Poetic Ramblings

15th May 2012; 13:19

Location: Voyage Travellers' Cafe, Melaka Malaysia

Why: Random poetic thoughts at 3 in the morning.

Last night, or rather early this morning I laid wide awake after having crawled into bed around 01:00. I have been trying to get to bed earlier in attempts to go for early morning runs. Fail.

Instead, my mind seems to be most active at night and won't turn off until I've done something about it like write it down or draw it out.

Early this morning was no exception. So many stories in my head that want to be released no matter how unrefined. No matter how unfinished.

Here is one result:

Caged Desire

the desire for him still burned inside her like an eternal flame
it consumed her in the passing nights
visions of his face danced around her mind

she could still feel the heat between their bodies
and smell the fragrant sweat around his neck on that warm tropical evening
the savoury sweetness of his scent filled her senses of holding him close

time had stood still

the silence connected their heart and body in one perfect moment

how she longed to relive that one special night
in her evening stroll home, she'd randomly bumped into him on the street
they had been worlds apart and yet there they were
that one single night in a paradise island
it was the stuff her stories were made of

instead, it was their story
and her secret wish of seeing him again had come true
she savoured every breath they inhaled, every step they walked, every sip they drank
they reminisced easily between recounts on how they had met;
glasses clinking as they toasted seeing each other again

why did the universe so briefly allow her such deep pleasure?
why did it tease her with such unadulterated desire?
the very same desire that still burned through the passage of time
the caged animal inside her growled to be released
it silently roared to be re-united with him
if only for one more perfect moment

Sometimes Faking it is the Best

Friday, 11th May 2012; 14:11

Location: Limau Limau Cafe, Melaka Malaysia

Why: Best fake ever purchased.

I've just escaped into my 'writer's flat' at the upstairs level of Limau Limau cafe here in Chinatown. Louie Armstrong's It's a Wonderful World is cooing over the cafe's sound system while the couple in the corner leisurely read their books and I start this post.

Armstrong's voice crackles and tingles my spine as he describes what a wonderful world it really is. What have I done to deserve such simple pleasures in life? An extraordinary cup of latte has just been delivered to my table by the waiter as I stare out the shuttered window overlooking the quaint graveyard that hasn't changed in decades.

In this vagabonding lifestyle, I am usually not attached to things or people. At least I try my best not to. However, as I look over at my reliable but beat up little day pack, I admit that I would be shattered if I lost her or she gave up on me.

Staring out the window and realizing just how much I love my day pack:

I started my travel with my Gregory Deva 57L backpack and a Black Diamond day pack. I bombed around Vancouver with Black Diamond testing her out beforehand. She tested fine but proved to be an annoying piece to lug around so I sent her home from Koh Tao, only 5 weeks into my trip. Good riddance for she was 2.07lbs naked. I'm a bit obsessive about the weight of my travel gear.

I didn't meet my North Face beauty until 2 months later when I found myself perusing all the fake merchandise in one of Hanoi's many streets. She was hanging there all small and cute that I asked the merchant to take her down for a look. She was much smaller and lighter than Black Diamond - two important criteria for the minimalist style I was traveling in.

After some negotiating, I bought her for 250, 000VND, approximately $12CAD. Total score. Since then, we have been inseparable (except for when I use the indestructible shopping bag from Asmin). North Face has been through a lot, including surgeries of all kinds.

Patching her up when she started falling apart at the sides and the straps. Fear not, for there's nothing a little orange embroidery thread cannot fix!

As I continued my dance around SE Asia, North Face underwent some cosmetic surgery including the addition of the flag where she came from and the flag where her owner calls home:

She also underwent some internal surgeries for the better. After my first fisherman's pants became too pilled, even for my dirtbag backpacker image, I gave it a new life by sewing pockets into North Face's insides.

The decision proved to be a great idea as it helped distribute the weight of the pack more efficiently. One of the most important things every backpacker should have is a sewing kit. And some patience. Luckily I love sewing so I have patience for this kind of thing.

Pocket #1 which houses my travel notebook:

Pocket #2 which houses my wallet:

And pocket #3 which houses my face blotter and trusty little calculator for which I'd be lost without:

Virtually everywhere I go, North Face is with me, even when she's feeling sepia:

North Face carries everything that is valuable to me on the road. Literally. I really would be shattered if I lost her or she breaks down completely. Or worse, she gets stolen. But alas, she has protected all that is dear to me in this little world wandering for over nine months. And with our home base here in Melaka, I think she will still be kickin' it strong when we are on the move again. Stay tuned for where our next adventure will be by checking in.

In the meantime, I realize I am coming onto the one year anniversary of this Wanderin' the Globe odyssey. Where has the time gone? Wasn't it only yesterday I was biking across the Burrard Street bridge getting to work? Somebody pinch me.

Birth of a Thailand Tattoo

Sunday 6th May 2012; 12:26

Location: My flat - Jalan Gelanggang, Melaka Malaysia

Why: More tattoos than I bargained for. Unfortunately.

I have found a new love to indulge my ears. Federico Aubele's Kreuzberg is playing on my headphones, beckoning me to Berlin. It's making me think of Cara, Andrea, Age and how I should be there right now with them. Hi guys!

Well, since my last post, I have now returned back to my Asia home base that is the Magical Melaka.
And as I contemplate, I just realized I have a lunch date with a French, a Dutch and a Korean at 13:00. We're taking Ms. Korea for South Indian. Mmmm, I'm starting to drool.

But I'll start this post anyway. One of the reasons I went back to Chiang Mai was to get touch ups done on my tattoos.

My tattoo artist Thom as we finish a 3hr touch up session:

Along the way, there was Songkran, fresh fruit shakes and dates with a cute Dutch guy. Well, on one of those dates, we frolicked at the waterfalls, blissed out to the warm sun, and exchanged googly glances (from each other and from locals - ha!).

Hmmmm hold that thought, I've gotta get to the lunch date....






15:33 - that was deeelicious.

Back to the story. Googly glances aside, we decided to head back into the moat and hopped on the motorbike. I don't know if it was an omen or not but recently I had somewhat boasted about having traveled around SE Asia for almost a year and not been a victim of the 'Falang Tattoo', aka the Thailand Tattoo.

As Murphy's Law would have it, riding on the back of the motorbike and crossing through a green light, me and Dutch Guy had a collision with a Thai driver who ran a red light.

My life flashed before me in slow motion.

As Dutch Guy attempted to brake, we slammed into the back right side of Thai Guy's swanky white vehicle, toppled over to the left with our right legs landing directly on top of the exhaust pipe.

The Thailand Tattoo was born.

In a dizzying whirl, we collected ourselves with the help of other motorists and got out of the busy intersection. No sooner had we caught our bearings did Thai Guy come running to us apologizing.

Apologizing! Thais saying sorry to foreigners (or locals for that matter) is generally an urban myth. Not this time.

He confessed at having not paid attention to the traffic because he was on the phone. The phone! I was so shocked at the sight of my melted skin but it dawned on me that we could have died because some careless asshole was busy on the phone instead of concentrating on the road. My blood was boiling.

In shock and nauseated by the sight of my melted flesh:

After some negotiating between Thai Guy and Dutch Guy, we walked away with 1000Baht, two newly minted Falang Tattoos, a slightly damaged motorbike and a traumatized heart (mine).

That was 17th April. That same evening, I was scheduled to get my tattoos touched up. So what started out as one sunny date ended in one damaged Davie. By the time I got home to Anna's (whom I was staying with), I was physically and mentally spent. I think this incident rivals my Saigon food poisoning stunt.

Two days after the accident. The skin is hot and bubbling underneath. Gross....

One week after the accident, I decided to see a doctor just to make sure it wasn't infected and I was caring for it properly. Nora and Monika took me to the local clinic in Little India. The nice doctor cleaned the wound, gave me some special antibiotic ointment, a warm fatherly smile and sent me on my way. Bless him.

New skin. I couldn't walk for days without painful jabs coursing through every step:

Twenty days after the accident, I am recovering nicely. The Thailand Tattoo has taken on a character of it's own and has been adopted as 'Nathan's Pipe'.

What Nathan's Pipe looks like today:

I am jonesing to jump into the local pool these days but still have to be careful with Nathan's Pipe. I reckon a couple more weeks before it's safe to do so.

In the meantime, I am still getting my flat sorted out. Stay tuned.

Here is a sneak peek at what's brewing Chez Davie's:

And just for shits 'n giggles, here's a blind contour drawing I did while hanging out at the Tea Tree in Chiang Mai:

Also, I would like to give a shout out to Skoots and AC for checking in on these posts. I fell off the wagon on this one after the motorbike incident.

However, nothing like putting it on a board to make me accountable:

By the way, who is Murphy and why is it his law?

Soaked in Songkran

Wednesday, 18th April 2012; 16:13

Location: Hmon-Oon Cafe, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Why: The soggy sassiness of Songkran

Songkran, the wettest outdoor party this side of Asia was one of the main reasons I came back for another romp in Chiang Mai. This three day wet fest is something every dirty backpacker should experience if they are in SE Asia in April for surely one will come out drenched and perhaps a little cleaner? Well maybe not, there's still loads of dirt in my crevices. T.M.I? Sorry.

For those not hip to Thailand's beats, the Songkran Festival is a 3 day event from 13th-15th April celebrating the Thai New Year. It conveniently falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand and is a prelude to the wet season ahead.

During this time, it is a countrywide water splash for three days straight, no school and sadly, no alcohol:

But when you're busy Rambooing your way through the wet crowd, who has time to chug a Chang when there's a driving songtheaw target full of dry people a few meters away?

And why hold a bottle of beer when you can hold these blasters? Built-in fun and full-on badassness:

 That's right, two hot Asian Falangs fully loaded. Run, you cannot. Hide, you cannot. Wet, you will be:

On day one, we made our way into the moat for the madness that started in the morning until well after sunset. We couldn't walk more than a few meters without getting soaked or soaking someone(s). And all the laughter along the way surely gave me a few new wrinkles under the scorching sun.

This guy may have a tank of water but solo in a tuk-tuk, he is the perfect target for a wet douse:

Case in point. This female didn't stand a chance!

And I just love the expression on the girl with the hat: Oh yes, my next target...

On day two, we tracked down a bunch of couchsurfers, a motley crew from all over the world including a Thai expat named Pat, a website designer from Philly now based in Beijing and a dude who's building a travel expense tracker for people like me and Anna. Together, we possed over to the Chiang Mai Gate (south entrance of the moat) where we stationed ourselves at a local Thai business with a continuous water source. Perfect.

As the day went on, we bucketed, sprayed and chased passersby with ice cold water. Oh, we were cruel at times. With the traffic jam all along the moat, there were so many crawling songtheaws with victims inside, we couldn't resist the Couchsurfer Ambush. And ambushed we did.

Of course, we also got nailed by locals driving by on their pickups with just as cold ice water and gangs of Thais with impeccable aim.

What a street party. At the famous Tha Pae Gate (east entrance of the moat):

Taking an obligatory self portrait as wet debauchery ensued in the background:

By day three, we met up with the Couchsurfers again for more water blasting. Then we found a little reggae bar on the south side of the moat and suddenly we parked our guns. As the hot sun baked our skin, I was happy for the gift of a nice little doobie (or two) that's been missing in my life for months! Gotta love that sweet Canadian we met there, ha! Canadians and doobies, what a combo.

Of course, the munchies came almost immediately for me so I had to brave the crowds for the closest minimart. I didn't even get three feet out the reggae bar without getting shot down with a healthy squirt square in the face. Love it.

Of all the fun things I've done in my travels, I have to say, Songkran is tops for traveling to Thailand this time of year. All the more fun with my girl Anna, couchsurfers and of course our badass waterguns.

If you ever want to hose someone down in the best water fight party, come to Chiang Mai. Just make sure you are not completely defenseless. Make sure you pick up a badass watergun.

Tripping All Over Tips' Best Fresh Smoothies

Thursday, 12th April 2012; 13:07

Location: The Tea Tree, Chiang Mai Thailand

Why: Extra, extra! Read all about Tips' Best Fresh Smoothies!

Songkran Festival officially starts tomorrow but already I've been a water gun victim today. If my camera survives the 3 day wet mayhem, you can bet I'll have something to say about it here (:

In the meantime, there's the matter of a little smoothie stand that has generally kick started my days with a healthy dose of vitamins. And a nice serving of new travelers to meet every time I get into the queue for my fruit concoction.

Another shameless plug: Tips' Best Fresh Fruit Smoothie:

What is it about this stand that keeps people coming back you ask? Simply put, Tips makes the BEST smoothie this side of the planet. Period. Overstatement? Read on.

I first discovered this place inside the Som Phet Market over 10 months ago when I was being all hardcore Muay Thai training and staying at A Little Bird Guesthouse. Upon returning this time around, I sat down at the table and Tips looks at me unassuming. I thought there's no way she remembers me.

Wrong. She looks over and says "Oh, you're back. How are you? It's been a long time". My heart fluttered.

After that, I proclaimed eternal loyalty to her smoothies.

I mean, look at this mountain of heavenliness?

The magic happens between her knife and skillful hands. Here, Tips creating a powerful bowl of muesli for a lucky patron:

And the lucky patron goes to....pretty brunette!

With the myriad of fruits to choose from, one can leisurely ponder the endless combinations while waiting in the queue. And when you have decided on what you want, Tips will only then literally cut up your order to be fresh-off-the-blender. There are no pre-cuts sitting in a plastic cup at this stand. Oh no. The only drink you'll ever get is one that is so damned fresh, each sip from the very first to the last drop, will be like BAM!

An overstatement? Oh no my friend, oh no.

Yesterday, Yves decided on a BBY: Banana-Beet-Yoghourt. When it came and we each took a sip, it was a party in our mouths. Then we cleverly came up with BABY: Banana-Apple-Beet-Yoghourt. Today, he placed the order, she whipped it up and I nearly fell over my seat after one sip. A drink of epic proportions?

Mais bien sur.

An overstatement? Mais non, mes amis, mais non.

Despite the endless combinations, I'm still a faithful Mango-Beet-Lime devotee. Wouldn't you if you were drinking this colour?

The travelers who keep coming back know how special this lady and her fruit shakes are. I have spoken to many who have told me tales of discovering this place last month, last year and years ago. And have come back to Chiang Mai for this reason. Not gonna lie, I paid a little extra to fly straight from KUL to CNX, skipping BKK just so I could get here faster.

Faster to Tips' Best Fresh Smoothies. Oh yes. It is that good.

And yes, I am soooo plugging this little gem. So buy your one way ticket to somewhere far. Chiang Mai far.

And don't forget to make a pit stop here. You too will find yourself tripping all over Tips' Best Fresh Smoothies.

A Tree For Tea

Tuesday, 10th April 2012; 17:58

Location: The Tea Tree, Chiang Mai Thailand

Why: A Dutch. A Chinese. And an Austrian inside a Tea Tree. Check it!

Thievery Corporation's The State of The Union (Rewound) is blasting enthusiastically on my headphones from the weary lil netbook that is The Acer Aspire One. As I sit Buddha style in my latest and greatest new discovery, I will try my best to describe this little gem of a place that is mere meters from my guesthouse.

This morning, I sauntered leisurely over to my favourite smoothie lady inside the Som Phet Market (that's another gem I will post about, stay tuned!). While patiently waiting for my Beet-Mango-Lime godly creation, I chatted up a cute Dutch guy name Yves. We made small talk, actually more like long talk as there was the usual long queue for Tip's Best Smoothies, ha!

Yves mentioned about a cute little tea shop just a few meters from where we were sitting so together we headed up the shallow steps to the most impossibly chilled and unpretentious hangout I've been to in a really long time. This is almost, if not better than, dare I say it, Voyage Cafe! *gasp*

The Tea Tree. If you are in Chiang Mai and near the Som Phet Market, look for this sign, you don't want to miss it!!

As I entered the 2nd floor tea shop, I immediately felt it's positive energy from the surroundings. The shop owner, Laura, is a friendly Austrian girl kitted out bohemian style with ankle jingles, natty hair and a warm heart.

This place isn't so much a cafe as it is a chillout lounge. It is outfitted in straw mats, Thai cushions, low wooden tables and hippie mish mash decor worthy of stealing hours away from the day.

I sit comfortably at one of the wooden tables scratching out this post while the patron in the background is meditating serenely. Bliss? I think so:

Teas are obviously the specialty here. As I peruse the menu, I decide on the mocha chai. Laura prepares the drink in such a homely manner, I feel like I'm in a friend's kitchen. And herein is where I felt like I just discovered a rare gem; a wonderful little gift from the Universe. Oh, and she makes homemade tahini. Um, yes please!!

My mocha chai drink, made with love:

By this time, it is well into the afternoon. After our power smoothies,Yves and I were sipping delightfully on our teas and chatting away with Laura. I couldn't have been in a better place as inspiration flowed through my hot drink and trickled down my throat.

Laura and Yves, chilling at the shop counter:

Not only does Laura make amazing teas, pancakes and salads were also on the vegetarian menu; everything I love in a hangout. Yves and I copy each other by ordering the salad. Well, more like me copying him...haha. But not before a few games of backgammon! My very first time playing. Surprised? Me too.

Yves had the perfect travel size board to play on:

So my stereotype of a game played by retired Italian men in pants pulled over their pot bellies, was quickly abolished as this cute Dutch guy explained the game and we were rolling the dices like a couple of excited kids.

Then the epic salad and pancake arrived:

Yves is very happy to win backgammon and chow down on some vegetable vitamins. Me too. Not at losing but at seeing the black sesame seeds and peanuts in my salad!

Not only is this place ideal for great teas, feel free to pick up a hoola hoop. Or juggle some tennis balls. These two clearly know what to do here:

Patrons playing guitar, giving ayurvedic sessions and deep in conversation, ideal pastimes me thinks:

As I sip away on another Laura concoction, classic chai tea, the sun has set and a gentle breeze blows through the open windows. Thievery's Culture of Fear album is thumping in my ears and already, I cannot wait to come back tomorrow for another session of writing and numerous cups of tea from the Tree. Oh and I think Yves and I will be painting a tree going up the stairs!

I am sooo plugging this place: The Tea Tree. At two months old, you don't want to miss out on a special haven in Chiang Mai!

Taman Negara, Don't Believe the Hype!

Wednesday 4th April, 2012; 14:38

Location: Taman Negara Malaysia

Why: Not all 'must see' places are as they're perceived....

Wake up and go for a run. Check. Get interrupted by landlady while in downward dog. Check. The day is starting out beautifully. Okay, the afternoon is. But I did get up at a respectable 9am. Progress.

I was going to write about the flat I currently live in on Jonker Walk here in Chinatown. But I've only got the 'before' pics and the flat still needs some more lovin' to make it 'homey'. Like curtains for instance. Speaking of which, I need to go buy some fabric today. If you've been following my blog, then you know that I usually post pics to tell my stories.

Okay, I'll write about Taman Negara. Late last month, after checking out the At A Glance Art exhibition where Nora the Explora killed it with 4 pieces sold and a major commission, I met up with that funny Lemmon. Dan Lemmon. I met this hilarious British gent during the TEFL course in January. So when the opportunity to hang out with him in Malaysia came up, I jumped at the chance for more jokes, awkward comments and a new place to discover. Our plan was to hit Taman Negara, then beach out at Pulau Perhentian.

From KL, we took a bus to Jarantut, a small passing through town on the way to Kuala Tahun where the Taman Negara National Park begins. After 3 hours, we got into Jarantut in the evening and headed straight for the Pizza Hut. Very worldly, I know. But we were starving! Plus, it had been months since I've had anything remotely resembling a pizza so....yah, Pizza Hut. Don't judge.

After dinner, we stayed at the stuffy and lack luster Sri Emas hotel before catching a bus to the jetty for a 3hr (more like 4hr) slow boat to Kuala Tahun. Poor Dan, at 6'3", he was all crooked like a pretzel in the narrow boat.

But like a funny man in all situations, he hammed it up for a snapshot. That's his knee on my chest!

When we finally docked, we decided on Liana Hostel. Another stuffy and lack luster pit with dorm bunks. We found ourselves with another Canadian and German as roommies for the night. Cool, but it was tight in that little room.

Another example of being 6'3" and traveling in SE Asia:

Okay, so we tried in vain to do some of the activities that were supposedly 'must do' in T.N. But as a twosome, prices were more than doubled and we had no luck recruiting others to economize this overrated place. What we really wanted to do was sleep in the bat cave overnight and trek in the jungle; a RM230/person if there were at least 4 persons doing the 2D1N tour. No deal. Oh well.

So Day 1 was a write off. We hung around the pier instead, eating and drinking away the rest of the day. Wifi at Liana Hostel was RM5 and we're told was very slow. Fail. Liana Hostel staff - Fail. **sigh**

We decided to do a night safari by 4WD, yet another lack luster activity that was over priced at RM40 and cut short by 30 minutes, wtf? Well, at least our tour guide Rain was entertainment for us by virtue of having to answer Dan's many awkward questions. Questions like "Rain, what kind of herbal leaves would you recommend I use to help me poo? I've haven't taken a dump in 4 days". Awkward.....

In between Dan's silly, drunken questions (he had 7 beers that night), I tried to take some night shots. Not so much. Except this pic looked kinda cool:

Night Safari? Fail. But we persevere. The next day, we got ourselves sorted out and headed across the river into the park for the Canopy Walk. Another disappointment. Half the canopy was closed. But we walk it anyway. At RM5, I thought is was a rip off but whatev...

Here we are, enjoying a short ride into the National Park:

Entrance to the Canopy Walkway:

Look how excited we are to walk only half the canopy!

After walking a bit, we came to a clearing in the jungle with a view:

After these two let downs, we decided to pack it up and move on out. We headed back to Melaka where Dan spent one night and half a day. Then, pouff, like that, he was gone. Back to Chiang Mai. Oh well, Pulau Perhentian will have to be another trip. Hopefully, it won't be a fail.