Signs of Singapore

One thing is for sure, Singapore is the place to go in Southeast Asia for clean and orderly living. Take everything good without the bad about large cities and stick it on an island in the tropics and that is what it's like. Hardly any trash in the streets, recycling bins all over the place, and a super safe feeling when wandering alone.

To get a taste of what it's like, these are a few random signs from throughout the city.

$500 fine

Yes, no durians...cruel, cruel city

Eating/drinking = $200

Smoking = $500

Flammable liquids/gas (it is SE Asia after all) = $1000

Proper escalator etiquette

From dictionary.com: alight - to dismount from a horse, descend from a vehicle, etc.

This was the only health advice I questioned. But to give credit where it is due, this was manufactured in Vietnam.

Guess it's labeled properly!

Not flushing = $500

Urinating in lifts (elevators) = $1000

Spitting = $500

Unnatural sex = $1000

Littering = $1000

Bird feeding = $1000

Chewing gum = $1000

Home

Whether or not you believe in global warming, things are definitely heating up and people are facing the consequences. Perhaps the nation at the largest risk is the Maldives, which consist of 250 inhabited islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. With an average elevation of only 1.5 meters, the slightest rise in sea levels threatens to wipe out 300,000 inhabitants.

If you have not seen Home, then stop whatever you are doing and go here. If you don't have the 1 hour 33 minutes and 18 seconds to spare right now, then bookmark it (or you can purchase a copy here) and watch it tonight instead of the rubbish that is pushed on us by the media. I promise that it will be the best 1.5 hours you will spend in front of the screen this year. Even if you have no interest or concern for the environmental situation we are facing, you will be blown away by the scenery.

And if you ever dreamed of heading to the Maldives, I'd start looking for a flight soon :)

In Memory

2009 will definitely be a year that I won't forget. Another person dear to me has passed on. I had the news of my grandfather's death delivered to me via e-mail, as I am half a world away. Once again I have feelings of sadness and joy flowing through me, as I did a few months ago. I know that death is one of the few inevitable events in life, and that if you believe in an after life that it should be celebrated. But at the same time I'm only human and can certainly feel a loss of another truly exceptional person. Like my other heroes and role models growing up, my grandfather always fully supported my hopes and dreams, and provided lots of inspiration to perform at my best in life. I'm extremely grateful that I was able to see him one last time in Chicago a few months back. I was able to share my story and purpose of traveling, and once again he was all smiles and encouraged me to continue on. For his support I will be forever thankful, and am really happy that he left this world peacefully.

Bali Paradise

It feels so good to be back in Bali. There is just something magical in the air here. Don't get me wrong, I loved Sulawesi and found it to be a really beautiful place, but in a much different way than Bali. The people and culture here create a very unique vibe that just feels so right. It's a place where people come on holiday, and end up staying forever. There's so much to do here that it would be very hard to get bored. From surfing and diving to rafting and hiking, you name it and chances are it can be done in Bali!

It is technically called an island, but I hesitate to label it as such. I've heard that you can circle it in one (very long) day, but there's no point in that as you wouldn't have time to stop and see anything. It is very big, and I have only explored a small portion of it so far. Definitely one of the drawbacks to the mass tourism here is the congested roads. There are not many streets to get from point A to point B, so naturally traffic is pretty terrible. Many times you can walk to places faster within town than you could by motor bike or car. I imagine though that once you get out of the southern part of the island that things become much less intense.

The one concept that I really abhor that most Indonesians don't seem to comprehend or care about is trash disposal. Things have gotten pretty good in the Kuta and Ubud area, as more Western influence has brought about more recycling and environmental efforts, but I can't say the same for the rest of the island. The farther off the tourist path you get, the more negligence you see. It blows my mind every time I see an Indonesian casually toss a plastic bottle or food wrapper to the side of the road. Either they don't understand that plastic does not have the same composting qualities as say a banana peel, or they just don't care. It's really a shame, especially what I experienced in Bunaken where you can be swimming amongst the most crystal clear water and pristine coral and then all of a sudden a mound of trash and murky water ruins the experience. I only hope that more people here start waking up and realizing the consequences that result from their actions.

But the only way for that to happen is for people like myself to spread the word and educate them. After all, we brought the garbage here in the first place, so it is naturally our responsibility to dispose of it properly. With a little time and effort, things will only get better. And if you are thinking of coming to this paradise, please bring your own reusable water bottle and cloth bags!!

Northern Sulawesi

Finishing up a very quick two weeks in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Overall I was blown away by the beauty and culture here. Never once did I meet hostility (well except perhaps when I took a car ride and we banned the driver from smoking, as he said nothing for the entire ten hours!), just smiles, "hallo mister"s, and inquiries on California living and Obama.

Flat tire #1 on my journey from Manado to Gorontalo

Flat tire #2 on the Manado - Gorontalo journey

Every time we stopped, this is how we had to get going again!

Being a little farther off of the backpacker trail, I didn't meet as many travelers as I did in Thailand and Malaysia, but the ones I did were so enthusiastic and hungry for exploring the world (both above and below the sea) that it was hard to part ways at the end of our journeys.

The only downside to being so far off the typical tourist scene is that I ended up spending quite a bit more than I am used to and had anticipated. Whereas in Thailand and Malaysia I could usually find a place for under $10, the cheapest room I had here was $20 per night. That usually included all meals, plus I shared with other people most of the time so it wasn't too bad.

My boat driver doing some spear fishing while I snorkled

As for the diving, it was also more expensive but worth every bit as the coral and sea life is stunning. I experienced my first wall dive on Bunaken, which was pretty sweet. And the creatures found in the Lembeh Strait were out of this world!

Scorpion fish

Scorpion Fish #2

Nudibranch

This is the real thing, no Photoshop!

I only managed to explore the north part of Sulawesi, as my hopes to get to the Togean Islands and then continue on through the south were put to rest when I met a family from Germany. When I asked them why their clothes and other personal belongings were strewn about the common area, they replied in a nonchalant way that their boat from the Togeans had sunk on the way back! You see, before heading to the port town of Gorontalo, I had heard that the ferries were not running due to bad weather, but I had no idea to what extent! So I decided to hold off until another day :)

Boat from the Togeans on its final journey

So now it's back to Bali for some more diving and exploring since last time I didn't have my certification. Have heard good things about the neighboring island of Lombok as well, and of course the Komodo National Park is not too far either. Only have two weeks left on my visa though, so will just have to see how far I can get!

It amazes me how rare solar systems are in such an ideal part of the world. Most homes and resorts could easily meet their energy requirements with a small initial investment.

A tarsier in Tangkoko National Park

Warning: Do not bring your white children to SE Asia unless they LOVE attention and being constantly touched!

A few photos

Finally got around to putting up some photos from my trip so far. Enjoy!

Thailand Photos

Malaysia Photos

Out of Retirement and Back in the Jungle!

Beautiful white sand beach to myself on Ko Samet, Thailand

Wow, it's been exactly sixty-three days since I last posted. Sorry to keep you all waiting in suspense, but I haven't had much internet access over the past month since getting back to SE Asia. I pretty much have been island hopping and blogging took a back seat to hiking, snorkeling, volleyball, and diving. Yes, I am officially certified to go to 30 meters under water. Crazy as I never really had an interest in breathing out of a tank in the depths of the sea, but I stayed on an island in Thailand overflowing with dive shops so I figured why not?

And now here I am in Manado, Indonesia, having just spent a few days on Bunaken Island off the north coast. This definitely has to be some of the best diving in the world! So many different kinds of coral and fish it's incredible. I can totally see how this can become really addicting. In fact it already has as I have also been to Malaysia too. I'll post some photos later, as there are just far too many and I'm about to take off for another island to do some muck diving...don't ask because I'm not quite sure what to expect yet myself!

So now that you know I'm alive and well, expect some more frequent updates in the future. And if you ever want to get certified to dive, Thailand is the place to do it, so what are you waiting for?

OR -> IL -> OR

I'm back! Back home in Oregon that is. After more than two weeks spent in the car, I don't think I want to ride in one ever again! Give me a bike and fresh air any day over the cramped confines of a car! When you're pressed for time and need to feed the needs of three other people and an animal, it's definitely a learning experience. Most of the time we had two or three rest stops, and then one stop at a restaurant or grocery store per day and that was it!

But good times were had by all. The classic American road trip out west should be a requirement to keep your driver's license...everyone needs to do it at least once. This country has a lot to offer, with such a huge amount of sites to see and places to discover. It's one thing reading about history and such in a classroom, but to actually get out there and see it first hand is another. And the natural beauty is INCREDIBLE. Seeing the sunset over the Rockies, riding along the massive Columbia River, and gazing out at the arid desert were just some of the highlights.

Unfortunately, we were on a time constraint on the way to Chicago, and then had to haul a trailer on the way back to Oregon. So we didn't get to see as much as I would have liked, but you really need to have a lot of time and money to travel with a family of four plus a dog, and see all the important sites along the way.

But we did manage to see a lot, despite the circumstances. Here's a glimpse of the past two weeks...

In the salt flats of Utah. It was so windy that from inside the car it looked like a blizzard!

Morning exercise at a rest stop.

Fortune telling billboard...poor guy!


Beautiful Mt. Rushmore? This was the scene when we arrived!

It rained, it poured, and finally the clouds cleared!

Unwinding and feeding our technology addictions after a long day on the road.

Thank You!

Just wanted to give a BIG thank you to all friends and family that made it out to the funeral services for my grandmother yesterday. It was so good to see everyone, despite the circumstances. I feel very fortunate to have such incredible people as family, and it definitely helps out in times like these. THANK YOU :)

Leaving Paradise

East vs. West Differences. Blue = West, Red = East.

Things that are new

Handling of problems

Punctuality

Check out MountainRunner for more

Ah, such a sad, sad, day...my last day in SE Asia for awhile. The past few weeks here have been incredible to say the least. Have been cycling, surfing, exploring, meeting really cool people, and just all around having a blissful experience. The Bali Spirit Festival is going on right now, so many of the high profile gurus of yoga, massage, dance, etc. have migrated here from all over the world. Has also brought many other conscious people from across the globe, whom I have been meeting on a daily basis.

So what am I going to miss from here? Off the top of my head...

1. Climate - Of course who wouldn't like a steady 80 degrees, sunshine, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world? No doubt it took some getting used to walking in the blazing sun with a big backpack and a guitar, sleeping in rooms without A/C, and showering in cold water, but now I wouldn't trade any of it. Will be interesting to see how I feel back in the "cold" U.S.
   
2. Fruit stands - I don't understand why they don't have these around in Hawaii or California (at least not that I've seen). On just about every street you can find little stalls where they have everything from pineapple to papaya, cut up in little bags ready to devour. A lot of them also will make fruit shakes too...oh so good when out in the hot sun.
3. Durian - "The king of fruits" and rightly named so. Asians treasure this fruit, as it is unlike any other. Spiky hard outside shell, with an aroma that has caused it to be banned from many hotels and trains/buses/planes. But damn it is good...and there's so many varieties. It's one of the rare fruits that has a lot of fat and protein, which gives it such an incredible sweet creamy flavor. They make everything from durian chips to durian pancakes here...truly amazing!
4. 7-11 - These things are everywhere in Thailand and Malaysia! I remember days as a kid riding my bike over to 7-11 to get a slurpy back in Chicago, but I thought that they all closed down long ago. Not in Asia! Definitely an essential stop for travelers, for everything from water to toothpaste, and all super cheap!
5. Internet Cafes - These are just about as common as 7-11s. For as little as $0.50 per hour, they're not a bad deal. They have a bunch of gaming cafes too, where you can see the young hardworking Asians killing people or building an army 24 hours a day...God bless technology!
6. Monks - It still cracks me up seeing these guys just walking around doing normal things like shopping at 7-11. But they are the kindest people that just love practicing their English with you. I sat in many a Wat talking about life and learning Thai with them. Talk about discipline though...they are up before dawn, don't partake in any of the "sins" of life, and don't eat after 12pm!
7. The Backpacker Scene - So many incredible people from all over the world (mostly Europe) flock to SE Asia for the weather, cheap prices, and beautiful scenery. It's amazing how easy it is to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger who may not even speak English very well, yet become the best of friends for a short time.
8. Sunshine - How/why did we ever migrate to colder darker climates? When did we start to have to fortify our diets with Vitamin D? Ludicrous. Nothing can compare to the real thing.
   
9. Surfing - I have surfed California, Hawaii, and now Indonesia. Considering I'm just a beginner, this is quite a feat. I can still totally see why the pros and wanna be pros from all over the world come here. The water is pristine, warm, and there's ALWAYS surf!
   
10. People - Thailand had the nicest people, with Bali coming in a close second. Sure many are super friendly because they know we white men bring the powerful dollar. But I've been in many situations where I don't buy anything, and just strike up conversation with a local. They are truly fascinated with the Western world, and love to hear everything we have to say about it, as well as what we think about their country. America/Europe has a huge influence on the teen culture here, as they idolize most famous Hollywood actors or Billboard musicians. But even for the tourists here, it's so incredibly important to set a good example. Even little things like using a cloth grocery bag can go a long way in the eyes of the Balinese. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the locals just throwing paper/plastic in the street or on the beach like it will just magically disappear or turn into a plastic producing tree...definitely not a good thing on a small island!
    
11. Scenery - The beaches are the best I have ever seen. The mountains, waterfalls, and gardens are all up there with Hawaii and California. The difference is that here it tends to be a lot less touched by man. Call it laziness or just being better in tune with the land, whatever it is we could learn from it!
    
12. Reggae Bars - Guaranteed to be at least one of these in every city in Thailand. Also guaranteed that you will hear the same songs being played in every one. Cannot tell you how many times I have sung along to No Woman No Cry. Love it!
13. Squat toliets - You've got to be kidding me, right? That's what went through my mind when first encountering these things. But I tell you what, it's the most comfortable position ever, and great practice if you're heading out into the backwoods on a hiking or camping trip. With that said, no matter of convincing could get me to part from the luxury of TP!
    
14. "Transport? Taxi? Motorbike? Tuk-tuk?" - It took a long time for me to get over the constant harassment from these guys every few feet walking down a street. But now I've gotten to know some of them and can joke around. Really nice guys down at heart, just trying to make a decent living.

And here's a few pictorial descriptions of some differences between cultures:

Blue = West, Red = East.

Things that are new

Handling of problems

Punctuality

Check out MountainRunner for more

Well, that's just a fraction of my experiences here, as you can see it's been incredible. Off to say goodbye to a good friend tonight and have my last durian, then hop on a plane at 2 a.m. for the long journey back home!

Durian Adventures

View from my bungalow in Kintamani

Just as I was getting used to my life of eat, sleep, surf, a friend of mine lured me into a LONG bike ride from Ubud to Kintamani, in search of the elusive durian fruit. The plan was to start very early to beat the heat and traffic, around 6:30 a.m. Of course this was merely wishful thinking, as the night prior was a late night.

So after a cup of coffee, some fruit from the morning market, an ATM stop, and mini-market stop, we were off around 9:30 a.m. In planning, we figured it would take a couple of hours to get there, after all, it was only twenty-something kilometers. Positive thinking is good, but can be shattering to the ego as well.

As is usual of a couple of guys thinking they know where they are going, the day turned into a physical and mental testament. The sun was hot, the entire way around a 3-4% grade with some sections much steeper, and my clunky rented mountain bike that loved to rub its chain against the derailer being the only sound taunting me on the way up.

Finally sometime between noon and 1pm, we decided to take a break at one of the many mini markets scattered along the roadside. Hydration was of prime concern, so we opted for some coconuts. The first ones we got must have been sitting for a very long time, as both of us spit out the first sip immediately. So what did the shop owners do? Sent a man who must have been about 50 years old to climb up a tree across the street and get us some fresh ones! How many people in America do you think could do this?!

Relaxing at Little K after an intense yoga session

Life in Bali

It's about 2pm, and I just finished up another epic round of surfing at Kuta beach. This is the life I say. Eat, sleep, surf, repeat!

I met up with a friend from Oregon in the spiritual center of Ubud. Yoga studios, massage parlors, meditation retreats, herb shops, organic raw vegan restaurants...this is definitely the heart of the conscious movement in Asia as far as I have seen. Beautiful scenery with tropical forests, rice fields, and Balinese architecture. Lots of artists abound with paintings, jewelry, sculptures...you name it they have it. My kind of place!

So after a few days there, we got the fish out of water feel and decided to head back to the beach for surf. That was a few days ago, and so far every morning I've been out there totally losing track of time and just enjoying the moment.

I read a book awhile back called West of Jesus, which follows a guy from L.A. searching the world for the perfect wave, and trying to make sense of the spiritual side of the sport. I can totally feel what he was going through right now. Just being out on the water sitting overlooking the most beautiful part of the world in the morning just puts me in a state higher than any drug.

So I am going to call this place home for the next few weeks, until I head back to the States. The surf, people, and vibe are the perfect mix for me right now.

Off to put in an afternoon session and then catch another incredible fire red sunset over the water!

P.S. - Have had many ask about the riots in Bangkok, but thankfully I got out of there a few weeks ago! Crazy how the timing works out, and definitely someone was looking out for me in Bali as they called my name to surf :)

Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Endless Summer

Petronas Twin Towers

Quick detour in my Asian route...decided to hit up Bali for my last few weeks in the East. Heard many good things about the place, from epic waves to beautiful art and a mixed culture of retired expats, Balinese, surfers, and hippies...heaven?

But to get here, I had to spend a few days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was not much different than Chicago or Los Angeles as far as big cities go, with enormous shopping malls, crowded streets, and huge sky scrapers. But I have to admit that it was really nice slipping back into that kind of thing for a few days. But a few days max, because after that I longed for a quiet beach, clean air, and cheap prices.

Low Yat Plaza

But I did get a nice Starbucks fix...my first one in over a month! Apparently they (Bucks) started a free wifi trend throughout the city too, another bonus for this cheapo backpacker. Some people even setup mobile offices around the city this way!

It was an incredible experience too walking through these enormous shopping malls on Bukit Bintang. The States has nothing compared to these monsters. It was such a stimulating experience I just sat there for hours people watching sometimes. Crazy to think back to my days living in downtown Chicago where this kind of thing was the norm!

But besides the tourist areas, I ventured around through Little India and Chinatown too. It felt like I was on another planet. Not a single other white foreigner did I see in those areas...nice!

The worst part of the experience was the accomodation. Out of all the cities in Thailand that I had been through, this was the nasty. The entire backpacker district is pretty much littered with hole in the wall places that are waaaay overpriced. I ended up paying about $15 per night for a dump with shared bathroom...but at least it had A/C.

The really cool thing about Malaysians? They love durian! I stumbled upon several durian stalls, and can safely say that I am now a true addict! Had D24, XO, Montohng, and Mau Sang Wang varieties....WOW! The stuff we get back in the States, even Hawaii, can't touch the ones here!

Durian "The king of fruits"; XO type

This was the best durian I've ever had. Mau-Sang Wang - King Cat Durian!!

So I left for Bali on Monday, and of course had another adventure of a travel experience. You would think that the KL airport would be relatively close to downtown, but such is not the case. A two hour bus ride is what it took, which included reversing down the freeway to get to a gas station, yet another moment where I feared for me life! But I made it to the airport, with plenty of time to spare before my 7pm flight. Which of course turned into a 7:30pm flight, touching down in Bali around 10:30pm. Add in time for getting a VISA, Customs, Taxi, and I arrived exhausted in Kuta around midnight! So I snatched the first place I saw, which was like a resort in the center of town. Definitely the nicest place I have stayed at yet. It had a swimming pool, beautiful garden, and complimentary breakfast...all for the bargain price of $19 per night! And as for bargaining, bargain hard is the game in Bali. Even that first night at the hotel started out at $27 and I talked them down. Same thing with these things I've bought:

2 Sarongs Starting: 160,000 Ending: 55,000
Travel adapter Starting: 60,000 Ending: 30,000
2 Billabong shirts Starting: 750,000 Ending:100,000

The best place on Earth, Bali.

But surfing is on my mind right now, and that is the culture here. I've met so many Aussie surfers, who have told me endless stories and places to go. Even met a Balinese surfer kid from Mendewi, supposedly one of the best spots on the island...offered me to stay in his home if I make it up there!

Now it's off to Ubud for a few days, where I'm meeting up with a friend and getting my organic fix. Supposedly it's the heart of the conscious/green movement here, with more vegan restaurants and yoga studios than you could imagine!