Falling in love abroad

Can one fall in love whilst traveling? 

How about romantic relationships? 

One night stands? 

Anything is possible right? 

I just wanted to write a post about relationships abroad,
maybe it will shed some light
though it is just me rambling on about idealized moments.

Somewhere on a sun-kissed beach, a tranquil hostel lounge, a cramped dormitory or any sort of overcrowded transportation (long or short) a brilliant person will shake your hand and introduce themselves into your life that you just cannot forget. Whether it be a 5 minute conversation where journeys intersect, or a long poolside analysis of the meaning of life under the glimmering stars. Anyone can instantaneously steal your heart. It can even be the next person you sit beside. 

We value the experiences that take place during our lives, that bring smiles to our hearts. However, personal interactions while traveling alone has a whole new angle. It is that everything we do as a traveler has a short life expectancy, not to be overly dramatic...but every 'Hello' is a 'Goodbye' and every arrival is a departure. And, YES it can be lonely. 

'Travel is the only thing that you can buy that makes you richer' Or was it love?

Time is consigned to oblivion leaving us with the only priceless currency that we have that we cannot buy nor earn. A intended target we work towards becomes the present and inadvertently becomes a memory. 

So what about love? 

A lingering hug that is superseded by a star struck kiss and an inconsequential yet still a bittersweet goodbye. Is it worth it? 

Jenny says, ''Of course it is, no matter how much heart wrenching instances one might face. As a human being life isn't about living so cautiously that pre/post-liminary to an intimate interaction one just runs away, shuts themselves off or becomes 'broken'. 

Love abroad isn't always about being in pursuit of a idealized future with the person you're infatuated with. It is about the respect and compassion that you can give to a person in that present moment. Adhering to the extraordinary fantasies of romantic traveler. Those extra 5 minutes to leave a noteworthy message, a sleepy eyed kiss and my choice soft passionate whispers of a lucid dream. 

Love when you can, you can still be honest about the life style you have chosen as a traveler. Who knows maybe you might one of those lucky ones that gets to travel in the same direction as your soul-mate. Like I dream to share a rooftop kiss in the arms of a like minded vagabond.''

In our minds we recall these events, frozen in our memory banks where they will flourish until our last waking breath. Building friendships with noteworthy people and most of all still obtaining that companionship a lonely traveler needs to continue on-wards. We wish to follow their journey in hopes that we can meet them at the juncture on a future date, making just another exquisitely magical moment.

Keep your heart open, know when to let go, always say goodbye, leave them with a smile and know that it is okay to miss them for 5 minutes everyday. But, the rest of your life is yours. 

Return to Taipei & Christmas!

As I landed in Taipei I was overwhelmed with how clam everything felt. I realize that this is my 5th Christmas away from home. My friends know that one day I will return but in the winter (seems unlikely) but one day I will come back. The weather here is perfect just about 13C and not too hot or cold, which is really what I was looking forward to strangely enough. Super comfortable weather for me right now. :P

Soon I was off working into my routine going to the gym and getting settled into my little room hidden behind the wooden door. :)

I was surprised that I got a gift from my boss and a full vegan meal with Rice! Thank you Christmas wasn't all that lonely. 

Even watching old Doctor who Christmas specials with some vegetarian Chinese street while working feels like a great way to spend the day. 

Singapore

Back in Singapore for a two day lay over, when I first arrived my mastercard didn't work and I was fretting about not having any money for my stay in Singapore. I was told time and time again that things were really expensive. I guess things aren't cheap since I just came from Indonesia. 

The iconic sights in Singapore are quite impressive, the buildings are big and very eccentric. It was an experience to see and with the amalgamation of different cultures I found that it lacked a bit of solid traditions. Though during my 48 hours here it felt more like Christmas than anything. 

I was able to visit with some friends, thanks Amir for taking me around and walking 10kms! Though the high blasts of air con and the humid heat made me feel a bit ill. Damn, I couldn't live this kind of hot cold lifestyle. 

Kuan, you are amazing thank you so much for hosting me during my time in Singapore. I owe you one and we have so much more Doctor who to chat about! 

Bye- Bye Singapore. 

Hidden fees in Indonesia

I started off from Gili Air island, from there I had to make it to Lombok airport. I got a speed boat and a shuttle bus ticket for 175,000 rupiah ($17.50). The boat was a bit late, we took off at about 8:45am instead of 8:30am. The ride was about 30 minutes and we were at the pier on Lombok.

Watch out for hustlers! There will be people who will try their best to port your things to a tuk tuk. Then they'll take off to the bus stop which is only about a 15 minute walk away. I know it isn't easy to just instantly know where you are going when you only have 30 minutes before the shuttle bus departs at 9:30am. 

The porter will ask for money, I gave him a dollar so that wasn't so bad. Before I could even say no I was at the bus stop, he asked for 100,000rupiah. I was choked since it was less than a 5 minute ride. I argued with the driver for a good 5 minutes and after I was flustered and out of breath I gave him $5 just so I could leave. It was about 9:15am. 

I waited at the so called bus stop restaurant, I was asked to buy goods like 3 times in 5 minutes. The man checking the tickets kept asking me where I was from, I just wasn't in the mood to be having this conversation. So I just said yes to whatever he guessed I was. Today I was Japanese. 

The mini bus was late and there was no air con, by about 9:50am we were finally on our way. We stopped three separate times with the addition of his stop start driving up and down hill through dusty village roads and the smell of burning garbage of a jet coaster. Well this is all about the experience I had a window seat so I couldn't complain that much. 

I was told that the bus ride would get me to the airport by 11:30am, at 12:35pm I arrival at Lombok airport. I had to go tothe  counter to get a piece of paper printed out. From there off to check in, I was 5kgs over their 10kg allowance with wings air, lion air has 15kg just for your information. So I ended up paying 27,500 which I thought was super cheap, 3 bucks isn't that bad. Compared to western airlines this was a steal of a deal. 

So I go through 'security' which is just a person at a desk that checks your boarding pass and tells you that you have to pay an airport tax of 45,000rupiah for domestic flights.  Another $4.50 to get on this plane. 

Okay I'm at $30 now, I didn't think it would be this costly. In retrospect it isn't a lot but you know it is all about the principle. I found out when I fly out of Denpasar I have to pay 200,000rupiah another $20 to leave Bali. So including my flight to avoid the several hour boat ride after the bus trip to make it to Denpasar airport I will have spent $80 hmmmmm....

Okay so in still breathing after the flight was delayed by about 2 hours though the flight itself was a 30 minute rise and fall. I hit the ATM knowing that I have to pay money before going through security and my master card doesn't work. I go down to the bank on the first floor of Denpasar airport, they kindly ask me  to use another machine and another card,. Like I didn't think of these possible solutions already. My debit card doesn't seem to do the trick, I exchange the last of my singapore dollars for the 200,000rupiah needed. Thank god for sketchy free airport wifi where I called MasterCard and explained to them the situation. They unlocked the card and I should work now so I can grab some food before the flight...maybe Air Asia will feed me. 

Goodbye Indonesia

As I awoke this morning, I glided out of bed and stepped outside. I sat and smoked my last Indonesian clove cigarette and stared into the glistening pool. I knew that this was the moment that I had to make my peace and say goodbye. This was the beginning of an end, even though I have been coming and going for years it never gets any easier. My thoughts say that if it becomes easy that I am no longer living each moment as I should be. We live in the present moment loving each spontaneous development with an open mind. Most importantly we embrace these times with an open heart. 

Last night was heartfelt, during the days here I have been here meeting locals on the island. They have taught me about their lives, the Bahasa language and much more about kindness towards strangers. Their curiosity surpasses my own in some sense and I love their calm way of living. Although this maybe a an enhanced feeling due to a shortened amount of time here, I could envision myself living in this country for a long time.

Thank you harmony family for showing me hospitality and taking me into your family.

I arrived at the pier at 8:15am after my farewell with my lovely roommate. (I'll see you in Belgium) We shared our last cup of coffee together and it was time to depart this island. The emotions ebb and flow in unison with the sound of the ocean waves. 

Again another heartfelt good-bye!
I'll be back Indonesia, I promise.