A kick up the arts…….

On August 19, 2016August 19, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized6 Comments

Although we are a nation known for sun, sand and surf we can still deliver up some pretty impressive winter weather. And it has been a cold winter this year. Much colder than I have ever experienced it to be in Australia with good dustings of snow here and there. I guess it is mother natures gentle reminder that we are not just a country of baking hot days, deeply tanned summer skin and bone dry lands.

That said however, the days on the whole have been quite lovely and it was on one of these days with the sky ever so blue and the snow clouds having slung themselves low over the Blue Mountain ranges, that we headed for a little place tucked away amongst almost 43 acres of Australian bush at Faulconbridge – The Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum.

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This lovely time capsule, preserved in near original condition, is an unflinching look at art, history and an avant-garde lifestyle long since passed. Although considered controversial and often a provocateur to the morals and standards of middle class society during his time, Lindsay was and is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest artists.

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Prolific and extraordinarily talented this wonderfully contentious man worked with water colour, ink, pencil and oils. He was a sculptor of both bronze and concrete, a cartoonist, a social commentator and an inventor. He wrote several novels during his time including the wonderful Australian classic The Magic Pudding which he brilliantly illustrated. Lindsay was also an etcher, a visionary, a boxer and an accomplished builder of the most intricate model boats built exactly to scale.

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Though living part of his life through a decadent period it was also the era of indigence, poverty stricken artists and the depression. There was no electricity, no telephone and no ease of life and nor were there most of the luxuries we experience today but it was during this time Lindsay managed to produce an enormous body of work.

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This collective is run by the National Trust and it is a living treasure with gardens, paths, fountains, the original sandstone home, art work on display, the painting studio, etching studio, sculptures and abundant fauna and flora. The oil painting studio Lindsay used has been preserved as it was at the time of his death at the age of almost 91 with unfinished oil paintings and the materials he used on display.

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This place will fill your eyes, your mind and your heart with delight and there are moments where you may find the sheer beauty of his work could actually dissolve you in to a pool of tears. It is also one of the few galleries where you are allowed the privilege (and great pleasure) of running your hands over these beautiful sculptures. These slightly weathered creations are still as lustrous as they were when first produced and to caress the curves, swells and rounded forms feels so damn good.

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Lindsay’s home has been lovingly preserved and it serves as the gallery which displays much of his work. It is a privilege to view his glorious works of beautifully solid yet lithe bodies and as you study the art work you will start to see the familiar and elegant faces of his favorite muses.

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Guided tours are available and I highly recommend taking one as the volunteer guides are knowledgeable and passionate. These tours also allow you access to his studio and the etching room. Other than that you can wander the grounds at your leisure, admire his beautiful art work of gorgeous nudes or take a moment or two to enjoy the café.

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There are many and varied things which I love and admire. Quality baked goods, yodeling and the unattractive babies depicted in Renaissance paintings are just a small few. You see art is objective and very personal and there is no right or wrong to what you like or do not like.

Faulconbridge is a lovely place to visit. You will be enriched by this journey and you don’t even have to be a lover of art to enjoy it……..xx

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* The Norman Lindsay Museum and Gallery is located at 14 Norman Lindsay Cres, Faulconbridge New South Wales

Colour Me Happy – the ‘Street Art Walk’ of Katoomba…….

On August 6, 2016August 9, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized6 Comments

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Located west of Sydney, lovely Katoomba with its backdrop of the spectacular World Heritage listed Blue Mountains, steep streets, art deco buildings and heritage homes is one of the most popular mountain townships in New South Wales. It is here you will also find an emerging and very impressive restaurant subculture, hip wine bars, fab op shops, a vibrant community and …………street art!

There is something about street art that I absolutely love. Perhaps it is the visual impact or the fact I adore the slightly rebellious undertone of it all but I do know that wherever I am in the world I seek this sort of work out.

I tend to like big mural works, pieces and stencils and I am now also discovering ‘yarn bombing’. A granny graffiti of sorts which I find rather sweet. Creative knitters and crocheters who will cover pretty much anything with wool, cotton thread or twine.

And in Katoomba, with brick and concrete as their canvases, passionate and creative artists along with the support of the Blue Mountains community have created a dynamic street art gallery. This visually stunning space is located right in the heart of Katoomba and it has seemingly transformed a once grim urban landscape with color, vibrancy and thought provoking beauty.

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Street art has become a global phenomenon and I really do believe there is a depth of cultural significance and great worth to this clever, entertaining, often powerful and engaging work. A unique open air gallery for all to enjoy and where selfless street artists, no longer marginalised or vilified, freely offered up their work. And when you think about it, that really does have a lovely sense of karma to it…………

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Recently in Newcastle we lost a stunning piece of street art by artist Guido Van Helton. I saw this work easily three times a week and loved the beauty of it and the fact it reminded me of crumpled paper. Naturally I ask the question ?, as do many……..

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We are coming to end of winter here in Australia and I viewed the Katoomba work on a bitterly cold and wind swept day. Standing under a brittle grey sky I realised over time this work will no doubt erode or fade due to the influence of our severe and unforgiving Australian elements but such is the ephemeral nature of this sort of art.

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In the meantime though……. touch it, see it, appreciate it, photograph it and be coloured happy by these works of art which have breathed life into a previously neglected and unappealing city area.

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**Open all hours and free, the Street Art Walk is located at Beverly Place Katoomba**

With a rainy and cold winters evening upon us I am about to settle in with the sweet little Zoe cat, a glass of red and begin to unravel the history of yarn bombing. Cheers to a bit of knit one purl one………xx

This imperfect girl…….

On July 22, 2016August 27, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized24 Comments

It seems so much of our lives is ruled by time or the lack thereof, and again time has sped from me as swiftly as an arrow. Mindfulness sees me acknowledging that once again it has been a while since my last blog post as I find I have been again all consumed by what I have on my plate. For me, immersion can often be a difficult place to navigate back from and maybe I just need to spend more time on that which is most important and less on the small insignificant stuff. A day spent sitting around in my undies, relaxed and reading tweets from the Dali Lama could possibly be just what I need!

It would also be safe to say the previous week or so has been an absolute bastard. Something continues to eat at my very last strands of hope and because of this strange alchemy, the past weeks have been challenging. You will never understand how much something will affect and continue to affect you until the falsehoods and utter deceit of it all completely destroys you and your reputation. And with that devastation comes terrible sorrow and despair. An immense bruising of ones very spirit which sears its path so cleanly and deeply that you believe it to be a near impossibility to ever overcome.

This has also been an extremely difficult post to write but I have written it and I have written it from my very heart. For some, it will not be an easy post to read either but I make no apologies for that. There is no shame in what I have written but an indication I am writing what I need to say and I do not have to justify this action to anyone.

Given all this, the weather today is quite lovely. The sky is impossibly blue and the winter sun warm so I am taking a moment or two just to appreciate the beauty of this small moment. Along with scratching out the bones of this blog post I am also about to enjoy what I believe will be a very good coffee. This coffee I have happily discovered, is not for the faint of heart and I swear I have sprouted 15 chest hairs just looking at it. I like this quirky little off beat place too and although busy, it is often a sanctuary of sorts for me. Today though, due to the intensity and loud distraction of a conversation between two younger men seated not far from me, I am left to over-hear their exchange which is something I do not normally appreciate.

The subject of their conversation is the project they are both about to embark upon. Their plan is to each write a letter, however this is no ordinary letter as it is going to be written to their very younger selves.

Now I thought this an odd concept and I could not help but wonder what the advantage would be to you as an adult to document your thoughts to a much younger self. Would the transcript proffer wisdom learnt or was it done to prepare or warn oneself of impending doom. Could a letter save you the heartbreak of unrequited love or save you the embarrassment of a mullet which no doubt will take you almost 7 months to grow out……if in fact you choose to grow it out at all! Prepared or not, could this letter just simply offer you an easier passage through the obstacles, complications and hurdles of life which we all must face.

I finished my coffee and as I stuffed my notebook into the back pocket of my jeans I started to think more about their project and I wondered what on earth I would write or say to my much younger self if given the opportunity. I could probably tell her – ‘buy a bedazzler and the original Star Wars figures because a company called Ebay is coming’ or ‘on that sultry day in Bali when your gut instinct says – do not venture into the monkey forest – listen to it! And perhaps with whimsy, I could even say – ‘there are a lot of difficult and complicated things ahead in your life but please don’t let love be one of them…….’

But what would I really say. What could be something of worth which I truly knew would guide her through the very difficult times ahead, and these times were certainly coming. I still wasn’t sure there was anything much to offer but later, while watching the newly born seal pup at the break-wall and my heart warm with affection, I knew I would lay my soul bare and say this………

As much as I would like, I cannot sugar coat any of this for you:

You are going to hurt and be hurt. Read everything you can get your hands on and one day thank your Nana for the blessing of the time she took in teaching you to read. You will be grateful, optimistic and kind. You will be inquisitive and sensitive. You are going to be a little different from everyone else and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

You will love the ocean with such a passion your heart will actually ache when you are not in it or near it. You are and will be far braver and stronger than you will ever know. You will have your heart broken. Know your worth!

You will be painfully shy and some will mistake this for aloofness or as being impersonal or cold but that could not be further from the truth. There really is a beautiful promise around every corner. You will find your voice and passionately use it to defend those without one. Your best friend (they purported) and someone whom you trusted will betray you in the worst possible way! You will travel much and see and do amazing things in this wonderful world. Never stop reading and never stop travelling. Through the influence, unkindness and brutal weakness of others you will be ostracized at one stage later in your life by people you thought loved or cared for you – understand this says far more about them than it does you. They need to own their own shit so let them!

Trust your intuition always for it will serve you well. You will see and appreciate joy and beauty even in the most difficult of times. You will be happy, almost obsessively private and you will harbor a will of titanium. Say I love you, just damn well learn to say those words. You will allow people to treat you like shit – god I wish you knew this and you knew even now not to let it happen!

With the grace of years and refinement of wisdom you will come to understand and appreciate the lesson of forgiveness. You will worry, you will stress but just don’t worry about the small stupid stuff you cannot change. You will have two major battles in your life both of which you will overcome. You will be perplexing. Let go of the people who do not deserve you but do hang on to those who do. You will not grow tall….….I am sorry to have to break that to you.

Toward the end of January 2016 you will be at your absolute lowest point ever. Alone, excluded, disparaged and pushed beyond your very limit you will put the barrel of a gun to your temple. Even though you believe all hope has surely been lost to you do not pull the trigger. There is far more courage in not doing so. Do not allow them an easy way out and understand this – the ruthlessness inflicted by them and an organization does not define you or your life and it never will!

Most importantly though, you are going to be okay. I know you don’t actually believe that now living your life with your family in that odd weatherboard house in Queensland, but you really are going to be just fine little one. So step away from all you were raised with and all you are told to believe is right. Ignore it for you alone will figure it out and you will do just great. I know you can’t even imagine making it to your mid fifties because that must seem like a million years and million miles away from here and plus you will do some pretty calamitous (although I like to refer to them as ‘adventurous’) things of which you probably should not have survived but you did so cherish and use this life wisely. Be good but don’t just do good. Do bloody amazing.

But the greatest thing you will come to understand is that there is nothing more important than your dignity, kindness, self-respect and compassion and the passing of time will always reveal who has it and who does not. Stay true to yourself and stay true to your beliefs and values no matter what for you have a mighty big and amazing life ahead. Love it! Live it!

And in the end, even a bad day or a bad week is actually a very, very good one……….xx

Take a hike……..

On July 6, 2016July 10, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized11 Comments

Where has the time gone! Another week has seemingly slipped by and we are already seven months into the year. It has been a while since my last blog post too (thank you for the gentle reminder Kenneth) and although I am accomplishing much, the days are ending far too quickly.

I have been getting a little snowed under lately too with ‘doing’ so I thought I would take some time for a little Zen ………and a smattering of meaningful gratitude never goes astray. So with a ‘no work and no commitments’ day on the agenda, I decided to hike a longer version of the Bathers Way Coastal Walk.

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This delightful walk not only highlights the beaches of Newcastle but it also provides the perfect opportunity to explore our stunning coastline of jagged cliffs, steep headlands, reefs, rock pools and the rich environments of the rock platforms. Newcastle also has some serious bragging rights by offering up some of the most beautiful beaches and surf sites in the world and you do get to truly appreciate them on this walk. This is also a great way to spot some wildlife, explore historic sites and brush up on the indigenous and convict history which has so significantly shaped this area.

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This walk can take as long or as short as you like depending on the pace you set, which tracks you travel and what you do along the way. I stopped at each of the beaches, navigated the stunning rock platforms and deviated well off the sealed pathways which lengthened my walk considerably. I like to think that of all the paths we take in our lifetime, making time to seek out and wander the areas less travelled can be the most rewarding.

Now I love to walk and I pretty much walk everywhere. To me, walking is a little like love. It can be your most wonderful journey that never really has an ending. Walking also clears my mind, gives perspective to my thoughts and it allows me to unwind. It is during these times that I really do ‘my best thinking’. It is just me and a big world and tiny shards of peace and calm.

So, fueled up on a breakfast of Uncle Toby’s oats and a banana smoothie I began my walk at Nobbys beach and finished near the lovely coastal wilderness of the Glenrock State Conservation Reserve in the south. The winter weather was perfect. Blue skies and mostly sunny so here’s the skinny on how I spent my day……

Horseshoe Beach: I had decided to begin my walk from the end of the breakwall just up from Nobbys Lighthouse so to get there I took a short cut through Horseshoe Beach. This is a leash-free-dog-friendly beach. Moments of pure happiness look so different from a dog’s point of view and I don’t think there is anything more endearing than a happy dog.

Nobbys Breakwall: This impressive man-made structure, 1.8 kilometers in length, is located at the entrance to the Newcastle harbor and my daily walks often bring me here a couple of times a week. From this imposing vantage point you can whale watch and spot pods of bottle nosed dolphins. And how lovely is this……a couple of long nosed fur seals have taken up residence on the breakwall. They arrive around the same time each year to spend their days swimming, fishing, soaking up a few rays, raising their sweet little pups which are birthed here and they have been known to hitch a ride upon the rudders of passing ships. Out on the breakwall you do need to watch for the occasional rogue wave and strong gale force winds but apart from that it is pretty near perfect.

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Nobbys Beach: A huge favorite with Novacastrians and for all of the right reasons. This beautiful beach is perfect for body surfing, swimming and those learning to surf. It has a 6 day a week lifeguard service and on Sundays the volunteers from the Nobbys Surf Lifesaving Club provide beach patrols. Nobbys is the first beach on the Bathers Way Coastal Walk…or the last depending on which end you start at. It is a beautiful beach and one of my favorite haunts where I regularly hit the surf.

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Historic Soldiers Baths Rock Pool: This enchanting ocean pool was constructed in 1882. I love ocean pools and the ones dotted around the Newcastle coastline date back to the convict era. This is also one of the loveliest of places to snorkel.

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Cowrie Hole: Cowrie Hole with its rocky platforms, pelicans, rock fishermen and its lovely rock pools is a beautiful spot. It has also been described as having the most perfect yet sharp, unforgiving reef break around. I come to this little part of the world almost daily. It is also here on the beach that I find my rare sea glass, more precious to me than diamonds and rubies. It can get pretty packed out on the waves and it is a break for the experienced surfer plus you also need to watch for rips and the occasional shark but to me, Cowrie Hole is winsome beyond imagination.

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Newcastle Ocean Baths: This distinctively beautiful art deco pavilion is one of this city’s most impressive and historic landmarks. Construction of the baths began in 1910 and they are still as popular today as they were when first built.

The Canoe Pool: How sweet is this. Though long buried by sand and sea water, this little pool has an old concrete map of the world etched into its floor. It was constructed around the same time as the Ocean Baths were being built.

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Newcastle Beach: Undoubtedly one of the best surf locations and where you are guaranteed to catch the perfect wave. It can get packed and busy out there on the waves and a little bloodletting does occur every now and then…..I think they call it friendly rivalry but it is fascinating to watch. Apart from that it is a beautiful beach and perfect for swimming. It is patrolled, adjacent to the Time Tunnel Mural and it is pretty much smack bang in the heart of the city. The surf here can get BIG…..and very beautiful so it is another of my favorite haunts. From the rock platforms, you can also watch the many pods of dolphins leap-fishing among the waves. What could be more lovely…..

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The endangered ecological Themeda Grasslands which are also commonly known as Kangaroo grass. Winter has colored much of the landscape and grasslands around Newcastle.

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Shepherds Hill Fort: Remnants of a key defence post used from the late 19^th century to the mid-20^th century. This historic fortification, rich with history, will now be considered for the highest level of heritage protection.

Bogey Hole: This beautiful, heritage listed sea bath and swimming hole was amazingly cut into the rock by convict labor in 1819. It is also thought to be the oldest surviving European construction in the city.

Bathers Way also encompasses Newcastle’s Memorial Walk: This walk was opened at sunset on April 24th 2015 to commemorate the centenary of World War I and the opening of the BHP Newcastle Steel works in 1915. This memorial is thought provoking with its stunning backdrop of the Newcastle coast line.

From vantage points along my walk I stood and watched the languid movement of the ocean, pods of dolphins and the whales whose lovely journey seems to move along slower than forever. We are seeing several hundred whales a day pass by our coast line now and they are coming in closer to the shoreline too.

When off the beaten track I saw the tussocky native Mat Rush grasses, coastal spinifex, Banksia, pig face with is lovely magenta flowers, wattles, tea trees, rushes and fan flowers.

At each of the beaches along the way you will also find signs which have been posted among the dunes. These are Landcare signs. Landcare is a volunteer organization, who along with local Council’s Bushland Services team, work together to rehabilitate, preserve and restore each of the local coastal dune systems which are incredibly fragile and vulnerable. Landcare also works toward bush regeneration, dune stabilization, the propagation of seeds of native and indigenous plants for Landcare sites and they also record local flora and fauna. It is an invaluable and wonderful community organization…….hope to see you at a Landcare site soon.

Bar Beach: A lovely family beach with a rock pool however it does get some big powerful swells. It is also the perfect place to watch the hang gliders who launch from Strzelecki Lookout.

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Dixon Park Beach: I dug my feet in the wet sand searching for pipi’s while watching the sea birds. It was peaceful and very quiet here although it does get busy in summer…..as most beaches tend to do.

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Merewether Beach: Home to Surfest. More than three decades on, this surfing comp has become one of the largest surfing festivals in Australia. Merewether also offers up amazing waves and great board riding conditions and although very popular, it is a nice place to hang out for a while. If the weather turns a little persnickety, and it does, then you have the Beach hotel directly opposite which makes for an excellent viewing platform of all things oceanic.

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Merewether Ocean Baths: Just a short stroll from Merewether beach, these ocean baths feature the historic Ladies Rock Pool and the Surf House which is heritage listed. The baths are also home to the famous Merewether Mackerels Winter Swimming club. It is also the largest ocean baths complex in the southern hemisphere.

Glenrock State Reserve: I ended my walk at the tranquil reserve of Glenrock. This is a protected conservation area with walking tracks, trails, waterfalls and beaches. It is next on my list for exploration.

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Something quiet charming also happened while on my walk. I took my wetsuit with me, rolled up in my backpack, so I could stop and have a body surf at the end of the day. The water temp was around 12 degrees which I did find a tad cold but the waves were around two feet, lovely and rolling which I found absolutely perfect. After my surf, I sat on the beach with a steaming mug of coffee in a bid to get some warmth back into my bones. I was looking at my skin, fascinated by the varying shades of blue it can turn when I am in the water in winter when a man, clad only in board shorts, jogged past. He looked over seventy, was seriously fit and well tanned. He turned around and jogged past me again before stopping in front of me. Facing the ocean, he then performed several star jumps, planking and some very impressive yoga stretches and postures. He winked at me then jogged off down the beach, his silhouette eventually disappearing amid the heavy sea haze. I was so taken with his bravado and I truly delighted in this very Monty Pythonesque moment. Good on him, life is far too short not to live it up a little I say.

On this walk, round trip beginning from my front door, I covered 27.8 kilometers which is around 17 plus miles. I guess every now and then you just need a moment or a hike or something quite wonderful like a very flexible septuagenarian to make you realize that very often the best adventure is in what lies ahead………xx

The Fish and the Whale…..

On June 17, 2016June 17, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized10 Comments

It is the lovely season of winter in Australia and with that comes big cloudy skies, cold dark nights, the beautiful flowering wattles and………the whales.

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Every year, thousands of these gentle and beautiful creatures migrate along the coastline following their unseen oceananic highway from the frigid Antarctic waters to the warm tropical waters of Queensland and the Coral Sea. This annual migration run begins around the end of May and continues until November with the peak of the season being around July.

On this migratory journey, you will see Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales however Blue Whales, Minke and Orcas have also been spotted. It is expected around 25,000 whales will be passing our coastline this year alone.

There is a great website called ‘wild about whales’ which is produced by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Download the free app at www.wildaboutwhales.com.au for the latest sightings and the best vantage points in which to view these majestic creatures from. Once downloaded, you can even record your own whale sightings as I very luckily got to do after spotting a Humpback while at Cowrie Hole.

On a perfect winters day that was as sunny and warm as a promise I spotted my ‘first whale of the season’. This was such an incredible experience. Under a big cloudy sky and in the company of four pelicans and an elderly rock fisherman, a massive humpback breached.

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The whale leapt its massive bulk out of the water and rolled air-borne before crashing back into the ocean. I could never describe how truly breathtaking this was and how honored I was to have stood there watching this most beautiful act of nature. The whale breached several times displaying his aerial grace. No doubt he reveled in the pristine waters of our coast and just perhaps, he heard our whoops of joy at seeing him. After he moved on, his massive body breaking the ocean surface every so often and his spout visible as a sea fountain, I was saddened to think that an incredible mammal of such size and beauty could be felled by the cruelty of a tiny barbed harpoon!

And after this calm, came the storm. A howling tempestuous beast which battered our coastline for almost 48 hours bringing with it unrelenting 80 kilometer an hour winds, driving rain, king tides and huge waves of around 8 meters plus.

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Once the powerful east coast low moved on and the rain and winds subsided, the surf conditions came in to full. This all made for one hell of big swell and in these wild conditions of restless massive waves and the noise of them like a violent explosion, the surfers came…..

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Going….going…..gone…….

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As I stood on the rock ledge watching the surfers this little fish, tossed up and out by a huge wave, landed right at my feet. He looked a little stunned and somewhat unsure of his predicament so after checking each other out I flipped him back into the bubbling surf hoping he made a safe get away…….and I’m pretty sure he did.

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Watching these brave souls battle the waves I thought that perhaps fear must stagnate life and adventure for some. No doubt there will always be the regret of lost opportunities, and this would be especially true when we do not try for something we truly want. I could not help but wonder if that must surely be far worse – not having tried at all than fail at what you have the courage to attempt especially when you seek it with all of your heart. I guess you will learn a lot about yourself when you stretch yourself in the direction of great boldness or ……..you are going to die trying.

Sometimes, you just have to tackle life head on. Attack it with all you have and when a big hulking wall comes up in front of you kick it hard and kick it in. Never give up! As soon as you give up, that is the moment the tide will be turning and guaranteed, it will be turning for the better…..xx

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The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever

…….Jacques Yves Cousteau

A Final Snapshot…….

On June 7, 2016June 7, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized8 Comments

A final snapshot of Kuala Lumpur……

May was hot and humid, as the weather tends to be year round. The heat can be stifling and it builds throughout the day before releasing with stunning afternoon rain storms. These storms shape lovely afternoon skies before the rains come to cool it all down…….just a little anyway. Do be brave and walk in these rain storms without an umbrella. They are so lovely, they will just about cure any ailment.

Malaysia is such a such a peaceful and respectful place with mosques next to churches next to temples next to beautiful colonial and art deco buildings next to religious icons next to modern sky-scrapers next to rustic and charming markets next to deities next to just about anything. The people are happy, hard-working and welcoming…..and they smile. A lot! I guess for me, it is their genuine modesty and sweetness which is most endearing when so very often goodness and kindness has become rare.

All seems quite right with the world when an eagle soars daily above a city skyline……….

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Public transport in KL is great! It is clean, inexpensive, easy to understand and it is reliable. Grab a ‘touch and go’ card and just go….on the light rail, monorail and KTM Komuter rail. Apart from that, simply walk!

Right in the heart of KL is the Bakit Nanas Forest Reserve, one of the oldest original forest reserves and one of the only remaining tropical rainforests in KL. You will find butterflies, birds, bugs, pythons, monitor lizards and monkeys plus 110 year old Jelutong trees along with the KL tower, the fifth tallest telecommunications tower in the world. What was most lovely while ‘lost’ in this forest was hearing the ‘call to prayer’. This beautiful melodious sound echoed throughout the forest and its surrounds and it was a blessed moment to stand on the canopy walk and watch the worshipers kneel and touch their heads in almost perfect unison to the ground while praying together.

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The stunning monkey filled limestone cavern of the Hindu Shrine, The Batu Caves. After 272 stairs straight up your legs and heart will know it but it is worth ever moment to climb to the top…..

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Followers of my blog will know of my love for pre-loved and vintage clothing and I very happily picked up a ‘baju bundle’ which is some second hand (pre-loved) clothing while in KL. With a little patience and a keen eye…okay, and a pair of disposable gloves, you will find something quite wonderful among the jumbles of clothing. How perfectly lovely……

Before heading off to Malaysia I was suffering with a bout of hay-fever but in this smog filled city I was absolutely fine. Not a single sniffle, sneeze or snuffle. My hay-fever completely disappeared. Carbon monoxide it would seem, very clearly agrees with me 🙂

At times travel can be devoid of comfort and it doesn’t smell good and you may experience things that will challenge you, sadden you and confront you. For me, these are sights of animals suffering or of inhumanity but in all that, there will be so many things which will dare you to risk, render you grateful, elate you and change you for the better.

The road less travelled is always the most enjoyable journey. It is my preferred option and as with any adventure, there is no going back for you are headed in the direction you are truly meant to be travelling ……..xx

The Man Who Ate Malaysia…..

On May 25, 2016May 29, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized6 Comments

Food glorious food – I make no bones about it! Your waist-line is going to expand significantly while in Malaysia. The food, with its melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian influence is amazing. This really is a foodie mecca and whatever you try, you know it is going to be great!

We are very adventurous eaters and in a world of such diversity and culture there is nothing we will not eat and nothing will we not try……okay, with the exception of dog and shark fin! They are definitely out for me.

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Durian! Durian is a little like the vegemite of Malaysia. You either love it or you hate it! It has a pungent odor and you will smell this fruit long before you see it, and you are banned from keeping it in your hotel room (this ban is in effect across Asia). There is however, for the lover and connoisseur of the Durian, a once a year ‘all-you-can-eat-Durian-buffet’ where you can indulge in as much of the ‘stinkiest fruit on earth’ and not a soul there will criticise nor condemn you for your choices. I don’t mind Durian and although it has been described as smelling like raw sewage, pig shit and rotten onions it has its place in the fruit world. Best to eat it outdoors and if you can get past the smell, it isn’t too bad. I would probably sum it up by saying it is a bit like eating a crème caramel – which oddly tastes a little like vomit – while standing in the filthiest toilet block around. Durian ice-cream however, is lovely.

The food in Malaysia, and for very good reason, is an irresistible draw-card and the very best way to sample it? Well that would be at any of the lively, colorful, noisy and busy markets or street food vendors or push carts or roadside stalls or Hawkers stalls. No snobby waiters, sparkling silverware and fine china for us. It is street and hawker food all the way. This sort of eating is cheap and cheerful but it is also where the locals eat so apart from eating some of the best food around you also have the added bonus of a little cultural experience as well.

When being with the locals in their own communities you will be exposed to wonderful things you would normally not experience. These are the places you will witness the lovely art of ‘teh tarik’ which simply means ‘pulled tea’. It is tea which is virtually thrown by Mamak men across a distance of up to 3 feet from one cup to another without spilling a single drop. It is where you will eat the best Nasi Lemak – coconut rice with spicy chilli sambal, chicken rendang topped with half a soft boiled egg and deep fried silvery anchovies – amazing! And it is where you will see food being prepared with love and respect by some of the nimblest and quickest hands on earth. It really is theatre just watching these people chop and cook so pull up a stool at a rickety old communal table and enjoy because life is short and sometimes it is the simple things in life which can bring the most pleasure.

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Now there is a little dining etiquette to follow while in Asia (especially in the south east) and most notably when using your hands to eat. It is simple – wash your hands first and do not eat with your left hand. If water is being poured for you from a ‘ketor’ (which is a small jug together with a basin), wash the fingers of your right hand.

Here’s your pineapple, how would you like it….. In lovely Melaka it is almost mandatory to have a pineapple tart. Very happily, I discovered these dainty little tarts of sticky pineapple jam encased in a crumbly butter rich pastry in KL. Devine!

Food really is one of the best reasons to venture to this wonderful country and most of it will only cost you a couple of ringgit.

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The beer is always good and cold, the ice coffee’s are amazing, the water is drinkable and the cocktails….well they are strong enough to set your hair on fire just looking at them.

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You don’t need a silver spoon nor an attitude of pomposity in order to appreciate, enjoy and eat great food. Food is life and some of the very best food you will ever eat is the simplest and to experience it in the communal warmth and vibrancy of another culture is even better…….xx

A parrot, a grain of rice and a Cemetery on the streets of KL Malaysia…..

On May 19, 2016May 20, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized7 Comments

Sometimes I just enjoy a little alone time. It is how I best re-energise. I am a rather solitary person by nature and I never believe that is a bad thing. Solitude is my sanctuary and I also find it to be the best way for me to relax. FB on the other hand finds a massage the perfect way (as do many) to unwind. Personally, I find absolutely nothing luxuriating about a complete stranger running their hands over my naked and oil soaked body! For me, seeking out something wonderful is my Zen.

At times I like to wander the streets alone and here it KL it was no different. No plan, deep in thought and very much in love……with this incredibly beautiful country is how I like to while away an hour or ten and it is in these moments of tranquility when I usually stumble across something quite special.

When I left Australian shores, I was given a little guidance (which could have been more of a request) and that was ‘please do not go wandering off alone and do not go down any deserted alleyways’. Naturally, I ignored my head and that sage advice to follow my heart down an alleyway of sorts – or as I like to refer to it – ‘places your mum would not want you to go’!

Sometimes the most wonderful experience can be found by accident. A journey can become indifferent when we know the destination but when you are unsure of the path something quite lovely can await and this was one of those times because at the end of this rather cumbersome alley……

Was this. A piece of tranquil beauty right in the heart of the city.

I spent hours here walking around in the heat, occasionally seeking shade and solace under the huge banyans and rain trees which are planted throughout this most peaceful and spiritual of places. Although the Cemetery is also located in the heart of a bustling and busy KL, I heard no traffic noise. Skyscrapers tower over the graves like sentinels, silent and ever watchful yet the mix of modern and traditional is respectful and humble.

I stopped and spoke with the workers who tend the sites on a daily basis and they told me this was the oldest Muslim burial ground in KL. They were interesting and interested and it was great to converse with them in broken language. Communication should never be a barrier when travelling and sometimes it is not the words but the meaning which becomes most important. Apart from the workers, I was the only other person there and during our conversation one of the men asked if I was afraid of being there alone. My reply to him was ‘No, because the dead cannot harm you. The living however, are far more treacherous’. He nodded and smiled and said ‘These are wise words’.

Tip: Always be respectful, do cover your legs (occasionally arms) especially when visiting temples, mosques and other religious places. And btw, it is easier to use the entrance to the cemetery which is tucked away down off Jalan Ampang (Jalan meaning road or street) than trekking the alleyway and climbing through a small hole in the brick fencing 😉

And on the streets of KL you can also have your fortune told. By palmistry, by casting bone, by spiritual vision, by sticks shaken from a bamboo cup, by tea leaves or by a parrot…….. as any sensible and rational woman does! A dear little bird will muse over a spread of cards then randomly choose. Your fate is cast and either way your future is about to significantly brighten or darken.

These are moments of complete whimsy and I am still a little unsure of fate and destiny and the belief by some that everything happens for a reason. I do struggle at times with this concept as I have always believed we are the captains of our own boats and therefore we steer our passage through life just as we are the only ones to fulfill our happiness dependent on the effort we put forth. I wonder too if the need to believe in fate and destiny allows some to ride that big heady wave of life and the trust they have in these intangible moments allows for times to be a little easier. There are some things I do believe in and I believe in them with all my heart. Those beliefs being that you always need to be kind. That you need to be brave. You cannot be helpless either for we are the only ones responsible for our lives. I believe in integrity and humanity and I will always strive to appreciate everything and all…..and I believe in love.

So what was my fortune. My fate or destiny if you like. After much thought and serious contemplation the Tamil said ‘You will live in another country and you will marry and you will have great happiness in your life’!!

I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had got it a little backward and given the prediction I will admit a little skepticism began to creep in. More than that, I convinced myself that he must say that to all the women because he, in all probability, believes that is the one thing that all women want to hear. That they will marry, live happily ever-after, the end!

I looked at the Tamil who smiled and wobbled his head in that lovely way some Indian folk do. He then said ‘It is your destiny, this is true’. I then looked at the little bird for reassurance. She suddenly appeared much wiser as she cocked her head to one side as if to say ‘You may be cleverly disguised as a responsible and sensible adult but you just put your faith in a bird who frankly gets paid a tiny grain of rice for this gig’!

Perhaps the dreams and wishes that do come true are the ones you do not yet realize. Those which are hidden, waiting for us to one day seek them out. Though fortune telling is a little bit of fun, I cannot see myself living anywhere else but Newcastle. I will of course continue to travel and roam but there is a pull that will always see me return here.

I have a favorite song. It is my most loved song of all time and it has lyrics in it which go ‘like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in and sees you through, when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true’.

Perhaps in some small way I do believe, just a little, in fate because for a moment or two you get to dream and believe there is perhaps something much greater out there which guides you to more. So rather than being skeptical I should be grateful. I should be appreciative that my prediction was not ‘You will die alone and be found several days later surrounded by cats very poorly dressed! You will be the one poorly dressed by the way, not the cats!!’……. xx

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Part I…..

On May 13, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized6 Comments

Just as the temperatures dropped in Newcastle and winter sounded its arrival we boarded a flight for a little down time in sultry Malaysia. There really is nothing like stunningly beautiful skyscrapers, six lane highways, markets of freshly cut pigs heads to durian, steamy equatorial jungles, elegant colonial buildings and religious beauty to allow you to see how truly fortunate you are to just be…….

At present, it is the very early hours of the morning and I cannot sleep. I am listening, even 20 stories up, to the traffic and noise of this wonderful city and I am watching the lights of the buildings blink and sparkle. There is no doubt my insomnia has been fueled by the many iced coffees I have indulged in since being here a mere 24 hours. I love Asian iced coffee. There is nothing on earth like the taste of intensely brewed coffee, thick sweetened condensed milk and ice! It is a rich, bold and wonderful mix and I always tend to over indulge in them when in Asia. Detox will surely be required once I hit home soil but I regret nothing 🙂

I tend to do a lot when I am travelling. Life is short and I never want to miss a moment of it (which may also explain my need for little sleep) so I will be posting several blogs about Malaysia while here. I do love this country. I have been to many parts of Asia but there is something quite wonderful about the beauty, color and vibrancy of this one city. KL as it is fondly called, is a place that will bury itself into your veins. You will see things that will make you heart glad and to be among the kind, happy and beautiful Malay people is a blessing beyond all else. They really are amongst the most friendly, warm and genial of folk.

Once out of the doors of the hotel, the whole world just opens up to you. And do get your walking shoes on because that is the only way to truly experience this city and here is a snap-shot of my first few hours in KL:

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A stunningly beautiful and powerful symbol of modern Malaysia is the Petronas Towers. The steel and glass wrapped twin towers have an Art Deco feel with a lovely Islamic influence. The unusual design is based on an 8 pointed star, the number 8 being an auspicious number for the Chinese. I see this impressively beautiful building almost every moment of the day and night and it continues to take my breath away.

I don’t believe I could ever be happy with a sedentary life because I will always believe that being in wonderful and amazing places such as this will ruin you for the ordinariness of a life…..xx

ANZAC Day 2016…..

On April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized4 Comments

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There is something deeply moving when standing upon home soil before the break of dawn on our day of national remembrance. On this day, with the sound of the surf breaking, it was humbling to have attended the Dawn Service at Nobbys Beach in Newcastle New South Wales.

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Around 50,000 people came solemnly together for the Dawn Service under a beautiful Australian sky to mark the 101^st anniversary of the Gallipoli conflict. On this day we remember the great sacrifice, the suffering and the immense contribution of all those who have served.

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