Well..I must start by saying that I miss spoke about my friend Kay and her son Graham. He is in a coma however and the level of braindamage is very severe. I guess the doctors recommended lethal injection, but they refused...hoping that prayer and time will heal him. He is in good hands in Honolulu and although he is incapacitated at this time he has been showing signs of will and fight. Send good energy.
All else in Tioman is going smooth. We have been pounding away on floor boards and I finally bartered a surf board from the local surf shack for some wax that I brought. I've been getting my lumps on the surf, waves are fairly good size and I'm riding a much smaller board than I am used too, but I am gonna get it. The local kids are quit good and surprisingly friendly. Alot of them infact paddled up to me to say hi and tell me there names. There are a few that are pretty skilled and they stack up on the line up as if theres nothing to it. When you go for a wave they cheer you, so it is really fun. I'm sure as I build some strength and endurance I'll be able to hang, but they surf for about 4 hours at a time, I'm only good for about an hour and a half my arms are toast, so I'm on a steady regiment of push up and sit up to try and catch up.
We've also had a few visitors come through to see two of the turtle we have here at the sanctuary year round. We care for them because one is blind and the other has a bad air sac, which is constantly inflated and he can't dive or swim straight. We keep them in a large pool and feed them fish and squid. Abit of a stray from their algal diet, but they seem to like it. Refilling the pool is a bit of a workout, about 600 buckets worth of back breaking sprints up the beach. Everyone chips in though so it is a great time to all hang out.
At the lagoon where I am staying there are about 4 staff, all local Malay. There is Lily the cook, I try to stay on her good side. Jasmine her husband and all around handy man. Bedin, who is a surfer and helps where needed. And Ton, he shares the chalet next to mine, but doesn't speak any english so I usually just play the Ukele for him and he seems to like that. Aside from that there is Charlie and myself and a new guy Mike who is from Wales and has been here before so he knows quit a bit about the area and is a good guy to have around. He is also quit a surfer so he has been whiping me into shape. He just got done with a 3 month bike ride across australia, and came straight here, so he got a few stories to share as well.
Well that is all for now...be well and Salamat Malam.
Andy
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hello from Tioman
Sorry for taking so long to create a new post...I am not much of a blogger I guess. I'm working with dial up, if you can remember that and uploading pictures is most likely out of the question for now until I can return to some high speed.
I would like to start by saying that I just received terrible news that my good friend Kay Howe just lost her son to a rare disease called rat lung disease or snail lung disease. He was quit young, in his early twenties and he was on the wrestling team I coached a few years back in Concrete. In his years after highschool he travled all over the world was quit the surfer and an amazing artist. He'll be deeply missed. Godspeed Graham.
All else is going smooth on Tioman. I am falling into a nice routine of work, sleep and trying to throw in a bit of surfing. Juara is the village where I live and there are about 300 people, so things are very laid back and very friendly. Most of the work thus far has been pounding nails, pouring cement and cutting boards. I've been putting in about 10-12 hour days, so I have not had much free time to myself, but I'm working on that. At this point it feels good to be of some help and have a purpous for being here. Grunt labor. That's Ok though in payment I recieve a chalet right on the beach and excellent Malay cuisine for breaky and dinner. The turtles won't start showing up until March after the Monsoon, so that will be very exciting to witness that part of things.
The project itself is an uphill battle as are most environmental endeavors, there is very little community support as most of them have eaten the eggs for years and although the royal family showed support during a large media event last year have been very unhelpfull in drumming up support for the program. So we march on, lead by a firey british workaholic, John Amos, myself and the others here are engaged in what John likes to call, "realistic endeavors...none of this massaging our ego shit", which I can relate to after having spent three years running into that very same thing with the fisheries biz.
Anyway I digress...I am a bit flustered by the news I received today and will try hard to write more and more often...as I have much to share. Picture too.
My heart goes out to Kay and her family and too all of you really...spread the love!
Be well stay tuned and Salamat Malam.
Andy
I would like to start by saying that I just received terrible news that my good friend Kay Howe just lost her son to a rare disease called rat lung disease or snail lung disease. He was quit young, in his early twenties and he was on the wrestling team I coached a few years back in Concrete. In his years after highschool he travled all over the world was quit the surfer and an amazing artist. He'll be deeply missed. Godspeed Graham.
All else is going smooth on Tioman. I am falling into a nice routine of work, sleep and trying to throw in a bit of surfing. Juara is the village where I live and there are about 300 people, so things are very laid back and very friendly. Most of the work thus far has been pounding nails, pouring cement and cutting boards. I've been putting in about 10-12 hour days, so I have not had much free time to myself, but I'm working on that. At this point it feels good to be of some help and have a purpous for being here. Grunt labor. That's Ok though in payment I recieve a chalet right on the beach and excellent Malay cuisine for breaky and dinner. The turtles won't start showing up until March after the Monsoon, so that will be very exciting to witness that part of things.
The project itself is an uphill battle as are most environmental endeavors, there is very little community support as most of them have eaten the eggs for years and although the royal family showed support during a large media event last year have been very unhelpfull in drumming up support for the program. So we march on, lead by a firey british workaholic, John Amos, myself and the others here are engaged in what John likes to call, "realistic endeavors...none of this massaging our ego shit", which I can relate to after having spent three years running into that very same thing with the fisheries biz.
Anyway I digress...I am a bit flustered by the news I received today and will try hard to write more and more often...as I have much to share. Picture too.
My heart goes out to Kay and her family and too all of you really...spread the love!
Be well stay tuned and Salamat Malam.
Andy
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Flip-flop-O-rama
What ever you do, never hike 6 miles in flip flops, especially if you just came from the land of wool socks and boots. Let me learn the lessons for you!!
Anywho...I digress. I took a lovely walk through Singapore today. This city is lovely and it was sunday so all the churches and temples were in full occupation. The streets here are, as Fin says, "clean enough to eat off of". I am impressed. The city is also well laid out, with major roads well paced throughout the entire city, so traffic is impressivly always on the move and I mean moving....don't forget they drive on the other side of the road...so if your on a flip flop walkabout with a beer head remember to always check for traffic...it comes from the other way. The cars are also immaculate. They don't allow old jallopies on the road, so all the vehicles are new, not to mention once again they get the cream of the crop of all the makes and models. What is wrong with America...if we had half this selection I'd be happy.
So, I managed to get to the marina from Little India where I am staying and that was about all my puppies could handle. I may have pressed on but the afternoon sun was cooking and I was wearing out. I took a break at a little outdoor cafe...of which there are many and there also open 24/7, which comes in handy when your hanging with the Aussie and Brit crowd. They are all very good assuming you like indian, chinese, thai and vietnamese food...ding, ding, ding...winner! Just don't listen to the little woman who says the peppers aren't hot. Boy, I am a rookie! Anyway very good food. Cheap as well. I think the most I paid for food and drink was 4 Singapore Dollars which is about 3 and change US dinero. It the beer that'l spank your pocket book...$10 a pint. No mas por favor.
Well, I head to Mersing tomorrow and from the sounds of it Monsoon is late so things are developing in the South China Sea, according to my oceanography friend I meet last nite. So, that means I may end up haning in Mersing for a few days waiting on the ferry. Wish me luck...stay tuned. I'm still working on the pics...I ain't no IT guy!
Anywho...I digress. I took a lovely walk through Singapore today. This city is lovely and it was sunday so all the churches and temples were in full occupation. The streets here are, as Fin says, "clean enough to eat off of". I am impressed. The city is also well laid out, with major roads well paced throughout the entire city, so traffic is impressivly always on the move and I mean moving....don't forget they drive on the other side of the road...so if your on a flip flop walkabout with a beer head remember to always check for traffic...it comes from the other way. The cars are also immaculate. They don't allow old jallopies on the road, so all the vehicles are new, not to mention once again they get the cream of the crop of all the makes and models. What is wrong with America...if we had half this selection I'd be happy.
So, I managed to get to the marina from Little India where I am staying and that was about all my puppies could handle. I may have pressed on but the afternoon sun was cooking and I was wearing out. I took a break at a little outdoor cafe...of which there are many and there also open 24/7, which comes in handy when your hanging with the Aussie and Brit crowd. They are all very good assuming you like indian, chinese, thai and vietnamese food...ding, ding, ding...winner! Just don't listen to the little woman who says the peppers aren't hot. Boy, I am a rookie! Anyway very good food. Cheap as well. I think the most I paid for food and drink was 4 Singapore Dollars which is about 3 and change US dinero. It the beer that'l spank your pocket book...$10 a pint. No mas por favor.
Well, I head to Mersing tomorrow and from the sounds of it Monsoon is late so things are developing in the South China Sea, according to my oceanography friend I meet last nite. So, that means I may end up haning in Mersing for a few days waiting on the ferry. Wish me luck...stay tuned. I'm still working on the pics...I ain't no IT guy!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Singapore
Well...first of I'd like to say thank you for the wonderful going away the other night. A painting party/going away was an excellent idea. I meant to post the pics, but have had some trouble post pics...I'll try again.
Well all was smooth, aside for the talky army gal that sat beside be, "Major Pain in my ass" from Seattle to tokyo. Oh yea, I guess I missed that small detail. I thought I was flying into Hong Kong...whoops, I meant Tokyo. Wonderfully easy to navigate and amazing lavatory facilities. Anyway I ended up taking some Ambeint to ease the flight and knock me out...I watched the Duchess and ate one pill and was down for the count..for about 8 hours. Woke up feeling fresh in Tokyo, but still had a 7 flight to Singapore, so I ate one more....it surely did the trick ,but I as a bit woozy when aking in Singapore.
Customes was a breeze and found a Taxi no problem...this city is reallly neat and clean....air temp at 1:00 am is abouy 77. I headed to the hostel which I had booked a room at only to find out they booked it for last night and had no more rooms available until tomorrow. So, I am allowed to hang out and use the internet as I wish until noon when I can crash. I figure I better stay up while I can and try and get on a routine. I'm going to stay in Singapore for 2 days before headed up to Malaysia.
I'll work on keeping everyone posted, but for now know that I am safe.
Andy
Well all was smooth, aside for the talky army gal that sat beside be, "Major Pain in my ass" from Seattle to tokyo. Oh yea, I guess I missed that small detail. I thought I was flying into Hong Kong...whoops, I meant Tokyo. Wonderfully easy to navigate and amazing lavatory facilities. Anyway I ended up taking some Ambeint to ease the flight and knock me out...I watched the Duchess and ate one pill and was down for the count..for about 8 hours. Woke up feeling fresh in Tokyo, but still had a 7 flight to Singapore, so I ate one more....it surely did the trick ,but I as a bit woozy when aking in Singapore.
Customes was a breeze and found a Taxi no problem...this city is reallly neat and clean....air temp at 1:00 am is abouy 77. I headed to the hostel which I had booked a room at only to find out they booked it for last night and had no more rooms available until tomorrow. So, I am allowed to hang out and use the internet as I wish until noon when I can crash. I figure I better stay up while I can and try and get on a routine. I'm going to stay in Singapore for 2 days before headed up to Malaysia.
I'll work on keeping everyone posted, but for now know that I am safe.
Andy
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Jan 6..Two days before leaving.
With so much in disarray around the world I fell very much blessed to be able to embark on a journey to a new place. In two days I venture out to Singapore. From there I am going to travel via bus and ferry into the South China Sea...destination, Tioman Island.
While on Tioman I will be helping TAT turtle sanctuary continue to finish facilities that will be used in all their endeavors helping to save the green and hawksbill turtles. I am excited to see this beautiful island and happy to be a part of something positive for these unique sea creatures.
During my time and travels I will attempt to update this site weekly, so that everyone can enjoy learning about this place and the culture. You may also get a taste of my personal feelings and conditions as I'm sure life will be a bit different for me.
Thank you all for your interest.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" ghandi
Andy
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