Trips started in May 2013.
1. Phuket, Thailand
I stayed there for 5 days at the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa located right along the north of Patong.
It was my first time there and who better to go there with but with my members in the Live, Laugh, Love group. The group consists of my good friend, Laura (who has been there for 5 consecutive years) her current squeeze, Mario, her mum, Aunty Rennie and our good friends, Kisho and wife, Rebecca, and the Francis family, Francis, Sumi and Dior.
At Maya Beach, Krabi Thailand
It was an eye-opener and an experience of a lifetime. The itinerary was done up by Laura, and it was filled to the brim. There was a lot of things to do, but the itinerary was done up as a guideline, which we manage to follow 70% of the time.
Day 1 - Local thai lunch, motorbike riding, and massage.
Day 2 - Phi Phi Island tour from the early morning till sundown.
Day 3 - Beach hopping to Kata and Karon beach, shopping, and Bangla *red light district* "adventure"
Day 4 - Elephant trekking in the Kalim forest and beach side, and an awesome Italian farewell dinner at Marco Polo
Day 5 - Prepare for Phuket goodbyes
Day 3 - 5 pictures are yet to be uploaded. My camera is not being nice at the moment.
Day 2 was a highlight because of the awesome island tour. On that day, I met someone nice named Steve. We instantly connected from the start of the tour to Phi Phi Island. He's an Australian man who's been living in Chiang Mai, Thailand at his "Eat, Pray, Love" adventure. He came to the tour with his mum, and just due to that, I find he's not too bad. I get wary with white guys. But this guy was different. I guess it's the realness in how he conveys himself, as well as the way I see him with his mum. It's the beauty of seeing a man knowing how to treat his mother well, that makes a woman admires such a man. I guess that's what made me dubbed him differently.
We shared a lot of commonalities in perspectives and thoughts, and I let him speak his mind. He's not those sweet talker, trying to get laid kind of guy. He's gone past that phase of life I believe. And he's in that self-actualization phase of his life. I guess maybe because he's over 30 years old. But then again, I knew and still hear of men his age, who just makes me shake my head in disgust.
On the speedboat, and yes, that's the guy i was talking about
We planned to exchange emails and contact details. But then it didn't happened. Things happened too fast, and when he asked for my details, I didn't get the chance to do a proper exchange. I jumped off the van too fast, before really getting or giving the details.
It's a pity really because we were planning to catch up in Singapore, as his travels plans are flexible. But I guess it was not meant to be.
Day 4 was very special to me. I got to ride an elephant! I was somehow torn between the enjoyment of the trek and the thought that the elephants are really not living a nice life having to slave away this way.
The Italian dinner made up for the day really. It's the best Italian food I've tasted yet. Of course, I am not making a firm conclusion because my trip to Italy is not yet materializing. I will make my conclusion at another time, if I'm at the liberty to.
Overall, the 5 days were really great. And I'm glad to have made this trip despite the expected blow on my month's budget. No regrets at all.
In the next posts, I shall post up my reviews and thoughts on the Island, but I might do it after my next trip to Phuket. Yes, I'm going there again this month end.
This time for company conference and retreat at Dusit Thani, one of the most amazing resort hotels in Phuket, as I've read. Let's see when I get there.
So we bid our goodbyes to Phuket. I came back home too tanned for my good, and everyone noticed my discoloration.
Going on, to the next trip of the month - it's mostly short trips over the public holidays and the weekend.
2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
My best friend, Nurul, whom I'm currently working with since 2 months back, was called to Malaysia for a recent SOS phase due to resource crunch in the region's office. So right after my trip to Phuket, I came back to work first to settle some projects, and then bid adieu again on Friday with the initial plan to go to Tioman Island to join my family who was there since the Tuesday I came back from Phuket. I was all set, with my money changed to Ringgit.
2 hours later, I received a call from my father that they're coming home, and that I shouldn't go there to find them. Bumped, I called Nurul and told her I will come to see her. She was more than happy as our guy friends are all heading up to KL as well to party.
I left Singapore rather late, so poor worried Nurul and Amanda (a good friend / colleague), waited at KL Sentral until 1am.
Good thing Amanda's guy friend has a car, and we got to the company's apartment in no time.
The next day, Saturday, I spent the whole day sleeping, irking Nurul who's usual weekend plan is to shop. We bumped around in the apartment until it was time to go meet the guys at KL CC.
It was a mellow night compared to what we were geared up for. Instead of ending up in Roots, we headed to The Social. A live band bar, where all you do is talk, play pool and talk again, which is a much enjoying time for me really. I didn't need to worry about waking up with a hangover.
The next day I went back home. Caught the 5pm coach back to Singapore where I met Gregory, a 28 year old French man, who was going to catch a flight back home after 9 months of Asian adventure.
We chatted from KL to Singapore, and then met up for lunch for some local food delights near my work place the following day. For dinner, we got wine at Pump Room. Over there, I was so shock to discover something phallic! Did you know at the Clarke Quay fountain area, something disturbing is hanging at the four beams that surrounds it. It's really crazy.
Anyway moving on, we headed down to Arab Street at Amirah's Grill Restaurant for dinner. I brought him to the Tower afterwards.
It's sickening because now, the view is completely blocked by another mall to be built right in front of it. But anyway, we were there only for awhile when a security guard came and told us it's not safe there and we had to leave.
After the tower, I headed to the bus stop, and we bid goodbyes. We became instant friends, and no, there's nothing more to it. He's a nice chap, and he's very open about his life experiences. I guess God wanted him to meet someone who he can talk to, and share his woes about life and especially about religion.
I can't believe I somehow catechize a man about the faith. I'm happy.
3. Segamat, Malaysia
The following week, I followed my family to my father's family estate in Segamat. I didn't know how woke up after a night of birthday celebration for Alan's birthday. I remember I was swaying home and almost asleep in the cab after AJ dropped at Tampines.
Heading to the train station to Malaysia, we were sort of late due to the heavy traffic jam at Woodlands. I thought we were not going to make it but the train waited for another 20 minutes actually. I think it's standard procedure when there's heavy traffic in the vicinity.
Anyway, my father's family estate quite a big plot of nature, which the area where the Durian trees and pineapple patches are somehow consumed by the forest from far below the land. My uncle could only do work on it at a later time.
The place was still as beautiful as the last I saw in five years ago. It was a good 2 days 1 night for me without work and internet connections. I went back to Singapore the next day, while the rest of the members stayed on for another 4 days.
A highlight not to miss was while on the way to Segamat where I met Sau Han, a 44-year-old lady, at the train's canteen cabin. I sat at her booth seeing she's alone, seconds later, we started talking and continued on until we almost reached our destination. She was also headed to Segamat to sign off some property papers. We chatted about everything, from work life to family life. She's very nice to talk to and we exchanged contact details. We have gotten in touch in Singapore, and will perhaps catch up with her over lunch.
My insights from these 3 recent trips
I love this part about travelling, where I meet people. It doesn't matter to me if it's a man or woman. I guess all of us meet people for a reason. And it's beautiful when we are able to communicate and give off something of ourselves, the time we put in and the effort in conversing.
I truly appreciate that I was able to know these people. Apart from Steve, I am still connected to Gregory and Sau Han. And I know somewhere down the path of life, we will catch up again when it's meant to happen.
Now that my life goes on with family, work, church and my personal agendas, I am happy to apply some advises from those 3 God-meant meet ups, and things I learnt over the month of short travels. It has given me something to look forward for in my next travel agendas.
To those of you who loves travelling, make a difference in your travel experiences. Smile, be friendly (not overly though, you don't want to attract the wrong people), and pray that you will always be safe from harm. Then you shall meet people who can make you see some things you never seen before - about yourselves, others and generally about life.
All the best, and cheers!
With <3,
MJ
