Abrams Family World Travel

Malaysia: 48 Hours In Kuala Lumpur

WE blitzed in and out of Kuala Lumpur so fast it felt like a whirlwind experience. But our 48 hours in transit was mostly about the food - but we did slip in time to visit the famous Twin Towers, two of the world's tallest buildings, though we arrived too late to take a trip to the top (visitors can go up on a first-come-first-served basis). 

While there is plenty to see, Malaysia is known for its fantastic cuisine. This is a gorgeous fruit stall outside the Central Market.

One of our favourite snacks.

Rambutan - before we devoured them (and you can eat the seed, which tastes like walnut!)

Mmm mangosteen...

Claude and coconut. Need I say more?

Me trying a very *interesting* fruit drink made with ambula.  

One of Zenchai's long-time favourites - dragonfruit.

Me biting into something that looks like a giant apple but tastes like cardboard.

A whole mall kiosk devoted to durian!! We tried a durian pancake. Nice!

Okay, so it wasn't all about the food. We did manage to do other things than eat. And it must be said that KL's metro stations are spotless. I was tempted to lick the floor it was so clean.

A succussful trip if Zenchai spots a cherished Mercedes Benz.

Zenchai was decorating us with petals from a tree. 

A quick play in the water near the Twin Towers.

The kiddos having a grand time in a massive shopping centre while we waited out a deluge of rain.

Between mouthfuls we even managed to catch-up with some family! (Although after playtime we did eat together!)

Maybe Zenchai pondering the upcoming departure?

Life is good. We are heading to the next adventure in Thailand. Getting ferried around on a trolly will put a smile on any wheel-obsessed child's face.

And always remember, no matter how yummy the food is in Malaysia, no durians are allowed in hotels or taxis. 

Kerala: Our Vision Of India

  Bus stop in the Varkala rush hour - where are all the men?

Fresh coconut delivery service

Done the bodyboarding. What's next?

A modest attempt - by Indian standards - of transporting the family

Can you see why they call it Black Beach?

Outside the bizarrely-named Santa Claus resort in Varkala Beach

Kobra can't get enough sand

Bob and I saw this poor, hungry dog in the road. It couldn't use it's back legs, but was standing and not complaining. We got it some food, but have no idea if it survived

A nation's love affair with advertising boards

Cool in the shade on the backwaters in Alleppey

Pepsi delivery bicycle

The roof of a shopping parade - turns out to be a temple

 Someone likes a guitar

And it hardly ever rains - at least this time of year

Just casually making a painting while on the phone - as you do!

Magnificent sunsets over the Arabian Sea

 

Makeshift cricket - Indian style. How's that?

When you need shoes fixed, this is where you go

 Stuffed cat at the fish market

They can't get enough of Kobra

Amazing trees in Fort Cochin

Varkala Beach: Bodyboarding

THERE'S only one thing to do on a hot day like this - go into the sea and cool off

My daddy rented me a bodyboard for an hour (R100 - £1.50) and the waves look good. I am really excited

I am all set - sunblock on my face, sunproof shirt and surf shorts. I feel the part

I haven't done any bodyboarding since Brazil. I hope I can remember what to do

Oops. Let's try again 

Now I've got the hang of it - wait for the right wave and then jump on to enjoy the ride 

This is such great fun. Can't wait to do it again

 

India: If I Were Young, Free And Single Again...

For many years I have wanted to visit India. I guess this is only natural considering the ongoing affair I have with yoga and all things yoga-related. 

When we first touched down in India - in Trivandrum - I felt an inexplicable inner peace. I felt at home and I hadn't even stepped off the plane. 

After clearing immigration and customs, I prepared myself for the mania that I thought would be waiting on just the other side of the doors - the exit from the airport and my entrance into Indian culture.

While Claude quickly changed some money, I meekly walked to the exit just to peek and really prepare myself. With that first glimpse I saw hundreds of Indian people waiting behind a low fence to collect their loved ones. I breathed in and thought to myself 'okay, I can handle this.'

So we walked out. Hmmm. No horrid smells to contend with. No ear-assaulting sounds. I wasn't instantly saturated with sweat from the heat. We didn't have a mob of people trying to sell us a taxi ride. It was all very civilised.

We had a prepaid taxi waiting for us and again the roads weren't crazy or bustling with tons of traffic. It felt quiet. Our driver never had to do any daring manoeuvres and he even pulled off to the side of the road to answer his phone.

I had to pinch myself. Was I really in India? Nothing about my first few hours in Kerala resembled anything that I was told to expect.

Upon arriving in Varkala, where we are staying, it was apparent that our destination was a bit of a tourist haven. Europeans where everywhere. 

After we settled into our very modest accommodation, we went for a saunter along the beach walkway. The one thought that hit me over and over again was how this would have been the perfect landing spot for me when I was a young, solo traveller.

Yoga and meditation classes, Ayurvedic services (massages and treatments), as well Ayurvedic cooking classes are abundantly available. Teacher-training courses in many of the healing/alternative therapies are widely available, too, not to mention there is stall after stall selling colourful garments that I would happily adorn myself with.

Now don't get me wrong, this is an excellent place as a family. But I do wonder what it would have been like being here as a twenty-something with nothing but time on my side. 

 

 

 

 

Varkala Beach: First Impressions

FOR westerners visiting Varkala Beach in Southern India, there are a few things you should know and accept - like if you have a young daughter, she will likely be stolen from your arms by doting women, younger girls and even men!

This, I am certain, isn't just a fascination unique to the ultra-friendly people of this region. I suspect it is nationwide.

On a recent trip to the beach with Zenchai and Kobra, at least 16 visitors - men, woman, younger men and girls - came to introduce themselves and smile and touch Kobra (Jamie wasn't with us).

At one point a group of young men started passing Kobra around and each having their photo taken with her, like she was some kind of zoo exhibit. I wasn't sure whether to be proud or offended. 

Thank God Kobra is such a good sport. She never gets flustered by the attention, unlike her older brother. And while Zenchai doesn't much like being approached by strangers, I am sure he's finding all the loving attention his sister gets to be difficult to deal with. 

He has found an outlet bodysurfing, building sand castles and playing with the local boys where we are staying. His lego and matchbox cars are particularly popular. 

We are not the only visitors here by any stretch. In fact, we were quite shocked by the numbers of tourists. It has a sort of Greek holiday resort feel. There are lots of British, Australian, American, German, French, Italian and Russian visitors. And the restaurants serve multi-national cuisine.

It's a place in India where people come to relax by the beach (and watch the magnificent sunsets) and as we are next going to Chiang Mai in Thailand, a city in the north, we thought we'd get enough sun and sand to hold us over.

Varkala Beach is laid back - it can take a while to get served in restaurants, although the food is often prepared freshly and well worth the wait. 

The prices, compared to London at least, are mind-blowing - and Kerala is apparently one of the more expensive Indian states! We usually fill our bellies for between £4 and £7, ordering the quantity of food that would cost at least £30-£40 in England.

There are a number of places which make fresh juices  - papaya, watermelon, pineapple, veggie juices etc. Take your pick. Expect to pay around 50 rupees (60 pence). Try the Juice Shack or Chillout Lounge (where they also show Premiership football).

Surprisingly, fresh coconut water and coconuts are not abundant. You have to head to the end of the beach, in the direction of the helipad and heading to Varkala town, for the few stalls which supply them. 

Accommodation is not in short supply, though. Resorts, hostels and homestays line the beachfront and, compared with western standards, offer fairly inexpensive rates. For instance, we paid R935 (£12) per night for our room for the first week and then negotiated a cheaper rate elsewhere for the remainder of our stay. We did look at rented houses and apartments, but they are harder to find and usually much further from the beach. Given the heat (about 33 degrees on average in January) and carrying Kobra around, we opted to be close to the beaches and restaurants. 

Talking of heat, make sure you bring with you sunscreen lotion. The sun, especially around mid-day, is particularly strong. My favourites times of day are 6am, as the sun rises, and 4pm, when it starts to set.

I like to get up early to exercise. There are no parks around here, so people congregate on the beach and even as the sun comes up the beach is surprisingly populated with joggers, people doing yoga, playing volleyball, cricket and football. There is a gym, with machines and free weights, on the way to Varkala town. Cost for about a month is R1,000 (£13).

And if you over-do it, there is no shortage of massage therapists. Not a day passes without me being asked if I'd like a massage or, for that matter, to check out the many shops selling colourful clothes and artefacts.

Make sure you take off your shoes before entering any building. It's worth considering your footwear, because a shoe that doesn't come off or go on easily can become an irritation if you decide to go in and out on a shopping spree. Flip-flops are perfect. 

Prices are reasonable, even if it is inflated for tourists. Be sure to bargain with them, even if you are arguing over what turns out to be a few pence. Otherwise the price of goods will go through the roof. Also, bring cash with you. There are no ATMs. To change money and get the best rates, you have to go to Varkala town, a walk of a few kilometres.

It's early days for us still. We haven't yet fully explored Varkala town. Zenchai enjoyed a tuk-tuk ride I took him on. And he's keen to go on a train, too, but I haven't looked into that. We also want to spend a night on a boat in the backwaters, so there is plenty to do and see besides enjoying the leisurely pace of life. 

 

World Travel: Staying In Shape The Crossfit Way

EXERCISE is high on my priority list. In fact, I feel as if I couldn’t do without it. I don’t need to list the benefits. I think we all know what they are.

But being on the move a lot can make it challenging sometimes, particularly if you are an athlete in training for an event of some kind.

If your aim is just to stay in shape and be healthy, then it’s more simple. Almost everywhere there are gyms and, at the very least, one can put on a pair of running shoes and go jogging or fast walking.

However, when it comes to exercise I’ll admit I’m not a moderate sort of person. But I’m learning – after more than 35 years of training in various sports – that quality is more important than quantity. I used to think more was better.

With a family, time to exercise is often hard to make, even if, like me, you are not working (though effectively I am a full-time parent).

So it was a Godsend – in more ways than one – when I discovered Crossfit, where the emphasis is on intensity. Finally, I’d found a method of training – with results - where you don’t have to put in the long, long hours.

It's not for everyone (what is?) and having a reasonable level of fitness before starting will certainly help. But it's excellent for anyone participating in contact sports and more and more top athletes are now incorporating Crossfit-style workouts into their routines.

I knew it wasn’t going to be a breeze from the moment I walked into Crossfit West Yorkshire in Leeds a month ago and saw the motto: “Our warm-up is your workout”.

And when I started training, the mantra turned out to be true: the warm-up was a killer. But I loved it. I left each workout with a big smile on my face. I felt I’d worked hard, had fun and learned something new. I couldn't wait for the next one, even if my body ached, but it was the sort of pain that told me I’d made a big effort.

No session was ever the same. Many of the exercises involved Olympic lifts, where perfect technique is important to avoid injury. I liked how Rakesh, the coach at Crossfit West Yorkshire, took me through each movement really thoroughly.

Although there’s a really competitive element to Crossfit – to better your scores, times and beat everyone else in the gym – and this can be counterproductive to maintaining strict form, I think it’s important to compete only against yourself and make sure you don’t cheat. What’s more critical: a high score or staying injury-free?

For a month I was jumping on to boxes, flailing my arms with ropes thick enough to hold the Titanic at bay, squatting, deadlifting, shoulder pressing, rowing, hanging off of bars, skipping rope, doing hundreds of squats, sprints, press-ups (sometimes on gymnastic rings), chin-ups, burpees and often combining all these exercises into a cocktail of serious sweat and intensity.

A few days before I left Huddersfield, I went to the gym to watch a fundraiser (pictured above), Crossfit-style: 1,001 burpees!

I’m now a Crossfit addict. It suits my schedule and personality and, for me, beats the idea of countless sets and reps in a gym for hours on end.

The emphasis for me now is to stay strong and healthy, while improving flexibility, mobility, endurance, speed, power, balance, co-ordination, posture... I do also have a desire, next year or the year after, to complete a full triathlon, which for me is a serious challenge as I am not a great freestyle swimmer, distance runner or cyclist. Anything is possible, right?

I also want to keep up with my children for years to come. In fact, I want to stay a step ahead of them – always.

So wherever I go, I’ll search out a Crossfit gym (there are more than 2,500 worldwide). If you want to try something different and enjoy pushing yourself to the limit – and further – give Crossfit a go. You might enjoy it.

*Crossfit West Yorkshire is located at Unit 11, Carlton Mills, Pickering Street, Armley, Leeds LS12 2QG. Call Rakesh on 07481 577480. At Crossfit West Yorkshire you can get a week's FREE training. Email: [email protected] 

Huddersfield: Castle Hill

WE get asked a lot about education and what we are going to do for our kids. But with our current vagabonding lifestyle abundant learning is inevitable.

Everywhere is our children's school and playground. We have noticed that whether Zenchai is in school or not, he can't help but learn (as is the case for all children). I have noticed that kids who are motivated and passionate are like that.

Zenchai is very bright and inquisitive. We went on a walk a few days after arriving in West Yorkshire, following a path from the house where we are staying and up a steep hill to the remains of a castle, which turned out to be one of the most recognisable landmarks in Huddersfield. It was chilly and foggy. But we all enjoyed it. Zenchai got some exercise and all the way there asked questions.

He noticed the stonewalling, asking whether the crumbled sections had been destroyed by cannons (he is obsessed with pirates at the moment!). He observed the animals in the fields, cars, road signs and, when we arrived, the castle remains. He wanted to know about it all.

Our thoughts are that Zenchai learns best when he is doing something he enjoys - usually through play - so we try to take him places where he can feel free, have fun and, in the process, discover things by himself (as much as possible). Forcing him to learn just doesn't work with him - or myself for that matter. 

Jamie and I tried our best to provide the answers to his many questions (we usually look it up later if we don't know) and Zenchai seemed satisfied.

There used to be a medieval castle on Castle Hill about 800 years ago, owned by the de Laci noble family, but all that remains now is Victoria Tower (106ft tall), which has a large lantern and was built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's 60th year as monarch. The views on a clear day are probably impressive, but we couldn't see a great deal beyond all the autumn fog. The hill itself is 1,000ft above sea level.

It was windy at the top. Kobra kept mum warm although Jamie did say to me that, curiously, since returning from Brazil she hasn't felt the cold much (and she usually does). The climb up the steps got our pulses racing. Zenchai handled it easily. He's now used to walking long distances.

We came down a different way to how we ascended - getting to know a few more of Huddersfield's narrow streets in the process - and by then Kobra was awake after her nap and we were all feeling hungry. There's nothing like a good walk and fresh air to stir up the appetite.

 

 

Piracanga: What I'll Miss And What I Won't

10 Things Claude's Going To Miss

1. Outdoor Life

Regardless of the weather, getting out of the house each day was never a problem. Even if it rained, we often went out. There was fresh air, beach, river, forest, garden and most of the houses were built in a way that the air flowed through. Since returning to England, I've appreciated more just how fortunate we were to be able to experience the joys of being outdoors so much and with nature.

2. People

We made so many friends. People visit Piracanga from all over the world. It's an international community. We met so many visitors and residents who were alternative-minded, travelling like us and who took a similar approach to child-raising and education. The people were nearly always friendly and so many adults took out time to be with and nurture Zenchai. Also, I don't think I've been anywhere in the world where I've got to know so many people so quickly and easily.

3. Letting Children Roam Freely

Once you are back in a city, you understand and value how fantastic it was to have a child and feel comfortable allowing your child to come and go without us parents having to worry for his safety or whereabouts. Piracanga felt safe from that perspective. There were few cars and everyone seemed to know everyone. Often Zenchai would go for walks by himself and be gone for an hour or more. Frequently, he went to the houses of other children by himself. We were never concerned and nothing ever happened to him that gave us cause for worry.

4. Fresh Coconuts

They grew on the trees in our garden and were everywhere. There is a plantation next door and each week Alex, who works in the restaurant kitchen, sold and delivered them to your door. We would usually buy about 30 each week (at R30) and bolstered our supply with ripe coconuts from the garden. We drank the sweet juice and used the flesh for puddings, smoothies, soups, granola and just eating raw.

5. Beach And Ocean

Few days passed when we didn't visit one or both. The beach, especially at low tide, was brilliant for enabling children to let off steam and burn up some energy. We often had it entirely to ourselves. Whilst the waves were powerful, the water was usually warm. Zenchai would enjoy jumping waves.

6. Local Fruits & Vegetables

The choice wasn't exactly immense, but we will miss the size of the papayas, mangoes and avocados for certain. By British standards, it was all very affordable. The passion fruit was delicious and, when in season, Jack Fruit so delicious we would sometimes devour one in a single sitting. I shall miss other fruits like plantain, that are harder to get elsewhere, and vegetables such as mandioca.

7. Year-round Sunshine & Warmth

Only for maybe a few weeks of the nine months I was there did I need to where anything with long sleeves. Much of the time I had on just a pair of shorts and, at most, a t-shirt. In the summer it can get really hot, which makes sleeping uncomfortable, but I would take the heat and sun over cold and rain every time.

8. Clean Air & Limited Pollution

Piracanga had some cars and a tractor that was used by the workmen. But there was no traffic to speak of and, because of the forest, all the trees and being by the ocean where there was a constant breeze, the air was clean and fresh.

9. Living In Shorts & Bikinis

As an extention of No. 7, you don't have to pack much to visit here. The climate suits the minimalist. I had only two pairs of shorts and Jamie a couple of bikinis.

10. River

Zenchai preferred the river to the ocean. That's where he learned to swim and kayak - by himself. It's shallow at low tide and the perfect place for a child to begin swimming. Caution is needed when the tide rises and the current strengthens. We went to the river as a family all the time. When the water was warm it was like taking a bath.

 

10 Things Claude Won't Miss

1. Bicho De Pe

These little fleas, which are spread through the urine of animals, get into your feet (and sometimes hands), causing a slight stabbing pain and the only way to remove them is physically. Bichos are actually a type of flea - so they can jump, too. Kobra got one on her toe after only a few weeks of being born. We removed ours using a needle. I had about 10 in the nine months I was there. Zenchai had two and Jamie, somehow, avoided them all. Even though the first one I had taken out knocked me out - yes, I fainted - subsequently, I got good at removing them by myself and without fuss.

2. Poor Internet Signal

Having internet costs R50 per month or R5 per day. Where you live will have an affect on how strong your signal is, as will the weather. The internet signal is transmitted by radio. It's not fast. Some days we got nothing from our house and would have to go to the centre. On occasion the signal would be down everywhere. But in terms of using Skype and doing research online it was quite frustrating for us.

3. Driving On The Piracanga Road

This was a really bumpy journey, taking about one hour to Itacare going through deep puddles and large pot-holes. Zenchai threw up almost every time he made the trip. The road has recently been improved and the drive isn't as bad, but it remains a rally-type experience.

4. Humidity

Nearly all the clothes we took with us got ruined - they turned mouldy. The climate makes it difficult to keep clothing fresh, especially when it rains.

5. Mosquitos And Matukas

As much as you can get used to mosquitos, they can still drive you nuts at times. We certainly didn't react to bites as much at the end as we did when we first arrived. But outside of a mosquito net they would often swarm around you at night and, with a young baby, it wasn't fun. The bite of a matuka fly was more severe and matukas don't leave you alone. To clobber them, you have to let them land and sink their teeth in first!

6. Long Community Meetings

We got invited to many meetings during our stay, but soon found that most of them lasted two to three times longer than necessary.

7. 'Cold' Winter Nights

It did get chilly, relatively speaking. Some nights during the winter, with the homes open to the elements, we needed to wrap up under four or five blankets and snuggle together to stay warm.

8. Dusty, Sandy Houses When The Wind Blows Hard

It was hard keeping a house clean. Sand, dust and leaves would end up everywhere, especially on windy days.

9. Waiting For Laundry To Dry During The Wet Season

Sometimes the rain would last for days. With no washing machine, dryer etc, you have to either pray for the rain to stop or hang your clothes indoors. But even with the latter, it would take time for clothes to dry when the sun wasn't shining.

10. Insecurity

At first, we thought Piracanga was wonderful because there was no need to lock up your doors when you went out. Crime was almost unheard of. And then, as more houses were being constructed, workers came in from outside the village and the crime rate increased. We had a computer stolen during a burglary. Life never felt the same.

Piracanga: Living On Light (The Aftermath)

YOU´D think that having not eaten for 21 days the first thing on my mind when the ´Process´ was over would be food. But it wasn´t.

I left Serra Grande in the morning, after folding up the tent and sweaping clean the forest house, and Silvia kindly drove me to Itacare.

It wasn´t until around 12.30pm - and more out of necessity than hunger - that I had my first meal for three weeks.

I had ahead of me a 6 1/2km walk along the beach to Piracanga, carrying a rucksack which probably now weighed more than I did. Given how physically frail I´d felt during the ´Process´, I had some doubts about the wisdom of such a trek.

So I had lunch, sticking mostly to fruits and salads, and after I had given myself time to digest the food and for the tide to go down, I set off for Piracanga, not attempting to break any world records.

To my surprise, I completed the walk quite comfortably, aided by a tail wind, and found that the mental sturdiness I either had or acquired to complete the ´Process´ carried me without complaint to Piracanga in one piece.

In spite of my new greyhoundesque, super-lean physique, my energy and strength had returned. And when I finally reached Piracanga, with the wind howling into my back, I found the balsa to cross the river stranded. Yet I just threw the rucksack over my shoulder and, against a strong current, carried it across.

If physically I was back on track, mentally my head was sent into a tailspin when after arriving back at our rented house I discovered, to my shock and dismay, I had been burgled whilst away.

Worst of all, they had stolen Jamie´s Apple Mac laptop which contained ALL of our family photos that, through our own fault, we´d failed to back up. We had our spare camera taken, too.

Suddenly, having been in a calm, strong space, I was faced with a haunting predicament. ´Welcome to the real world', was the phrase which flashed through my mind.

For the rest of the night my mind, as you could imagine, was occupied in thought. But I did find that my experience in Serra Grande helped me more quickly reconcile my deep loss and any guilt I had for failing to make safe the computer.

And after a night of processing the reality of being robbed, I found in myself peace, acceptance and forgiveness. I realised there was no point in dwelling on what I could and should have done, because those thoughts lead only to self-destruction and wouldn´t bring back the computer.

I reported the incident to the Itacare police and the matter is under investigation with a suspect, a local worker, already identified.

I have no idea if I will ever see the laptop or photos again and I thought about what I wrote in my ´Week 3´ blog about how I could understand more clearly how éverything is perfect´. I tried to relate that to this incident. It was hard. But I accepted it had happened and that I can´t change the past.

I gave thought to our possessions and our desire to have valuable items and how while they bring us joy and happiness, there´s a price (not just in terms of money) to pay with worry over damage and theft. ´Do I want to own anything valuable again?´ I questioned.

It took me a while to regain my emotional composure as I returned to Piracanga life, especially to be back in a home where I had never stayed without my wife and kids.

There was an emptiness, not just in my heart but within the borders of the property. I could see remnants of Zenchai´s presence, but where was his voice, laughter and energy?

I had things to do. Staying present and finding stillness, which was simple in Serra Grande, proved a challenge. Being aware of the time even felt strange, as was getting used to eating again. The only clock that really mattered was my body clock.

My stomach didn´t react kindly to the first meal. I either made the wrong choice or consumed too much. The next day I felt as if I had eaten the hottest curry imaginable.

I tried to keep my portions to a need-only size, but even this required much self-discipline. With each day, though, things became easier. I could see, however, why I was advised to take my time getting back to ´normality´ after the ´Process´. Almost everything felt like an invasion on my senses following so long in virtual total serenity.

On my third day back I woke in the night (I still wasn´t sleeping well) with the idea to offer a reward for the laptop. It was worth a try. I had nothing to lose if it failed and I wanted to explore every option and know I had tried my best.

I sat in the kitchen the next day eating my dinner and noticed a message Zenchai had written on a piece of paper for me and hung over the dining table. It said ´TRUST´.

It bolstered my faith. I put out the intention to find the computer and the next day set off again for Itacare.

I had posters for a reward made and photocopied (100 for R20) and then spent the remainder of the day distributing them around town. After staying the night in Itacare (R25), I set off the next morning to Caubi. There were no buses until the evening, so I did my best to haggle a good price for a taxi (R40) and made my way there.

Caubi is a small, simple village with a bus stop, convenience store and not much else - and where the suspect lives. I handed out my posters to everyone I saw and then covered the 7km of wet sand and clay back to Piracanga, mostly barefoot.

The next morning, before anyone was awake, I placed my posters around the building site where the alleged suspect had worked, a stone´s throw from the house.

I decided to give it a week. Jamie booked my flight back to England. I remained positive rather than hopeful, even if the difference is only subtle, and waited.

In the meantime, I got on with living, cleaning the home we´d rented, gardening, doing some writing, playing beach volleyball and running again.

Within a week of the ´process´ending I felt physically back to normal in terms of strength and fitness, even though I was much leaner. Actually, I felt like I had boundless energy.

But controlling my eating felt difficult, as though my body was trying to make up for three weeks without food. Luckily for me, I remained active. But I noticed an interesting and important change - that while I was occasionally hard on myself for over-eating in the past, I just accepted it now for what it was.

Two weeks after the ´Process´ , I was more than ready to be reunited with Jamie and the children. I felt fresh, positive and alive.

Being away from my family for five weeks had certainly enabled me to fully appreciate them. Just as importantly, being by myself all that time had helped me to fully realise and accept myself.

And so I finally parted ways with the eco-village that had been my home for nine months, holding no regrets and only fond memories and lessons in life.

I stayed one night in Itacare and the next day took the five-hour bus (R35) to Bom Despacho, where I crossed the water (one hour) to Salvador by ferry. There I took my plane, via Frankfurt, to London´s Heathrow, ending the longest spell I had been away from ´home´.

 

Serra Grande: Living On Light (Week 3)

I CAN see now why the final seven days are described as the ‘Mental Week’ more so than ‘The Resurrection’.

The 19^th day was testing for me in so far as my mind began to lose focus and I started looking ahead to the finish with it being so near.

Only on this day did I lose my sense of being centred, though. On the whole, the last week was a coming together of all the elements I had experienced.

The ‘process’ had given me a clearer definition of my sense of happiness and fulfillment, the experience of being in a deeper and prolonged state of stillness and of living in the moment, without wanting or needing.

I didn’t realise how much pleasure could be had from doing so little and simply enjoying whatever experience came along.

When silence and emptiness becomes uncomfortable often the impulse is to get busy. Mine was to remain quiet and still.

There was something therapeutic about observing and being with nature, especially surrounded by forest. I was certainly very alert and switched on. All my senses seemed to be operating on what felt like a higher frequency. Often I couldn’t sleep as my mind was so active.

I noticed I had become gentler and kinder to myself. I felt mentally very strong, as if the whole experience had expanded my mind, nourished my soul and lifted my spirits.

The final two days were stormy (lashing rain and then a fierce, chilly wind) but inside I maintained calmness. I stayed in the tent mostly, warm under my blankets. What a contrast, I thought, to how I’d felt not too long ago in Piracanga, where outside it was sunny and gloriously beautiful, but in my head space the clouds were gloomy.

It confirmed to me that any situation or place is only as happy or beautiful as the thoughts you have about it. Even mosquitos buzzing around my head!

Everything is a projection of our thoughts. The mosquitos eventually became my playmates. I’d sit in my hammock, they’d try to make me their acupuncture cushion and I’d attempt to clap them. Not very Zen-like, I admit – only if you do it with anger. But I noticed my sight, timing and speed of hand improving quickly. I observed the different types of mosquito, how they moved and their patterns. I got to know them well.

Little could dampen my spirits, it seemed. I really started to comprehend more fully author Byron Katie when she says ¨Everything is perfect as it is.” The more you accept, the more perfect you see the world for what it is. So I looked to the present moment, which is where life is really happening – always!

I realized I had been fighting reality every time I opposed my circumstances and the result of this was stress. Now I try to graciously accept where I am and what is taking place.

I recognize for me that happiness and healthfulness come when there is an absence of stress (the worrying, conflict type). I’d had 21 largely stress-free days and that in itself made this experience worthwhile. I accepted that my happiness is solely MY responsibility.

The sense of feeling ‘lost’ no longer resides in me. I don’t feel at all directionless even though beyond England for Christmas I haven’t a fixed destination for where I will be. But tomorrow I might. Or the day after. I trust in myself and life. As scientist Alan Kay once said, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it."

I’m happy to be in Piracanga, London or wherever. And now when I think of the last two years travelling with my family, I see it as the best time of my life.

However, while the ‘process’ was for me powerful on so many levels, physically, it was very weakening. I was not even close to the level of fitness at the end as when I started.

I did my best to accelerate my physical revival by working out daily, doing push-ups, chin-ups and squats. I swam, practiced yoga and walked. I was always mindful not to do too much. My routines were short, but intense.

I got progressively stronger, but my body was thin and often drained. I felt less thirsty than in the second week and drank less. Hunger was never a factor. I didn’t think of food. The fresh juices were more concentrated, perhaps explaining why I consumed less. But on some days I woke up having had nothing for what must have been 14 hours or more and felt fine. I now know I won’t ever starve.

I liked that I was able to enjoy living in a natural bodily rhythm. I didn’t drink because ít was time’. I realize how much my desires to eat and drink are mental rather than physical.

However, I have no desires to stop eating even though I feel sure that I could – at least in the short-term – and that drinking juices never gave me that heavy feeling you get when eating too much and the digestive system is overloaded.

I enjoy food – the preparing and sharing, the taste, smells and social interaction around it. I will seek to find a healthy balance. I realise the wrong foods can make you sick, too much food can leave you tired and not enough makes you weak.

Living on juices only, I peed more than ever in my life. This made sleeping problematic as on average I would be up five times every night. Often, though, I’d sleep in the mornings, by when my bladder was empty, and towards the end of the week my dreams became clearer and more vivid. Although I didn’t sleep well, I felt rested.

The ‘process’ felt like a long and short experience at the same time. It’s hard to explain fully, but I am sure we have all had that sensation. I came to really enjoy sitting in the forest house for hours in my hammock cross-legged. I never picked up a book or, surprisingly for me, tried to do any drawing. I spent time just watching.

This was a transformative journey I can’t imagine I will ever forget. I hope – and trust – it lives on in me. Little would I know how much the day after I finished my resolve would be thoroughly tested. More on that in a blog to follow.

I owe special thanks to my beautiful wife, Jamie, who not only lovingly takes care of my family, but supports me, shares my visions, gives me the freedom to be myself and opportunities to explore my potential. I love you.

Thank you, too, to Silvia, who supported me, welcomed me to her home and on to her land and provided me with the gift of this chance to grow, evolve and understand myself and humankind more fully.

*Anyone interested in doing the ‘process’with Silvia can contact her by email - [email protected] - to discuss it further. She speaks Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.