Author Archives: roxanne

After a 2.5 hour bumpy and winding road we made it to the camp. Once there they fitted me with boots I was shown to my room to get ready to go into the jungle.

A guide showed me the way.  Ok… it’s going to be another jungle. Not quite as bad as the Orangutan Trek.

A lot drier and not as difficult. At least there was a path, more or less. After about 40 minutes we met up with some elephants. It was amazing!  There were 4 of them and they just about trampled on me.

The other volunteers showed up.  They were watching them all morning while they waited for me to catch up. They introduced themselves and we all went walking to find a mother elephant and her baby.
Viewing the mom and her baby was a lot of fun. At certain times the baby started nursing. 

Amazingly the elephants never lay down. They sleep standing up and only get 2to 4 hours a sleep at night. Most of the time they are walking and eating. They need to eat 7%of their body weight. They spend 16 to 18 hours of eating a day. What a life!

The group is great.  One guy from Austria and a couple from Germany. The couple is leaving with me in a few days and the guy is staying the week.
The next day we went to a field and cut grass for the elephants.

In the afternoon we made rice balls for them. The rice balls consisted of rice, roots, tree bark and other interesting stuff (just can’tremember).

Later that afternoon 4 elephants came to eat.

Our cook was absolutely wonderful. I have to say this volunteer experience was pretty easy. Work not for that long of a tine and a good amount of rest time. It was very quiet, a real peaceful area.

On the last day we had a Thank You ceremony and then went to visit a primary school. The kids were very active and didn’t really listen when I asked them to sit or copy ne. They preferred to run and tackle each other and me.
We left for Chiang Mai after coffee and lunch. This orangiztiom is part of Elephant Nature Park. It started from a joint effort between the owner of some elephants and the desire to provide ethical elephant encounters and to have a sanctuary for rescued and abused elephants. They encourage ethical encounters. They are trying to educate the public regarding elephants. Even though elephants were used for riding and living in the past it is the continued misuse and abuse that is not ok. Getting bathed occasionally is ok but not continually every day. The breaking of an elephant’s spirit is still being done and I wish they would use more of positive training.  Humans are the worse when it comes to being ethical and compassionate. So as I leave here I will carry my memories and the thoughts of Lawrence Anthony, The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the Africa, when he said, “perhaps the most important lesson I learned is that there are no walls between humans and the elephants except those we put up ourselves, and that until we allow not only elephants, but all living creatures their place in the sun, we can never be whole ourselves.”

And as Dr Seuss said in Horton Hatches the Egg, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent!”

I found Chiang Mai to be a delightful place. My accommodation, Tamarind Village was really nice. I loved the feel of the place. Loving tamarind the fruit, the tree in the middle of the hotel area is a nice touch. This is located  smack dab in the middle of the old city. The old city encompasses like one square kilometer and remnantes of gates surround it. Loads of temples inside of the old town. They are very beautiful.

Took a walk down the street and got a pad thai cuz I didn’t want anything to much so late at night. It was yummy.

The next day was my birthday and I went on the village walk offered free by the hotel. We walked through 3 temples.

The Buddhist monk gave me a special blessing for my birthday.

When I finished with the walk the hotel attendants sang happy birthday to me and gave me a gift.  Their lovely homemade soap which was very nice.

Then I had a haircut and a 2 hour traditional Thai massage. After that I went to the night market. It was huge. It seemed to go on forever.

Found many interesting things there and bought more than I wanted to because the prices were so cheap. Like $2 a bracelet and $4 brass ring and so forth.

Everything is so cheap here. I can buy a meal for under $5.
The Journey to Freedom project just informed me that the other couple cancelled so they will not have program next week but that they just got 3 for this week so could I join tomorrow. Well  I have the Sticky Waterfall booked for tomorrow. So told them I could go on tuesday for a half a week. Ok they said, but I’d have to pay for private transport to meet them. I said ok but could they somehow offer a discount for all the cancellations, etc. They finally came back and said they could offer the transport for 1000 baht instead of 2000. Well, guess that is better than nothing. Went to Sticky Waterfall and it was so much fun. Scary climbing up with the water rushing against you in the other direction. 

Thank goodness for the rope in the parts that were more steep.
It was so much fun. Tomorrow I will join up with Journey to Freedom. What a wonderful birthday week!

Arrived in Singapore and took the bus to the center of the city where my hotel is. The ride was long, like 43 stops. Finally made it there and my hotel, the YMCA, was right next to the bus stop. It was a nice place. The room was very nice and I felt comfortable and safe. I walked around and found a place to have noodles. It was yummy but little too much for me. It was one of those weigh your choices and they cook. Well my eyes were bigger than my stomach.

The next day I went to Fort Canning and the National Museum which were both right next to my hotel.
Walked to see the tree tunnel,  with the long cue to take pictures (insta fav).  I just snapped acouple pics not standing in line though.

The museum was visually appealing and had tons of ibfornation. Everything was presented with creativity and was interactive. Singapore was a British colony and an established trading port. India, China and the Dutch were among those countries that came and traded. During WW11 Singpore was occupied by Japanese. That was their dark period. They endured much oppression and abuse. After the Japan’s lost the war, they went back to becoming a British Colony. They did eventually merge with Malaysia, but recieved independence and in1965 became fully independent. So Singapore has been through alot and they have many different influences.   They have actually come out ahead. They are known for their infrastructure, urban planning, public order, global financial centers, culinary infusion and much more.  They stand out as a futuristic model ahead of the times. 

Weird is what I term my encounter the other night. Just when I am thinking I won’t get disturbed by a stranger here in Singapore did a man come up to me while walking. He started chatting. Said he was here on a long layover from South Africa doing missionary work, plus yoga workshops … kinda strange. I thought to myself.  I was walking to the bus stop after watching the light show at the Marina. He said I could just walk to my hotel. He knows the area as he’s been here many times before so he would accompan me.  So I started walking with him while checking my goggle maps. He was very talkative and nice. When we reach this one area he said we could stop for coffee and talk. I said no not till I am closer to my hotel. So he told me he was meeting others here and to just walk up the steps, cross the street and continue to follow goggle maps. Well, I did that and still had 20 some minutes of walking left. That was the same amount that was in the beginning. I did find my way to my hotel without much problem. That whole thing was strange. The next morning I couldn’t find my wallet and I panicked thinking maybe somehow he took it. My heart raced for a bit, but I found it under some clothes. Gee wiz! Then and there I decided to not use my fanny pack, but instead use my phone water protector to carry my credit card, some money and my passport, if I need it. Then I can put the protector under my shirt like a money belt. Makes me feel safer.
Went to Sentosa the next morning and it was alot of fun. It is like a resort. Universal studios is there, many other adventure type rides and things you can do. I did the sensory trail, the nature walk and went to see Silosa the old fort as well as Madame Tsuuards Wax Museum.

I find it so remarkable and admirable that they have incorporated greenery in their architecture and structures. It might be a concrete jungle, but the way they have designed it is quite magnificent. I appreciate it. All of Singapore is like that. They see themselves as a futuristic place, and haven’t left the environment out of the equation. It makes for a serene place.

In taking the bus, I’ve traveled through many other areas and they are eye appealing, functional and sustainable. I even passed the prison area. It was a huge concrete area and I wonder how it looks inside. Talking about prison, I hear tell that you can get a ticket for jaywalking. But only if it is within a crosswalk area. I followed some locals at times and they did cross when no crosswalk close by. Also some walked across when light was still red. One guide told me that they have cameras around and have your facial image from the airport so to be careful. I did alot of walking in singapore and the bus and metro systems are wonderful. Very easy, you just tap if and off with your Google wallet or credit card.
I enjoyed the lightshow at the Marina Bay more than at the Garden Grove. Even though those super tress are really something.

I just loved the water setting at Marina Bay and loved the singer at the resturant/bar. Something very special about this place.

Took the bumboat to an island just off Singapore called Pulau Ubin. You buy your ticket from the captain on the boat and the boat leaves when he has 12 customers. When I arrived at 9am there were others waiting so I made the 12th person. On the way back I waited about an hour for 12 to show up.

Once on the island I walked to the marsh and the butterfly trail. It was great. I followed chatGPT’s suggestion and went back to jetty and took the van to the Wetlands instead of walking. I would have walked the 3 miles, but chatGPT suggested the ride and save my energy for the walk at the boardwalk. The boardwalk was an easy stroll and some of the boardwalk was closed due to repairs, but it was fine. Perhaps should have walked. I enjoyed the mangrove trees and the lookout.

Upon getting back to the jetty I decided to have a shave ice which they call a kachang and in doing so missed the bumboat back so needed to wait another hour or so but it was alright cuz I took a walk to the sensory trail. Saw the many trees and lots of monkeys eating the fruit.

Went on the Night Safari. It was great. Got to see a pangolin and a white tiger.

All in all I really enjoyed Singapore and I would go back. I liked how they design the areas.  They include the environment as  there are alot of green spaces. It’s clean, environmentally friendly and safe.

Singapore is an awesome place represented by the airport. The Jewel Changi  Airport Rain Votrex is surrounded by indoor forests and the Canopy Park. The airport also has 24 hour movie theaters and offers free city tours.

Well, it took quite awhile to reach here. After landing in Medan there was a 4 hour drive including 2 hours of bumpy road to get here.
Got here we did, but it was dark so I couldn’t see much of the foliage. On the way here we passed so many palm trees. It was depressing how they’ve taken away so much of the natural habitat for money. We had to travel quite a ways to find the natural jungle.

At night I walked down the street to find something to eat. I ended up in a resturant and started talking to the owner.  He told me about this foundation that he supports.  It is a school for children of single parents. I told him I could teach a dance to the students. There are a couple of the kids there about middle age. I taught them cupid shuffle and electric slide. It was fun. He invited me over tomorrow night to watch the kids dance traditional Indonesian and to go visit the school later. Tomorrow night they are hosting a group from Netherlands. Sound like fun.  I am going trekking the next day so can’t go to visit the school so perhaps the next day I could visit, but it would be a Sunday.  He said they would still have school. I thought that was a bit strange. He also suggested I stay for aother week. I laughed, but thought about it. The next day I asked my homestay about the school. They told me there was no real school. I felt something was off.  I try to be especially careful when it comes to children and women. They can be used to bring donations in. So not staying any longer and will check out the place tomorrow night, but not planning to donate money or go see the “school”.  Don’t think there is a real school and they just set it up when someone comes to “visit”. He does however work with the girls and has them perform and I am sure he gives them some money for helping. So he is doing some good things.

The next morning went for a TukTuk tour of the villages nearby. Saw tofu, tempeh and brown sugar making as well as working in the rice fields. 

Leaving the next day for the trek. There were thunderstorms and pouring rain throughout the night. Hope it won’t be too bad in the trek. Woke up with diarrhea,  oh no!  We didn’t leave till closer to ten in the morning so much better by then. Sure hope I will be alright. Could have been the coconut water I drank yesterday. Otherwise I don’t think I ate or drank anything else that could have upset my tummy. I will have to be real careful on the trek. I have been eating local food and enjoying spicy very much. I have not gotten sick yet!!  (Knock on wood) Got picked up for the trek and there will be 4 other solo trekkers with me. 

So it started out a very rainy day. Met the other 4 solo trekker and seems like a great group.  We are from Canada, Spain, Germany and Puerto Rico. Our guide, Sandi, is nice. Well it is really a jungle out here. The terrain is really rough. Can’t even see where you are stepping. So glad the porter, Andy,  helped me every step along the way. I relied on his strong hand grip. Still managed to slip at least 2 times. Well on and on till we saw some orangetans in the trees.

Then climbing our way to the camp site and when I say climbing I mean climbing! Soon we reached the river and the guide told us to take off our shoes and socks and check for leches. I didn’t feel anything so thought I was free of leeches,  but when taking off my shoes and socks I found at least 3 of those blood suckers on me and that was really gross.

Finally, after crossing the river numerous times and other campsites we reached ours for the night.

Went for a cool swim in the river and it felt great.  Then got really for dinner. It was marvelous the way they prepared everything with quite a spread of local food. By candle light we ate and then shared stories for the rest of the night.

I slept well that night surprising. Both me and David slept well. Everyone else said someone was snoring.. me or David?  Ha ha.

That night, Sandi the guide, said I had a choice for the next day. I could walk the river then take a motor bike to the meet up place for the rafting or trek in the jungle up and down. I said I’d rather walk the river and then take the transport. No need to punish myself any more than I have to. Well, we walked the river for about 40 minutes then took two motorbikes to the first rafting site then walked another 50 minutes or so to the meet up rafting place. Got 2 more leeches on me again and there were like 3 more on my rainjacket. So gross. Hope I don’t bring any of them with me out of the jungle. It’s a rainy day my shoes are set but everything in my backpack is damp or wet. Glad I am going back today.

Think this may be my last jungle trek. On my past trip to the Amazon, it was minus the leeches, and I thought that was very hard. There the guides machetted our path way and it wasn’t as slippery and there were no leeches.  This time we trample through the jungle.  I am getting too old for this.  However, I am doing an elephant volunteer journey in Thailand in a few weeks. It is only for 4 days though. Will see how it goes. 

The girl heading back was suppose to arrive at 2 and it is already past 4. Wonder how it is going? Well. Instead of just her, they all came to meet us. The others were suppose to be going further into the jungle for more nights.  Sandi, the guide, said the weather was too bad and they all came back to spend the night here. They were muddy and tired. They said it was climbing and were slipping down. It was hard for them. Soo very glad I didn’t go with them. Don’t know if I would have made it.

Actually don’t know if I want to raft back it is going to be cold and I am wet and tired.

But we did and it was fabulous. I had alot of fun. Rafting is fun and exhilarating. Made it back to my homestay. Took a shower and laid down for awhile. One more day then I head to Singpore.

I had one more day of rest in Bukit Lawang. I decided to just walk around. While walking met up with my tuktuk driver from the other day and he took me to the local market.

Then I came back and had lunch at a resturant near the stream. Ran into a guy from the UK. We had a great time talking and took a dip in the river.

Well, again some guy came up to me and started showing my options of t shirts to buy. Said he woukd be my bodyguard and that he was the son of my homestay. I said I don’t need a bodyguard but he kept with me. I finally met up with my friend from UK. Then the guy left. My homestay said they don’t have a grown son living here. My homestay was really nice and I highly recommend them. Made me feel real comfortable and at home. Maybe someday I will come back.

Well now on to Singapore. I am looking forward to it.

Well, made it to Flores Island. Getting there from Sandakan in Borneo was ok, besides a 4 hr delayed flight from the Bali Airport stop over. I could have slept in a few more hours had I known that. A very small plane fron Labuan Bajo to Ende 

My driver Doddie picked me up and we began the long journey. I had really no idea how winding the roads were going to be.

First stop was at a traditional village. Had to wear traditional wear to enter. 

We stopped at a coffee farm and tasted some delicious coffees … arabic and robust 🫘

Was very impressed with this coffee farm as it is a family business and they also do community service with english classes and trash pick ups. The kids were so cute I just had to sing with them.

Quite the taste test and my stomach felt it on the winding road to the village Moni, my rest for the night. By evening though my stomach had settled.  After dinner I heard music coming from the café next door so I walked over to hear a great band “De Stone”. They played reggae and other tyoes of music with most of it being in English. From “Leaving on a Jet Plane” to my favorite “On the Edge of the Ocean” by Stick Figure. Finally by the last 2 dances people began dancing.

It was great. I loved it. Then I sat and talked with the band. Fun guys and met their aunties who brought me to their house to look at her shawls. I bought some small scarves as I don’t have much room in my carry on. They asked me to stay one more night but cannot cuz my driver has an itinerary.
The next morning left for  Bajawa. Stop at the volcano Mount Kelimutu (meaning boiling lake) and hiking to see the 3 lakes in the crater.

Quite impressive. The colors in the lake change depending on the weather, the ash and minerals. The local people believe that the mountain is sacred and that the lakes are a gateway to the afterlife.  A resting place for departed souls.

We stopped for lunch at the the Blue Stone Beach. A beautiful beach with blue stones

After that went to see the wonderful sunset with the view of another volcano, Mountain Inerie, translated to Beautiful Mother. A beautiful mountain indeed.

Next day was traditional villages, waterfall and hot springs. The traditional villages are interesting.  They still are inhabited and people still follow tradtions. It is a patriarchal society. Women care for children and home while men work farming or other labor type work. The women carry the lineage and the wealth. 

The waterfall was great.  A  little trek but with the help of these guys it was fine.

Stopped for lunch at Heaven’s Door. What a clever name for a resturant in a beautiful location.

Then we drove on to the hot springs where I stayed in for acouple of hours.

The only problem we had is that there are only a few gas stations in every town and the lines are 3 hours or more (like 50 to 80 cars in line).  It is a horrible situation for the drivers, which is most everyone. They need more gas supply and more stations. Some say it is controlled by mafia.

I trust my guide to plan for me and even recommend hotels. He has yet to disappoint me. He was highly recommend on chatGPT and his reviews were good. He drives kinda crazy, but yet with precision and expertise.  The roads are narrow and blind curves are all around.  I trust him very much and feel safe with him.  I chose this route, because I wanted to see the island and to get from town to town and to see the sites is not easy. So hirering a driver seemed the best solution. I have no regrets, but gotta tell you the drives were long.

After about a 4 hr drive to Ruteng stopping along the way at a homemade distillery  with alcohol made from palm sugar.

From Ruteng we went to Hobbit Cave where tiny remains were found in 2003. They were small in stature like average of 3 ft 6 inches weighing about 66 to 86 lbs. They named them Homo Floresiensis estimated to be living abiut 60,000 to 100,000 years ago.  Scientists theorize that they became extinct at the hands of Homo Sapiens. The high school aged guides were so sweet and helpful with me.

Making our way to Labuan Bajo the next day and stopping at Spider Web Rice Fields. An ingenious and interesting way to designate planting divisions.

After a 5 hour drive through winding roads we finally made it to Labuan Bajo.  The springboard to go the Kimodo Island.  It was a 5 day overland tour and so glad I did it. Saw so much and learned alot.

Doddie suggested I stay at Sylvia Hotel Resort. It is about 2/3 miles out of town and has a private beach. It was great, but unlike where I usually like to stay. I like to stay in walkable places close to town. There was nothing walkable about this hotel, but the ambiance and beach were wonderful. The Komodo tour picked me up and returned me here so it was easy transport.

The Komodo Island tour was fabulous. First we went to Padar Island, an uninhabited volcano that has a unreal  lookout. Course you have to walk about 900 steps or so to get there, but so worth it.

Then after that little hike we went to what is calked Pink Beach. Really is pink sand. Made from red coral and other red organisms. It is beautiful.

Then off to Komodo Island to see the dragons. We were told maybe see one, but no guarantee. After walking a bit one huge komodo dragon was by the tree. We took pictures then saw another sleeping by a nearby tree.

They camouflage themselves waiting for their prey. They only eat once a month so they are not hungry now we are told.

Then we walked by an adolescent and then a baby. I didn’t know that they build a mound to lay their eggs in. They lay about 20 eggs, but only about 20 percent surrvive.  They can even be eaten by their mother. They fend for themselves once hatched and scurry to the trees where they live till old enough to survive on the ground.

Then we went snorkeling for manta rays and, of course saw one huge manta. Then off to more swimming at the sand bar and for our last snorkeling we went  to turtle beach.

Many turtles there as well as other colorful reef fish. Overall great tour with fantastic guides who took care of me. Company recommended by Doddie and is called Dtur.

My last day here hanging around the resort. The beach is almost empty and it’s great! Would have loved a spa or massage though. Guess the lovely beach and 2 pools have to be enough. It was a great choice for me to relax.

It was a wonderful visit to Flores Island. I will never forget it and am so grateful to Doddie, my driver and guide.  I wouldn’t mind coming back to visit some day. Great memories…