Borneo to be wild (Sarawak, Borneo)

Selamat datang

I am glad to be able to share another intense and spiritual journey with you, the one I just returned from. I remember very well, in 2003, embarrassed that I knew nothing of the world, I spent my days in the library picking up books about countries, cultures and languages (as I never paid attention in Geography and History class in school) One of the many books I picked up then, was called BORNEO, and it became a dream to be in one of its villages. I never put energy into it and never thought about it again. Then I 'randomly' (yeah right) met Wellena, a village girl from Borneo, and I shyly asked her to be my friend (I haven't done this since I was 10?) We cooked for each other every now and then in order to meet up, as she just 'happened' to live in the same building as I. I, 'coincidentally', had leave on the days she was going to have her engagement ceremony....I 'miraculously' got on a overbooked flight with a standby ticket. This was clearly meant to be. And....so I went
Borneo is the 3d largest island in the world, basically between/amongst Indonesia and Malaysia - and at the same time the island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The island has a typical jungle feeling to it, lush green bushes, ferns and big forest trees, lakes and green bushy mountains.

Her friends immediately took me in as their own and treated me with warmth. By the end of the first night, I could sing most karaoke songs fluently in Malay (Iban, to be exact), lol!!! The next day was the big one. Went to her village, which is a 2-hours drive from Kuching. Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Once there, I watched how many village women cook and prepare for the night's celebration. I instantly fell in love with Wellena's grandma, who reminded me of my own, which took me back to my childhood and my hometown and how I came about being the person I really am (i was fortunate enough to experience the real old Afrikaans tradition through my granny). Also, a part of me felt Malay. I connected with all 300 ppl that night and my job was to walk around with a 1,8 L btl of local spirits (langkau) and offer it to everyone individually. I was given TWO of these bottles. People were allowed to negotiate, and sometimes I couldn't get out of one, and I basically had a shot for every 10th person, lol!! This was a part of the tradition. After my job was done (labeled: the sadong girl), I grabbed one of the old aunties by the hand, and we opened the dancefloor. One local song came up and everyone was doing the line dance (remember Achy Breaky Heart??) I joined right in. People were AMAZED that I knew their local song's dance, hahahaha (they obviously thought they had started it). The end of the night, everyone was drunk(including me), and Wellena's dad and grandma became my own:) It was one of the most amazing experiences to me to be a part of all of this. I had no judgement, no complaints, just simple observations. Wellena said that's what she loved about me and therefore she never apologize for her family. I cried. I remembered that she, at first, tried to convince me to rather come to the wedding in France (her fiance is French, many people assumed therefore I must be his family friend, as we were the only whities there) but I would never even think twice about my options.
My dream came true, and it's one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am being blessed endlessly and I am in joy.

Then off we went to Gunung Gading National Park to go see the rafflesia - the world's biggest, smelly and carnivorous flower only found in Borneo and that only lives for a few days. Anti-climax sorry, we were misinformed as the flower died the day before already:( So, we went back to Kuching, where I saw the cat museum, haha (Kuching means cat) and I spontaneously decided to go back to Dubai - so a nice weekend for me in Borneo, all turned out super. I have no idea how it was possible, but I got on a overbooked flight again - as in 30 ppl overbooked. Even the crew couldn't believe it. To surprise Param when I got home. He was still up @6am and speechless when I walked in. Yes, Param has been staying with me for 2 months now. We will probably always be together or find ways to make it work. Boer maak 'n plan, as he says......

May you all realize your dreams and know that anything indeed is possible. I wish you a wonderful day and look forward to your replies

Big hug,
me

Ps. there are soooo many more Malay words in Afrikaans than just piesang... it's funny:)

tripoli to Libya (Tripoli, Libya)

Hey guys,

while I wait to get the photos from the adventure I just returned from, I'll send you a little bit of news about Tripoli in the country Libya - North Africa.
Not much to say.... to me it had the same vibe as Morocco, perhaps even more boring. It was an interesting experience as a woman, to hear men shouting from passing cars - but like crazy shouting, something hysterical, a bit mental. In my mind, I was wondering what was wrong with these people, until my accompanying friend told me it was for me, gosh, then I became aware of it all. And cool enough, my friend just happened to be someone I've been going on random bike runs with and whom I'd hang out at the bikeraces. Met him through a friend, and he got pulled out on my flight last minute (he's crew as well)


We went strolling, exploring some streets and then at night a few of us went looking for a local restaurant where they had baby camel on the menu:(
We smoked some shisha, saw few loose Roman ruins and went back to our hotel, which is probably the best looking building in the whole city. There are photos of Kadafi everywhere.

Ja, and that's it.

Thank you for all the awesome birthday wishes. I had a ball. Picnic on the beach and then a "P" party - I came as a prisoner, haha

Next newsletter on it's way shortly.
Be well and be happy,

Alta