I was laughing when you guys said you landed in Sibu, Sarawak. Im sorry it may not be so much of a funny experience for you guys. I hope you are enjoying your stay in the Philippines !
What a trip!! These are fantasic photos of what appears to be a colorful country! Travelling without the kids must be a very different experience now...That is a great story of how you ended up in Borneo, I read a story about Sarawak once. I believe it was one of Wade Davis's masterpieces of a culture that is fading. Treasure these moments, I love the JeJe Jeff bus!! All the best from Rossland mountains. Love Monika
Dear Kevi, Sitting here having coffee and toast before heading to work and enjoying reading your last two blogs. You and I think alike on so many levels- maybe it's partly because we have spent so much time overseas appreciating what other cultures can teach us. STill finding it a struggle to be back in the city where so many of life's pursuits revolve around the acquisition of goods, where time is money and community is what we try to fit into the small slots of time remaining. When are you planning on being back on Canadian soil? We will definitely be making our way to Kimberley in the summer and so look forward to connecting with you again. Love to everyone, Maureen (and John)
Healer My husband and I will be traveling to Bali for 10 days in May. I would be very interested in seeing a healer for the experience. We will be in Ubud for 3-4 nights during out stay. Could you give more info on which healers you have visited?
Healer Hi, we have only visited Tjorkorda Gede Rai. He's at a temple near Ubud (about 15-10 min. drive). You can't make an app't - just show up and wait your turn. The cost is by donation. Most drivers will know where he is as he's quite famous in Ubud - just ask for Puri (Temple) Negari in Sinapadu Tengah, Sukawati and your driver should be able to find it. All the best, Kevi
Enjoying your blog Hi Kevi,
I loved reading your blog, and I am planing to meet up with my friend from NZ and each of us is bringing her daughter along. Ubud or a Village around seems like a perfect fit for 4 weeks. Do you have any suggestions for a little cozy house to rent or rooms doe 2 mothers with 2 daughters (teens)? I would appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Vesna,
Seattle, USA
housing in Ubud Ubud is a great place to spend 4 weeks (you'll want to spend longer). We're only an hour to the mountains and an hour to the beach - so it's very central. There are lots of places to rent. The house we're living in is great (Villa Santai). It may be rented though. We are here until April 10th then someone else moves in for a few months. But just in case, email the owner Gaynor Dawson at gaynor.dawson@chariot.net.au (she lives in Australia).
Are you on facebook? If so, you can join the Bali Community group and Bali Housing and Accommodation group. Many people post what they are looking for and a price range. Our house is $900/month which includes all utilities and internet access.
Feel free to ask me any other questions....take care, Kevi
Life in Ubud Ah Kevi- sometimes I feel like you are in my head. So true about how we crave the sense of community and belongingness (is that even a word?) . I'm finding it increasingly difficult just to travel. Living in places for a longer period of time so that you can peel away the multitude of layers- now that's where I feel the best. When do you guys get back to Canada? We will be back in two days to very wintery climes. Believe it or not, I'm looking forward to the crisp air. Love to all of you and our condolences to Jeff. Hugs and kisses, Maureen
we are in toowoomba Hi Kevi,
Well, we have settled into Toowoomba (west of Brisbane). Went on a nice 2 week camping trip to some inland parks and then the beach and had great weather. We are in a big house with spare bedrooms, so you are more than welcome if you want to come for a visit, but after a scan of your blog it sounds like you'd be better to just hang out where you are. Not that it isn't nice around here, it is, but we are basically in an upscale suburban neighborhood and after being in Indonesia the prices for things here would drive you crazy. Best non-Aussie travel deals seem to be to either Vanuatu or Fiji, mostly week-long resort deals but airfares aren't bad. We will probably go to Tasmania for the school break in April and then some more exotic locale for one of the other breaks, perhaps Bali, so may hit you up for tips on than down the road.
Hope all continues to go well,
Gary
just read this part Hi Kevi. I just read this post. Sounds amazing!!! I can relate to the sweat pouring off as that is what I experienced in the Yucatan in August, the time I went with Kali.
Just catching up on our emails. We are presently staying with John's brother Steve and Kris in Vientiane-feeling a bit of culture shock after the rural Bhutan existence. I,m really missing having a sense of community. I don't like it when I can't communicate with people. Not so good at the tourist thing anymore-much prefer living in a place. I can totally appreciate your staying longer in places. Tomorrow two of our students from vietnam are coming across by bus to visit. It's their first time out of the country so they are pretty excited. After that we're heading to a quieter Thai beach before returning to the Canadian winter.
Love to you all, Maureen and John
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hi Kevi,
it is wonderful to read about all your adventures and your new habits. if to tell by your stories and by your faces in the pictures, you all are having a very good time :)
Enjoy the rest of your journey,
Galit
Following your exploits You are missing the first B.C. weather bomb of the winter. Well, perhaps you are not missing it in the least little bit. . .
I hope your return visit to Viet Nam is everything you hoped it would be and more.
Cheers,
Doug McBride
Email for Doug Hi Doug, thanks for the email.......we're not missing the snowy weather in the least. My daughter and I are now volunteering at a children's school in Indonesia..the weather is so hot. I'm pouring with sweat when I teach in the afternoons (no air con of course).....will post another blog soon with photos
Hi everyone, It's great keeping up with your travels Kevi. Thanks for making the effort as I know it's not always easy. Had to laugh when you mentioned Substance in your last email- I did exactly the same thing and, of course, coffee at the Mocha. What a great welcome you have received-just goes to show that we DO have some impact and the importance of keeping the conncections alive. John and I are also toying with the idea of spending a few days in Hanoi on the way back to break up the trip. Maybe we can get some colleagues and students to come up and join us for a bit of a reunion. We'll see. Exam hell is just around the corner and we're anxious to get it over and done with before John's brother and sister-in-law arrive on December 7th. Then we too we'll be commencing our travels. Two weeks in Bhutan and then it's off to Laos where the plan is to do lots of short trips and EAT EAT EAT! Return to Canada around the 23rd. Indonesia sounds very relaxing. How long will you be there? Heard that Kyla and Ralph are now thinking of Nepal. Would still love to meet at some point but let's see where our travels take us. Thinking of you, lots of hugs Maureen and John
email for Maureen Hi Maureen, so good to hear from you......only 3 more weeks and you will be off on your travels. What a treat to have John's brother and his wife visit you in Bhutan. Looks like we will be in Indonesia for a while. Gemma and I are volunteering and living at a Children's Centre in Bali (International Humanity Foundation) for two weeks - we are loving it. It's so much fun teaching children and not having to give them marks, etc. The only challenge is teaching in the afternoons when it's sooooo hot and humid with no fans or aircon. I am going to do some curriculum development for the Centre as well. After this, we will meet Jeff and Lucas on the Gilis islands and travel around Indonesia. We have a house booked in Ubud for 5 weeks (starting on Dec. 24th) to have some "down" time and routine, so we can focus on Gemma's school and do some of our own cooking, attend yoga classes, etc. The house is large, so if you can arrange a stopover that would be great. - we have lots of room and would love to see you both. We will rent bicycles and motorcycles and explore the island without the heaviness of our backpacks..........love your stories........keep in touch....sending love, Kevi
Hot enuf for you? Just read and enjoyed your last 2 entries. We were on Perenthian over 20 yrs ago when there was not even a restaurant. And the rats hanging in the outdoor biffy were memorable. Hope you had no problem in BKK with the floods. It is starting to get cold here you'll be pleased to know.
email for Spee Hi Spee,
Great to hear from you......the Perhentian islands have changed, but are still so peaceful.......as you can see from our blog, we spent a month in Vietnam and now Gemma and I are living and volunteering at a Children's school teaching English and I am doing curriculum development (International Humanity Foundation) in Indonesia.....Jeff and Lucas are off to Lombok island then we will all meet up on the Gilis islands....yeeeh! Life is good - but the heat is overwhelming at times....(most days)! Hard to imagine the winter back home....how is life you all? Is Ollie back at home? We haven't made it to the Philippines yet? Keep in touch....Kevi and Jeff
email for Gary Hi Gary,
When are you going to Australia? We hope to be in Australia sometime in March - but aren't 100% sure. We are enjoying our flexible schedule - we've never had this much flexibility when traveling......take care
In 2003-05 my family and I went to Vietnam where we worked and lived for 2 years. We fell in love with Asia and now 6 years later we're embarking on a one year adventure. We're leaving Canada in September 2011. This blog contains our travel stories, photos and some advice on budget travel with teenagers.
We're going to start our adventure in Borneo, then onto Peninsular Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. We don't have a fixed itinerary and we are totally open to following adventures and experiences that come our way.
Our family consists of one traveling mom (Kevi), one advent... full info
Lorill
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INCREDIBLE
Incredible. What an wonderful journey.