- Part 1: The Universe Gives Me A Nudge
- Part 2: Bangkok & Rest & Realisation In Koh Lanta
- Part 3: Singapore Slings & Bali Tranquility
- Part 4: A Trip To The Place Where Oceans Collide
- Part 5: Geraldton, Woodchopping & Kalbarri Majesty
- Part 6: Monkey Mia, Ningaloo Reef & A Deep Sense Of Dread
- Part 7: The Tent & The Bull
- Part 8: The Sky Turns Red & The Earth Glows Orange
- Part 9: The Overwhelming Power Of Untamed Nature
- Part 10: The Universe Brings Us Together At Purnululu
- Part 11: Life In Glorious Technicolour
- Part 12: Kakadu, Crocs & The Stuart Highway
- Part 13: Outback Queensland, Savannah Way & East Coast Arrival
- Part 14: End of the Road Trip….Next Stop Malaysia
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It’s been a long time since my last blog where I wrote about my final days in Australia. I realise now that I was mentally and physically drained after the road trip and still can’t quite believe that I drove from Perth to Brisbane.
I’d grown accustomed to being on the move all the time in my little bubble, experiencing exhilarating day after exhilarating day. But now I was at the start of another chapter of my adventure, one that would be very different but ultimately transformational and at times beautifully challenging.
I immediately stopped writing a journal once I got to Kuala Lumpur. To be honest, I hadn’t done one as such in Australia: it was more that I’d write a couple of lines in the journal my friend Faye had bought me before I left Sheffield. But just a couple of lines would trigger many memories.
I don’t know why I stopped doing it. Certainly the road trip euphoria had gone and I wasn’t sure how I felt. I had little energy or desire to do much at first although I had a lot of sensible things to do for matters back home.
I met up with a friend, Geetha, who I’ve worked with on several sporting events and who hails from KL the evening after my arrival. I think I was floundering a bit so it was reassuring to spend time with her and it gave me a sense of comfort. It was a bit like the sense of security I had when I met up with Mel at Gold Coast on the verge of my departure from Australia. Maybe they were also guardian angels like Belle at Litchfield National Park and the man who fixed my tent at Karumba. People who were there for a reason at that moment in time – and there were others to come as well.
History, Mud Slides & Street Art
From KL I went to Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage city with a turbulent historical past. The Malacca Sultanate was established in around 1400 and its location made it the shortest sea route connecting the Indian Ocean (and the Middle East) with the South China Sea (and East Asia).
It was subsequently ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British and was occupied by the Japanese in WWII before being handed back to the British after the war. On 31 August 1957 it became part of an independent Malaysia, known as Merdeka Day (Freedom or Independence Day).
I loved it there. There was history around every corner and I found it a great place to set out with no destination in mind – just to walk and see what I stumbled across. Although quiet in the morning, the narrow streets were thronged in the afternoons with fellow tourists. Three-wheeled bicycle taxis known as trishaws that were decorated with flashing lights and blasting loud music also took to the streets, often in convey.
I stayed in a really nice hotel called JonkeRED Heritage Hotel: the place itself was really well sized with a great location but it was the people who worked there that really made it special. Especially the manager who’s the type of person that puts others at ease.
From there I headed to the Cameron Highlands, known for its cooler climate, tea plantations and hiking. I managed to walk a trail that was both steep and slippy….I managed to make it to the top where mist would roll in and completely obscure the view before disappearing, all in the space of a minute.
I managed to descend although at times that involved sliding down the orange clay on my bottom as well as climbing down an aluminium ladder tied to a tree at the start/end of the trail.
On to Penang and gorgeous food, Georgetown and street art but I couldn’t sleep and every slight sound made me tense. I felt fuzzy headed all the time and unable to focus on anything. No energy, no motivation, nothing. Just wound up like a spring all day and then wide awake as soon as I’d gone to bed. Sleep completely eluded me and I just felt drained all the time.
One day I was sitting at my laptop when Jon – my friend in Bangkok – messaged me, saying: “How are you? Where are you?” Normally I’d say “”yeah, fine thanks” but this time I gave an honest answer, I was feeling glum. So, we talked things through and I realised a convergence of personal and professional was affecting me, the latter having particularly stung.
Talking certainly helped and the timing of Jon’s message was perfect – another guardian angel?
After much umming and ahhing, I decided to go to the island of Langkawi and it proved to be the best decision I could have made.
I arrived in the late afternoon and sat on the balcony, enjoying the sunset and peace and quiet after busy Penang.
Rediscovering My Balance In The Water
I went to the beach the next morning. It was busier than I expected so I went away from the crowds and sat on the sand, looking at the sea.
I then ventured into the sea – swimming, floating, swimming, floating. I lay on my back absorbing the sun’s rays and I realised that I felt absolutely fine, I had no stress or tension. It had all disappeared in a few short minutes. I swam a bit and wondered if that was right – did I really feel okay? Yes, I did! Not only did I feel okay, I felt great. It was like the worries had been washed away.
The water had given me my equilibrium. Being completely immersed in water had brought back the balance I’d lost for the previous few weeks. How does water do that? Is it the impact on my breathing? Clearly the endorphins were being released but how did it have such a quick and significant impact?
I felt transformed and it was such a great feeling of relief with all the negativity and worry now released.
I moved to the north part of the island which is much quieter where my days were full of swimming and relaxing. Then to the centre of the island which is absolutely beautiful: lots of paddy fields and hills meaning lots of walking too.
Back up to the north for Christmas where the big day consisted of going to Eagleye for a breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee before heading to the beach and a long, long swim. Then sitting outside my cottage and back to Eagleye – a beautiful, small resort with rescue cats – for a Christmas dinner of spring rolls, tom yam chicken and chocolate pudding. It was just gorgeous and I loved it.
I stayed a couple more days and then headed away to spend New Year at Selat Bagan Nyior, a tiny island about 20 minutes ferry ride from Langkawi. It was gorgeous: I sat with a coffee alongside the football field with cows walking up and down the touchlines. Kids arrived crammed on to motorbikes before tearing around after the ball as the sun set: that was a beautiful moment and one where Julia, a good friend, just happened to call for a chat. Perfect timing. Again.
I hardly moved from the accommodation as it was so beautiful: there was a small jetty where I’d sit and read overlooking the water. I could easily have stayed longer but after three nights I headed back to the mainland with my eyes on my next destination…..Thailand awaits.