A white beach Christmas

I'm sitting  in the back of a taxi on my way to the airport at 4am, my feet are aching, I'm sweating and my heart is beating so fast that it feels as if its going to burst. My description of how I feel now pretty much describes my Christmas in Bangkok and the not so pretty Thai seaside town I now call "pissy" Patong.... But more about that later. 

On leaving Indonesia my soul was light but I was heavy with the sadness of leaving great friends and a great country. Bangkok and its many bars and clubs didn't exactly do much for my spiritual hangover. My spiritual hangover was now simply a spirit one and after a few nights out and a fews days of temples, tours and water taxis I was wrecked! For all that I'm not a fan of massive cities I do have to say I really enjoyed Bangkok and everything it had to throw at me....

I was nervous and excited when leaving Bangkok on a 14 hour bus to Phuket Island  in Southern Thailand. Nervous about my first Christmas away from my family being just a few days away and excited to hit some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. First stop was Phuket Town. I met a beautiful polish girl on the way down and with no accommodation booked and no clue where I quite wanted to go on the island I walked from the night bus bleary eyed and still high on sleeping pills and jumped into a taxi to follow up on her offer of sharing transport across the island and ended up in Patong. A not so sleepy shithole on Phukets west coast.

At this point I can guess that you are thinking "shut up!" and yes if I was living back at home, freezing my balls off and working every hour that god sends I would too but Patong is unfortunately the first place in all my travels anywhere that I can absolutely confirm I will never return. 

Patong is unfortunately all of the bad bits of any place that I have ever came across. You are talking trashy bars, mouthy yobs, hookers, rats, rabies ridden cats and street upon street of dirt and grime both on the roads and on the thousands of drunken and drugged up revellers themselves. Need I say anymore? 

What I will say is that I have been very lucky here too. I was so anxious about Asia on my own for Christmas and thankfully while I was in Patong I met some amazing people amongst the assholes! I had the most beautiful few days on the beach by small boat over the big day itself and Boxing Day too. 

It's times like this that are sent to test you but at the same time its in places like this that you can find the most amazing gems too. 

I am so super greatful for this Christmas. Tomorrow I leave with my best friend Jennie for Phi Phi Island and I've just finished off the festivities with some amazing cards sent from friends and family at home.

Thank you! :)  

Joints and Jesus jabbering...

Airports for me represent pretty much everything that I am not. So many rules, times, so much rush and the worst of all in Bali's international the authoritarian Asian element is super strong!  You would think I was smuggling heroin when they found a tub of glitter in my bag...

Thankfully in my experiene over the past 2 months Bali itself is quite the opposite. Ok so they will practically chop your head off for having a joint but forgetting that, Bali and its people have been amazing to me! 

As ever when writing its so hard to put it all into words but it was on this island I really started to form a few solid ideas about the world and my future in it. Bali is the sort of place in which you can find almost any journey. There's lots of party and I did that lots but its not called the island of the gods for no reason. Unfortunately for my granny, mum and a few more of the religious lot around me I didn't find Jesus. I didnt on the other hand convert to Islam, find the divine mother or Buddha. What I did find was an increasingly strong belief in the power of the universe and pure love. 

I know I sound like a hippy but apparently I am now one big walking cliche and I'm loving it! 

Thank you to all my friends at home and around the world but most of all thank you to the very special guys on Bali. The guys at Indosole, Ellie, Elle, Mead, Em,  Mara, Justin and so many more!

I will be eternally grateful and I will be back!

To Thailand...

Connor Kerr "this is your life!"

So I have written this quite a few times now. Last week it seemed like every time I was finished and planned to post the next day that something else would happen. Its all good though! 

It's sometimes super hard to put everything i have been up to into words and unfortunately for you if I did it would probably be super long and lack lustre by the end. Luckily I haven't...  

What i will say is I have just had the best few weeks of my life! Bali is becoming more beautiful by the second. I have made some great friends, I'm loving what I'm doing and after so many months I feel that I am eventually over the anger. I feel like I'm over the anger at myself, success, other people and issues in the world. its amazing! 

It's no secret that I love a good party. Imagine that feeling as you dance  covered in glitter on a podium at 6am whilst surrounded by friends, lost in music and love. Well I have that x100... I can't sleep at night I'm so happy. Long may living in my lovely rainbow last! 

Feast your glamorous eyes on these...

Watching sunsets nearly everyday!

Puppies! 

Ubud and the rice fields with Mara was pretty special. Privileged! 

Pool times! 

Great mates!

The best mates of all are at home.. For all I don't miss my old life I miss my friends everyday! Love you. Peace and love forever :) 

Indo with Indo

I am writing my latest post from here..

The Indosole factory is in part the reason why I havnt blogged in a bit. I could lie and say I've been slaving over shoes all week but I won't. I have been lucky enough to spend time in the factory set in the beautiful Balinese counyryside but for the most part this week I have been chilling here... 

I moved in last Saturday and since then I've been getting to grips with how Indosole as a company works. 

I was actually a little nervous starting. I know that most if you that know me are thinking "nervous, what?" but rather than being nervous of a new experience, it's people or anything else I was a little worried that Indosole might not be the company it appeared to be once I was behind the scenes.

Before arriving on Bali my impression of Indosole online and on tv (where I first caught sight of the brand) was super green, environmentally conscious and had a great story from its humble beginnings that it has carried through until today. I thought their concept and creation of a brand that prodominently used recycled motorbike tyres, organic threads and natural materials was amazing. I got the imoression the company was inspiring and such a refreshing change from your usual fashion brand that churns out countless pieces most of which people do not need! From what I could see I thought Indosole had fashion integrity, something somewhat missing in today's environmentally friendly garment market place. 

Fortunately for me and my experience Indosole's public face has held up and I'm happy to say I'm loving working with a company that can boast the attributes of all the positive points above. 

Yesterday was a pretty 'average' day for my past week:

I woke up early and headed south from the Indo house at beautiful Echo Beach. 

Reaching the factory I spent most of my morning sorting shoes, testing product through Indosole's super strict quality control process and I spent some time cutting and tying laces.

I later spent the afternoon taking pictures for Indo online and for a few upcoming magazine pieces. After falling off my bike followed by getting soaked in a tropical storm on the way home I finally made it in one piece and spent the rest of my time until dark in the pool. 

I mean it's less than glamourous (well apart from the pool bit) but I have to say I feel super happy at how my first week has gone down.

The team here are pretty sweet! I think I might just be happy for the next while in Indo with Indo...

Waiting and wondering...

I have so much to say but don't quite know how to say it. I'm writing this from my latest location. I'm sitting having dinner on Echo Beach as the sun sets, watching surfers and listening to an amazing acoustic version of Bob Marleys redemption song. It's breathtaking!

It's moments like this you can't really plan and for sure I didn't see coming when I set off from my friends place and headed north on my bike to move into my new house.

The house is awesome but more about that later.

I didn't expect much of my last week as it was beginning. I was so sad to leave Ubud and the amazing Mara that I hadn't really given it much thought. Well what a week it has been! 

Ellie has yet again been an absolute star! Once I got back to hers in Kuta we were straight out for my few days belated birthday celebrations and hit a club to see super cool progressive house dj Dinka (who turns out is lovely and lived downstairs). From that day for the full week following I stayed there. I did mean to move on Wednesday and then Friday but as it turns out I didn't move in until yesterday (Saturday)... 

I've spent the last week waiting and wondering but have to say I have had a fabulous week for it! 

We have seen amazing temples, some awesome sunsets, we hit a few bars and I met some seriously cool people along the way! 

What more could I ask for? 

My Ubud birthday on Bali!

Before I came to Bali I had unbelievable plans for my Birthday. In my head it was a Hunter S. Thompson style drug and alcohol fuelled frenzy all topped of with lashings of local boys and blistering sunshine on some far flung beach... 

My reality could not be farther from the truth. 

After first arriving in Kuta on Bali I did dabble. I met a few people and tried a few nights out. Unsuccessfully.

It just wasn't for me. I still can't put my finger on it but it felt a little too staged. I mean nothing in Kuta is underground, there's no new music and as I have said before the people were pretty ridiculous. It was like a dodgy club reps episode and I needed out! 

I had heard of Ubud from a few people all over my trip and when Ellie and another few friends said they might head there I jumped at the chance! 

I spent most of my time with Mara. Mara might just be the sweetest travellers I have met so far. On the first day we quickly found a hotel that we shared, planning only the first night in luxury we ended up staying there for a week as the staff were so amazing and living together felt so much like a holiday. 

We chilled! We didn't do much else but sleep, meditate and the occasion yoga class. We met Ellie lots for amazing food too! 

On my birthday itself I awoke to a lovely card from Mara and a rose from the staff. We spent most of the day on sharing a scooter we rented and visited a few local galleries before hitting the art museum for lunch. That night we met with Ellie again as well as another few friends for some amazing Cuban food followed by a few drinks. It was relaxed but ooh so fabulous all the same! 

In fact Ive never felt so relaxed and after day after day of amazing conversation, meeting more amazing people and trying lots of new things I've never felt so at one with myself and I'm happy to say the wonderful world around me. Riding back down south on the back of Ellie's bike I felt awesome.

It's strange because I feel settled here now. I got my own bike today and I'm moving into my house on Wednesday. 

I'm excited for the next few months and no longer spend time looking at flying planes. I no longer wonder or wish when I see them because for now at least I'm already here. In paradise :)

Kuta Bali to beautiful Ubud

There are times and places as a backpacker that really make you stop and wonder.

So far Bali  has been one of those places! 

I've only been here a few days but already I have had many of those moments.... Moments when you find yourself sipping cocktails on the beach, surfing, watching temple sunsets and when you're late night swimming in super club infinity pools. 

So far Bali has also been full of amazing people for me. Eli, a Norweign turned Bali resident who has been an absolute star picking me up from the airport to having me stay and showing me the best spots all over the south. Mara the cutest English girl I met while lying on the floor. That kind of says it all! Dana, a not so typical American and Anya the sweetest Swiss darling.

I didn't expect any of this when I set off  for cockroaches and creepy crawlies in my bed. I mean I don't mind the odd cockroach but  Bali's best bits so far have been just the opposite of my imagination! 

On the other hand I'm writing this from a shuttle bus on the way to Ubud. 

Kuta, my first stop on Bali is crowded. Like super crowded! Admittedly my impression comes following stays on remote islands and in the deepest jungle, but even by western standards I would say this place is going to pop! 

I mean if dodgy 90's anthems and fat Australian tourists is your thing you would be in heaven! Unfortunately for me I have come to Bali and went travelling in general to find something quite the opposite.

Here's hoping Ubud with its Monkey Forest, sun temples and countless yoga and meditation joints holds the answer.

My birthday is in a week and this year all I wish is for peace :) 

Overstaying in Sandakan

For those of you that are jealous I'm currently on yet another bus. The very same bus that took 9 hours on the way here. That and we have just broken down.... 

On the upside I'm travelling with super darling dutch girl Karin... 

We are currently en route back to Kota Kinabalu to catch our flights. Soon to be separated at the airport Karin is heading north where as il be speeding south to Bali. The time has flown in already but I have to say Sandakan, the city I planned as a base has actually been great! 

I did plan to leave Sandakan when I came back from my stay in the rainforest 3 or 4 days ago but after meeting up with Karin again and meeting lots of others from all over I didn't get around to getting my bus. Luckily I did today as I've just checked my flight to Bali which I thought was 2 days away but turns out its tomorrow! 

When I first got back to the city  it was a pleasant change from forest. It was refreshing to see lots of locals and backpackers milling about, it was sweet to pick some food from one of the many food stalls and if I'm honest It was great to chill on a big sofa once again. I spent most of last Thursday afternoon doing just that. Checking Facebook, facetiming and watching the news.... I felt backpacker guilt. 

Although it is necessary to have a regular day when on a such a long journey as mine every time I do so i still feel super guilty.  I mean it's different lying about the house when there's nothing to do but when so much of the wonderful world is literally on your doorstep it feels wrong. 

Friday came and we decided to head out. Now in the area I had literally seen every temple, been to most museums, immersed myself in the nearby nature parks and did just about everything else that East Borneo had to throw at me so after a bit of deliberation we decided on this place....   

Ok so there was no deliberation. We had heard  from another backpacker and after a quick google we jumped at the chance of another lazy day. This time beside the pool with a sauna and steam room to boot! 

It's was great! Better still we stayed and had an amazing buffet lunch (with western type food ie. no bloody bones!) and to finish off the day we drank into the wee hours wearing wigs and dancing our socks off at the hostel.....

                    (Dont even ask!) 

The next few days followed a similar routine. This time spent in the local 5* swigging on cocktails the price of our room and watching sunsets as the hours floated past on fluffy clouds... 

Yes I did overspend on money and on time in one place and yea I lived in what we branded as 'backpacker lux' but now as I look back I feel no more guilt. Looking back we had a fucking ball! We lived a life of pretend luxury with a love in our hearts for the rather small yet seductive city called Sandakan.