Tracy’s Diary
29/05/10 – We spent the last full day of our trip in beautiful surroundings, eating wonderful food with great friends – can’t ask for much more than that! Looking back, as is inevitable when something is ending, it strikes me that there have been highs and a few lows, we’ve been to amazing places and seen unforgettable things but the one thing I will take away from this all is the memory and continuing friendship of all the wonderful people I’ve met.
It’s reassuring to know that even half way across the world I have been able to make some amazing friendships with people from all walks of life. I am honored to have taken part in such a unique experience and overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome in all the areas we have stayed. I am amazed at how generous and accommodating people have been in a number of different ways and as ever am in awe of how the Rotarians and their Spouses have such busy lives with family and work but are able and so willing to support Rotary and often a number of other causes.
I’m also very lucky to have been part of a wonderful GSE Team. The guys have been amazing and also made this trip for me. A month ago it seemed bizarre to be on the other side of the world with (to all intents and purposes) complete strangers but I’m traveling home with my GSE family (minus a very important member!). It will probably only hit home later on Sunday when I sit down to my first meal back at home and don’t have Richard, John, Mand and Rosie sharing the table with me!
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27/05/10 -The last two days have been very chilled out and I’m really feeling like we’re given a break in preparation for going home. Tuesday was mostly taken up with traveling back to KK from Mt Kinabalu. On route we did stop in at the Sabah pottery factory where we saw people at work creating by hand what I’d always assumed were mass machine produced pieces (whoops, sorry!).
Once back we managed to rack up some pool and sun time at John’s host’s condo which has a fabulous pool. That evening saw an epic event – the last Rotary Presentation by the GSE team – it seems odd knowing I won’t have to do it again. At the start I was looking forward to the day I could bin my cue cards and the copies of the rest of the teams’ presentations for the powerpoint but now I think I’ll keep them for posterity!
Today started relatively late for me by Malaysian standards – 8am and my host Mum, Margeret took me to a cafe with some of her friends for some delicious Nasi Lemak for breakfast (rice, chicken, anchovies, chilli sauce, cucumber and peanuts).
Later I was meant to go to a prison but it fell through so Alfred (the PE of Rotary Club of KK) somehow managed to blag our way into a local police station where I met with the Lock Up Sergeant and actually managed to get some questions answered. Another Sergeant turned up and we got talking and exchanged emails and FB details so I’ll be able to keep in touch and hopefully find out some more too.
Tomorrow is our last full day in the care of Rotarians before we start the 23 hour journey home Saturday. I can’t quite take in that it’s almost over but at the same time I’m ready to come home now, hopefully those back home are ready to have me back!!
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25/05/10 – We spent today in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu (the highest peak in S.E. Asia) visiting the Sabah Tea Plantation, the Poring Hot Springs and the Kundasang War Memorial. The tea plantation produces (amongst other products) a totally organic tea which is picked by hand and we got to see every stage in the process. I also learned how to check the authenticy of tea from testing if it has any added colourant.
We then went to the Poring Hot Springs where I experience two firsts. Firstly I had the amazing experience of travelling along a rainforest canopy walk and secondly I swam in a sulpher pool. The canopy walk was awesome – the views were spectacular and despite them being somewhat rickity the bridges were quite secure.
After getting all hot and sweaty climbing to the canopy jumping into the cold sulpher pool afterwards was so refreshing! Both experiences were park of a larger national park but unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to explore any further.
On the way back we stopped at a war memorial to the local civilians and Austrailian and British Soldiers who died in Borneo at the Japanese prisoner of war camps and on enforced marches. The memorial is beuatifully kept and provides a peaceful haven for contemplation. The curator is a Thai man who came to Borneo to marry a local girl he had met and fallen in love with. He saw the state of disrepair the site had fallen into in the 80s and devoted himself to restoring it. He should be very proud of the excellent job he’s done.
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23/05/10 – Oh my god, lah!! (to coin a local phrase). Sabah is beautiful and we have finally gotten to a beach. We arrived yesterday to a very warm welcome at the airport. My host Paul met me and we went with the rest of the team for lunch. After that it was chill time at Paul’s home before an evening meal. We visited a restaurant which was on stilts over the water and had a brilliant way of selecting the meal you wanted. All the seafood is in tanks with pictures above of how it can be prepared!! Also, opposite are all the veggies packed up ready to be cooked. As such you can really specify your meal to exactly what you want.
The venue also had a cultural show where the dancers dress up in the traditional tribal costumes and perform the local dances. Although it became apparent when four topless guys began breathing fire to pumping dance music that they have also moved on with the times 
Today we were up early to head out to the local market before being whisked of to a nearby Island to spend the day appreciating the impact of the tourism industry in the area (OK, I confess, we spent all morning sunbathing and swimming!).
Tomorrow we have an early presentation and are then heading to the foothills of Mount Kinabalu where we are spending two days. It’s weird to think that this time next week I’ll be home and the adventure will be over but I’m taking each day as it comes and enjoying the moment rather than looking ahead (although I will be glad go get back home to my familiar comforts).
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21/05/10 – I’m really enjoying our time in Kuching – the place is so beautiful and chilled out. My host are fantastic and as an added bonus have a pool, we’ve had a couple of events at their place and their hospitality is amazing. This week has been really interesting and we’ve managed to fit in a lot of cultural visits and fellowship meetings. The pace has been a bit slower and we’ve had a bit more time to chill between the day’s events and the evening sessions. You would not believe the simple joy of being able to shower and change in a familiar place before a presentation!
All the clubs in Kuching have arranged really informative sessions and been so accommodating. Yet again the food has been excellent, although I’m still coming to terms with eating noodles for breakfast, my morning weetabix are going to be so boring once I get home.
The highlight for me this week regards visits has been visiting the Orangutan sanctuary. We were very lucky and managed to see lots of the Orangutans around feeding time, we’ve got some fantastic pictures and I was somewhat in awe seeing such powerful creatures up close. The other highlight was the fellowship diner my hosts held at their home. Following the presentation the GSE team rocked the house on karaoke with renditions of such classics as We Will Rock You, Twist and Shout, Waterloo and, wait for it, ………… YMCA! The rest of us clearly carried John as he can’t carry a tune!
I’m just back from our farewell dinner and was really touched by the gifts and messages we were given by the Rotary Clubs of Kuching. Off now to pack for the next and final leg of the adventure in Sabah.
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18/05/10 – I’m amazed at how quickly this month is going and I can’t believe we are on our second to last venue and hosts already. As appears to be the trend, I’m staying with a lovely family who are looking after me really well. Kate (my host Mum) volunteers for the SPCA so there are a number of feline and canine friends too. I’m lucky my cases are overweight already or else I’d be bringing Tess and I some cats home!! We’re staying in Kuching in East Malaysia and the Rotary Clubs in the area are hosting us every day.
So far we’ve been to a Crocodile Farm, a Music School, a Cultural Village, the Sarawak Museums Complex and the Cat Museum. All have been wonderful but by far the highlight was the beautiful music we experienced at the Kenwy Music School. The oddest experience was the Cat Museum – just imagine every cat ornament you have ever seen being in the same room all at once and you’re half way there!
I’m very lucky and will be visiting my third Police Station of the trip tomorrow so will have to be on best behaviour.
Tonight we had fellowship and did presentations to the Rotary Club of Kuching. It was a very relaxed night and we ended up doing karaoke and traditional dancing to round off the evening. I don’t think I’ll be invited to dance at any Long Houses (where the indigenous tribes live) any time soon, but I gave everyone a laugh at my expense.
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15/05/10 – What a wonderful couple of days! June and Jewel have been total stars and made sure we got the absolute most we could out of our short time in Singapore whilst at the same time making sure we weren’t exhausted by doing too much. We’ve traveled on the MRT which is like the tube in London (but actually clean and spacious!), we’ve presented to a number of clubs at breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings and we’ve eaten – lots. I’m amazed so many Singaporeans are as slim as they are, as with Malaysia, there is a huge emphasis on food and it is all sooooo good (I’m coming back at least a stone heavier!).
I’ve been really lucky on the vocational front in Singapore. I’ve visited the Police Heritage Centre and the courts, both of which were very interesting. I’m amazed they managed to arrange both considering we only has three days.
On the cultural front we went to Little India and China Town today and got to experience the food of both cultures. We also went to Raffles Hotel and absorbed some history as well as a Singapore Sling (well it would be rude not to!). Last night we went to a screening of a short film about secret societies (criminal gangs) in Singapore in the 70s. It was a bit gory in parts and I was in stitches when Mand and Rosie both hid their faces from the screen at one particularly gruesome scene. Flying to East Malaysia tomorrow and looking forward to what promises to be a beautiful place.
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13/05/10 Greetings from Singapore!! Early morning today and through immigration into Singapore. It was lovely to have some luxury on arriving at the Hotel to meet with the Singapore Rotarians and wonderful to see Jewel from the team that visited the UK last year again. I’m amazed by Singapore and how modern it seems compared to Malaysia. The cityscape is awesome and it’s odd to feel culture shock returning to a more “European” seeming place. John was in his element as he kept seeing swanky cars and insisting on having pictures taken. Two presentations today at lunch and again in the evening. We visited a Rotary Family Centre where they told us all about the work they are doing supporting families in the local area and Mand did a fantastic presentation all about her specific role in Victim Support and what the organisation does. She is the only one of us so far asked to do something like that and did an excellent job, the bar has been set!! All in all an interesting but long day. My hosts in Singapore are Bruce who is Australian and Mags who is American – I’m looking forward to hearing their reasons for being in Singapore and how they find it compares to their birthplaces.
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10/05/10 – Hello from Pontian. We are spending one night away from our main hosts and I get to share with Mand tonight so we’re having a girly sleep over!! Yesterday was our “free and easy” day so Rosie and I went to visit a meditation centre which was an eye opener, think I may look into it more when I get home.
Went to visit John’s hosts’ condo which has a pool and was really looking forward to some proper sunbathing and a swim. However cue tropical storm! Ended up under cover writing postcards and reading but at least it was a bit of a break. I’m starting to feel guilty when my eyes start drooping when people are talking passionately about whatever place we are visiting. It’s not a lack of interest at all but a symptom of sleep deprivation, lack of exercise and too much good food (not that I’m complaining!!).
Today we have visited a Rotary funded Dialysis Centre in Pontian, a conservation centre at the southern most point of mainland Asia and a costume jewellery manufacturer. It’s still amazing to me how many different people become Rotarians and how much work they do for others. The whole “service above self” ethos is really hitting home now. Even more so when you talk to people here who are really involved in Rotary then you find out they also volunteer, do conservation work, provide free tutoring (just a few examples so far). Just grabbing a few minutes of calm before a Pot Luck dinner with the RC of Pontian.
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08/05/10 – Hello world!! Contrary to what you make think I am alive and well but a grueling schedule and no access to the internet meant no updates, sorry! I am having a fantastic time in Malaysia and I’m sure the other diaries have filled you in on what I’ve been up to.
Well Melaka and KL were fabulous but feel like a lifetime ago now. Highlights of the week were my wonderful host family; Stefan, Mags and Emmanuel, all the wonderful food, a fantastic two hour full body massage and John’s face when he ate the Durian.
I can’t believe how lucky I am to be here and am astounded at all the hard work and generosity of the Rotarians we have met over the last seven days.
We are now in Johor Barhu (JB) and our first day here was amazing. Rosie and I started the day with Tai Chi with our host family, then a Chinese breakfast. We met the rest of the team at the Yamaha Piano Centre before heading off for a tour of a Printing Factory (which is more interesting than it sounds!!). We had a gorgeous Dim Sum lunch following which we toured the Sultan’s Palace Museum in JB with a Rotarian called Jimmy Leong who is very high up in the field of Tourism within Malaysia. After than we did a walking tour of the historic areas of JB then, because our poor feet were hurting, we went and had reflexology!! Another fantastic meal (I’m going to get SO fat over here) then totally off itinerary and last-minute Rosie and I ended up at a Taoist celebration watching Chinese dancing Lions, a man dressed as a Monkey God and others as various Taoist ceremonial figures. There was a Chinese opera being staged, loads of drumming and chasing the Lion. Then a load of paper figures of horses, clothes, money and a massive boat were burned as an offering to the dead to ease the afterlife. All in all an amazing day, just one of many I’ve had so far on this GSE.
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30/04/10 11.27 am – I’m just sitting down to a relaxing brunch with Andy before we set off to pick up Richard and onwards to the airport. I’m a bundle of excitement and think I’ve remembered everything I need to take but keep checking and rechecking to work off the nervous energy. I’ve had so many texts, emails and facebook messages wishing me good luck I don’t know where to start replying so – thanks everyone!!
I can’t wait to be in Malaysia (especially now it’s raining here!) and am looking forward to meeting so many people and experiencing all the GSE has to offer.
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21/04/10 – We attended a Rotary Evening at The Lindens in Tettenhall on Monday and got to give our presentations again. We had an audience in excess of 90 so whilst it was bigger than last time as it was our second time with a large audience it wasn’t quite so nerve wrecking! I managed to keep (mostly) to my presentation without ad libbing and throwing John off track with the power point. I got to meet a lot of lovely Rotarians who had lots of questions about GSE which was good practice for they types of questions we will be asked in Malaysia and I’m also starting to see some familiar faces from other events I have attended. T minus 9 days and counting (volcanic ash permitting!).
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17/04/10 – Webcam is go! I’m online now with Skype and spent Friday night setting it up and checking it to make sure I can chat to Andy and my Mum while I’m away. Wednesday was fab, I met up with John and we went to see Richard perform with the Goldthorn Theatre Company in “Blithe Spirit”. It was really enjoyable, the Actors were all really good, the overall performance was hilarious and the set design/staging was fantastic. It was lovely to see Richard perform, he tells us how passionate he is about acting but you have to see him on stage to fully appreciate how much he loves it.
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13/04/10 – I had a massive panic yesterday when I saw John’s comment on how long it is until we fly out so had to get my “to do list” head on. As such I went shopping today for suitable clothing for a warm climate. Nightmare! What is suitable clothing ? Everything I would usually wear was a bit revealing and everything else is still winter clothing! I’ve played safe and gone with lots of linen trousers and flimsy tops to be worn over vests.
I also spent all morning researching the best way to access funds while I’m away. Plain currency exchange looks like a no go and I’ll have to remortgage the house if I just use my debit or credit card due to the fees. I decided in the end to apply for a specific Credit Card for travelling which only makes money on the exchange rate, no fees per transaction or for cash withdrawals.
I had a good mooch around superdrug to stock up on toiletries, sun care and pharmacy type stuff. Yes I know it’s all available over there but I dread reacting to anything new (which, lets face it, is likely with my track record).
My webcam/microphone arrived today too so I’ve also been playing with Skype to make sure it works so I can keep in touch with friends and family while I’m away. Probably my most productive day in weeks!! After all this I should be writing up a “Rough Guide to GSE” for next years outgoing team.
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09/04/10 – We had a team meeting at my house on Tuesday and it was lovely to have everyone round and catch up. The presentations are coming along well and we’ve all managed to get the timings better than last time. We have the first version of the itinerary now (which I have posted) and we’re all very excited now we have an idea of where we are going and what we are doing. We’re all looking forward to our next challenge which is the Rotary dinner at Tettenhall on the 19th.
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17/03/10 – Still on a high from Monday’s presentation to The Rotary Clubs of Blythe Bridge and Rugeley. We had such a lovely night (despite the nerves) and everyone was so positive and gave such nice feedback. Being the first real presentation it’s a huge milestone reached. I think I may have waffled on a bit too long mind, so will have to watch that when we present next month at Tettenhall. I’m so proud of all the team and what we have achieved so far and am looking forward to all that is to come!
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04/03/10 – Oh my God, Lynne handed over the tickets to Malaysia last night!! It’s all becoming very real now. I went to bed last night practicing my presentation in my head (I’ve got to learn it somehow!). Had a wonderful time last night having a meal with the GSE team, partners, Lynne and Ron. I’m off for a couple of days now so am going to be good and practice my presentation to the Cats until I can remember it, hopefully in time for our final practice next week!
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15/02/10 – Team meeting tonight and I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone. I have my torch ready as the path to Rosie’s house is apparently perilous! It will be fun to see how all the presentations have developed from their embryonic beginnings and whether or not we can work the powerpoint.
I’ve been choosing photographs to display alongside my presentation and ended up on a total nostalgia trip, thank goodness digital photography is a relatively recent thing otherwise I’d have way too many photos to choose from.
Remember when you only took one shot of each photo because developing cost too much and you wouldn’t know what it was like until it was developed (unless you had polaroid)? Imagine what it will be like for the current generation of children when they grown up, now parents have to dig out all the old embarrassing photos, by then we’ll probably be streaming them onto the living room wall with a single voice command.
Helen said
Good luck Tracy, you will be great!
Tess said
Thinking about you hon, keep us updated. Following you all the way xxx
lynne marshall said
Hi Tracy,
Hope all is going well and you are having a great time.
Lynne
Rosie said
Hiya Trace,
Just thought I’d look you up to see how things are going. It looks like you are having a really busy and interesting time out there. Soak it all up, it’ll be even better hearing about it when you get back. Take care chick.
Auntie Rosie xx
Greg Watson said
Tracy
You seem to be having a fantastic time so keep on enjoying it. Work will never be the same again! Can’t wait to hear about all your adventures.
Greg and Ann
Jewel said
glad that u had fun babe… its all thanks to the opportunity of hosting you that June & I have the opportunity to visit police heritage center too..
we’ve been living here a big part of our lives and never even knew it existed until now… lol..
it has been an absolute joy having you all, wished it could have been slightly longer…
Kerry Hawkins said
Hun
It sounds like you’ve had an amazing adventure….I’ve been keeping up to date with your blogs! Cant wait to have a catch up when you get home and hear lots more…Safe journey hun.See you real soon
Kez and Co xxx