After a day of resting, I felt recharged this morning. I set off for an early breakfast and then took a taxi up to this strawberry farm. Still as good as I remember!
Taxi driver quoted me $25 ringit to go which is WAY too high! People here told me no more than $12….absolutely not over $15. I walked on and was looking at a map on my phone when I heard someone ask “how old are you”? I looked up to see a group of five taxi drivers relaxing between fares.
They laughed when I told them, “I am 29”! Then I pointed to my heart and they got it. Inside, I’m always 29! My body might be older but not the real me. We had a great connection about meditation, exercise and such. They thought I was military or police because I am fit.
Then, they told me the fare where I wanted to go should be only $10 MYR. A misunderstanding about my destination the first time apparently.
If anyone is really eager for spring flowers, here are a couple views from there.
I walked the 5 or 6 kilometers back along the stream. It’s cool, low humidity and the forest was camp and lovely. It’s also disappearing!
The trail I was on is slated for development! Can’t have forest land take priority over some development that will put money in someone’s hands. Locals sound frustrated but resigned to it! I walked out of the forest and into a couple new developments that were not here last time!
Like Indonesia, Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka, Malaysia struggles with a litter mentality. I’m constantly seeing people throw paper and wrappers on the ground. They don’t seem to realize that causes a problem. Places in Kerala are “Plastic free” and you can be fined for bringing plastic in with you. Maybe eventually, that will happen here. Two very different views of the stream meandering through the forest.
The forest is lovely, peaceful and quiet. I was only a little distance from there road which is where I began the walk, on the shoulder of the highway. Here in the trees, it was peaceful and quiet.
And this ridge top looked similar last time, before new construction took down all the foliage.
And these are new, signs of progress.
I’m focusing on what is special and lovely here. Everyplace changes! if there are tourist, it changes quickly! If you read about it in a magazine or tour guide, it’s already changed from when the story was written.]
Whether traveling or at home, make the most of the moment! This is all you get! Savoring this experience now, back before the afternoon rain, sipping hot chai on the balcony and writing. Listening to good music. Packed for my bus trip tomorrow and the flight back to US in a couple days.
Several years ago I read this comment, “grow where you are planted”! Make the most of what you have where you are! Good advice!
I’ll be practicing that in a few days more intently when I return to Colorado, park my pack and adapt to that life!
Ciao!