Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 465

Thailand: A Random Act of Kindness

The Sun was still shining but I knew the light would fade fast. Our resort in Phuket-the Kata Beach Resort was still at least a 45 minute drive away from the Marriott but I was sure I knew the way. My daughter was crying, upset at having been dragged away from the toys she’d been playing with and my wife was giving me worried looks, trying to pacify our two year old and hoping we’d finally reach the safety of a hotel room.

We had already spent two days in Patong and were booked for another three at Kata. Much to our surprise, we found that my cousins from Singapore were also in Phuket at the same time, staying at the Marriott in the far North and we had decided to spend the day with them before heading back to Kata in the evening.

I had hired a car for the three days we would be in Kata-a red Honda Jazz but without the optional GPS. I didn’t need one because I, of course have an “awesome sense of direction”. After all, it was just a straight road from the Marriott with a sign at some point that would say “Kata Beach” and there we would turn.

The miles flew by, the car behaving very well and the crying soon stopped. The roads were excellent, the traffic was smooth and the radio was playing good music.

A bit later, my wife says “That’s the sign”, pointing to a green board with “Patong Beach/Kata Beach” complete with a white arrow. But I was sure that Kata was further South and there would surely be another turn. But…(I should listen to my wife more…)

It was now dark and we were part of the traffic of Phuket Town, hopelessly lost. I knew I had to turn Right at some point but with no idea of where exactly that turn would be, I turned at a traffic light leading to a small,empty winding road. Pitch darkness with no one in sight and no idea of where the heck we were.

There seemed to be a sign taking us to Phuket Zoo (or was it the Aquarium?) and I could make out some kind of a lake next to us but that was not helping. I was starting to panic but my wife stayed calm. Fortunately my daughter was lost in her own world on the back seat.

A row of barely open shops passed us and I stopped the engine. Two men stood by the road chatting, probably closing for the day. There was not another soul around and there was complete silence.

From their looks, I could tell they knew we were lost.

I went up and said ” Excuse me, but we are lost. How do we get to Kata Beach”?

They did not speak any English but “Kata Beach” got their attention.

“Oh!! Kata Beach!!!” and I could see the eyeballs disappear into their sockets.

“Wait”, I was told, as one man went inside his shop and came out with a huge piece of paper and a marker pen. We went up to the car and he spread the paper all over the bonnet.

He then drew the entire route from where we were right till Kata Beach Resort on that paper. In detail, with all the landmarks we would cross, all the turns we would take and all the roundabouts we would encounter. He labelled the markets and the supermarkets, he drew highways with double lines and smaller roads with smaller double lines. He even drew arrows to make sure I wouldn’t go off in the wrong direction. And for some reason, he stressed on TESCO and where it would be.

All of this was done with no coherent communication-he did not speak English and I knew no Thai. And it was all done within five minutes.

I just gave an embarrassed grateful bow and a “Thank You”.

We reached in a half hour. The directions were perfect and apart from the car nearly getting submerged in a vicious cloudburst and my ATM card malfunctioning at critical moments, we had a fabulous holiday.

I have great memories of that holiday but long after the photos have been admired and the videos have been seen, much after the hotel views have faded from memory, I will always remember that little act of kindness by the roadside. I did not ask him his name and I cannot recall his face but I will never forget that one little incident.

I hope you go to Phuket and have a great time too. Just don’t get lost! And if you do, just make a random right turn and hope for the best.

About the Author: Nishikanta Verma: I am an Indian doctor currently residing in Malaysia. I am passionate about all things related to Cambodia and also have current interests in World History, Buddhism and Quantum Physics. I am married with one daughter and another on the way. Twitter: @jipmerdays.

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France: Bourgeois Bohemian

A recent foray into Paris saw me slightly off centre from my usual stomping grounds. Generally a Rive Droite sort of girl I decided to shake it up a bit, and no I didn’t casually cross a bridge to the left bank instead. In true bohemian spirit, I opted to take an apartment in Montmartre for the week. My sunny micro-duplex was right on the Butte practically under the gleaming white bulk of Sacre Coeur. One of Paris’ biggest tourist traps, Montmartre is to the golden hoardes of tour groups a a place where one snatches up faux impressionist paintings hawked along the tight cobbled streets. It is a fin-de-siecle pastiche and disappointingly nothing like Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rogue. If you are wondering what it would be like to come face to face with one of montmartre’s authentic vagrant ‘artists’, you can try Sacre Coeur at twilight where the homeless men that gather in the portal of the Cathedral. Despite the architectural contempt that Sacre Coeur elicits, it indisputably has one of the most dramatic panorama’s across the city. Tourist trap or not; the arrondisment is not without its own native charms.

Sacre Coeur

For instance, Montmartre is home to the only remaining vineyard in Paris. The area has historically produced vine since the middle ages and continued to be cultivated by the Benedictine Abbey from the 12th century through the French Revolution of 1787. The revolutionaries vented most of their ire on the Abbey but the grapes were not deemed enemies of the state. The unassuming parking lot sized vineyard reinstated in the 1930’s and celebrates its annual harvest in October. The fete des Vendages produces some thousand bottles for auction each year (for more information in French visit http://fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com).

Close Montmartre

Then there is Place des Abbesses due west of the butte. Right near Abbesses is the best baguette you will have in Paris, courtesy of Au Levain d’Antan. I am not joking, I don’t even like bread and I packed away three entire baguettes. It was a veritable carbicide and I would do it again. Also don’t forget to take in the iconic Art Nouveau metro sign, so belle époque chic.

Abbesses

To the east you will find Pigalle, the seedy but trendy area Christian Louboutin named his slinky stilettos after. Aside from the prostitutes this area has a number of hip gentrifying cafes and bars. The neighborhood has a distinct African flair, and is a great place to check out maverick culinary groups such as Cameroonian.

 

Lastly nestled on the edge of the arr. is one of my favourite museums in France. The artistic gem that is the Musee Gustav Moreau. The foremost symbolist of the French Canon, Moreau is often considered something of a hermit body of works. The townhouse where Moreau spent most of his life houses some 4,000 works by the artists along with his gentile chinoiserie. It doesn’t get more Bo-Bo than that folks!

 

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#Honolulu: TONIGHT join us at Lotus Honolulu

Hello Honolulu!

We look forward to seeing you TONIGHT October 3, 2013

7pm at Lotus Honolulu for 

Travel Talk Story with Lisa and George from We Said Go Travel:  Living without Regret

Have you dreamed of long-term international travels across Asia? Considered quitting your job to become a travel blogger and book writer? Want to connect with travel-minded community members?

Festival of the Pacific is a celebration of travel and transformation hosted by We Said Go Travel. The theme, “Living Without Regret: Travel, Love and Success: Make your Dreams a Reality”, presented by the founders of We Said Go Travel, Penn graduate Lisa Niver Rajna (C’89) and her husband George Rajna, will give an inside look into long-term exotic international travel across Asia. They will share their travel expertise, read an excerpt from their new memoir, “Traveling in Sin,” and provide information about We Said Go Travel’s writing contest, and upcoming community.

Join us for an evening of Travel Talk Story with Lisa and George, network with the travel community, and enjoy hosted pupus and drinks. There will be goodie bags for all attendees and raffle prizes.

Lotus Honolulu: THE Place to be in Hawaii from Lisa Niver Rajna

Mahalo to our Sponsors:

Lotus Honolulu for providing the venue space. Book your stay at Aqua Lotus Honolulu for a peaceful retreat steps away from the beach, Kapiolani Park, and Diamond Head.  The hotel decor is Bali-fusion inspired with Hawaiian warm hospitality. Aqua Lotus Honolulu amenities include in-room high speed Internet & WiFi, safe, complimentary coffee and tea service in the lobby, daily local newspaper, valet and concierge services, banquet/meeting facilities and complimentary use of beach items such as sand chairs, umbrellas and mats for the beach just steps away. Lotus Honolulu’s Facebook Page  / @LotusHonolulu

Park Restaurant for hosting pupus. Park Restaurant uses fresh local ingredients.  The food will take you on a culinary journey of infused flavors borrowed from French and Italian, to Greek and Egyptian influences. Chef Collantes’ menu promises a dining experience that is as much adventurous as it is comforting. Park Restauurant Waikiki’s Facebook Page  / @ParkHawaii

Zaratez Mexicatessen for donating to the raffle prizes.  Dine at the restaurant for home style taqueria including tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Zaratez Mexicatessen’s Facebook Page / @zaratez

Uber Honolulu is providing the first 35 attendees roundtrip car service to and from the event for NEW USERS, up to $30 each way.  Please download the Uber app for iPhone or Android and use the promo code traveltalk2013 or the link http://uber.com/go/traveltalk2013 when signing up.  This code is only valid for Thursday, Oct 3rd.

Gogobot Oahu for collaborating with We Said Go Travel. Download the Gogobot travel app (on iPhone and Android) and join the millions of travel community members in reviewing and sharing travel experiences and postcards. Gogobot Oahu’s Facebook Page / @GogobotOahu

Isle Discount for donating discount cards for the goodie bags.  The iDcard is an annual membership to exclusive network of savings at your favorite local restaurants, retailers, bars, and attractions in Oahu, Maui, Las Vegas, Japan, and Canada.  Isle Discount’s Facebook Page / @islediscount

 

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Edinburgh Castle—Rock Solid Symbol of Gratitude

Edinburgh Castle—Rock Solid Symbol of Gratitude

“Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.”

― C.S. Lewis

While touring Great Britain, my group and I visited Edinburgh Castle, an iconic fortress that stood on top a giant rock dominating the Scottish skyline. I was part of a group with members from the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. While I was walking the streets and dining in Edinburgh, I couldn’t help but notice this symbol of gratitude; for whenever I looked up, the castle was there as it had been there for centuries protecting the Scottish people, including some of my Scottish ancestors.

The castle, built on a volcano left behind by the ice age, was erected and modified over many centuries and had been involved in many historical conflicts such the War of Scottish independence led by Robert the Bruce in the fourteenth century and the Jacobite rising of the mid-sixteenth century.

In order to reach the castle, visitors must walk up the cobblestone inclined walkways, much like the soldiers did in earlier times. Our kilted guide, a fountain of knowledge on Scottish history, pointed out the buildings along the way. Listening to his thick brogue transported me and my group back to earlier times and reminded us that we were in Scotland. Like the other members of my group, I was in awe listening to the guide pronounce “Bruce” with a long “u” or “oo” sound like the dialect of my ancestors.

The guide pointed out the prominent Half-Moon Battery built in the sixteenth century which guarded the fortress. He also mentioned that the military buildings on the site had revised their functions as weaponry changed throughout the years. The fortress housed prisoners during the Seven Years war, the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The grounds also had living quarters to house the reigning Scottish king and a meeting place of the Scottish parliament.

The Scottish National War Museum commemorated the Scottish soldiers, and those serving with the regiments, who died in the twentieth and the twenty-first century wars. There were rolls of honor of the fallen from each war. I was fortunate enough to find some family names of ancestors (Dick and Greehan) while perusing the museum. There were fascinating exhibits of Scottish military history over the past four hundred years including a wide range of military artifacts, such as uniforms, medals and weapons. The exhibits also illustrated the history and causes behind the many wars.

In a small room, we saw the crown jewels which were comprised the crown, scepter and sword of Scotland. Because of conflicts between the English and the Scots, the crown jewels went into hiding in the days of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England and were restored for King Charles II’s coronation. After the Parliament of Scotland was dissolved in 1707, the jewels were locked away and forgotten about in Edinburgh Castle until Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott found them in the far reaches of the castle a century later.

After that, we admired another important Scottish artifact called the Stone of Destiny; also know as the Stone of Scone. The stone was used for coronations of Scottish kings until the 13th century when the English invaded, captured it and used it as their own coronation stone. In the 1990’s the British Government decided that the Stone should be returned to Scotland where it had been displayed in Edinburgh Castle ever since. This Scottish descendent is grateful to the British Government for their wise decision.

Presently, the castle is no longer actively used by the military. The military presence is ceremonial with performances by the Edinburgh Military Tattoo taking place every August. The spectacle consists of a parade and pipes and drums performed by Scottish regiments with military bands from all over the world participating in this event.

This landmark is a lasting symbol of gratitude. I hope to return someday when I can see a performance of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and get another guided tour from a Scotsman with a thick brogue.

About the Author: Eileen Sateriale is a government administrator who writes in her spare time. She lives in Methuen, MA with her husband and has had the opportunity to travel after raising their two daughters. She can be found on Facebook.

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in the Top 100 Travel Blogs! Thanks Nomadic Samuel!

Thank you to Nomadic Samuel for all his work in running and creating the Top 100 Travel Blog List. We have been following it and many of the great websites included for awhile now. We are honored to now be ON the LIST!

Here is what he has to say about us:

Lisa Niver Rajna and George Rajna are the collective creative genius behind We Said Go Travel global travel community site.  As co-authors of Traveling in Sin they’re also accomplished writers and speakers with extensive around the world travel experience.  Given their versatility in skill-set and passion for travel it’s no surprise they have one of the most accomplished travel blogs around today.

 THANK YOU NOMADIC SAMUEL!

Join in our Travel Writing Contest: $1,000usd in cash prizes!

Meet us at one of our live or online events : Oct 3rd in Oahu, Oct 16th in Los Angeles and Oct 23rd for our online webinar with the University of Pennsylvania about Exotic Burma. We hope to see you or your friends at one of ourupcoming events!

We appreciate all of you who read our newsletters, articles, website and BOOK! Thank you to everyone for your support of our journey and all our writing. Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest,  SlideShare,  Twitter , and YouTube.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Happy and Safe Travels from Kauai, Hawaii!

Mahalo and Aloha!

Lisa and George

Our memoir, Traveling in Sin, is available on Amazon.com.

Traveling in Sin is a TOP TEN Hot New Release! from Lisa Niver Rajna

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Washington: Apples of Gold

 

Wenatchee by Joe Mabel

Apples of gold in settings of silver

Wenatchee, Washington, 1999

Proverbs 25:11 reads, Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling (or word) rightly given.” I can’t say that I completely understand its meaning but thinking about a mere moment that I spent just north of Wenatchee, Washington at the Rocky Reach Dam Park back in 1999 at the age of 17, I think that I get a little closer to its wisdom, a glimmer of its truth and then a smile emerges on my face which reflects exactly the smile that blooms within me.

Every time I read this verse, my mind’s eye goes to the evening I camped there as I traveled home from a North West Youth Corps work site; the night of comfort and peace before the storm. NWYC is a summer youth program working to build or rebuild hiking trails in various locations of the great NW. I and a NWYC counselor were driving from who knows where so I could catch a bus in Bellevue Washington. I was called home early and I was naïve enough to not be scared or even concerned in the least.

We arrived at sunset and my breath was taken away in such a moment of unimaginable peace and I found myself blanketed gently in a cocoon of light with an exhilarating since of fullness. I never knew that one could have such an experience looking at landscape, as beautiful as it was. I look back now and see that God was using that moment to infuse me with strength and light before arriving home and hearing about my sister’s death.

Could the following day’s news bias me to the memory of the brilliant glow of the sun setting beyond Wenatchee’s dam and mountains? Could my sister’s death drive me to be biased and seek for a moment before this to hold onto for strength? No, I don’t think so.

That night was so pure and my recollection of what I felt prior to the news is still so fresh after all these years. I remember the warm summer breeze that flowed through that night’s air and the perfume of the vibrant flowers and tall green grass that I can still smell. I remember the complete comfort I felt sleeping under the mantle of blackness speckled with the brilliance of perfect wish-making stars. I remember falling into a rest-filled sleep listening to the noise of the water that flowed through the dam and crickets that sung around our tent. I remember the cool morning sunrise and noticing for the first time that delectable smell of crisp and juicy apples from the heart of Washington’s apple country filling the early dew filled environment and how the sun’s rays glistened behind each apple tree telling me that one day, I’d go back again.

I am still waiting for that elusive day, but closing my eyes or reading Psalms 25:11, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling (or a word) rightly given,” My senses can take me back any time where my mind hold the only pictures I have and I love it!

About the Author: Hi, my name is Emily Free. I love my name. I love writing. I love working as a Dental Hygienist in Brookings, Oregon, and I love my quiet, simple life and spending time with my friends and family.

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Los Angeles: Travel Happy Hour: Living without Regret

Travel Happy Hour: Living without Regret

Have you dreamed of long-term international travel in Asia? Considered quitting your job to become a travel blogger and book writer? Want to connect with travel-minded community members?

Festival of the Pacific is a celebration of travel and transformation hosted by PennClubLA, LACOT, Dave’s Travel Corner, and We Said Go Travel. The theme, “Living Without Regret: Travel, Love and Success: Make your Dreams a Reality,” is presented by the founders of We Said Go Travel, Penn graduate Lisa Niver Rajna (C’89) and her husband George Rajna, who will give an inside look into their long-term exotic international travel across Asia over the last fifteen months. They will share their travel expertise, read an excerpt from their new memoir, “Traveling in Sin,” and provide information about We Said Go Travel’s writing contest, and upcoming community.

Join us for conversation, drinks and a raffle, at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel on October 16, at 7:00 PM.

11461 Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90049 USA

RSVP TODAY! with Penn Club LA or Facebook

Everyone is welcome and this event is free to attend. 

Join us Oct 23rd for an online webinar on Exotic Burma!

 

Traveling in Sin is a HOT NEW Release on Amazon! from Lisa Niver Rajna

 

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Guatemala: Tantalizing Tajumulco

“You are my problem trekker,” smirked Lukas in a thick Czech Republican accent. Nodding in agreement, I knew I was their quarrelsome guest. Showing up hours past the first meeting will undoubtedly put a person into that mold. It was beyond my control, due to a nice surprise from my ‘legitimate’ Mexico-to-Guatemala bus company, which preferred dropping me off on the side of a random Guatemalan road, instead of at my destination. Hitchhiking via chicken bus, I managed to make my way into Quetzaltenango (Xela) in time to for Lukas to quickly run around gathering negated gear for my trek. He was obviously rushed time-wise, but I didn’t care, due to his memorizing pale blue eyes and eastern European twang. Czech accents sound similar to that of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s, except infinitely sexier.

Lukas, and a few other traveling guides, volunteered for a company called Quetzaltrekkers. Successfully based out of Guatemala and Nicaragua, this organization is very unique in the world. Aimed at self-sustainability and turning tourism dollars into positive outlets, it adopted the slogan “Hike and Help”. Quetzaltrekkers is a non-profit, based on the help of gracious traveling volunteers. Trek costs and tips are purely donated to charities aimed at helping Guatemalan communities, specifically local children.

Finally, forms and packing preparations were complete, the only obligations left were to celebrate the first night in Xela, and arrive by 4:30am to start on our journey. My dear, hometown Montana friend, Aaron, was the person who invited me to climb Tajumulco, Central America’s highest peak. Rejoicing with Aaron and his Celas Maya Language school friends was much more comforting than I expected Guatemala to be. Before leaving the Yucatan Peninsula, my original solo backpacking base, I was constantly warned of the dangers lying within the country south of Mexico’s border. Xela instantly denounced all prior angst with its cultural soul, layered between architecture of past centuries and welcoming energy. The night of Quetzal-bliss turned into an abrupt morning wake up. If it wasn’t for brown sugar water (dubbed as coffee) and Aaron, I’m not sure if I would have even made it to Tajumulco’s base.

From that point on the only choice was up. The sweaty, steep incline, and hours devoted to mindlessly putting one-foot-in-front-of-the-other, were properly matched with the trek benefits; continuous breathtaking views, a tasty lunch break, uplifting prelusive talks with other trekkers, a random jam-session from locals, and our high-elevation base camp destination of the day. Prior to dinner we hiked to the second highest peak, Cerro Concepcion, to watch the most memorable sunset of my life. There was no distraction from the group, only pure devotion to the distant sun departing its golden sky to dive through a layer of crimson clouds, and dip into a modest crisp of the Pacific.

The awing sets of colors were eventually contrasted by gleaming black and white constellations that took over the sky, this acted as a guide back to our tents. That night transformed into a hard sleep in the midst of Central America’s highest canopy. In a few well rested hours I awoke to the same darkness; a slow kaleidoscope of stars beckoned our grumbling group’s way along the last crater ascent. The top of Tajumulco was nothing but frigid at 4,222 meters. While waiting for the sun to warmly peak over Guatemala’s volcanic highlands we distracted ourselves with hugs, jumping jacks, and the site of Lava on a distant peak.

I was beginning to internally coincide with Jack’s final moments on The Titanic, when the first beams of sunlight poured over the rugged silhouette. Our cold triumph was cheered on from all trekkers, we did not just happen to watch the world turn from this unique location, we fought for this opportunity. Time calmed our trepidation and brought for our descent for coffee, breakfast, and sadly, civilization. We worked down the mountain smiling and satisfied. The decline harmonized my feelings of personal achievement and reassurement of following a rambling wanderlust life. While riding back to town on love-themed chicken bus, astonishment and group-achievement laced our goodbyes to one another. I felt nothing but bliss at how devoted, inspiring, challenging and humbling this world and its various occupants truly are.

About the Author: My name is Jordan, I am a freshly addicted to this incredible passion of backpacking and traveling. Cultural anthropology, archaeology, and all-out adventures motivate me to see as much of this world that I can. I am solo traveler wanting to share my experiences with you, follow me at my new blog: www.jordisphere.com

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Indonesia: Luxury in Lombok

Indonesia: Luxury in Lombok

It was 5 months into my Asia travels and I had been in Indonesia for about 2.5 weeks. My original plan was only 2 weeks in Indonesia, and if I had stuck to this plan, I wouldn’t be writing this now. I had a flight from Denpasar Airport, Bali to Singapore on the horizon.

I had traveled to the Gili Trawangan Island with some new traveler friends which I had met previously in Kuta, Bali. Zane, Josh and Tim I had met from Kayun Hostel. Zane loved wearing Justin Bieber shirts as a joke, so as a group alliance name, we called ourselves the Bieber Babes. Whilst staying in Gili Hostel; we had met some more travelers and numbers to the pact. Nick and Mairi, a couple from Australia, and Hanna and Verona were best friends from Norway and Kosovo.

I got all the way to Denpasar Airport, when i decided not to take my flight to Singapore. I wasn’t done with this group, or with Indonesia. I had spoken to Zane and Tim who talked about renting a Villa with Nick, Mairi, Verona and Hanna. Josh by this time had left to continue his travels. I loved the idea of a bunch of us in a Villa and would of felt left out I hadn’t journeyed again. Back down I went from Kuta, to Padang Bai Ferry port and from there to Lombok, bypassing the Gili Islands. I got to the Amepnan Ferry port in Lombok which was completely empty and I was alone. Where I needed to be in Kuta, Lombok was a 3 hour journey. I had no choice but to pay 2 young lads 350,000 Rupiah which is approximately $35 for the car trip. I was exhausted and fell asleep until we got there.

When I arrived at our place, Sari Inn, I had never expected such a palace. Along with the Private Chauffeur who we could ask to take us for free at anytime, we had 4 bikes ready for us for 8 of us to share. The price was $9 per night each. A two tier Villa with a balcony, swimming pool,multiple rooms, double beds,  hammocks, a kitchen area, TV with DVD’s and more. It was backpacking luxury. Flashpacking some might say. Hamy who was a local Indonesian, was a cock fighter. He ran the place with a couple of his friends. By 8am every morning the place would be spotless, no complaints or trouble.

During our 5 days we were all there we went out on bike rides, surfed, ate at local restaurants, had pool parties, and played drinking games. We even re-enacted the famous painting of Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the last supper I recall.  Our day times would be chilled out, with the hammocks being the most popular spot to read a book or listen to some music. We ate noodles for food, bottles of Indonesian Bintang to wash it down with; typical backpacker style. I remember feeling part of a family due to the good atmosphere and everyone getting along. Our final night we had final pool party. We had met some Swedes in the Gili’s and randomly bumped into them at a restaurant earlier that day. We invited them around. A bunch of backpackers living the flashpacker life from across the globe coming together. Nationals from England, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Canada and Australia. Some would say that’s a pretty good bunch.

There were a lot of happy people that night. This may sound like a typical party story that every backpacker experiences, but it wasn’t. This was quite unique. You hear about fancy villa resorts for next to nothing prices across Asia, normally occupied by people on ‘holiday’ living an easy lifestyle, champagne by the pool, whilst the beaming sun sizzling their skin. It wasn’t that we took it for granted; it was almost like justice had been done. Justice to all those kilometers traveling on the road, bitten all those nights by mosquito’s, woken up by the sound of drunken mischief. Of course, this was part of backpacking; however, this situation we found ourselves in was a gift.

Plans change when you travel. These are the delights of being a traveler, not knowing what is going to happy next. There are so many titles for this article that could be sufficed. Whatever that is, it was a time of my travels I won’t forget.. We had a bit of luxury of Lombok.

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Belgrave, Australia?

by Amberly Young

I’ve been working in Melbourne for the last 3 months as a kitchen-hand, stuck in a tiny room with a grumpy Israeli cook. My boyfriend James has been walking door to door, passing out government funded energy saving products six days a week. It’s been rainy and cold and we are both feeling worn down from the daily grind.

To escape the city, we went to a meditation retreat a few weeks ago, designed for young people under the age of 30. When we first arrived, I noticed a quirky looking couple in matching African-print pullovers.

As we went around in a circle introducing ourselves, the woman, whose name is Monika,  jumped in the air and shouted, “Whoo-pee, I’m so glad to be here!”

Her partner Roderick is a drum teacher, and later we all went to his van to carry a few dozen djembes to the workshop room. He led the group in a very noisy African drumming session, and that night, we spread out on the floor for a ‘sound bath’ of didgeridoos and drums.

The next day, Monika led us in a basket weaving class where I learned how to make a tiny basket using long grass and a needle.

I felt at one with their creative, loving energy from the moment I met them. Lucky for me Roderick invited us to visit them in his forest home in Belgrave, just an hour outside Melbourne.

A few weeks later, on a Friday morning we hopped on a train, watching the graffiti lined walls dwindle to be replaced by trees. We are soon engulfed in a thick, dewy fog. The air is moist and I can feel it rolling down my throat.

It’s hard to believe that we are only only an hour outside of the vibrant, bustling city of Melbourne. Monika and Roderick live at the top of a steep driveway just outside of Belgrave in an adorable house surrounded by giant mountain ash trees. These are the world’s tallest flowering plant, reaching heights over 114 meters.

Belgrave is a cute little town nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. The area attracts an alternative crowd of hippies, musicians and artists.

With the somber weather, its a perfect day to visit the William Ricketts Sanctuary. Monika drives us down winding mountain roads, we park and walk uphill to the sculpture garden.

Rickett’s underlying message is a deep one, and the gloomy mist makes it sink in. His ceramics seem to grow out of the trees. Covered in moss and softened with time,  the sculptures depict faces, busts, and bodies of aboriginals, the original owners of the land.

That night, Monika and Roderick take us to a neighborhood gathering, where there is pot-luck food, music, and dancing in a community center. Roderick plays the kora, an African instrument which sounds like a harp. I play the ukulele and sing with a group of a dozen forest-dwellers. We all pound on some drums and dance our hearts out.

Someday, I want to be like these people, I think to myself: living a creative and free-spirited life.

Taking the train back to Melbourne, we see the trees dwindle, replaced by malls and parking garages. In the city, the sidewalks are gray, and instead of tall trees, apartment blocks tower above.

I don’t mind, though; just a few more weeks of work here before I take off with my backpack, towards the trees.

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