Rainforest Festival rawks again

Thursday 8 - Monday 12 July 2010

Can't believe this is my 5th Rainforest Festival in a row! Fell in love when I went for the 10th year anniversary in 2006. That's still the best year in my opinion coz of the Huun Huun Tu Mongolians, Malaysian DHOL Federation and Scottish Peatbog Fairies (the bestest bestest of all)!!!!

This year's a bit sad though as my entire gang didn't go. They were boycotting Sarawak Tourism's escalating prices. Left Byron & I but luckily we found our Trevor & gang was going along too so he hung with them.

Stopped in Telang Usan Hotel for our usual Sarawak Laksa.. yum! and for the gang to stock up on tuak. Me, I brought vintage from 2009 and 2008. Plus a bottle of Smirnoff.

Our mini bar, nothing compared to the Thirsty Blogger's mini bar

Stayed at Melanau Tallhouse in the village itself again coz it's cheap and damn convenient. Manage to catch two rainbows one evening.

Sarawak colours

Couldn't get enough of Sarawak Laksa so ate it for breakfast too washed down with Teh Tarik. Milk and curry in the morning. Not for the weak-stomached. Even Byron was balking.

Workshop scenes

Best part of the festival are the workshops where the artists give a sample of their music so we know what to expect and make sure we catch the bands we like. Women's Voices of the world was one of my fav while the percussions rule everytime. The Indian & Rajashtan bands were really good.

Watussi - Australian Columbian band

Love their performance! They Rawk! Very rockish Columbian sounds but these guys are all from Australia with most members having roots in Columbia. Byron..CD please!! Tx!

Another good band - Farafina from Burkino Faso

The crowd this year was not that big as I had ample of space to move from back to front each time. Dunno why the papers lied to say ticket sales increased. There were years when if you parked yourself in front, you can't ever move cause the crowd's just too great. The rain and mud didn't help much either.

Sexy muddy girls


Oh there was mud everywhere. The Matsys were having a ball.

I managed to stay relatively clean with the rest of the Media crew

All in all, great music as always. Still loving the festival but they gotta do something about the rising cost. Most likely it'll be my last year for now.

An eye-opening experience

July 10 weekend

It never cease to amaze me how people from co-called 'similar' backgrounds in terms of background, social status & education, can be so very different when it comes to thinking. Our politicians are great examples. You wonder if they even have a brain when they come out with ridiculous statements.

Siok Hui forwarded me an email about a permaculture workshop on sustainable living, natural medicine & self defence. It's a 5 day course but for those who can't make the stretch, there's an option to take it over 5 weekends. I opted for a weekend as it would go well with my permaculture farm in Lenggong I'm writing about.

The ultimate objective of the worskshop is to build an Islamic sustainable eco-village. The organiser assured me that non-muslims are welcome but I must dress appropriately as it was held at Yayasan RASMA in Dengkil, some Islamic institution or community or something. No jeans (it's tight??!!). Fair enough. I wore a baju kurung.

We were to meet at the Bukit Damansara mosque to carpool and I was given the contact of a very well spoken guy. Meeting this guy was the start of an impression that left a bad taste in my mouth.

This guy was smartly dressed in slacks and shirt. Carries himself very well, distinguish-like even. He carries an American & NZ passport. As I was on assignment, I naturally extended my hand for the customary handshake which I regretted immediately. He politely rejected my hand and left me hanging with my outstretched arm in the air and a puzzled (and offended or indignant) expression on my face. I understood immediately. My mind understood but my pride and self worth did not. I won't lie. I WAS offended. I only experienced this once at a friend's wedding where the guy salam all the men and ignored the women.

Women were to go in one car, men another. Not wanting to cause a scene, I nodded my head to the rest of the men (Hell, I learnt my lesson) and hop in the women's car.

Most of the participants were foreigners, white men and such. The speaker Shaykh Hassan Henning Pedersen is Danish but lives in Jakarta. Some had jubahs, complete with skull cap & beards that you normally see middle easterns spotting. One Malaysian women was completely veiled, with only her eyes exposed. I didn't dare shake anyone's hand and I was wondering if the speaker thought me rude or approved of it. I was to interview him after all.

Danish speaker Shaykh Hassan Henning Pedersen

The workshop content was quite interesting and I did learn a thing or two. Shaykh told us to grow our own wheatgrass which I intend to do. You can get the seeds from Pure Life in Plaza Damas. Its website even has instructions on how to grow it. You can harvest your wheatgrass in 7-8 days. Is that cool or what?

Except for the occasional reference to religion which made me slightly uncomfortable as I can sense they are very passionate about the subject, the workshop itself was not too bad and the people were nice. They are all very engaging, highly intelligent and well educated. Although I did enjoy the content, I doubt I would be going for another as the environment is just not sustaible for me.

Those interested in the workshop happening from 26-30 July at RM700 per person can contact Latifah at 0176631562 or lattame@gmail.com.

Participants at the workshop

Life's Pleasures is ONE

Friday 25 June 2010

Just realised that this blog turned one on June 13! How time flies!

Although there's been ups and downs, it's been a great year and I'm looking forward to even much better times ahead. Thanks for sharing my life with me. You guys are the best!

Luv, Jo

xoxo

I want a horse

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Had such a great lesson today! Got a girl this time. A whitish-greyish beauty named Tordilla. Was a bit lazy at first but after I overcame my guilt of kicking her, she trotted and turned as I asked. Rode a little better with 1 hand holding the reins and the other holding the whip. Felt like a cowgirl yee har!! Anja, my German instructor was pleased.

I'll own my own horses one day and ride them freely into the country (If Jerry doesn't get me a pegasus yet). *sending my request out to the Universe now*

Horsies, you'll be mine one day

I'm officially a member!

Monday 21 June 2010

I am proud to say that after going for several Sunday Karma classes, I am officially a member of Be Yoga, my friendly yoga centre down the road at Metropolitan Square, Damansara Perdana.

Be Yoga's reception

Place is run by Ninie Ahmad & Azmi. Joined for 3 months (RM488 for unlimited classes) as I'll be joining my sweetie in NZ in September. Getting quite addicted to classes as they have both pilates & yoga & a combination of yogilates & Chilates (tai chi & pilates!) ha, never felt so fit in my life! With horsie, Gasing, swimming, yoga & pilates, I'll be super fit & toned in no time!

Azmi & Ninie

Greening my life even more

Saturday 19 June 2010

Was so inspired by Ladia & Hana after the visit to their permaculture farm in Lenggong, Perak, that we came home and planted our own little garden.

Herbs courtesy of Hana (top) and planted Japanese roses above the pond

(from l -r) Basil leaves from Lenggong in a plastic container (see! I'm recycling!), my smiley plant which became more bushy and my newly trimmed (by Jerry) bonsai tree

My balcony

Jerry had a great idea to cover the balcony rails with netting and grow creepers on it. Hope it grows fast! Maybe I should play Beethoven to them more often. Grow green babies, grow!

Feeling the fresher air already :)

Langkawi Sunsets (or lack of it)

Friday 4 to Sunday 6 June 2010

Langkawi. My favourite duty free island where beer is cheaper than water. RM1.60 for a can of Skol. Not bad huh? Tiger's RM2.20 at the airport. I'm sure it's cheaper else where.

Balan (who's been an absolute darling!) of Astute Experience, a lifestyle membership card, hooked us up with Rebak Island Resort this time, the only resort on a private island run by the Taj Group. You need to catch a boat from Langkasuka Jetty for the 15min ride there. Sorry, no other way. Once you're there, you're kinda there. Great if you want to get away from the whole world but not that great if you want to be near the cheap booze of Chenang Beach. Just make sure you ta pau kau kau before you get to the island.

Our deluxe sea-view villa

Chiling at the private beach

Siok Hui hooked us up with a Sunset Cruise with her Japanese friend's company Crystal Yacht which allows guests to binge on a 16-course BBQ dinner and drink till you drop from the yacht's open bar for RM250.

Yacht Tiki - fits 36 pax

16-course BBQ dinner

Unfortunately, I was too green to enjoy the BBQ or the booze. Imagine passing up on the free flow food & drinks!! sob sob. But yes, I did. Jerry joked that he'll sell his house & buy a yacht coz he was enjoying the rare golden silence on my part. hmpph!!! Not myu fault the waves were so big!

The waves finally calmed down after we passed the islands into shelter. There's a submerged net hanging on the side of the boat 'salt-water jacuzzi' it seems, that we could chill in with a beer in hand.

As usual, the Aussies were the life of the party, with one 60 year-old guy who was celebrating his 39th wedding anniversary loosing more than he bargained for.

Chilling in the 'salt-water jacuzzi'

"Fuck my pants. As long as my beer's safe!"