Woody’s gone but he's not forgotten (2 months later)

Out of the blue and into the black
They give you this, but you pay for that
And once you're gone, you can never come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black
Woody’s gone but he's not forgotten
Once climbed up, you can’t come back to the bottom
It's better to burn out than it is to rust
Woody’s gone but he's not forgotten
Hey hey, my my
Woody’s story will never die
There's more to the picture
Than meets the eye
Hey hey, my my
Please J. ... send him home!!!

I'll be home for Christmas ... if only in my dreams

To whom it may concern,

Our beloved son Woody should have been back home since 3 months.
We expected him in Vlezenbeek, Belgium at September, 9.
On this day he published his last message on this blog.
Since then we didn’t hear a word, nor received one sign from him.
Has anyone information about our son?
Is he still travellin’? Is he on his way home? Were does he stay?
Of course we are very worried about him.
If anyone can help us … please mail us as soon as possible.

Dear Woody … if you read this. Please send us a message.
We really hope you’ll be home for Christmas.
Love, Mom & dad.

I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

09.09.09

Time is a jetplane, it moves too fast ...

Today, it's exactly 3 years, 3 months and 3 days ago since I left my home and family on 06.06.06. I then promised to be back home again today on 09.09.09 but ... I ain't home yet.

I am still travellin' in the Far East. This picture was taken on the airplane flyin' somewhere above Mayanmar. Or was it Vietnam, or Cambodia? I don't know where we are headin' to, I must admit I am a little bit confused and disoriented.

Sorry mom & dad ... I hope to be back soon.

3 years, 3 months and ...

... within 3 days I am expected to be back in Belgium. This seems quite unrealistic now since two days ago I arrived, together with Jason Steward, at this heavenly island, Ko Samet.

Ko Samet is a beautifull island not far from Bangkok city and well known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, colorful tropical coral reefs, crystal clear water, mouth watering Thai cuisine and happening nightlife.

Sorry mom and dad, I know I promised to be back on 09.09.09, but ... 3 years ago I didn't know the world was so big and exciting ... and yes, today I promise ... I will do what I can to come back home as soon as possible.

But in the meanwhile I am enjoyin' sundown here at Ko Samet.

Bangkok, Thailand

This weekend I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand. What a city! It has approximately 10.000.000 residents. The population of greater Bangkok is estimated to be more than 15.000.000.

As the city expanded on the outskirts, the inner city has nowhere to grow but up. So, the city has a registered 1,000 skyscrapers.

Sittin' here on top of one of them, I am wonderin' about my near future.
As you know I am expected back home in Belgium on September, the 9th (09.09.09). Only 10 days left and there is still so much to see here ...
And who is gonna bring me home? I really don't know ...

On my way to Thailand

Sorry folks ... I forgot about time at the end of the world. But here I am back again.

I am on my way to Bangkok, Thailand with Robert and Maritta.

It's great travellin' by train through Malaysia and Thailand, but I'll be happy to have my feet back on the ground.

… the end of the world

Today, I finally reached the end of the world.
Time to go back home?
Well, maybe I wanna stay here. Wanna know why?
Just have a look here or here or here.

Ridin’ a motorbike

See me ridin’ on a motorbike.
Wanna know were I headin’ to?
Come and see tomorrow …

Another little Chinese shrine

… just what I need for a safe back home prayer …
as you might know, I am expected back home on September, the 9^th.

Worshippin' Kuan Yin

The popularity of Kuan Yin as a beautiful white-robed goddess filled with pure devotion and compassion are well known to the people of Penang.
Kuan Yin’s statue is commonly found in homes and Buddhist temples in various incarnations, often cloaked in white robes.

Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) Temple, Penang

After having visited a mosque and a Hindu Temple, it’s time for another religion of another minority … the Peranaka or Malaysian ethnic Chinese population.
A minority? Well they might be a minority in Malaysia, but in Penang the Chinese community is as big as the Malaysian (both about 40% of the population).

I decided to visit the oldest and one of the most popular temples among the Chinese taoist community of Penang … the Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin Temple. Kuan Yin Temple has become a main attraction not only to the thousand of Buddhist devotees but also tourist from all over the world.

The temple is built with characteristic of Chinese architecture and carved with dragon and many mysterious creatures that stands up and acts as the guardian of the temple. Within the temple, in an inner chamber, is a statue of an 18-armed Kuan Yin with each hand either containing a different cosmic symbol or expressing a specific ritual position. In the courtyard are two huge iron stoves where devotees burn paper offerings (gold and silver paper), an octagonal well which was once a public well for the Chinese community as well as a comforting sight to view feeding of flocking pigeons.
It is also here that the followers of Hare Krishnan distribute food free to the homeless, beggars and the hungry irregardless of their race and religion.

In the streets of Georgetown (revisited)

Today I met this nice, young man in the streets of Georgetown.
His is a Peranakan. Peranakan, also known as the Straits Chinese or Baba-Nyonya are the descendants of the early Chinese immigrants to Penang. They have partially adopted Malay customs and speak a Chinese-Malay creole. The Peranakan community possesses a distinct identity in terms of food, dress, rites, crafts and culture. Most of the Peranakan Chinese are not Muslims, but practice ancestor worship and Chinese religion.

Well … that’s what I am goin’ to do tomorrow, visiting a temple of this community.

The Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu Temple in Georgetown

The Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street, also called the Sri Mariamman Temple, is regarded as the oldest Hindu Templein Penang. It is dedicated to the Hindu deity Mariamman, who has a following among the Indians of South India. Scholars believe the name Mariamman comes from two words, ‘mari’ meaning power, and ‘amman’ meaning mother. Thus Mariamman is considered a motherly power figure.

On this picture, you see Mariamman behind me.

And if you’re tired of walkin’ around …

… just take a teksi (or a rickshaw).

In the streets of Georgetown

A walk in the streets of Georgetown is an experience that should not be missed. All you need to do is to give a little patience and perspiration and you'll be rewarded with a multitude of encounters with the history and culture of a vibrant and culturally diverse city. Be sure … you’ll meet lots of nice people there.

Nasi Goreng

There are a lot of Malay food stalls here in Penang. And as you know, I like to taste everything. And of course I tried the Nasi Goreng too.
In Malay, ‘nasi’ means ‘cooked rice’ and ‘goreng’ means ‘fried’. Nasi Goreng is very popular here, many Malaysians eat Nasi Goreng for breakfast, often using leftovers from the previous day's dinner. The rice used to make Nasi Goreng is cooked ahead of time and left to cool down (so it is not soggy), which is one reason to use rice cooked from the day before.
Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin (or Fried rice with salted fish) is my favourite. It's ready to go (if you want to tapau), hot from the wok, appetizing (salted fish?! Oh yeah) and it has all the vitamins too (hmm..). Most Malaysian eateries from mamak stalls to big 5-stars resorts serve Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin and every place has their own unique taste (Chinese, Malay, Indian), that's why I would say this dish will never go out of style. It will always be my personal favourite!

Fort Cornwallis, Penang

Today, I visited Fort Cornwallis which is located of the north-eastern coast of Penang.
Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia.
If you think the man you see behind me is Sir Selamat Datang, you’re wrong. ‘Selamat Datang’ is Malaysian and it just means ‘Welcome’. In fact, the man behind me is Sir Francis Light, who was the founder of the British colony of Penang (now Malaysia) and its capital Georgetown in 1786.

Jubilee Clock Tower

To commemorate Queen Victoria’s 1897 Diamand Jubilee, this Jubilee Clock Tower behind me was constructed in George Town, Penang (at the time a British Straits Settlement).

It was built in a Moorish style.

The tower is sixty feet tall, one foot for each year of Victoria's reign.

Durian, The King of Fruits

It’s durian season here in Penang, Malaysia and there are durian stalls selling this thorny fruit every corner you turn. While a lot of people consider the smell of durian as ‘stinky’ and ‘repulsive’ – so much so that they are banned in hotel rooms in Malaysia! – I love this king of fruits. Some of the best durians in Malaysia come from the durian orchards in Balik Pulau, Penang, which is on the less-developed side of the island of Penang.

The Flag of Malaysia

Today, it’s Belgium’s national day. But since I am in Malaysia, let’s talk about the flag of Malaysia, also known as the Jalur Gemilang (‘Stripes of Glory’). It comprises a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes along the fly and the blue canton bearing a crescent and a 14-point star known as the Bintang Persekutuan or Federal Star. The 14 stripes, of equal width, represent the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government, while the 14 points of the star represent the unity between these entities. The crescent represents Islam, the country's official religion; the blue canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people; the yellow of the star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers.
Yeah … it’s clear that they seriously thought about all this! Nice flag after all.