Tara's 2007 Trip

As with every flight I've taken, when I checked in I asked for an upgrade and after 12 flights in 10 weeks the fantastic British Airways lady said yes!! I was upgraded to World Traveller Plus. Not exactly first class but certainly better than steerage. After settling down and getting snug in my seat I popped the last two sleeping pills. Sleep overwhelmed me and when I awoke from my drug induced coma I was overjoyed to see on the in-flight map, we were flying over Western Europe. Only a few more hours and I'd be home.

As you would expect, after travelling half way across the world without hassle, I was grounded in Heathrow and delayed for over an hour. I was so eager to get to Dublin, so close yet still not home. After 63 painful minutes we took off and my excitement grew the nearer to Ireland we got. I landed at Dublin, sped through immigration, collected my bags, walked through the arrivals door and straight into Clives arms. God it felt so great to be back.

I was on the last leg of my journey. Thankfully the new strecth of motorway meant I was in Kilbeggan in record time. As we pulled into my parents house I was disappointed to notice the lack of cars in the driveway. Where was everyone on a Wednesady night? To be honest I wasn't too suprised that there was no-one home. Dad would be golfing, Mum out and about being a taxi driver for Ryan or Orla, so logically I couldn't be too sad as I had kept my early arrival home a secret from them... My own tough titty. I resigned myself to going home, having a long deep nights sleep and suprising them the next day.

On the road again and only 20 mins till I got to my final destination, Boora. We parked in the drive way and I pulled my weary body from the car. As I walked around to the back entrance of the house I got the shock of my life as all my friends and family jumped up from behind the courtyard screens.... Shouting "WELCOME HOME".

My reaction.... I started to cry! I was completely startled, I didn't know who to hug first, and I was so estatic to see all my loved ones. The bar-b-que was in full swing, and I drank the night away catching up with all the most important people in my little part of the world :-)

I'm so delighted that I had the oppurtunity to visit some amazing countries. I was priveledged to meet some fantastic generous warm people. I never regret one moment of this journey and all the things I learned... mostly about myself. But the most important lesson I can take from my 10 weeks of galivanting.... "Same shit - Different country"

It might be sunnier, but the grass is certainly greener at home in Boora.

Tune in again in about 5 years for the next installment.....................

I felt a little sad leaving Perth... heading into the unknown again. Having run out of funds,feeling a little homesick and so bloody tired, I decided to start for home. Cutting my trip short by about 3 weeks I changed my itinery with the help of a friendly Quantas rep and before I knew it I was 32,000 feet in the air pointed in the direction of Japan. The only person I told about coming home was my hubby, so I was looking forward to suprising everyone ;-).

After a comfortable 10 hour flight I touched down in Tokyo. I had prebooked a hostel who had thankfully given me directions and tips on how to use the subway, it was hectic, crazy, confusing... but a whole lot of fun. As I was only staying for two days I had packed a light bag to take into the city and stored the rest in the airport baggage hold. I was so excited arriving into the city, such a high tech town, in fact it felt like I was 20 -30 years in the future. I eventually found the hostel and checked into an 8 girl dorm. It was one of the nicest places I stayed with heavenly showers, so clean and the beds so comfortable. Plus it was probably the only afford digs in Tokyo.. on my ever decreasing budget.

I hooked up with a girl who was half Canadian half Japanese and we started walking in the direction of an area where we heard rumours of a festival. As we strolled along, geisha type girls and samurai clad guys seemed appear along side us, no need for the map, we were swept along the streets surrounded by characters from bygone eras. Passing under a highly decorated arch ,we reached the magnificent SENSOUJI Temple.

On July 9th and 10th, the Chinese Lantern Plant Fair is held there. These two days are called "SHIMAN ROKUSEN NICHI"(46,000 days). It is said that people who visit there on just these two days can get as much fortune as the result of worshipping Buddha 46,000 times. During this period, many stalls sell potted Chinese lantern plants (Physalis alkekengi) as a sign of happy fortune. This plant was brought to Japan as a medicinal herb in old times. People believe that the orange color of its berries can provide happiness.

So having completed the equivalent of worshipping Buddha 46,000 times, I wandered around the food stalls trying the weirdest looking concoctions ever, and splurged on a kimono outfit obi and all. Just hoping someone will throw a fancy dress party this year!!! Since I had only two days in this crazy city I made it my business to get to a 100yen shop. This is where every item costs 100 yen (1 euro)... funnily enough. There was a store quite close to the hostel and it was literally an aladins cave. I picked up some great souvenirs and gifts there - well worth visiting one of these shops if you are in Tokyo and strapped for cash. I certainly could have spent more time in Tokyo but I was so happy to be going home, so that when Wednesday morning arrived I couldn't wait to get to Narita airport.

Sorry this was so long coming, I 've been to busy having a wild time to waste good drinking time on the net!

My first step on Australian soil, at last I've arrived in Perth. I'd been looking forward to this for such a long time, and my time here certainly was not a dissapointment. Paul my good buddy was there in the arrivals hall to collect me, and once the car was loaded down with my luggage we headed along the coast road towards Freemantle. It was fantastic to be back in the Western world and my appetite came back with gusto.... Along with my alcohol urges. The following covers my time in Perth, I've definitely made up for lost Jack Daniels time!!

Friday
Lunch at the Blue Duck, Cottesloe beach - best BLT ever!
Got as far as the entrance of Dirty Nellys (Irish Pub)
Belgian Beer Cafe & Epic Bar
Tiger Lils

Saturday (Northbridge)
Cafe Valentinos for dinner - stuffed a huge steak into my poor neglected mouth
The Mustang Bar - loved this bar, great live music.

Sunday
Drove to Margaret River
Wise Winery - yummy

Monday & Tuesday
Woody Nook - yummy
Laurence Wines - yummmmy
Brookland Estate - yummuy
Voyager Estate - uyummuy
Can't remember if we went anywhere else - a little pissed by now??

Wednesday & Thursday
Detox Days

Friday
Brass Monkey & The Grapeskin Wine Bar - for after work drinkies
Belgian Beer Cafe - beer & beer and more beer
Carnegies - 80's music whaaahey

Saturday
Fondling kangaroos and other little critters.
Janebrook Winery
The Sail and Anchor
Benny's Bar - excellent jazz type tunes

Sunday
Little Creatures Brewery (Fremantle) - eating kangaroo- sorry skippy- but oooh so tasty

Thanks to all the great new friends I made in Perth & Freemantle for making my time here so much fun. To my old friends Paul & Shelly- for opening your home to me and making me feel so comfortable, well fed and watered, I owe you big time. Blake & Sarah, thanks for giggle and lunch. See you all soon - I hope :-)

I've been flying quite regularly with Air Asia - similar to RyanAir - a low cost airline but much better than the afore mentioned by far - not difficult really! On Tuesday I took a quick flight to Borneo, a destination that has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I flew directly to Sandakan on the East coast as it was easier to access the areas I wanted to see. I found a charming B&B by the sea after much searching and once I was settled I chatted with the owner regarding my itinery. Polly helped to organise the next few days to ensure I got the most out of my short time in Sabah. That evening I wandered around the marina and sampled some delicious Malaysian food.
Early the next day I met my guide and we travelled for one hour out of town to Lambok Bay. I specifically wanted to come here in order to see the Proboscis Monkey-

An Old World monkey (Nasalis larvatus) native to Borneo; pale with darker ‘cap’ on head, and dark back; long tail; protruding nose, which in adult males becomes bulbous and pendulous; excellent swimmer; inhabits forest near fresh water; eats leaves.

They are absolutely hilarious, with gigantic noses and pot bellies. I was lucky enough to get close by to take some great photos - coming soon, promise.

Next on my list for ape day was a visit to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok. The centre provides a sanctuary to displaced orangutans that have lost their home due to deforrestation, or have been kept illegally by locals as pets. They re-introduce the apes to the jungle over a period of time, their main aim is to allow the orangutans complete freedom in the jungle surrounding the conservation area when they are able to survive without human aid. After watching a video explaining the role the rehabilitation centre plays I took a walk to the feeding platforms where I was overwhelmed to witness 7 grown orangutans and one baby frolicking in the trees and playing on the ropes. They certainly know how to put on a show for the visitors! They share 94.6% of the same genetics as humans, and it was wonderful to watch them as they mimicked the behaviour of the voyuers.

The next day back at the guest house I was persuaded to allow the staff to dye my hair - oops! On completeion I resembled a dog with mange! Patches of orange mixed with dark brown, very attractive and unfortunatelty as I was travelling the next day I had to live with it!

On Friday morning I set sail for the Turtle Island, a group of nature reserve islands where turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. Only 40 visitors are permitted on the island which has overnight accomadation and I was priviledged to be there. The bungalows by the sea were charming and after a briefing we were free to roam around the island until dinner time, then we would witness a turtle producing eggs - if she graced us with her presence- never guaranteed. I spent the day snorkeling and relaxing. Once we had eaten dinner it was a matter of patience, at 8.45pm the ranger entered the dining room and annouced the turtles had arrived. I was so excited. We walked in darkness across the beach where we found a turtle crouching in a pit. She was in her birthing trance so we were allowed to come close and take photos without the aid of flash bulbs. Once the eggs were laid - all 99 of them - they were transported to the hatchery were they would be protected from predators. Finally the moment arrived when we could release baby turtles into the sea, it was amazing. Once in a lifetime experience.
I was very sad to return to Kulala Lumpur on Sunday, but the adventure must continue. If you want to see mother nature at her best... visit Borneo - you'll never regret it.
I spent another three nights in KL hanging out with a great Dutch girl. I simply love KL. On Wednesday I took a bus to Singapore which took about 5 hours including the security at the border crossing. I checked into a lovely hotel to commence my return into Western society, did some shopping and had my hair cut. I look normal again!! What can I say about Singapore - it's a compact clean city but if I could use one word to descirbe it.... BLAND. This is a city that you feel could be anywhere in the world, there is nothing to define it or set it apart. It would be a such a pity if this was your only stopover in transit to Australia a sit does not have a Asian vibe. Speaking of Oz, I'm in Perth now having a whirl of a time, more to follow soon.

P.S. On my return to Sandakan from Turtle Island I had my hair dyed again... sucessfully. Yeah Gods!

I arrived in KL airport after a bumpy flight and was very happy to see that the guest house had arranged a car to transport me into the city - 1 hour away. My two companions/drivers were similar to Laurel & Hardy in physique, one was built like a sumo wrestler and the other a bean pole. They were a great introduction to Malaysian hospitality as they chatted happily for the duration of the ride, explaining Malaysian culture, food, religions etc.

My guest house was situated close to the main bus station, China town and a great shopping district. Naturally I was very pleased. After checking in I took a stroll down to the closest shopping mall to buy a sim card, along the way people called out greetings and smiled at me as I passed by. When I left the mall I sat at a juice bar, when the waitress served me she sat down for a while to chat, then two of her friends joined in. I was suprised to learn that they were all different religions, one Muslim, one Buddhist and the third a Christian and yet they were best friends. As I spent time in Kuala Lumpur I discovered it is probably the most tolerant city in the world, were everyone's beliefs are respected and accomadated. We Westerners could learn a lot from this multi cultural magnanimous city.

I spent two fantastic days in the KL, eating and shopping with a very cool girl named Miriam from Munich who I met at the guest house. Eventually I decided it was time to see another side of Malaysia so I headed yet again into the mountains to an area known as the Cameron Highlands. Thankfully this bus journey was pure luxury. The seats were like armchairs, but the cost for five hours travel was only aprox. 4 Euros.

The altitude of the town Tanau Rata is 6666 feet and for the first time in six weeks I felt so bloody cold. No joke! I only had light clothes packed and so was forced to buy the most hideous rain coat imaginable. My main reason for coming into the highlands was to visit the tea plantations, and they didn't disappoint. The scenery was lush green with terraced tea trees as far as the eye could see. After a stop over at the plantation and factory I had the tastiest cup of tea along with some carrot cake, hmmm heaven.

I returned to KL after two days in the mountains and was so relieved to feel the heat again. By the way I'm not using air-con now!! Fan rooms only, and I've even managed to stay in a dorm room, I'm turning into a bona fide backpacker now. Mind you I'm still not too crusty looking, to achieve that look would take time and a lack of hot showers. I'm not going to that extreme!

So far I can honestly say I am loving Malaysia. I feel comfotable and welcomed at every turn. So I can put my mothers mind at ease and say... no trouble yet and none expected.

One more night in Kuala Lumpur and then onwards to Sabah Borneo. I am so excited. Borneo for me unequivocally evokes a sense of adventure and an expedition into the unknown.