I Think I Might Be Crazy ...

I am willing to bet a fair amount of cash that anyone who has been 'down under' has loved it and might - out of need - partake in some scandalous activities in order to return. The beaches in Queensland are comparable with those exotic postcard images of the beaches in Thailand and the rest of South East Asia, the iconic Sydney Opera House is even more intriguing in person, Melbourne - the home of the Australian Open - is the 'sister' city of San Francisco, and well, Kangaroos, outdoor activities, women and surfing galore. Despite all this, I'm leaving ...

I had what I dubbed a 'Western Freak Out' two days ago. Something just hit me and I knew I had to get out of here. I felt trapped; imprisoned. I had been struggling to cope with the changes of lifestyle and culture that come with being back in the west since I arrived. Hannes - a cool cat from my second time around in Kuala Lumpur - had told me that I would and that it truly takes a strong conscious effort to knock yourself out of it. That thought was reiterated by a girl I met upon arrival at my favorite German's place in Sydney.

I wish that I could accurately articulate the thoughts that have/are running through my head in an effort to sort them out and reassure myself that I am doing the right thing (noting of course that there are no guarantees in life and the effects of any one decision have the potential to ripple out through the tide of time).

Financially speaking, I am an idiot as going through this ordeal entails forfeiting a ridiculously cheap flight back into Asia at a later date, buying a new ticket last minute, missing the flight due to extremely incompetent service people (jetstar is a waste of life) resulting in a rescheduling fee and lastly a pre-arranged ticket out of KL. Mentally speaking, I think I am doing the right thing. I realized that 1)at this point in my life, the 'real world' isn't so real, 2)that this trip is finite and regardless of the risk I need to follow my heart wherever it leads me and 3)when traveling (for me at least) the 'first' and 'third' world should not be mixed and match. The amount of time it takes to readjust your mind and wallet accordingly is better spent zip lining through a jungle, hitch hiking through Indonesia, chasing after a girl and well, owning life.

It's funny ... I've been in Australia for 3 weeks and all I have seen is Sydney. I have had some good times and met great a few great people who have helped me get through this surprisingly difficult time (God I must sound like a whiny brat).


To my gracious host, I am forever in your debt. I am lucky to be a benefactor of your generosity, friendship and more importantly, your love. As much as it pains me to leave you, our paths will soon cross and should they not, believe me when I tell you that I carry a piece of you with me wherever I go.

Baliriffic ...

Bali: 12 - 18 February
It took a bit of convincing, and I do mean a 'bit' (as in little), to convince Ryan to drop his plans of going to Malacca and to roll out with me to Bali to meet up with Dwight and Jarno (the Hawaiin, guy from the Pacific Northwest and the Finnish jigalow respectively). After nearly missing our flight out of KL and then waiting 7 long hours in Jakarta for the second leg of the trip, we made it to Bali.

After finding a place, Ryan and I set out on a two part mission: procure a chilled beverage and find Dwight and Jarno. Both proved quite easy. There are Circle K's, Mini Marts and the like lining the streets of Kuta Beach and therefore my throat was never dry. After walking around a bit with no luck of finding the others, I spotted Jarno's mane blowing in the wind ... needless to say, another insane night ensued.

Outside of the party scene, oh and there was a party scene, Bali was amazing. We motorbiked around the island for 3 days, Ryan and I made a trip to Ubud to see the monkey forest (no, I did not get bit this time) and I solidified 4 good facebook friends (I'm kidding, they are in fact real friends). I even had a romance that I cannot shake and nor do I want to. It's amazing that despite people's different histories, social norms and respective realities that two strangers can come together and just 'click' ... and that's what happened. As I sit here in Singapore, I cannot help but smile. This is my life and well, to use my own words, I'm owning it. Although I say this is my life, make no mistake about it, you have all contributed greatly and I am but the product of all the goodwill, hope and support that you have bestowed upon me. Without you, all of you, this experience - this life, this story, this journey - would not be possible. My heart is with you all.

Much love,

- Ardeshir