After almost 9 months it’s time to say goodbye to South East Asia. I can hardly believe that I’ve spend that long in Asia, it started in Burma followed by Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, The Philippines, Thailand and 3 months in Indonesia. I had the usual ups and downs while dealing with traveling alone or with others, the culture, the food and the basic flashpacker lifestyle. It’s been a real experience and funny enough I feel now a bit anxious to start my final three months in westernized countries (Australia, N-Z and USA).
Above my own expectations I’ve enjoyed South East Asia very much, the culture is so different than ours as it shows us how you can live your life and be happy without the money, luxury, external pressure or feeling you need to do all these things we (Westeners) feel we need to do every day. The locals I’ve met were so chilled and content with their lives, have other values and background but in the end it comes down that you have food to eat and a roof above your head. Sometimes I felt embarrassed if the locals asked me how I lived and that I’m able to travel for a year. Some of them never even left their country, region or village which really made me think how lucky I am traveling around the globe seeing all these wonderful things, with amazing experiences which will stay with me forever and may change the way I think and feel in the future.
Indonesia was a bit more special for me as I was visiting the country where part of my roots lay and I even went to the place where my dad was born. This was something I wanted to do for a long time and now finally the time had come that I was able to experience this. Looking back this gave me more than I’ve bargained for; the country, culture, food and especially the locals felt more natural for me than the other places in SE Asia. I noticed that my dad his roots were part of my life and how I was raised even back then I didn’t see it like this but now I do. The food was the best and the fragrances and tastes most be in my genes as I loved (almost) everything. I’d recognize some of my dad’s characteristics in the locals or could recognize this in my own.
I will miss; the smell of incense sticks (Bali) and the daily offerings in the street and temples, the male and kids playing sports just before sunset in even the smallest village, the “hello Mister or Misses” , the food carts with Bakso, gado gado, batagor or mie goreng, talking Bahasa which made the locals laugh as most of the time they don’t expect it but it gains respect or conversations, the lovely kids as there are many but always seem happy and curious to talk to the bule and in for a mini English lesson or game, food and especially the sate kambing (goat skewers) , the hustle and bustle which starts around 5 pm when the locals come out to have some food at the warungs or food carts, traveling local style in bemo’s, ojeks, tuk-tuk and I would even miss the touts or taxi drivers trying to rip you off with their trips.
Leaving Indonesia meant also parting with Teemu as we travelled almost 3 months together after meeting in May. We planned the itinerary together after we decided to continue as Team Finland/Holland and we did well and had a great time with tears and laughter, dancing, singing, hiking, cycling, motor bike trips, snorkelling, diving and climbing. Teemu thank you for a great time, your support, care and company, we will repeat it at some point with one of the many destinations on our “still to visit list”; I miss you already.
Now after almost a week in Australia I’m getting used to the big change in weather and culture. I need to wrap up with warm clothes as it’s gone with the warm weather, but I’m enjoying the coffees and able to eat dishes I haven’t had for a long time. On the flip side it’s harder to get used to all these impulses again and the luxury of the Western world.
After Australia I will hop over to New Zealand which will be a mix of beautiful country side, walks, food and activities which I will share with you along the way.
I will update you again after I’ve enjoyed my new adventures in Australia and New Zealand.
