No One Likes To Fail

I am that person. I do not like to think I have failed at anything. You see, I spend my life trying to achieve perfection. I desperately try to be that cool, calm and collected lawyer for that big, global company. I try to be perfect at dealing with stress and pressure, by giving off this impression that I am rarely bothered and not easily ruffled. I eat pretty much the same lunch each day, I have my coffee at the same time each morning. I have the same morning routine, from the time I get up and shower, to the brushing of my teeth and the cleanse, toning and moisturing of my face. The same product used - Clinique. I am able to manage my life by avoiding whatever may upset this routine. I figure that I can avoid being hurt, or judged, or left as long as I am self sufficient, independent and free. This is a choice I made a long time ago. Since then, living my life through routine has allowed me to avoid a lot of sadness and hurt. When its MY routine, I have the say on when it is adjusted, or moved or interupted. I am in control of that routine for as long as I want to be.

The problem is that life cannot be that rigid and that perfect. I am learning this now. It is no feasible to isolate myself in the hope that by doing so, I am safe.

This avoidance, for the most part, is manageable. It is, at times, exhilerating. I can fly off to Thailand when I please. I can sleep in on Sunday mornings. I can live with a degree of instability because I do not have any responsibility to feed a child, a cat or a husband. I can be sad or upset when I want to be, I can shut off the world when I feel like it, I can reach out to one, or two people, when I am ready, but stay distant enough to ensure that they never lean on me. It is a method of existance which has, for some time, suited me perfectly. I have even, sadly, worn it like a badge of honour - "look at me, Miss Independent who travels the world on her own".

Until now.

And it is not until your behaviour threatens to ruin something precious to you, that you realise that things have got to change. You see, I've never needed anything to be taken away from me because money can buy it back. I lose my ipod, I get a new one. If I miss my family, I simply catch a plane to see them, or call them. If I don't like my housemates, I move out and get a new place. But the things that I cannot replace are friendships and relationships that I have been gifted with. There are some things in life that you can't just push away because things have gotten "too hard" or things aren't going my way. I have a responsbility to that other person (whether it is a friend, a relative or a boyfriend) to not run and hide or push them away, simply because I cannot have my way. It is not fair on the other person, because they have put in the same amount of effort as you have to cultivate the relationship or friendship as you have.

It is only when you face that momentary prospect of losing them that you realise that you need to make a change. There is nothing scarier than to act in your own selfish horrid way, only to wake up to realise that you could effectively be pushing away a friend that is going to make a difference in your life in such a positive way, and perhaps, who knows, for the rest of your life. Its now not good enough for me to keep one or two select people close only to then push then away to ensure that they never lean on me. Its lonely. Its not enough anymore. And it has the potential to place too much pressure on those very few you do share yourself with.

I need to make that change and I have avoided it for far too long. Heck, it was probably the reason why I moved to Singapore to begin with - to avoid being a part of a group, to avoid being leant on and to be able to get away with being on my own and be able to blame it on being "foreign". Soon enough though, the excuses run out and the truth of the matter appears - that deep down inside, existing on your own two feet, avoiding relying and engaging with others and going at it alone just isn't feasible in the long run. And as I said, when it gets to a point where your behaviour drives something precious to you away, then you know you need to change - and fast.

Some More Affirmations

I read these points today;

1. It is important to evaluate your friendships and relationship on your experience when you are WITH that friend/partner, NOT on your insecurities when you are not with them. From a place of love and security, you will become more flexible to come up with a comrpomise that meets both your friend/partner's needs and yours.

2. You may not have what you want now. That is life. Your job is to set up a new system that may not be your Lfantasy" but will certainly be better than what it is now.

Gosh there are some very wise people on this planet.

*sigh*

Sometimes....

.....life is just about finding that balance.......

.

The Horrors of Asia

Read This.

My Time Is Not Up Yet

Last night, I felt defeat. It had been a long day at work. My back was so very sore. I was lethargic, due to lack of exercise. My heart was beating due to two too many coffees. I looked outside my office window and I saw the bleak grey clouds I am coming to expect now that Singapore is in the monsoon season of November. It is little wonder that I came home feeling as though I had reached the end, that my time in Asia had to be brought to an end, and that it was to be far easier to go back to Australia to spend my life with my family and closer to the Boy.

This afternoon, I realised that my time in Asia is not up. This afternoon I read a personal account of the friend who had fled from that child labour camp in Cambodia, whilst under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. I realised that my time in Asia was not even close to being finished. I have only just begun to see the real Asia, the unpleasant Asia, where stories of hardship cause your heart to break into pieces. What would I be giving back to the world by running and hiding in Australia? I would be closing my heart to stories such as my friend's story. I would be turning my back on the lessons I am still yet to learn about life, all because of my own selfish need for comfort and companionship.

Travelling to Bali the other week changed me - and I forgot this week just how much it changed me. Instead, this week I became consumed in my own misery and loneliness because it was easier to do so.

All along I have attributed my stay in Singapore to the need to earn lots of money to set my life up back in Australia when I return. I seemed to forget, momentarily, that rather, my time in Singapore is about getting down on my hunches and looking that sick little girl in Bali straight in the eyes and wanting to change her circumstances. It is about watching the young 13 year old boy step away to sniff glue and me wanting to shake him violently in order for him to stop. I don't want my story of Singapore to be about luxury hotels, and afternoons spent moping around alone, thinking that the world hates me.

The world doesn't hate me. Rather, the world has brought me here for a reason. I just need to always keep close to my heart those reasons and never let my own selfish needs get in the way.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

.

I wasnt really in a photography mood on the weekend while in Kuala Lumpur, but I did manage to get a few photos of the Batu Caves, a place which is always on the itinerary of travellers to Malaysia. Its a set of Hindu Temples up in the caves about 15 mins from the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

below: see below the woman who hasnt cut her hair ever. Ew!

.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The steps up to the Batu Caves - exhausting!

.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Cheeky monkeys everywhere!!!

.

Things Happen For A Reason

The Boy from KateOnTheGo (of 2.5 years ago) is getting married this weekend. Its really important that I acknowledge this because I really believe that KOTG Boy deserves the very best in life and love.

I don't know if KOTG Boy reads this blog now but I do know that he is extremely in love and is now looking forward to the rest of his life with Mrs Boy. I am so pleased for him, from the absolute bottom of my heart. We all deserve love, and I congratulate KOTG Boy for finding it.

We all tend to want to look back at our past and regret the decisions we made or wish for things to have happened differently. Not me. I don't regret for a minute the choices in life I made. The only regret I have is where I had to make decisions when I knew in my heart was for the best, but knew it was going to hurt another in the process. Things happen for a reason. It doesn't relieve the guilt, but things happen for a reason. I now know that.

And I now wish KOTG Boy the very very best in his marriage. it really IS for the best.

KOTB

The End of Another Weekend

Oh how weekends pass by so quickly.

Its lucky I didn't end up flying to the place I had originally booked - Kota Bharu - as its currently five foot deep in water. It wouldn't have made for a pleasant weekend.

Instead I opted for Kuala Lumpur, I place I have been now on at least four occasions, but still felt happily enough to visit. As my previous entries said, I just settled into one of my favourite hotels, the Sheraton Imperial, and the rest is just pure luxurious history.

Well, that's not exactly true. It has been about luxury, yes, but I also ventured out of KL to see the Batu Caves, the Hindu Temple which is situated up in the caves surrounding KL. I nearly went into coronary distress as I climbed up the 300 or so stairs which lead up to the caves (crazy - 6 months ago I was a triathlete) but once I made it, I was rewarded with a great cultural experience and a change in climate thanks to the moist atmosphere in the caves.

I took a few happy snaps but to be honest, I wasn't really in a photo-snapping mood. Watch this blog for the snaps to appear.

I then went and walked around the Butterfly Garden near KL Sentral, and again, it was more for relaxation than for any photographic purpose.

There was a quick visit to Merdeka Square (showing the British Colonial influence in its architectural design) and then it was back to the Sheraton for a bit of R & R.

All in all, a fun (slightly expensive) trip which allowed me to get away from the frenetic pace of Singapore.

The most amazing news of all (and this shows just how little I did this weekend), I managed to read the entire book on the Middle East, some 300 pages - which is more than I have read in goodness knows how many years!

In fact, I enjoyed the book so much I'm off to re-read some more chapters.

Till later,

KOTB

Sheraton Put The "FAB" In Fabric

I love the Sheraton. No, I am not employed by them nor do i seek any kind of discount for putting a good word in for them on my website. This blog is NOT sponsored by Sheraton. I am, however, in love with staying at their hotels. Give me a Sheraton over a Hilton any day. I love the Sheraton in KL and I love the Sheraton in Phuket, Thailand. That makes me officially a fan of the Sheraton.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=129&EM=VTY_SI_129_KUALALUMPUR_PROP_OVERVIEW




See attached link - yes, my room looks exactly as it does in the picture. Gorgeous! Legal disclaimer for anyone that wants to sue me (FYI: I am a lawyer too, bring it on) - picture courtesy of the Sheraton, which you can find on the attached link's website.

I am wandering around here with no real intention of actually leaving for the day. I am armed with my trusty old Canon and I am determined to photograph every kind of fabric, every colour, every texture i can possibly find.

As you all know, besides loving the Sheraton, I love fabrics and textures. I have no idea why it is that i have developed such a love of fine fabrics, but I have and I intend to (once i stop spending money on travelling) and actually by a house, decorate my house in beautiful fabrics and colours.


I've been allowed to go into my room at midday, which makes it a great day just to laze around. Who knows, I may be ridiculously opulent and spend my money on a massage at the Mandara Spa (a massage that will, of course, cost five times more than it would if i actually walked out into the heat and down the street to a local place!).

Ho hum. Such is life.

And what a wonderful, beautifully blessed life it is.

KoTb

My Idea Of A Good Time

A relaxing weekend means getting involved in a book about fairytales, handsome princes, far away places ----

Forget that!!!!

I've put my nose into a book on the history of the Middle East.

Well, a "brief history", the book says.

There is absolutely nothing brief about it. And if this is the condensed version, inow I understand why so many people just simply do not know, or care, about what is transpiring in the Middle East right now.

I have always remained permanently on the fence when it comes to the various Middle East conflicts. Even before I begun to read of its history over five years ago, I always knew that it would never be appropriate for me to make comment on any of it without fully informing myself of the facts. And given that I still, to this day, don't have a thorough understanding of it all, I have no intention of taking any "sides".

Instead, I continue the push, not only on myself, but on others, to look beyond the modern day stories that are evolving as we speak, and consider just how deeply entrenched the battle-like mentality of not only those of the Islamic faith but Christians themselves! Before anyone passes comment about how pathetic wars are and how everyone just needs to "get along", we all need to understand that these battles have not been created by modern dictators or war hungry western leaders, but that these battles date back to the times of AD 66, through to the Sunni and Shia battles of AD 600, up to the Ottoman Empire and right through to the 6 Day in 1967.

I wish people would spend their time reading rather than passing comment on modern matters of which they simply do not understand their context.

Do those young men in the Gaza Strip, throwing bombs at others, understand the history of their descendants? Do those guys in US army greens, playing war games with expensive artillery, even know who the Byzantines were? That the name "ottoman" isn't just a name to describe the person that collects the neighbourhood garbage? I suspect not. Because if they did, I would expect that they would all hesitate to get themselves involved in a situation which seems, at this moment, impossible to resolve.

We owe it to ourselves to understand the landscape, seek further knowledge of its history and then start on even footing going forward. That even footing can only be established when all parties - Christians, Muslims and Jews - recognise the atrocities that each have forced upon each other and then move forward. We may never get to a point where each party appropriately acknowledges who caused what (and it may be that all parties are equally to blame), but we are never going to find that pathway to peace if we do not begin to address the past.

Flight Delayed. Will Blog.

Air Asia - or should I say - Air Delay-sia has done it again. Another delayed flight. Ho hum. The price you pay for cheap tickets on budget airlines. They say they are "the worlds best low cost airline". Does that mean everyone else delays their flights by five hours, when Air Asia only delays theirs by two hours? Oh the intricacies of el' cheapo travel.

Give me a business class ticket on a Singapore Airlines flight any day.

But as I said in my earlier flight, I am grateful that I have the ability to travel. Even if sometimes it is painful.

So, here goes another one of KateOnTheBike's random 30 facts.

1. I can use chopsticks but only to pick up bulky food. Rice is not bulky.

2. I carry "wet ones" (wipes) in my bag in case of food spillage (which is often).

3. I can't eat a meal if the table is wobbly.

4. I struggle to understand the rules of American Gridiron.

5. I like chicken, but don't eat the skin.

6. I find airport coffee prices outrageous.

7. I read my newspapers back to front. Its easier.

8. I am going to try and see Obama, who arrives in Singapore next week.

9. I struggle to work out whether the first name is the last name when it comes to Asian names.

10. Running water makes me want to pee.

11. I love when the Boy rolls his sleeves up on his business shirt and sticks a pen behind his ear. Its cute.

12. Ducks, pidgeons, quails, and canaries are all little birds and thus, should not be eaten.

13. Just because a pelican is a big bird, doesn't mean it has to be eaten.

14. I dream of hot coffee in Prague, whilst watching the snow fall.

15. I can't always make people behave appropriately, but I can at least try.

16. I admit that I am a cynic sometimes and complain a bit more than I should.

17. If I had a choice, I'd consider going back to working in Scotland. I miss it often.

18. I am capable of making mistakes.

19. Hair on bathrooms basins makes me want to throw up.

20. Black garbage bags always seem stronger than white ones. No proof suggests that black plastic bags are always stronger. Its just my belief.

21. I haven't used an iron in many months.

22. My mother and I share the same sense of humour.

23. Indian music, blaring throw cheap speakers at 11pm is NOT okay.

24. I drinks Starbucks coffee despite knowing I am paying a premium just because its Starbucks.

25. Its beginninng to look a lot like Christmas.

26. I didn't enjoy wearing white Haviannas. Brown ones are better.

27. I've always wanted to do a nudie run somewhere. Somehow.

28. The Boy's teeth are so white they glow in the dark when he laughs. True story.

29. My favourite accessory is my blackberry. I am addicted.

30. I thank God each night for what I've been given in life.



4.

Time To Hit The Road Again

Thanks to everyone who has returned to this site over the last week or so, only to find absolutely nothing added to it.

Those who are in the know will agree that its been a tough week. Not for me personally, but my wonderful M, who is having to juggle a few very stressful situations. I guess i am just focusing much of my energy on trying to ensure that I support him as best as possible, while giving him his space to work things out. I am so proud of him. I am the luckiest girl in the world, I reckon. I have learnt so much about my relationship in the last week or so, and I am only beginning to learn that sometimes you just need to trust in the other person to find their way....

So I am flying out to KL tonight, on a late night flight. I had this grand plan to fly off to a tropical destination, except I was then told that the tropical destination actually is closed due to Monsoon Season. Whoops. Probably should have done a more comprehensive google search before i actually booked the flights. Anyhoo, you win some and lose some so I have decided to stay in KL and investigate some of the places that i have not been to as yet. Failing that, I will sit in the Sheraton and enjoy warm relaxing baths and cable TV. Honestly, those kinds of luxuries are worth the expense. Staying in Asian luxury hotels can almost be a hobby in itself (an expensive one, though!).

You know, there is so much junk going on in the world. Mass shootings, wars, starving people, child labour and prostitution, incurable diseases.... I thank my lucky stars each day that I have a stable job, a supportive family, a wonderful consistent and strong boyfriend who puts up with my "kookiness" and I have an adventurous spirit that allows me to want to travel the world and open myself up to new experiences. None of what I do, on a weekly basis - whether i am travelling here, travelling there, learning this or learning that - is ever taken for granted.

KOTB

Loneliness

.\

.

Live. Singapore.

.


.
.

.

Chasing Cars

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words,
Are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things
Will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Photos

.

Dont forget you can check out my more "professional" photos on Flickr, at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96695201@N00/

.

Just something for someone....

Now I run Lyrics:

Tell me how the circle ends
There's no beginning
Everything that came before
Will come round again
And I look in the mirror
My father's eyes look back at me
He gave me a road to choose
He gave me freedom
And I pray I'm strong enough
To walk in his shoes
And I, I hope that I become
Half the man he wants me to be

Cause I feel you guiding me
Showing me the way when
I'm misdirected
I know your not here
But I feel connected

Cause everything that I am
Comes from a better man
And all that I've said I've done
Can't rewrite my history
Right there for all to see
I'm just my father's son
Taught me to walk, now I run
Now I run

Sometimes when I lose myself
In my weakness
I can feel the touch of his
unmistakable hands
And their pushing me forward
Back into the circle again
And I hope my son sees in me
The kind of man that he was to me

And everything that I am
Comes from a better man
And all that I've said I've done
Can't rewrite my history
Right there for all to see
I'm just my father's son
Taught me to walk, now I run
I run

He's the best and the worst of me
Sometimes I don't know
where my common sense is
I may be a sinner
But my best defense is

Everything that I am
Comes from a better man
And all that I've said I've done
Can't rewrite my history
Right here for all to see
I'm just my father's son
Yeah oh
I'm just my father's son
Taught me to walk
Now I run

Happy Halloween!

.



.

.


.

.

Photos on Flickr

Hi all,

Just a reminder, you can see more of my photos on my Flickr account, which produces them in far better colour.

They are also big files due to the style of processing, so its very hard to upload them onto this website.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96695201@N00/

Luv,
KOTB

The Temptation of Solitude

I have often wondered whether, if I was given the chance, would I completely isolate myself from the entire world. As a loner (to some degree), it is a temptation of mine. It would be all too easy. I could potter around on my own, with not a care in the world. Now if I didn't have such wonderful family and friends, I would probably do it but at the end of the day, I know that being alone is simply not sustainable. However, for at least the next couple of days, I am going to relish in the fact that I am now the proud resident of a one bedroom unit all to my very self.

I now have my own little place, just for a little while. And if i actually owned a cat (and if i didn't think it would be cruel), I would actually swing it, just for the heck of it. It has a lovely little loungeroom with a flat screen TV, and a separate bedroom and bathroom. Admittedly, its situated on a busy street, and I am only three floors up and not twenty eight floors up (hence the noise is much greater) but its the price I have to pay to enjoy my own place!




.

.

-

.

.

.



.

,

.


.

..
.
.
.

Better Quality Photos

For better quality photos, please check my page out on Flickr -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96695201@N00/

Enjoy!

.



.

Life So Empty But Love So Full

There have been only a few occasions in my life where I have felt my heart sink to a point where it feels as though it is no longer in its rightful place. A couple of those occasions have been when I have been disappointed in myself, or disappointed in another’s behaviour. More recently though, I have found my heart sinking when I have been exposed to a world that I feel so helpless to change. As I sat across the dinner table from a 13 year old Indonesian street kid, having watched him jump up from the table, disappear for literally a minute, and then come back again, I knew that there was simply nothing I could do about his situation. Not yet a man, this child cannot control his addiction to glue sniffing. He looks into my eyes, knowing that I know. He then carries on talking with his younger brother, as if he had not a care in the world.

As he drifts off to sleep, I speak with his carer, who is now a fellow photographer. I will not identify him here on this blog for obvious reasons. As night falls and the tea flows, he tells stories of paedophilia, physical abuse and child labour, stories which he says are as common to an Indonesian child’s life as stories of Peter Pan are to my nieces. He speaks of the hope he has to make a difference in these boys’ lives, even if it is to give them shelter over their weary and putrid heads two nights a week. He knows that for the most part, these boys will steal, beg and in one child’s case, glue sniff, but he is giving them more than these boys would have had if he had not come into their lives.

I sit and hear of his story. I am sure he does not mind me writing about them here on this blog. His own stories are that of child labour. He speaks of his childhood in Cambodia. The killing fields of Pol Pot. He looks back at the time he watched his two childhood friends being beaten to death for not working hard enough, even when the shovels they were carrying were simply too heavy for them to hold. He is still traumatised but he feels that he is reversing his own story by trying to reverse others’ lives. He talks of the suspicion generated as he spends his time with these young men, stories about paedophiles who seek revenge against him by sending the authorities to investigate him for supporting child labour, all of which he vehemently claims are false.

As I go to bed, I think about just how removed I am from the reality of life in Asia. It is easy to forget when you are in Singapore, with its “stepford”-like existence. I realise that for the price of the cameras we were all holding, we could educate and feed over 100 Indonesian children for a year. I am disgusted with myself, having stayed in opulent resorts and sipped fine wine, without so much as a care in the world.

In the morning, we go to a provincial village which is said to be one of the poorest in Bali. It is at least an hour away from the crowded tourist trap that is Kuta, from the tacky kitschy shops of Nusa Dua and from the fine art galleries and festive streets of Ubud. There, young toddlers bathe in the nearby stream, as clothes being washed next to them by pre-teenage girls. Young boys round up flocks of geese, and village elders hobble along dirt paths to get to the local temple. As we arrive at the village, I spot one little girl standing by a stone wall. I lean down and look directly into her eyes. She is barely Charlotte’s age. I see that her nose is congested with green mucus, and her cheeks are flushed with temperature. I confirm this by placing the back of my hand on her forehead. She is sweating, despite the relatively mild early morning weather. It is then that I wish that I was a doctor, and not a lawyer, or a pharmacist, so that I could somehow make things better.

The village, however, is far from gloomy. I can hear children laughing, woman talking, and men laughing as they go on with their morning activities. The rice paddy fields are full on local workers, cultivating what is their basic daily sustenance. Ducks with little babies wander along the banks of the stream, and the grass surrounding the wooden and tin shack buildings is lush and still wet from the morning dew. In amongst hardship, there was beauty.

This is the real Bali. Beauty amongst hardship.

Ubud, Bali - the Art and Soul of Indonesia

It is going to take me, quite literally, weeks to get through the sheer amount of photos that I took this weekend in Ubud, Bali. Did I go ridiculously silly with the camera? Not so much. Rather, I just found myself captivated by the fun, the freedom and the colour that is Ubud.

I have just flown in from Bali at, after a 4.30am start to photograph the sunrise as it rose over a set of volcanoes, admittedly, I am feeling a little worse for wear. However, I just wanted to get on the blog and say that I am back safe, and for you all to hold on tight just for a bit. I will try and process them as quickly as I can, but I want to take extra care at doing them because it is only then that I can truly do justice to the wonder that is Bali.

Bizzy. Busy. Beezy.

Gosh, I have been so busy this week. Firstly, I have had to actually work hard (who would have thought - i actually have a real job that needs doing in order to pay for this crazy international travel!). That has consumed a lot of mental energy so its been hard in the afternoons to sit down and commit the time and attention to blogging!

Also, I am moving house - waaayhay! I have a goooorgeous little one bedroom apartment all to my very self, with beautiful modern decor, a swimming pool, a little green patch of grass on top of the building and.... a cleaner each day!

Then M and I are still busily preparing our exotic trip over to Europe, which is now beginning to take shape. London, Prague and Venice. We've decided to drop the idea of squeezing in another city because we want to actually have a break as opposed to a quick dash across the world. M is very excited to be heading back to his stomping ground and is excited to be taking me along with him. I tried to convince him last night to take me up to Edinburgh to see my hometown back in 2007 (pleeeease? can we? pleeeease?) but admittedly it was going to be too much of a push for time. Boo. Prague, Venice and London will just have to do then!

Things are going really well. I am beginning to drop the pounds (finally) care of this detox program that i have been on (I'm on Day 10 of 15) and I have noticed that I am feeling a whole lot more energetic in the mornings, WITHOUT COFFEE. Yes, I have been without coffee for 10 days!!!! Unbelievable, I know.

I also took out the bike on Monday, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would take her out again this weekend but....

I'm off to Bali, Indonesia!!!!

Yes, its another photography group session, where we are off to Ubud in Bali to photograph a festival of some sort (Indonesian New Years?).... hmmm... not quite sure. Either way, it means more photography for you to see.

Anyway, must dash.

KOTB

Landscapes.

.




.


.

Setting Up for the Shot

.


.

Matchsticks

.



.

Pengarang at Sunset....

.




.

Its Primary Industry - Fishing

below: poor baby shark caught - the Chinese LOVE shark

below: The remains of an old wooden jetty.

below: sleeping with one eye open.

below: the Fish trade

below: old broken boats laying on the beach

below: tangled fishing nets.

.

Tip

If you want to get a better quality look at my photos, click on them. I've noticed lately that my photos are a lot duller in colour and sharpness than everyone else's and I suspect that uploading photos onto this blogger does it (I think). If you click on the photos, you get a larger picture and you can see them in more detail.

.

Textures and Patterns in Pengerang, Malaysia

below: Just as the sun was setting, it cast a beautiful glow onto the sandstone rocks.

below: rusty fences in the shipping yard.

below: ripples in the sand...

below: learning the ropes....




below: the texture of the paint on the fishing boats...

.

Rusty Old Village of Rengit

.

The one thing I find really interesting about travelling now with photographers (I've never been around other photographers before) is that we each have our own "style" and our own interests. Some of the travellers loved taking photos of the sunrise and sunset, and of course those lovely nature shots, whereas I found it far more interesting (as always) looking at textures and patterns and repetitive shapes. I dont know why it is - maybe our eyes are adapted to finding certain things. When people are shooting lovely beach shots, you will usually find me clambering around an old beach shed, looking for different textures of wood and tin.... strange, i know.

below: I found an old, deserted petrol station near the fishing village

below: Che, standing by an old rusty shed.... look at the different colours of the wood!

.

below: the old, unused service station again.

below: Watching paint peel... literally.

below: Closed for business.

.

Below: only road out of town.

.

The Local Children of Rengit, Malaysia

Below: taking the front seat.

Below: Total innocence

.

Below: "I'm bad, real bad."

.

There appeared to be an abundance of children in this Kampong ("village").

.

Lobsters Galore!

.

Rengit is home to the famous Sungei Rengit Lobsters, and we decided to pack up our tripods and cameras and head over there for the weekend to see what kind of photographic opportunities we could find.

You can see the map of distance between Changi (See Bedok) to Kota Tinggi (Rengit) here. I am yet to learn how to actually embed the map into the page itself, so for the time being, you have to go to the external page.

Thankfully the Lobsters taste nicer than they look!

Scary looking things when they are close up!

.

G-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s

I had to laugh at M this morning when he described my travels around Asia as "glamorous". As I sit on a concrete floor, having waited 2 hours for a fishing boat to take me to a village somewhere in South Malaysia, I can't help but think that there is NOTHING glamorous about travelling Asia. Your clothes stick to you due to the humidity, you drink from vending machines that contain random artificial fruit juices, you are shoved in between 300 other Asians, and there is simply no method to their organisational madness. This particular jetty has 13 boats each round, and whoever can put their passports on the desk. In a pile of 13, gets on the boat the fastest. As a group of 7, we literally have to sit and wait to be put in a pile of 13, and then wait for the next boat (which can be anything over 2 hours or more each round). This isn't glamorous. Sure, its adventurous but there is no glamour!

The World... and Me.

Well, so much is happening at the moment.

Yes, I am still on detox. Its Day 6. Admittedly, i had a wee little meltdown last night and consumed a couple of sugary things. Ho hum. Its been six days, give the kid a break! I am not too overly worried about it because I have been so strict on myself otherwise. No cheating with meals, no cheating with coffees. Just a couple of things yesterday. Whoops.

Today, I am off on an overnight sojourn to Malaysia to shoot lobsters. No, not with a rifle. With a camera. Yes, I am going away with my little photography group (ie. Carli & Co) to some lobster fishing town. Carli thinks it will be good photography and seeing Carli is a good photographer, I judge her idea of "good photography" far better than i judge my own. I still feel huge camera envy with them all, but I do realise that these things take time....

Onto very exciting news - the Boy is taking me to London and then Prague and Vienna for New Years. Awwww! Isn't he just wonderful! The international man of mystery is truly becoming international and is taking me to foreign destinations. More on that a little later as plans begin to take shape. Needless to say, KateOnTheBike is very very excited to finally go back to Europe.

Right. Off to shoot shellfish.

So long, all.

KateOnTheBike

International Man of Mystery

.

The Boy and I in Bronte.

.

Stunning Bronte....

.


.

Happy to Be Home

.

This was me at Bronte Beach, Sydney.

.

The Wee Little One.... Ella...

.

As adorable as ever.....

.


.


.


.
.

Cookie Cooking Time!

.

Below: Charlotte watches the demonstration on how to put the smarties on the cookies.

below: Charlotte attempts to put the smarties on the cookies...

below: but more smarties end up in her mouth than they do on the cookies...

below: Busted!!!

.

Growing Up So Fast....

.



.


.

Day Three - Conquering the Beast

I have made it to day three and I *think* I have broken away from that feeling of desperation that I have felt when I think its coffee time. Its difficult, but its not impossible. If I crave coffee, I just go and gets a peppermint or green tea. Given that I had 3 peppermint teas and 2 green teas yesterday should give an indication of how often my cravings are coming!!!

Ho hum. All for a good cause. What doesn't kill me will make me strong. And every other cliche I am needing to throw my own way to stick to this torturous idea of mine.