Today, I went snorkeling. It was lovely, lots of fish, many turtles, moray eels, colorful fish, unusual and weird fish, and a lot of dead coral. Whether from dynamic fishing of years past or heating of the ocean, a lot of the coral was dead. When I was near live coral, the fish population exploded. […]
Mystery tour beginning tomorrow Read More »
Two days of interesting encounters between yesterday and today. I went walking to the Post Office in Sandakan and was the only tourist there. In fact, once I left the area of the waterfront, I didn’t see another tourist. Everywhere, people looked at me shyly but kept looking back like they hadn’t seen a tall
Semporna: wonderful encounters, snorkeling and nearing the end of Borneo Read More »
I’ve stumbled upon great places to stay and eat on my trip that are not listed on the internet or in Lonely Planet. It’s a strong desire of local business’s to be listed in Lonely Planet as it can really increase their business. However, there are thousands of wonderful little places that are never mentioned
Sandakan: dining and our friend Miu Read More »
A very mysterious thing happened when Steve, Sam and I arrived in Sandakan: the rain stopped. Really, for two whole days, no rain!!! Amazing! Amazing and hot! Our first day here, we had breakfast at Sandakan Backpacker Hostel and headed of on the Heritage Trail Walking Tour. Equipped with a map from the most friendly
Sandakan and Labuk Bay Sanctuary: good friends, food and adventure! Read More »
I am out of the jungle. Pretty amazing journey once again! After my last quick entry, the spontaneous and magical moment of getting off the bus at just the right spot, seeing a sign for Uncle Tan’s, meeting Diego, renting a room, finding out I could go on the river trip that afternoon (in 35
Sabah, Malaysia (Northern Borneo): exhilarating and sad! Read More »
Back in Ranau and waiting for my wonderful dinner to arrive, I opened a new mystery novel I bought in Penang. Those words were the introduction page before the first chapter began. “The unapparent connection is more powerful than the apparent one”. Today was another example of it for me and no surprise that those
“The unapparent connection is more powerful than the apparent one” Heraclitis, 500 B.C. Read More »
From ages ago to this instant, I’ve landed in Borneo. July 2010, when the thought first struck me, it seemed like such a long way off! I started reading as I knew virtually nothing about Borneo, then learned how much there was close to here. A short trip to explore Borneo expanded to a full
Months or moments and a few degrees of separation? Read More »
I’m sitting in the Penang, Malaysia airport waiting for my flight to Borneo. What a nice way to begin the new year, wandering about a place described as “Mother Nature’s Fantasy”. I’m looking forward to more flow in 2011 and grateful for the sense of flow that’s pervaded every day of my journey so far.
A brief note on a thought bouncing around my head. I just finished helping two people with ideas for how to travel in Sumatra and where they might want to visit. Angelica form Germany has back trouble so won’t be interested in long bus trips. Dan is from Switzerland and considering going as well. I
Inexperienced Expert! Read More »
Last night, I attempted to book a ticket with Air Asia for my flight on to Borneo. On the way back from the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Chocolate Botique, I got off the bus in front of Air Asia offices near here. After printing a copy of my return flight information, she
What am I thinking?! Force never works as good as flow. Read More »
Yesterday, I left Bukit Lawang at 11:00 am and arrived here in Penang at 11:00 pm. Jimmy was closing up shop but kept the final section of security door ajar. I knocked saying hello! He and Julia responded together, “Larry, is that you?” Ah the comfort of new friends! Jimmy confirmed I can and should
Ah HA! I may have found it!!!! Read More »
Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day here and I’m in the one internet place in all Bukit Lawang. Last night, I came to do some work and the power went out. This morning, I’m sitting here in this cool little spot with flat white river rocks for the floor waiting for the humongous tower above to
Christmas in Bukit Lawang Read More »
There is a flow to life, a flow that operated everywhere! Much of the time, people are simply to busy, preoccupied, to focused on “their” goals, or simply out of touch to notice. Richard Bach made this point in the introduction to the book “Illusions” by sharing a similar story: Once, there was a village
Travel Magic: What is needed shows up! Read More »
That money thing; what’s with all the zero’s? Think about how casually you drop a $5 or $20 in the US. A cup of coffee, a scone or croissant, maybe a $15 iTunes card as a gift. What does a $5 or $20 mean in the big scheme of things in the US? Those fly
Travel cost for budget travel Read More »
In the US, many people are curious about how this travel thing works. “You must have a ton of money”! or “You like traveling by yourself?” or “YOU DON’T HAVE A SCHEDULE!!!!!!!” So here’s a little overview of how this works. Take for instance the decision to go to Penang. One moment I’m trekking and
The disoriented travel discovering Sumatra Read More »
Listening to the birds and laughing children from my perch in Lek Jon Cottages looking out of the lake. Mountains ring the mainland on the other side of the water and clouds linger. Smoky and ethereal, morning and evening mist wafts through the trees. Yes, it is very peaceful here! Very different world from where
Surfacing in Sumatra jungle Read More »
The day continues with a twist. I spent quite a bit of time writing a continuation of my earlier post. Something happened, the autosave apparently didn’t save so now I’m starting over. After the last post, I heard a flight announcement and headed toward Gate 5, down the stairs and outside walking directly into a
More Live…now on Sumatra Read More »
This morning at 6:00 to a dark and quiet hostel. Showered, packed and ready before 7:00, I waited to see what would unfold. Last night I was told I needed to leave at 7:00 to make my 9:50 flight. That was before I was told I needed to leave at 7:10. Then it was 7:45
Live from the road to Sumatra Read More »
This morning, I woke in Tanah Rata early to catch the 7:00 am shuttle for Penang. Fortunately, the shuttle only had six people on it so there was plenty of room. Tonight, if the shuttle is able to continue, they have 11 crowding into a 10 person fan. I say “IF” because we had to
I’ve landed in a lovely spot here in Tanah Rata, Daniels also known as Kang Traveller Lodge. It’s off the main street, very quiet, loaded with friendly staff and travelers with a great lounge area. The lounge area is covered and comes with free WiFi so I’m sitting at a grand table typing away and
Cameron Highlands and Tanah Rata Read More »