also wasn't running, thought it would be fun and so we went together! I've been to Italy once before when I was about 13, it was organized through my high school and we went to Rome. Since that was ages ago, it was a perfect opportunity to go again!

We (me and the other collegue I went with) kicked off our weekend at the airport with a glass of wine around 11am (friday, the others flew on saturday), one of many to follow..

We stayed in an appartment, pretty close to everything by foot and so we started to explore Verona on our first night. We went to Julietss statue and balcony (Romeo and Juliet), had pizza for dinner and discovered a great local bar by chance, Osteria ai Portegheti. A bar we would later call our hang-out and re-visit every day during our time here (except on the day we left).

I enjoyed, loved my time in Italy and I would love to go again! The wine is great wherever you go and mostly cheap as well! And the food, oh mama mia!! The food was fantastic!!!!

We also went to Bologna for a daytrip by train. A totally diferrent city, much busier and bigger. Although, we probably didn't see all of Verona. We came out of the train station and walked right into a chocolate festival! Amongst all the market stalls selling every kind of chocolate, they were attempting a -biggest mosaic flag made out of chocolate- world record. The other thing we noticed most was how they put melted/liquid chocolate in a cup (the size of a regular plastic cup), different flavors and people ate it with a spoon...very strange, like eating a jar of Nutella haha. 

We were recommended to try a few local dishes in Bologna; capelletti and lasagna and we also wanted to try the cheese and meat boards that seemed to be a thing here as well. We found a place called Ca'pelletti that sold both the capelletti as lasagna. It was very busy and there was a guy running around, calling out names. We had to give him our name as well and wait to be called. It was really entertaining to see, this guy was running around, up and downstairs to seat people and still had time to bring coffee and desserts around in between. And there it was; Talitha, Talitha, upstairs! Haha okay, off we went. We ordered a bottle of wine and the dishes we wanted to try. "Talitha, your wine" is what the guy said as he put the bottle on our table. The food was delicious!

We later tried the meat and cheese board with yet another glass of wine and made our way back to the train station to head back to Verona. We sat down next to a couple and rested. After a while, we started eating mandarins and the guy sitting next to me asked if we had one for his wive, you see she was pregnant and needed the vitamins. It took a few seconds before we knew what he was saying as he didn't really say the word 'pregnant'. And so I gave her my last mandarin, you would never see this in Holland haha.

We made our way back to the appartment and drank the bottle of wine we purchased earlier and were about to stay in for the night when one of my collegues texted me (they, about 400 collegues, arrived that afternoon and had a communual dinner). We met up at our hang-out and had a few drinks. The two guys that joined us had to run half a marathon the next day and so we didn't stay out too late.

Gooood morning Verona! Ready to run a Marathon?! Well, we sure as hell weren't but we were ready to cheer everyone else on!! We went to our companies tent and said our 'hellos, good luck, you can do it, knock m down, see you later' and headed to the start line. After that we went to another stop on route and waited till some of our direct collegues returned, we then went to the finish line to cheer everyone else on! One of them ran a full marathon and so when most of the collegues went on excursions, a small group of us stayed and waited till she came in. It took her about 5hours, what a winner, she just kept going!!! I wanted to head back to the appartment for a rest but she wanted to celebrate and sit down and so we all went with her. She didn't last long and soon headed back to her hotel to rest while the rest of us continued drinking wine. We told the other guys about our hang-out and, after somewhat of a touristy route, went there yet again. It's there where we stayed until dinner (we were welcomed to join the rest of the group for their communual dinner and after party).

It is one of those, 'maybe I should have stopped drinking', but I didn't. I have learned to drink water almost everytime I go to the restroom, but I didn't go very often. The after party was next to the dining hall and there was a DJ and bar. Nobody danced though and all I wanted to do was dance..and so for a while, I danced and danced and danced by myself with people just staring and laughing haha but nobody wanted to join me (yet). I kept telling the DJ to play Macarena, that would get everyone on the dancefloor and he kept saying yes, but kept playing different songs. After a while, the dance floor filled up and everyone was dancing. Fun and wasted night and then....

We went outside and I started to feel a sting in my back/side so I moved away for a bit pushing the spot until I couldn't stand up straight anymore, I was in so much pain. We had to get back to our appartment and three collegues decided to walk with us. It was just so painful and they tried to help but also seem to think I was just drunk and so words were said. The alcohol didn't help my responses to them either, but the pain was very much real. I kept telling (or probably screaming at them) to just leave me there and go home. When I squatted down, it didn't hurt, but obviously I couldn't walk in that position. Anyways, I learned it took us about an hour and half to get back, when it was suppose to take us about 15-20min. When we got back, the pain had gone down a bit, but I still decided to sleep on the floor on the side that hurted, cause I thought I'd pulled a muscle or something and needed to lay straight (same goes for my back). Around 6am, I moved to the bed and a few hours later we went for our last (big) walk around the city. My entire side was hurting, but I was able to walk again, slowly. 

We then had our last lunch, tortellini for me and headed to the airport. Our collegues were suppose to fly at 2pm our flight was at 4pm and so I didn't think I would see any of them until the next office party. Unfortunately though their flight was delayed and so everyone was there, some laughing at me, asking if I was alive again, that I was some dancer, etc. We also met two of the guys that walked with us, I told them it was probably kidney stones, but they had such a rough night because of it that they just kept making jokes and to pick a different moment next time, so I figured the Christmas office party would be a good moment to have them again ;-). The flight and trainride back weren't very comfortable to say the least, I couldn't find a nice way to sit and everything seemed to be hurting. Sleeping was no fun either, I had to sleep on my back because it was the least painful.

I did go to the office the next morning and was able to go to the doctors a few hours later for a urine test and yup...kidney stones, painkillers and back to work. I took it easy that week and only took the painkillers for about two days. Just to be sure it was all clear (no cloggs or infections), I had an ultrasound on friday. The results came in on tuesday that it was all clear (it's twins, two healthy kidney's). It's still not all gone and I do need to monitor it, but all in all, I'm doing well :)! And I had a fantastic time in Verona and yes, got drunk at an 'office party' again, but what's new. See you at Christmas ;-)!

Cheerio,
T. 

Part of that world

My most awful moment after coming back is always when I have to replace my flipflops with shoes (ánd socks) again! I always try to do this at the last possible moment...mostly, when my feet are starting to freeze off ^_^. In this case when I was waiting for my train home from Dusseldorf Airport for about 15minutes. First thing I did once on the train was putting shoes on again, dreadful!

I finally got home around 9:30pm and unpacked immediately, I always do. I then went to bed a few hours later and woke up 15min before my alarm and so I decided to go in to the office at 730am. I mostly talked and went through my emails that day. 

I told everyone what an amazing time I had and that I was thinking of going away again next year but for a lot longer and maybe even go to Australia for my working holiday visa. I have to apply before I turn 31 but I would then still have some time to actually use it. I noticed that a month was too short or maybe it was just that I didn't like having a time limit. And meeting so many travelers that were away for months or just finished their trip after months and months and were going home, made me think about it again too.

I also told my collegues that I might want to do a month of volunteer work in Indonesia and hopefully pick up the language too. I was hoping this would also happen in Malaysia but they spoke a lot of English amongst eachother too because of all the different cultures and backgrounds (Malay, Chinese, Indian).

I did learn a few new words and recognized some words I knew before, such as tandas (toilet), keluar (exit), taman negara (national park), selamat datang (welcome), terima kasih (thank you). And I also used words that I knew before to talk or make jokes with the locals. They would mostly laugh and I laughed with them :). 

What I also noticed when I came back was some of the silence, we all use earphones to listen to music or watch videos, but in some parts of Malaysia they didn't. Music, videos, phonecalls were all loud and clear, although I of course couldn't understand any of it.

I was also (sometimes without my knowledge) featured in some videos, photos, phonecalls, more than I thought I would in Malaysia. But mostly good fun.

Anyways, I guess I just need to figure out what I want. During my time in Malaysia, I heard a Little Mermaid Song 'Part of your World' and again, the words spoke to me. "I want more", "I want to be where the people are", "Part of that world".  I always want more, to see more, to be where the people are and experience their culture and be part of that world...

To be continued...

Cheers,
T.

Melaka & KL

So after arriving in Melaka after about 8 hours and almost no sleep, I was exhausted. Another guy I met in Langkawi was also arriving in Melaka that day around 5pm but I hadn't heard from him (yet another Sam). It turned out, his journey also took longer than expected. We went to a local restaurant for Indian food and then to Sids Pub for a few beers. The owners of the hostel I was staying in, also owned a Reggea bar and all day happy hour prices for their guests and so we went there after the pub. We met a few other people and also one local guy that wanted to take us out for local Peranakan food the next day. 

After a very good night sleep, we all met up and went for lunch on our rented bicycles! It was then, when we left the cute and historic side of Melaka that I noticed how big the city was. Traffic was crazy!!! When we got to the place, Unicorn Cafe, we were welcomed with open arms! The guy kept telling everyone my grandmother and mother were born in Indonesia and everyone he told (Malay, Chinese, Thai) all had the same response: Ohhh with a fitted facial expression. It was very funny because after a few times I knew what they would say and would do the same. The food was amazing and I had a cendol Melaka for dessert nom nom. 

We then went to a church on top of a hill with Dutch gravestones (and history). The view of the city was nice and there was a nice breeze, which was very welcomed because it was so hot. When we walked outside the church (ruines), there was this guy playing his guitar and singing a song but pretty slow music. And so we wanted to dance and he started to play 'Let's do the twist', a country song and then 'Proud Mary'! We, the 5 of us, starting dancing and singing and people came from every angle to see what was going on. Videos and pictures were taking and we just had a blast! Such a good day so far.

At night a few of us from the hostel and elsewhere went to check out the sunset at a floating mosque. We all had to wear these long dresses and a headskarf (just the girls) to go into the mosque. The mosque was nice, the view was great. Just water and skies. It almost looked like a painting. It was very cloudy so there wasn't much to see during sunset.

We went to the famous Jonker Walk Night Market when we returned but it was a bit of a let down. And so we headed back to the local restaurant for some Indian food and then drinks at the reggea bar. We sat outside on the 2nd floor and saw fireworks followed by hundreds of either bats or small birds that came from the trees and flew over the river away from the fireworks. I have never heard or seen anything like it!!! 

All of us took the bus to KL the next morning, a 2-3hour busride, fingers crossed.. and what do you know, it only took us 2hours! We checked in at the hostel, we all stayed at the same one. I was suppose to go to a hotel for my last few days but decided to tag along. And also, because it happened to be the same hostel I stayed in 5 years ago and I wondered if the owner still remembered me and if the place had changed. He did and it hadn't. We went to a pubquiz that night, organized by the hostel. It was a night full of fun, meeting new people, lots of drinking of course and dancing! Great night out.

I got up the next morning, pretty early to extend my stay, I had only booked one night. I saw that there was still toast and decided to have a few slices, I then went back to bed but couldn't really sleep. So we got up, picked up our laundry and went to the Petronas Towers. I had already been a few years ago but since I couldn't sleep anyway, guided the guys there.

After that we went to the Batu Caves. I swore I would never go back again. It was such a let down 5 years ago and also after a night of heavy drinking, the stairs seemed to be endless. But a girl showed me some photos the night before that they had painted all the steps and since everyone went, I decided to give it another go. On the way there, I told everyone that I was not going up again, but once there, I did and it wasn't as bad as I remembered. But still once at the top, I didn't care too much for the cave itself.

I missed having a nap and was so tired, but as we came back, we pretty much went straight to Little India to, again, have Indian food and to see the last bits of Deepavali (Indian holiday), fireworks and all. The main celebration however was the day before...and we missed it. It didn't take long after we came back, that I was heading for bed. I didn't have the best or longest night, but I did get some rest.

I am currently at the airport and the flight is almost ready for boarding! (posted this during my transfer in Dubai though)

And even though, everyone is happy to see me coming back..I'd rather stay. But you'll read more on this in my next and final post I'll write for this trip.

Cheerio,
T.

Bugs in Penang, Booze in Langkawi & Singapore ^_^

Not sure where I left off last time, but I took a super cheap flight to Penang from Kota Bharu. It was a very small airplane, 19rows with 2seats on each side. 20kg of luggage and a snack&drink were all included for about €15!! The flight didn't even take an hour, happy days!

I was picked up by another Grab car and the driver, Lim was very helpful. He gave me lots of good tips and drove me around a bit before dropping me off at the hostel. I went from a 5* hotel to a €5 a night hostel. The staff consisted only of other travelers, who worked there through 'work away'. I arrived kind of late and decided not to do much that night. Another traveler, Sam(ir) from Algeria, came in a bit after me though and took the top bed. He then asked me if I wanted to join him for dinner and so I went out anyway. When we got back, I went to bed and not long after started to feel really itchy, I figured it might have been mosquitos but the bites were very close together and on my arm that was under my pillow... And so I turned on my light, saw a bug on my pillow and killed it...yikes. Not sure if it was bed bugs, but there's a first time for everything I guess. The staff changed my bed and the rest of the night was fine. Although I kept thinking something was in there with me.

The next morning, me and Sam went for a walk through the city. After the places I had been to before, this was such a breath of fresh air (not literally as it was super hot and humid). There was lots of Street Art and (street) food. And also one street with a church, a mosque and a temple, also known as Harmony street. There were buildings that clearly had Brittish influences, and those more Malaysian looking. A very versitile city and very walkable.

Penang is also known for it's food and so at night we went to a food market around the corner in search of satay! We found it and wow, so gooood. It even came with longtong (sticky rice) :)! I of course had more satay during my stay and also cendol, Indian food and much more. Before coming to Penang, I missed having fruit and vegetables, and was so happy to have found watermelon (juice) again! I did find a few apples before but couldn't really eat it because of my braces and my little pocket knife was confiscated so I couldn't cut it into pieces either. Veggies seem to all be fried here, and so I was happy to have a bit of raw cucumber and onion on the side of my satay dish. 

I stayed in Penang for a few more days, just to relax for a bit and take my time seeing things. Me and Sam also went to the Spice Garden and National Park together. I don't know what I expected from the National park, but not another jungle hike. So in flipflops and a dress, I again went through the jungle unprepared. We ended up at a beach, which was really nice and then took the boat back. I couldn't and didn't want to walk back. It was soooo hot and humid still. The driver of the boat told us to look to our right, "look crocodile" and so everyone looked in aw, then he said "rock crocodile". A bunch of rocks that looked like a crocodile, he did the same with a turtle. We then turned the corner and I saw something swimming in the water, it kind of looked like sealions but smaller, So I asked the  guy what it was and he "oh you want to see"? And all of us went YEAH!! Since he was pointing out rock animals, real ones didn't seem to interesting to him I guess. We went back a bit and it turned out to be otters!!! Me and the other people on the boat didn't know otters swam in salt water and let alone lived in a tropical environment! It reminded me of the first time I saw penguins on the beach in Australia and all I knew was that they liked cold weather.

Although it was fun to do and see stuff with someone else, I went to a temple and Penang hill by myself the next day. I took a local bus and next to me was this older lady with her bag on her lap. It reminded me of my grandmother and when we would take the bus together into the city. I think this trip was also meant to process losing her not too long ago and take some time to myself. I was glad I was by myself that day and in that moment, I squeezed my one hand with my other hand. Something my grandmother always did. I remembered the shared laughter, kisses, hugs and all those times she squeezed my hand. The older lady got out and I did a while after, still with my grandmother in mind. After visiting the temple, I took another public bus (when I finally found it). And there was another older lady that said, she was heading to Penang hill as well but only half way and so we went together. We took the free bus and got off a few stops after and had to walk for about 10min. I held her umbrella (for the sun and heath) and she held my arm to lean on me because of her replaced knees. We walked through a few back streets and talked for a bit. She then showed me where I needed to go and went on her way. I don't think this would have happened if I was with someone else.

When I returned and walked back towards the hostel, I noticed an 'I love Penang' sign and stopped. I got bit/stung by a fire ant under my foot while attempting one of my brilliant self timer shots (which did come out brilliant!). It was painful and burned, I couldn't even walk on it for a few hours. Luckily it didn't swell up or anything and stopped burning and hurting after a few hours. It seemed that Penangs bugs took a special interest to me. 

I went on to explore the city the next day and to get my ferry ticket to Langkawi for the next morning. I had heard horror stories of rough sees and people puking on the ferry, but decided to risk it anyway. 

It rained quite a bit in the afternoon and evening and so I just read my book at the hostel. I noticed one of the staff, a girl from South America, was practicing henna on paper earlier that week and I told her, she could practice on my if she wanted to. She was a bit hestitant to do so, but after me persistantly telling her she would do fine, she decided to go for it. The rain continued and the streets flooded a bit and the power went out for a few minutes. I had to use a flashlight (phone) so she could see what she was doing, haha. It turned out great and is definitely an experience to remember!

Me and Sam left for Langkawi the next morning and it the water was pretty calm. It took us about 3hours and it's during this trip, that I wrote my previous two posts. I stayed in a different hostel than him and so we would meet up later. I booked two nights, but after seeing the hostel and the short walk to the beach, I instanly knew, I would stay longer. I also knew this would be where my detox would end. I planned on a month without alcohol and for about ten days, I did fine. But seeing the beach & the sun, I knew it would end here. The beach was a 2min walk from the hostel and where the sunset was. It reminded me of Florida, only that's where I would go to see the sunrise (on the beach) but it was so busy, that it also reminded me of the last time I went to Bali with friends and we saw a sunset. I ended my detox that night.

Langkawi was full of socializing, I met some really cool people. I had drinks on the beach and in the ocean, danced barefoot, befriended locals and didn't want to leave. The guy from the hostel, a local named Jeff, was also lots of fun. I got on with him right away and also with another local girl that worked in the ice cream shop in front of the hostel, her name is Auri, and so I was talking to them almost every day. I didn't do or see much else of the island until a guy from my room said he would take me around the island on the bike he rented. When people kept leaving, we extended our stay for another night and another, both couldn't be too bothered to book anything or leave Langkawi. He eventually did and I left the morning after. I was there for 7nights, but could have stayed for another week. Oh and did I mention it's a duty free ISLAND and so everything is super cheap (especially alcohol)!! 

It took me forever to decide on where to go next and I eventually decided I would go to Singapore, meet my friend (the same guy I met in BKK on my first night) and then take the bus to Melaka, so I could skip KL on my way to Melaka. I left to go to Singapore in the morning and the entire way there, I wondered why I had left Langkawi. The skies were grey in Singapore, it was a big city, the hostel was empty and it is super expensive (about €15 for a pint or cocktail, spent way too much money)! And after I took a nap, I went to meet my friend at his hotel. I was suppose to stay one night, but stayed two. Lots of drinking and dancing was involved and a few of the hotspots I remembered from my first visit. And without any sleep (went out again and decided to stay up), I am now on my way to Melaka. A 4 hour busride with fantastic seats but having to stop at customs to leave Singapore and again 45min after to enter Malaysia, I couldn't really sleep. 

Well, that's it then, almost there and only 4days left...

Just an extra note, the busride took me about 8hours!!! I was exhausted when I got to my hostel in Melaka around 18:30 (I left at 10am).

Cheers,
T.

Kuala Terrenganu & Kota Bharu

Hello again,

To continue where we left off last time, I received an e-mail in the morning that my second flight was moved to 7:55pm instead of 3:50pm, pff. I asked them at the airport if they could put me on an earlier flight, but that was the earliest flight. So that meant I would have 7hours at the KL airport.. I landed and flew from KLIA2, very new, very modern. There was lots of shopping, cafes, restaurants, etc. I Googled long layovers at that airport and found a blog which stated there was a movie lounge and also an AirAsia lounge (for a pretty low fee). And so I decided to go through customs. It turned out both were on the international part of the airport and not accessible for me, darnit... There was nothing near where I flew from, but luckily I found a computer with free wifi and so I got a few snacks and water an stationed myself there. It's where I wrote the blog I posted a few weeks ago (The big 3-0). And so it was actually a good thing because I finally had time to write again.

I then flew to Kuala Terrenganu where I arrived around 9pm. When they announced we were about to land, they said "And have a happy journey". After a 7hr layover for a 55min flight, all that came to mind was "f u Air Asia", which also made me laugh a bit.

I took a Grab car to my hostel, Grab took over Uber here (last May is what I heard) and is huge here. It saves a lot of money compared to taxis and is advertised everywhere. Upon arrival at my hostel, I walked up the stairs until it was blocked by a gate and a sign that said: Call this number for pin code and a basic mobile phone hanging on the side. It almost felt like the beginning of a Saw movie ^_^. The hostel was very nice, but again, there was nobody. Just signs and labels everywhere to tell what to do or what it was for (like Lamp, Fan, etc). The bed was very comfortable and the hostel was super clean, a big plus as I got ready for bed!

I set out to explore the city for a bit the next day. It's very conservative (muslim city) and apart from the Chinese, I was the only one not wearing a headskarf and I got quite a lot of stares. This isn't a place tourists stay long for, most people go here just as a stop before or after going to the islands. I decided not to. I walked through the city to check out some highlights and markets but it seemed as if I was walking through a 'fallen' city or a ghost town at times. A lot was closed or under construction. And what is funny, is that there are a lot of wifi spots throughout the city (not in bars or cafes, but just anywhere). So I was able to get a Grab again to go to Taman Tamadan Islam, a theme park full of down sized mosques from all over the world. However it soon turned out, I was the biggest attraction of all. There were lots of school kids visiting the park that day, looking, talking, saying hi, waving, asking to take pictures. There was one group of school girls that followed me to the back of one mosques, kind of creepy and asking for a photo, ok, thank you, bye bye.

I then made my way back, had dinner and bought an online bus ticket to go to Kota Bharu the next day. I had breakfast at a chinese place to have 'famous' chicken rice, because the other restaurants were full of people staring at me as I walked by. I then grabbed my stuff and took another Grab to the busstation. A local young guy from KL started talking to me, asking me questions, telling me about his family and two brothers who lived in America and told me I had an American face when I told him I was from The Netherlands. 

The bus journey was great, might have been just what I needed. It was a 3:45hr busride and I was at ease. Listening to music while looking outside, doing my sudoku puzzles and let some of my thoughts wonder. I did feel a bit bad though. I was in this bus, which costs a few euros, to stay in a 5* hotel. And people getting off this bus in the middle of nowhere to go home or visit their families in pretty basic 'huts'. Just like when I once took a bus to Orlando to stay with my family, who left a day earlier, to stay in a pretty fancy hotel and I was in the bus with people that traveled for up to 24hrs to visit family. 

I saw lots of things on the way to Kota Bharu but what caught my eyes the most were the signs/stalls for satay and cendol, two things I wanted but hadn't found in the places I stayed in and again, did not find in Kota Bharu later that day.

I decided after all the alarms I'd set, I needed a break, a pool, a room to myself (even though the other hostels hardly had any people checking in). And so, for the first time ever I stayed in a 5* hotel, with a pool and a batthub! The guy I met earlier had told me while we were waiting for the bus that an appartment near KL was really expensive, around 1200RM (which is about €240) and so I didn't dare tell him that I was about to stay in a hotel that would roughly cost me 500RM for two nights (about €100). 

It was nice and relaxing, but again very conservative and so the women swim with all their clothing and headscarfs on. I have a tankini with shorts and so it doesn't show a lot but still. It took me a while before I felt comfortable enough to go in for a swim. But there weren't really any stares or anything and so I was glad that it seemed that it wasn't that unusual to them. I also noticed there were hardly any men at the pool, mostly women and children and after about 11am there was almost nobody there and I pretty much had the pool to myself :).

I had a book with me, Mans search for meaning, which is about nazi camps. And before I left Kuala Terrenganu, I remember being in the bed, covering myself with a blanket cause I was a bit chilly from the a/c, and read a passage on 9man having to lay sideways so they'd fit and only had 2blankets to share amongst them. And then thinking about myself and that I was about to take a 4hr bustrip to chill at a 5* hotel, that really put things in perspective. I also wanted to read it at the pool or when taking a bath, but it didn't seem like the right setting nor was I able to get into it with kids playing around.

I did notice that there was hardly any men, mostly women with kids. And the Jacuzzi had seperate times for women (10am-4pm) and men (7-10am and 4-7pm). One of the men that was there on the day I checked out, but stayed at the pool because my flight wasn't until 630pm, made me very uncomfortable. I was laying on a chair on the other side of the pool opposite to him, reading my book and when I looked up, this guy was sitting there, just staring my way. At first I didn't think much of it, but when I looked again and some time had passed, he was still staring, smoking, looking seriously. It gave me the creeps, I did stare back a few times, but he didn't flinch, and so eventually I decided to leave and sit in the lobby. I've never felt so uncomfortable, and because I didn't know if I'd insulted him or his culture or whatever the reason was. While I sat in the lobby, I saw him walk outside in the distance and walk to a car and leave. I felt relieved and I went back outside and not much later, other women and kids joined me. I was again able to relax before heading to the airport (by Grab of course) to fly to Penang :).

Byebye,
T.

Did he just say Satay?!

My first trip as a 30-year old, backpacking through Malaysia. I only booked about a week before I left, a day after my birthday. I don't know why I waited this long, I just didn't feel like doing it sooner. Anyway, Dusseldorf to Bangkok, then Malaysia and fly back from Kuala Lumpur (KL). Didn't book anything in between. Like mentioned in a previous post, I wondered if it was going to be a different trip now that I was older, but other than this being a well needed trip, age had nothing to do with it. But I'll come back to that the upcoming blogs!

After an amazing flight (2) with Emirates, I landed in Bangkok (Bkk) for, what I believe to be, my 5th time. I flew here because I had still wanted to do a bikeride through Bkk and because if the weather in Malaysia was bad, I could easily fly elsewhere from here. My Dutch friend who works at an airline was also here the night I arrived and returned the moring after. So to make it easy to meet, and since I was arriving late in the evening, I stayed close to his hotel. We had some beers, the only ones I've had so far and said our goodbyes again. 

I set my alarm for the next morning and after a short night, I was off Co van Kessel. I didn't want to do the bikeride there, since it was a Dutch company but it was a 3min walk from my hotel, so I decided to go anyway. Upon signing in, I noticed that the 10 or so people before me all wrote down 'Dutch' under nationality. I rolled my eyes and sighed quietly...this is exactly why I didn't want to go here haha. Anyways, we had little contact during the bike ride and mostly listened to the local guide and enjoyed the views, narrow alleys, local foods, etc. After that I went in for a nap, bought some water and fried chicken on the street and made my way to the local expressboat. I went till the last stop and back, took about 2hours, 30THB (less than €1). And I saw the city by day and night. After that I had a footmassage and headed to bed to again set my alarm.

A buddhist taxi took me to the airport, you probably wonder why I explicitely mention he was buddhist? The reason is that they believe in karma and doing good to receive good. I hailed down a few taxis before him and none of the wanted to drive me to the airport on the meter, because they could make more without it. 

I decided to start in Sarawak, Borneo and fly to Kuching. I flew to KL in 60minutes and got foood (included in the price), nom nom. Unfortunately the flight was delayed and so I only had a 30min layover. I thought it would be a mirae if I'd make it to the next flight in time, and was also thinking about my luggage...would my bag make it? I ran, and luckily it wasn't too busy plus the lady at the passport check noticed my boarding time and quickly stamped my passport. I made it!! There was only one other couple, the rest was all Asian, from the back this meant all black hair. They non stop played a kind of 'waiting tune or elevator tune' on the plane, instrumental version of 'Stand By Me' and 'Beauty and the Beast' (on both flights). Because I already had a meal on my first flight, I had decided to skip this meal and just take the bread and other small things on the tray. As they got closer, I thought I heard the steward say Satay or ..? I tried to listen and I heard Satay again. And surely as he got to me, "Satay or fish madam?" SATAY!!! My favorite! Holy crap, I hadn't even set foot in Malaysia and I had already had my first satay and boy did I enjoy it!! My bag did not make it btw...but they would drop it off at the hostel a few hours later (around midnight) and they did.

The hostel I stayed in had super comfortable beds and besides one other guy, there was nobody else...the owner, who also picked me up from the airport was very friendly and told me I had to go see the orangutans the next morning, "take the bus at 7am, I show you" as we drove to the hostel. He then went to his restaurant behind the hostel and told me I could find him there if I needed him. A few hours passed and I tried to decide where to go next and what to do in Kuching. The owner, John is his name, came in around midnight to bring me my bag they had just dropped off. I could finally go to sleep after that.

I again set an alarm to take the bus at 7am. It was about an hour to get there and then about a 15min walk through the park. The wildlife park was only open for a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon, the 'feeding' times. But only if the orangutans wanted to eat. It was connected to the rest of the forest so if there was enough fruit in the forest, there was no need for them to come. And they also said we were lucky if we saw one, as it is not a zoo and they don't wear watches. But lucky we were, I think I saw about ten (including young ones). There were two areas where the rangers lay down fruit and would tell the visitors if there were any in the other area so a few times in between I ran back and forth. The first time I did, a big orangutan was going over the trees I was walking under, the ranger hurried me to go quicker, that was exciting! It was very cool to see them! We then had to leave so they could be and eat in peace. 

I returned by bus and decided to go to Bako National park the next morning and so I booked a room with 4single beds (the only one available for about €20). John told me I could leave my stuff there and pick it up when I returned. I went out into Kuching to explore that afternoon/night. I walked mostly by the water front and took a river 'cruise' in a traditional boat, there was lots to do and see. I tried a popular local snack, Keropok lekor. I asked what it was upon buying it and she said fish. Now most people know I don't like fish, but I said ah ok and bought it anyway, wondering after why I did. But it was kind of tasty! I saw a lot of signs after having tried it in Borneo and the east of Malaysia.

Of course, I had to set yet another alarm to take the bus to the jetty (where I would take a small local boat to Bako). As I walked in the bus that was kind of full, looking for a place to sit, one guy had put his hand on the seat next to him and did not look at me, as a sign for me not to sit there. So I walked all the way to the back of the bus and sat with the other 3 western people. I quickly recognized the accents as they were talking to eachother, Dutch and German. My sign to put my headphones on and listen to music ^_^.

Bako was basic and nice. I still felt like I was in a zoo, people taking pictures (as did I of course) and it felt very touristy. I went on one of the shorter hikes to spot some monkeys and holy crap, what a hike that was. The path was pretty cool when I think about it, made out of rocks, tree roots and an occassionally handmade wooden bridge, but with 30°c+ temperatures and 99% humidity, I was dying! It said it took an hour and after sweating non stop and of course drinking a lot but also not stopping to get it over with, I noticed I was walking for half an hour. At that point I almost called it quits, but as mind over body won, I went on because I had to finish at least one hike. Turned out, I was there a few minutes later haha. Thank you!!!

I ended up at the beach and macaque monkeys were just doing their thing. I sat on a big rock and one of the monkeys walked and stopped in front of me to wash his fruit, eat it and be on his way again. It was nice, peaceful and a piece of the borneo I had pictured. On the way back I was more at ease, still very hot, but knowing it wouldn't take very long to get back. I was able to enjoy the path and the surroundings. And I also noticed the trash in the jungle and on the beach, always hard to understand why people would delibirately ruin such a beautiful sight and possible hurt the animals.

I went to my room to lay down and read for a bit. After a bit, I kept hearing people outside and after 15minutes or so, I decided to see what the fuss was about. And there they were, a few meters from 'my front door' in the trees above, silver leave langurs! So cool, I watched them for a bit and went to the head building to get food, just to learn they didn't start serving until 6:45pm. So I bought a popsicle, sweet corn as recommended by the people that were on my bus earlier. I didn't like it very much and walked over to the beach to finish it on my way back to my room and that's when it happened...two macaque monkeys jumped out of the bushes next to me ready to attack and steal my ice cream. I saw that they were ready to jump and so I threw it a bit further, they both fought over it. As I then wanted to take a picture, they thought I had more food, so I quickly put my hands in my pockets and walked back to the path. Lesson learned.

After dinner, almost everyone went on the night tour. We didn't see any big animals (like wild cats) but we did see a venomous green sniper, giant centerpeeds, spiders and walking sticks and small frogs. It was nice. And when I walked back to the room, I looked up at the stars. They were magnificient and in my mind, I went back to all the places, I'd seen stars before.

And yup, I again set an alarm for sunrise the next morning because I read in a blog that's when you could spot monkeys along the beach. I didn't see any, just more of the bearded pigs that were everywhere (which sounds not interesting but they were!!). Big fat fail. I then went back to the room, laid down for a bit, packed my stuff and took the boat and then bus back to Kuching where I had another night and set yet another alarm for my flight the next morning.

Cheers,
T.

The big 3-0

Howdy y'all,

It's been a while since I put any words on 'paper'. I started a few times, but never seemed to be able to make it into a story and actually finish it (or maybe I just didn't want to share it). But since I've got a million hours at the airport and a computer with free wifi at my disposal, I will use my time wisely. I bought a few snacks and am stationed next to a Massage chair corner (15min for 1eur) so I think I'll be ok...

So let's start by reviewing last year for a bit. I started working at TenneT (yet again, 5th time's a charm?) and it was only about a month later that I had my own appartment (rental). It happened rather sudden and fast, and so I had already booked a few weekends away in Europe. This meant that it took about a month for me to move in. I had most of the flooring done within the first weekend, thanks to my awesome friends. And no, not those builder like-male friends which I didn't seem to have but awesome girls and gays :)!! Anyway, after that I had to pick out furniture, a new kitchen, and pack all my stuff. Now luckily, I didn't have a lot of stuff, but anyone who kind of knows me, knows that I am terrible at picking out things that need to last for years (and cost money). A bit of a challenge, but I did it in an acceptable amount of time. Which doesn't mean that I finished everything (details), let's just say it's a work in progress.

I was overjoyed with my own place, finally a place where I could display my souvenirs, my stuff, my life really. A place I can call home and finally invite friends and family at my place instead of me going to theirs. Some have called it a museum, cozy, but most say it's totally me. It's colorful, organized, practical, and wordly! But of course, that little bird on my shoulder kept telling me to go away, to fly, to travel. So I went on a few citytrips in Europe, to the States twice (San Francisco to visit my cousin who was studying there and on a roadtrip, half of it with a friend, half alone - I did write about these trips, see previous posts), and to Thailand during my birthday to celebrate it with family from Australia. Oh and let's not forget the weekend to Kuala Lumpur in November haha, I was able to fly with my friend who works at an airline and another girl I met in Myanmar a few years back who turned out to be a mutual friend, reunion in KL!

Anyway, when I left Thailand after about 10 days, I didn't want to. I remember looking back once walking towards the airplane, wondering if there was a way out. I wanted to catch the next plane anywhere else but home. I loved being back in Asia and see how simple life can be. Anyway, life continued and then 2018 came and I wrote this:

There it is, 2018 is a fact. I made it, yet again. At the beginning of 2017, I thought I had it all; a job, an appartment, trips planned for the rest of the year... it was all there, and yet I wasn't. I lost myself somewhere along the way, for reasons I can't explain (or don't want to). I felt unsure of everything, everything I felt, that I did, and also everything I was. I didn't understand any of it, which made it harder to deal with. But after months of just moving on, I conquered it, I learned and I evolved. Yet, here I am, 2018 is here and I still have doubts with most decisions I make. It almost seems like I long so much to be part of something, something bigger, something more. It never seems to be enough, I can do more, I can see more, I can be more. And life should be more. Maybe it's still getting used to this 'normal' way of living. I keep telling myself that every day is an adventure, but is it? When I'm bingewatching tv..it sure doesn't feel like it and maybe it doesn't have to be either. My new years resolution: To find happiness/satisfaction in something else than traveling.

This is the first time I read this passage since I wrote it in the beginning of last year and it almost brings me tears to my eyes. I forgot how I felt, but it all comes back retyping it, which might me the power of writing (your feelings down). Especially because I was sitting here, smiling, listening to my music, dancing on the chair a bit (sitting down of course). It's safe to say that I haven't felt like that in a while but I do remember not knowing what to do or where to go next. I also met a bunch of expats that gave me that feeling a bit of being abroad, even though we were dancing in my hometown. But we communicate in English (mostly), which I love doing. It's like, "when you can't take the girl abroad, bring abroad to her". But I did realize in the last year, that I need a break every once in a while and so does my body apparently and my mind definitely does.

I did go away btw in the beginning of 2018, to NY, always wanted to visit the city and a collegue was performing in Carnegie Hall, so I just had to go!! It was freezing and I didn't care for the city too much. What I  loved most was getting on a bike and riding through traffic, walking to Central Park with 4 layers of clothing on haha and having a sub at a local shop :), oh and seeing the Law&Order building as seen on tv (NERD). After that I didn't go anywhere, except for a few weekends away in Europe. I wanted to go away in March, then in May, but had little inspiration and couldn't get into my 'travel-flow' and actually plan something. And so I ended up not going at all until now (October), which I also didn't book until a week before I left.

So going back to my new years resolution, not 100%. That itch to travel, will never go. And I promised myself that next year (2019) would be different and I already have a few things planned, so fingers crossed...uhm no, not fingers crossed, I WILL EXECUTE THESE PLANS and travel my a** off :)!

My next blog will be about my trip through Malaysia :). Oh and yeah, I turned 30 a few weeks ago, but who cares right?! Have a fabulous day! Only 4hrs left at the airport...yaaaaawn! Time for a massage ;-)!

Cheers,
T.