When it Doubt - Head North

Bali. The name itself conjures up images of beaches, surfing, cultural dances and thanks to Eat, Pray, Love, Julia Roberts. But we had images of one thing. Sun. And upon arrival were disappointed to see grey skis and rain drops. As Jon tried to find us lodging, I asked where the most likely place sun would be. The answer: head north to Amed. We rented a little Jimney and off we went.

A 2 hour drive turned into a 4 hour adventure as we navigated unmarked roads on our sun quest. We ate oreos, took U turns and belted out Michael Jackson from our newly found English radio station. Thank you 103.6fm.

Snorkeling in Amed was beautiful, but the sun it did not possess. Making the most of the area, we drove the 30 min to Tulamben, the site of the US Cargo ship wreck. Shoving my body into a too small wetsuit, then strapping a weight belt on, plus an oxygen tank vest had me breathing heavy. I wadded into the water and at five feet panicked. "Oh my gosh, I can't breath (yes I could), what if I panic (I had begun to) and can't get to the surface??"

Above water, I asked repeatedly how my oxygen tank worked. Voice quivering, I agreed to go only a few feet deep and look around. It was settled. But you see, I had a clever guide. He pointed out sea creatures of brilliant colours, coral so detailed I had to swim closer and fish that begged me to follow them. Ten minutes later I was at the wreck site - 10 m deep. Well done Guide, well done. You tricked me and I loved it.

As soon as we were out of water, Jon and I kept repeating "that was amazing!" Then, after we removed our wetsuit it came. Out of the clouds it appeared in all its glory. Sun. We stripped down and stayed for hours. Refusing to leave until the sun did. Absolutely wonderful.

The Jungles of Borneo

I recently weighed myself and discovered I have lost a solid 10 lbs. No surprise on my end considering our week in Borneo. We flew into the depths of the jungle on a small plane to kick off our adventures. After arriving at the National Park near Bruni, we quickly booked our treks. Three days to the Pinnacles (limestone formations jetting out from the thick forest), Deer Cave (largest cave passage in Asia), Garden of Eden water fall and the Bat Exodus, where thousands of bats depart their cave home at the exact same time to fest on bugs of all sorts.

Day one had us stomping through the Deer cave, up and over piles of guano (yes piles of bat S@#*), through rivers to the beautiful lush gardens of Eden. A beautiful one day adventure that saw me pulling small leeches off my legs periodically and repeatedly saying to Jon "this is amazing".

The next day we boarded a small wooden boat that led us deeper into the jungle for our three day trip to the Pinnacles. Then, trouble struck. It started with loss of peripheral vision, then the massive headache and finally upchucking in the bathrooms. A migraine - or so I thought. An hour later I was good to go and our crew of 5 (two fellow Canadians and a German) headed the 8km to Camp 5.

The Pinnacles were stunning. A 3 hour hike to a view point that made us all shutter bugs and camera happy. The brutal 5 hour trek down had us wishing there were elevators and as I approached camp I fell ill. I spent the night throwing up and sleeping off exhaustion. We hiked out without problems but I was sick again back at the Park. It was time for action. Jon went for a doctor. He listed off my symptoms before Jon finished describing them. Extreme dehydration. Brutal but at least it was solvable.

So, Borneo has been an exotic place full of extra large sized bugs, tropical rainforests, caves like no other and magical formations. It is also where I lost 10 lbs and most of my lunch and dinners :)

Off to Bali for sun!

Ko Lanta by Motorbike

I'm a few days behind with blogging but will catch you up as best I can. After Ko Phi Phi we headed East to the island of Ko Lanta. Renting a motorbike for three days was our best decision as we toured the island and all it's nooks with freedom and adventure set by our watches. Sunsets by a lighthouse, elephant riding to a "waterfall", kayaking, watching Jon chase rats from the roof of our bamboo hut (it was actually a nice place) and playing cards til we were both too tired to move entailed (but never too tired to remember who won the last round ;) these four days of our trip.

After handing over our keys to Florice, our loved motorbike who tried her best to us heavyweights up hills, we took two flights until landing in beautiful, rusty Borneo. A 1 am arrival meant a very hungry, grumpy, cold and tired Kelsey. Thankfully, God handed out patience that night as I struggled to find my smile on our short ride to the hostel.

I bounced back this morning as we navigated the, at times, frustrating dance with travel agents. Jungle trek? No too much? Wait, you can include flights? Leaving when? No no, too late. Okay we go today? Now tomorrow? Grr. A big deep breath and a reminder that we're in Borneo for adventure reminded us that we can't do it all.

So, tomorrow as we wake at 5 am, we will head to the jungle to trek for three days to the Pinnacles, through a bat cave, leech waters and ladders over knee shaking crevasses. I did say I wanted to do something that scared me every year didn't I?

p.s. two things I forgot on this trip - my socks and the camera/computer cord. Hence the lack of pics. We're working it on so more, hopefully, to come.

Above and Below the Sea

The music was blaring. My skin was still burning from the heat of the day. We were hesitant yet excited. Then it happened. A USA top 40 hit. Suddenly, Jon and I were racing through the sand, rum bucket in one hand, sandals in the other. We arrived on the dance floor singing (screaming) out the lyrics, dancing our little butts off. We danced for most of the night at most of the beach bars that were in full swing for the full moon party. Laughing all the way back to the bungalow, we made a few 3am phone calls (Happy Bday Megs), before hitting the bed. A great night to finish off a great day.

The next day was snorkeling, seeing the beach from "the Beach"(leo Decaprio) movie, spotting a shark swim beneath our feet and watching Thailand's infamous sunset sink down into endless blue water. Pictures to come as Jon's camera suffered a tragic death when it hit water.

3 Days With No Nights

50 hours after leaving Vancouver, I finally stepped off the wooden boat in Ko Phi Phi to hug a smiling, giddy Jon. The trip to get here has been exhausting, long and full of little moments of excitement. It was three days before I actually slept in a bed for a night's sleep. The 11 hr plane to Beijing, the 6 hrr delay, the 4 am arrival in Bangkok, the 8am flight to Phuket, the 1 hr bus ride and 2 hr ferry gave me lots of time to consider renting my own jet plane next time.

I'd like to send out a few thank you's that made the trip bearable.

Thank you to:

1. My left arm.

Your sacrifice as a pillow will always be remembered

2. Smacking lips man.

Your loud and messy chewing reminded me that things could be worse - I could have had to share a plane with you.

3. Mom
Who received the 2 am phone call from a tired, teary and grumpy daughter.

4. God.

For the miracle you gave me from Beijing to Bangkok. For sending people to guide me when I was lost. For never having to be worried about my safety.

We're off to a sunset snorkeling trip but below are a few pictures from our hike to the viewpoint overlooking Ko Phi Phi island.

Welcome and Countdown

Welcome! With sporadic access to Internet and communication while I'm away, I thought this would be a great place to keep in touch with my adventures.

I'm a few days away from the big flight (I arrive 24 hours after leaving) and there is still heaps left to do. Getting a Chinese Visa, determining if my shorts from last summer still fit and of course making sure Jon is actually going to be in Thailand when I arrive ;).

This is quite a different adventure for me as I'm planning all of it once I get there. For those of you who know me well, you know how much I love to plan and read all those travel books in advance (in Europe my friends actually named by guide book "George" as they claim I was caught talking to it. I deny all accusations). This time, the only thing we've booked is our flights.

Good times ahead - with lots of sun - and snorkeling - and hopefully eating while being massaged on the beach. I know, I know, you despise me, but exotic gifts are promised if you stick with me.