Note to self...
The only way to feel loved is to breathe love into every cell of my body and soul.
Sis and I flew into Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, after a long haul. As we got off the plane, the warm air penetrated our skin into our bones at a time when most of the Western world was experiencing the chilling cold blast of winter. Cambodians, with their courteous manner, made us feel welcome immediately. At the Plantation Resort, where we spent the following two nights, we felt peace and tranquillity despite being so central. The leading site to visit is the Royal Palace, the walk by the Mekong River and generally watching the locals in prayer at the tiny temples by the water, going through their daily routines.
Upon arrival, I realised that I had left my credit cards behind, far, far away! Oops! Oh well, modern technology and Booking.com, with a good attitude, can get you very far. Besides, dollars ruled there. Dolares, dolares!
We booked a six-hour bus ride from the capital to Siem Reap, a destination I had only visited less than three years before but was thrilled to experience again. When we arrived that evening, we left our luggage at the Lynnaya Urban River Resort and tuk-tuk-ed our way into Pub Street, the buzzing night spot. On our way, we noticed a reggae bar, which became our every-night hangout, where we'd sit and chat with people from Switzerland, France, the US, New Zealand, and so on. Everyone was friendly and smiley. The oriental-looking, Jamaican-born DJ with light-coloured dreadlocks enchanted us with tunes ranging from Bob Marley to chilled reggae music, which was new to my ears. We talked, danced and spent some fun hours there.
Compared with Phnom Penh, Siem Reap thrived with visitors embarking on a journey through time, surrounded by stone statues of Buddhas everywhere the eye could see. On my now second visit to Angkor Thom, I felt, yet again, a similar overwhelming feeling of awe as I had the first time I came here. My thoughts drifted to questioning how these large pieces of stone were carved to form such oneness in all the hundreds of statue heads and how many sculptors were involved in the project over the long period it was built. How is it they did not make a name in history? Then how many artists, writers, and philosophers have lived without their work ever being exposed to the public? So, what does it take for someone to step out of their box and venture out into the world as did Picasso, Einstein, Plato, Tina Turner, etc? Just a thought amongst many more crossing my mind?
From 1975 to 1979, Pol Pot took over a harsh reign of mass destruction during which an estimated two million people died, suffering from starvation, disease and exhaustion, at the brutal hands of the Khmer Rouge regime. Onlwastwenty years ago, the other country's doors opened to foreign visitors. Personally, I find it heartbreaking to witness signs of human vulgarity and, hence, did not attempt to check out any war-related museums or sites. And on that note, good luck to America with their new leader; it kind of rings a bell on a different tone and era. Oh well, time will tell.
Apart from touring around the magic of Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat by Tuk-tuk, my beloved sister's presence made my trip genuinely memorable this time. Every relationship needs to be worked on; there must be understanding and respect at all times. But boy, when it works, it sure is worth it.
We left behind four nights in this marvellous city, with a short plane ride, a taxi, and a ferry, for a week on the Koh Rong Samloem (or Sanloem) island.
The 40-minute ferry ride was a little bumpy due to the rough Gulf of Thailand waters, which we had to cross to arrive at an astonishing sight of what heaven must be like. Truly gob-smacked as we walked behind the two hotel staff carrying our luggage to the Khmer-style Sol Beach resort hut on the beachfront. We did thank God, our Universe, and every energy that brought us to this spellbinding island. We are always grateful and never take a second of our lives for granted, which is the main reason for our happiness.
On the first night, of course, we discovered the Octopussy bar, where we immediately made friends with the youthful Scandinavian bartender, Grete and a young American marine man, Lee, based in the Far East and both backpackers. The bar owner and his lady warmed up to us almost immediately, and Octopussy became our evening hangout on the island. Walking barefoot on the white sandy beach and swimming in the bluest of seas at the perfect temperature was an orgasm of its own level. Not literally, you understand. Even reminiscing on it makes me smile big time.
Every photo I took was postcard material.
From Saracen Bay, where we stayed, to the Lazy Beach, a 1.5km walk through green fields, a river crossing on planks and the most magical path with the deafening sound of a particular cricket ended with the following scenery ...
Swam all day in the most tantalising of waters, constantly showed gratitude to God and counted our blessings to experience such divinity. Again and again, I beg you, each of you, to observe your life and look at how so many are left in unspeakable conditions worldwide with a dimmed future ahead. Keep smiling, no matter what. Keep nourishing the goodness in you with acts of love and kindness towards yourself and others. Be patient and accept where you are is where you are meant to be. What can you do to make your life a happy one? You can, I can. We can all help ourselves have a better future. And indeed, it is not the dismal state the world is in at any moment.
One evening on the island, a young couple with whom we had connected suggested, on their last night, that we go to the Jungle Party, somewhere on the way to Lazy Beach, in the 'jungle' of course. So, we said: "bien sûre." As we arrived in the drizzle, a girl who knew them approached and, after a chatter, mentioned whether we would all try some... Not sure what it was called! PHD?! HGP? GHP? Who bloody knows! She reassured us the substance would leave no residue in our blood system by the next day. It couldn't be that bad, indeed. Being game, in the name of fun, she poured a little into our soft drink (after having consumed two cocktails at the bar) while we assumed she had offered us a drink! The damn thing got me running to the loo every few minutes and Sis throwing up (I may add quite gracefully) as we sat at the high, roughly cut wooden table in the dark forest which surrounded us! No one seemed to notice. Of course not! They were too intoxicated. We soon realised that it could not possibly have been an innocent drink and with all strength, we could muster we pulled our energies together, after the forty-five-minute walk, arm in arm, 'tripping' back to our room. We are mad! End of story. Haha.
Oh, one last magical souvenir glowing in my mind was...
Mpay Bay was another side of the island. We took a boat trip to a fishing village. It is so different from the other side; more are lived in by locals and totally hippie-looking tourists. It could be cleaner and more proper but more of what one would imagine an untouched Cambodian village to be like. We got off on Mpay Bay and were guided in the tiny town to the sunset bar. Even under the cloud, the scenery was mesmerising. At the renowned self-service restaurant, I ate some of the most delicious dishes imaginable. My mouth waters at the thought. Then the group of fifteen of us stopped on the way back on the boat, in almost pitch darkness, we were instructed to wear goggles and jump into the sea. We began splashing in the water around us with our arms and legs, and oh my God! The plankton was glowing like little stars, lighting up the sea and surrounding our bodies with sparkles. Even when I threw the water in the air with an outstretched arm, the sparkles shone and disappeared in the air. Pure magic!
That's life. Magic comes and goes. Take advantage of it.
Growing older gracefully is about looking back at life and smiling at all the memories. Make the minutes, the hours, and the days count. It is about the 'Now'. You don't use it, you lose it. Gone.
The only way to feel loved is to breathe love into every cell of my body and soul.
No grudges - only forgiveness. When I forgive anyone for the hurt inside, I have forgiven myself foremost, letting the anger be replaced by peace and a smile of deep gratitude. We need more kindness and love under any circumstance in what may well seem like our messed-up world.
The last destination of 2016 happened to be the warm and friendly country of Cambodia, which was known as Kampuchea during the Khmer occupation.
Sis and I flew into Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, after a long haul. As we got off the plane, the warm air penetrated our skin into our bones at a time when most of the Western world was experiencing the chilling cold blast of winter. Cambodians, with their courteous manner, made us feel welcome immediately. At the Plantation Resort, where we spent the following two nights, we felt peace and tranquillity despite being so central. The leading site to visit is the Royal Palace, the walk by the Mekong River and generally watching the locals in prayer at the tiny temples by the water, going through their daily routines.
Upon arrival, I realised that I had left my credit cards behind, far, far away! Oops! Oh well, modern technology and Booking.com, with a good attitude, can get you very far. Besides, dollars ruled there. Dolares, dolares!
We booked a six-hour bus ride from the capital to Siem Reap, a destination I had only visited less than three years before but was thrilled to experience again. When we arrived that evening, we left our luggage at the Lynnaya Urban River Resort and tuk-tuk-ed our way into Pub Street, the buzzing night spot. On our way, we noticed a reggae bar, which became our every-night hangout, where we'd sit and chat with people from Switzerland, France, the US, New Zealand, and so on. Everyone was friendly and smiley. The oriental-looking, Jamaican-born DJ with light-coloured dreadlocks enchanted us with tunes ranging from Bob Marley to chilled reggae music, which was new to my ears. We talked, danced and spent some fun hours there.
Compared with Phnom Penh, Siem Reap thrived with visitors embarking on a journey through time, surrounded by stone statues of Buddhas everywhere the eye could see. On my now second visit to Angkor Thom, I felt, yet again, a similar overwhelming feeling of awe as I had the first time I came here. My thoughts drifted to questioning how these large pieces of stone were carved to form such oneness in all the hundreds of statue heads and how many sculptors were involved in the project over the long period it was built. How is it they did not make a name in history? Then how many artists, writers, and philosophers have lived without their work ever being exposed to the public? So, what does it take for someone to step out of their box and venture out into the world as did Picasso, Einstein, Plato, Tina Turner, etc? Just a thought amongst many more crossing my mind?
 |
| Angkor Thom |
 |
| Tonlé Sap - fishing village |
From 1975 to 1979, Pol Pot took over a harsh reign of mass destruction during which an estimated two million people died, suffering from starvation, disease and exhaustion, at the brutal hands of the Khmer Rouge regime. Onlwastwenty years ago, the other country's doors opened to foreign visitors. Personally, I find it heartbreaking to witness signs of human vulgarity and, hence, did not attempt to check out any war-related museums or sites. And on that note, good luck to America with their new leader; it kind of rings a bell on a different tone and era. Oh well, time will tell.
Apart from touring around the magic of Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat by Tuk-tuk, my beloved sister's presence made my trip genuinely memorable this time. Every relationship needs to be worked on; there must be understanding and respect at all times. But boy, when it works, it sure is worth it.
We left behind four nights in this marvellous city, with a short plane ride, a taxi, and a ferry, for a week on the Koh Rong Samloem (or Sanloem) island.
The 40-minute ferry ride was a little bumpy due to the rough Gulf of Thailand waters, which we had to cross to arrive at an astonishing sight of what heaven must be like. Truly gob-smacked as we walked behind the two hotel staff carrying our luggage to the Khmer-style Sol Beach resort hut on the beachfront. We did thank God, our Universe, and every energy that brought us to this spellbinding island. We are always grateful and never take a second of our lives for granted, which is the main reason for our happiness.
On the first night, of course, we discovered the Octopussy bar, where we immediately made friends with the youthful Scandinavian bartender, Grete and a young American marine man, Lee, based in the Far East and both backpackers. The bar owner and his lady warmed up to us almost immediately, and Octopussy became our evening hangout on the island. Walking barefoot on the white sandy beach and swimming in the bluest of seas at the perfect temperature was an orgasm of its own level. Not literally, you understand. Even reminiscing on it makes me smile big time.
 |
| HEAVEN |
From Saracen Bay, where we stayed, to the Lazy Beach, a 1.5km walk through green fields, a river crossing on planks and the most magical path with the deafening sound of a particular cricket ended with the following scenery ...
 |
| pathway to Lazy Beach |
 |
| yellow sandy beach awaited on the other side of heaven |
 |
| With Spectacular Sunsets |
One evening on the island, a young couple with whom we had connected suggested, on their last night, that we go to the Jungle Party, somewhere on the way to Lazy Beach, in the 'jungle' of course. So, we said: "bien sûre." As we arrived in the drizzle, a girl who knew them approached and, after a chatter, mentioned whether we would all try some... Not sure what it was called! PHD?! HGP? GHP? Who bloody knows! She reassured us the substance would leave no residue in our blood system by the next day. It couldn't be that bad, indeed. Being game, in the name of fun, she poured a little into our soft drink (after having consumed two cocktails at the bar) while we assumed she had offered us a drink! The damn thing got me running to the loo every few minutes and Sis throwing up (I may add quite gracefully) as we sat at the high, roughly cut wooden table in the dark forest which surrounded us! No one seemed to notice. Of course not! They were too intoxicated. We soon realised that it could not possibly have been an innocent drink and with all strength, we could muster we pulled our energies together, after the forty-five-minute walk, arm in arm, 'tripping' back to our room. We are mad! End of story. Haha.
Oh, one last magical souvenir glowing in my mind was...
Mpay Bay was another side of the island. We took a boat trip to a fishing village. It is so different from the other side; more are lived in by locals and totally hippie-looking tourists. It could be cleaner and more proper but more of what one would imagine an untouched Cambodian village to be like. We got off on Mpay Bay and were guided in the tiny town to the sunset bar. Even under the cloud, the scenery was mesmerising. At the renowned self-service restaurant, I ate some of the most delicious dishes imaginable. My mouth waters at the thought. Then the group of fifteen of us stopped on the way back on the boat, in almost pitch darkness, we were instructed to wear goggles and jump into the sea. We began splashing in the water around us with our arms and legs, and oh my God! The plankton was glowing like little stars, lighting up the sea and surrounding our bodies with sparkles. Even when I threw the water in the air with an outstretched arm, the sparkles shone and disappeared in the air. Pure magic!
That's life. Magic comes and goes. Take advantage of it.
 |
| Mpay Bay supermarket |
 |
