Be still and listen, the earth is singing.......The Philippines 2016

On December 8th, 2016 I began my second trip this year to South East Asia. Thailand was only the tip of the iceberg, and every single part of my being could sense it. Therefore when the opportunity arose again (weeks after returning) 'yes' was an easy answer.

Three months, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and lastly the Philippines. There were more crazy moments than I can count, endless people I will remember and know for the rest of my life, realizations, 'awe' moments, epic landscapes and skies dripping with more glimmering stars than I have seen in my lifetime. I am truly blessed to be living, to have experienced all that I have seen and done on this adventure in my life journey, and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

The last stop for me was the Philippines. There is so much to do on these islands..though I was not there to be much of an adventurer, but wanted to reflect. I wanted to reflect within myself, on where my life had lead me so far, on where I am now, and on where it may lead me in the future.

So, I rented a little apartment directly on the beach in Puerto Galera, Philippines and started my month of rest.

Its funny- you imagine yourself needing weeks of rest and recuperation after months of travel, yet by day 5 I found myself bored.

This is when we learn. This time when we think we need to go-go-go, we forget to stop and be still. Smell the roses, listen to the wind and the waves, smile in the sunlight, (and dance alone in your kitchen to french music).

My routine was simple. And exactly the same every day/week.

-Woke up to the Rooster (who typically began his beautiful-beautiful song at 3am)
-Made green tea and watched the sea
-Laid out on the balcony to the sounds of the sea and Jean Leloup, sometimes changing it up to Eddie Vedder or Grimes)
-Had a snack of p-nut butter on toast
-Cleaned up a bit (to which I danced to the music and the sounds of the island)
-Had a tomato and onion salad for lunch
-Laid out some more if the sun was still out
-Went for an afternoon walk around the mountain and bought some fresh veg that had come directly from the farm
-Yoga for an hour
-French lessons (audio) for at least 45 min
-Cooked dinner with beautiful vegetables
-Journal-ed a bit
-Went to sleep smiling with the waves as loud as loud speakers

The movie 'Ground Hog Day' came on the little TV that was in the apartment one rainy day and it made me think. We get ourselves stuck (in whatever way) in these routines-and this happens.  What is important is that we learn from the moments that seems so routine. We can look at somethings in our lives and see it and acknowledge it's presence for years, without truly seeing it for what it is.

This is what being in the Philippines taught me. We need to sometimes 'be still and listen, because the earth is singing.'

This beautiful little island which began as needed 'breather,' then quickly seemed to be a bore, blossomed for me into a magical little place. Where time stood still...where the waves are the soundtrack, the sea and the stars are the backdrop, the cool morning sea air breaths life upon all living things, and the smiles of the people are as beautiful as the best hug you can think of. This is life. It can be crazy, and it can be simple. What we need to remember is that things are not ever what they seem, if we allow ourselves time for the dust to fall and the earth to sing, we truly can realize how wonderful and magical life can be. How magical it already is.

"Be Still and Listen,

the Earth is Singing"

-xoxo Brooke

An excerpt from my daily journal: Today I am Thankful..

I am keeping a daily journal whilst living on the island of Puerto Galera in the Philippines for the month. It's quite personal hence I rarely share it on my blog. But today, I felt it was appropriate. :) This is my day so far, Thursday, February 11th, 2016

Day 11

Last night I slept very well. Had very real dreams of being in El Tunco, and seeing everyone I know in my life all at the same time. It was like guest star after guest star after guest star in my dreams. (Maybe I am missing everyone). Woke up @430 and thought 'wow no roosters during the night, this is a first.' and just as that thought scrolled across my mind, the rooster let me know he was still there, outside my window. :) Slept in a little, made some Jasmine green tea and skyped (which has become the best part of my mornings❤ ). I think I am sleeping better because of starting back up my yoga practice.. I know its only been a few days but things get moved around and energy sets in, blood flows faster and pains are leaving. So today I am THANKFUL.

I had some bananas, peanut butter, toast and coconut jam for brunch, got stuck watching a bit of 'Into the Wild,' then laid out in the brilliant sun listening to Jean Leloup and Grimes. Walked to the sea on the bed of tiny shining shells and stared into the wild.  Smiled and said aloud "I am thankful." 

Twirled around and around like a woodland fairy in my kitchen and laughed once I became dizzy. Cleaned the apartment and took a cold shower.

I have so many things I am thankful for.  For breath. For life. For music. For being. For the sea- it's strength, its life, its power, its magic. I am thankful to be alive, to be standing here looking at the ocean from my little place in the middle of the sea.  I am thankful for what has gotten me to where I am today. To the mistakes I have made, and the lessons I have learned. 

"I believe good gets better." -Into the Wild

"Life is so short it's barely a blink of an eye." -me

Malaysia

Hmmm.

I spent about 7 days in Malaysia, no clue what I was doing there. It was- to be honest, a cheaper route than heading straight for the Philippines, and to add another stamp to the passport still feels slightly childlike in a happy immature way. :)

Landed in Kuala Lumpur, not even sure I was saying the name correctly, took the train to China Town and got lost en route to the hostel I booked, should have expected it to be 1000 degrees and unbearable in comparison to the Northern Vietnam I had just left. Met some new people at the hostel, had 2 over priced beers on the rooftop bar (of the hostel) and left for a walk through China Town.

It was not exactly what I had expected..just a bunch of vendors selling the exact same things..watches, shoes, wallets, t shirts, and fake Burkenstoks (which I totally got a pair). And the only street food to be found was a man in the middle roasting chestnuts, (which I totally got some as well). Found some above par Indian food and called it a first night.


Beach day followed. Note: find out if it is a completely Muslim beach before you take 5 buses and a taxi to arrive and be the only girl in a bikini.

Did some walking around (with heat pouring out of the sun), got Indian buffet food, and some tattoos the following day.

Then headed out to Penang, Malaysia with a friend I had met. We took the train, then a ferry, then walked to the first hostel that looked happy- Reggae House. Kittens playing on the first floor and an owner named 'Uncle' (who knew everything in the entire world, seriously) made this place feel perfect. We probably walked a fourth of the island that first day, posing with street art, eating street food, browsing the Little India markets, and getting lost. Penang lasted for a a few days and it was lovely. Ladies night was literally every night and we made it out to hike at the National Forest (and saw monkeys everywhere). It was a good mini trip and I smiled the whole way back to KL.


A friend, whom I met in Bangkok (from Scotland), and saw for dinner in Vietnam, flew in to KL for the weekend. Was a pretty happy wknd with brunches, a butterfly garden visit, rooftop bars and a jazz concert.



I headed out to the Philippines on very little sleep but satisfied with the wonders of what a little week can bring. Its funny when you are a traveler, you sort-of make plans, but the thing is, that things always come up. And whatever they are or may be- they are put in our way for reasons we can not explain..and we should just embrace life as it comes. These are the times when lessons are learned, clarity can surface, and magical times occur. Live, love, learn, smile like crazy, and enjoy it all.

cheers Malaysia....xo