Saturday, April 26, 2014

Question: why do I travel?

I was juz reading an article of why 'I tendered my resignation without securing the next job. Here's why I don't mind.' (Read the full article here: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tendered-resignation-without-securing-next-033039932.html) and it evoked some thoughts in me but more related to travel then to work.

So I was wondering why do I travel as much as I do now and the reasons behind it. Initially I started travelling coz it was fun and pure fun. After a while the fun sort of died off and travelling became a journey to find myself. My independence. To detox.

1) To satisfy a craving of chicken rice balls and tako su: A day trip to Malacca with a friend. Along the way we saw super bikes and it juz made my day so much happier (I have a place in my heart for super bikes). After the dinner I was of course even happier. =)  

2) Being rebellious/adventurous.. depending which angle you are looking at: I have no bike license and whenever I mentioned about riding I had a friend who will give me that dead stare. (That was a friend who mattered most to me back then..) So knowing that I will piss him off in some way. I rode in Siquijor without a license and without a map in hand. In which I fell off 4 times off the bike and came home with scratches and bruises and burnt skin.

3) To check off my bucket list: The only place that was on the list for the longest time ever.. Tibet. Roof of the World. I went with an open mind and worried that I may not make it up the Potola Palace. But all my fears were unfounded coz I had the best time of my life. Ever.

4) Meeting new people and making new friends: On a trip to El Nido. I met and befriended a German and a couple from Russia and we are still in contact since. It's wonders how travel can bring people from such diverse background together.

5) Finding myself: Travelling with a friend I've never travelled with before who's also a solo traveller to Boracay. Each trip I embark on. I find a little more about myself and the person I lost touch with ever since I started working.

6) To get away from it all: My trip to Bali in December last year was impromptu and it was something I've never ever done before. I've never travelled on spontaneity and enjoy the process of planning. I went on a whim coz I juz wanted to get away for a little while. Hoping that coming back would bring me a fresh perspective on what is happening and how I could have done differently. But it didn't really work out that way.

7) To seek solace. Peace and inspiration: I went Kandy (Madulkele specifically) and suddenly my Chinese was all the more powerful.. (I was posting on my personal facebook page in Chinese flowery sentences.) Hahaha. The scenery took my breath away. Literally. The sunset and sunrise was awesome and the journey up was worth every single bone shattering moment. I found a peace within me that I haven't had in ages (even though I was travelling with 2 other friends) and that solace I was looking for all this time. Short lived - no doubt - but it was a time that seemed to slow down when I was there and I could breathe more easily.

All of us have different reasons for travelling. So more than others. So lesser. But whatever your reason may be. Have a good one and don't regret doing what you did! There would come a day that you will appreciate the opportunities you took. Travel is priceless. So are the memories that's etched forever.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Early morning reflection..


The hawker centre bustles with the vibes of the people even before the city awakes. Such a rare occasion to enjoy.

It's been a long time since I had the luxury to sit at a hawker centre and had a slow and long breakfast. I wish I had more opportunities like this. Sitting here. Drinking my hot soya bean. Watching the world go by and listening to the hubble bubble that's around me. What I lack is juz a newspaper to flip through. =)

The upcoming trips would for once be a change from my usual back to back rushing from place to place. But really a relaxed trip where I spend easily 6 days in the same accomodation. No doubt I have activities planned and lined up. But I'm sure I would have the chance to sit and reflect. 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Of trains and sights..

It's been almost a month since I skipped town for a good week and headed over to a country I wouldn't have considered going alone. But thanks to 2 friends and a random sentence. We headed over to Sri Lanka: Wonder of Asia.

We covered Kandy (Madulkelle). Kitugala. Nuwara Eliya. Yala. Galle and Colombo. But of course to get to Kandy. We had to take the train from Colombo and it was one of the most scenic route thus far.

'Colombo Fort Railway Station: This is the main railway station situated in the heart of Colombo. The building was built and put into operation in 1908. At present, the station consists of 10 platforms and caters 0.2 million passengers daily. It consists of passenger waiting room, changing room (utility rooms) and cafeterias. Station has special arrangements for disabled persons. The main seat reservation counter of the Sri Lanka Railways too is at the Colombo Fort Railway Station.' (Extracted from: http://www.railway.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151%3Aslide-4&catid=48%3Aslideshow&lang=en)




It was a busy station no doubt. And coming from a country where trains were a transport of the yesteryears. It was amazing to see the hustle and bustle of the station and the clockwork precision in which people boarded and alighted the trains. Everyone seemed to know which platform to head to while I was juz soaking up the atmosphere and wishing that I had more chances to take a train.


Something caught my eye along the way..



And this was our train! I guessed us being us we decided to take the best class of the carriage (with air con) since it was gonna be almost 3 hours of train ride and we didn't know what to expect had we taken the other classes. 


Well maintained and clean and comfortable. With power sockets by the side of some seats.. It was really like any other ride. 


So I met a super nice stranger who was seated by the window seat and he got up one point and took long to come back. So I shifted over to his seat and this was what I caught on camera. *heartz*


As the train continued into the countryside and by the edge of the forest. The stranger came back but seeing that I was happily snapping away. He offered to change seats with me for the rest of trip 'It doesn't matter to me where I sit.' Awesome! So I did and captured the rest on my camera. 





I still enjoy travelling by trains compared to planes though the time taken would be longer. And still buses over trains. But these sights were something that would stay with me for a long time to come.