Since I last wrote ALOT has happened. I shouldn't be at an internet cafe. I'm back at the place that smells like prawns and cat. But it goes something like this... After a beautiful reflective day spent playing with children at the Iban peoples jungle longhouse I felt peaceful. We stayed up soaking it all in. I was surrounded by inspiring faces. I slept below a mozzie net on the floor listening to cicadas. But after a late eve tasting the local rice wine the relentless chorus of crowing that woke me before day break was unappreciated to say the least [View Full Entry]

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Drivvle alert* Mountain peaks make me high in every way. High on life. High in altitude. Just high. The feeling of standing over 4,000 metres above sea level, watching the sun rise out of the darkness below, slowly illuminating a landscape with hues of pink and orange is a privilige I am lucky to have had. I came to Borneo for Mt Kinabalu, everything else a bonus. The personal journey of pushing yourself up a huge cliff, body in pain and making it to the peak, can only leave you with a feeling of elation and self empowerment. It's addictive. I [View Full Entry]

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You can be completely motionless here and still sweat like a complete bastard :). Fried banana and chili for breakfast is sublime. Staying in the jungle is sweaty, slushy, squelchy and full of raucous noise. Orangutans are heartbreakingly gorgeous. Probiscus monkeys extraordinary. I feel no rascism - just one big world. There are 32 tribes, different races and every colour. The word Malaysia could almost translate to peaceful cultural fusion. Geckos sing to you. Bouncing butterflies are catching my eye. Delicate dragon fruit and sago with coconut is DIVINE.My home stay family where generously [View Full Entry]

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Borneo smells funky! I forgot how 'eau de Asia' seeps into yours sense like a slap in the face. Essence of sweaty heat, a dash of spicy coconut, clove tobacco and salty air. I love it. It's so great to be transported to another culture, busy with everyday life and totally anonymous once again among such friendly faces. The freedom is tangible. I love getting lost. Aimless wandering to observe the markets, the inevitable eye contact with others also watching life go by from their front step. Life is slow and fast. A few weeks holiday can translate to an endless [View Full Entry]

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Where to start? Can´t believe where I have just been!!! Gushiness disclaimer alert before you read on and Im sure this email will be particularly LONG and mushy sorry! This past week hasnt even been about the destination, but as with all good things its about timing and the journey. Realising more and more that timing is so important - whether its a trip, connections with other people or just general experiences. This mountain landscape hasnt even been as spectacular as Nepal, Canada or New Zealand, but space for self exploration, the spiritual journey of the effort to get to Macchu [View Full Entry]

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Peru has delivered my dream experience of nature in the Andes the last few days. I´m so happy to be high altitude, back in the mountains that are surrounding me again from Arequipa. Arequipa is a gorgeous town called the White City because its made of white volcanic stone bricks built in a Spanish style, bit Morrocan influence too, cobble stone streets, wrought iron balconies, clear mountain backdrop. Beautiful. From here our group decided to head into the nearby valley to go camping at high altitude. Unfortunately three of the guys developed quite bad altitude sickness so camping got ditch [View Full Entry]

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It´s official! Peruvians are absolute maniac drivers. This covers various kinds of transport such as trucks, buses, motorickshaws, boats and today the plane pilot has confirmed my theory once again. I nearly vomited in a small plane today as our pilot gave us spiralling, rapid views over the dry desert as we tried to see the Nasca lines. We saw them, very cool designs, supposedly created but not confirmed by ancient pre Inca Shaman people for only they know why. Unfortunately I spent half the time focussing on my lap, as did the 5 other passengers as the pilot screamed in [View Full Entry]

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Loving Lima and Peru and everything that´s going on in general for this trip right now. New excellent guide, refreshing small group of 7 with no whining people, and very cool cultural stuff happening. Feeling super excited about the next three weeks and best adventures yet to come. Since I wrote I´ve had a massive cultural injection and found my dancing groove, let alone some good Afro-Peruvian music. Perfect blend of drumming African beats and salsa soul, have bought plenty of CDS to share for some loungeroom dancing on my return :) A few days ago we set off for some [View Full Entry]

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Well next instalment on the travel drivvle is bound to be odd. To be fair, my idea of Peru has always focused on mountains, lushness and Machu Picchu. And for the last few days I have struggled to remember where I am. Its a mash of previous places and experiences and not at all what I expected. So thats pretty cool. Feels like Morrocan desert, Indian poverty and Asian rickshaws thrown in. After a long overnight bus from Southern Ecuador we arrived at some ungodly hour at the Peruvian border and due to the darkness along the way failed to see [View Full Entry]

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Last few days we have managed to continue the happy nature vibe in The Amazon Jungle. We left Quito in our little group bus, about 15 of us in total in the group, everyone is getting on really well and easily, big age range and good mix of people. We left the city early for an all day bus ride to get to the Amazon in the East of Ecuadour, travelling over a high mountain pass and back down again to the steamy jungle. A long, steep, cloud covered climb up to the high jungle first was interrupted by a visit [View Full Entry]

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