rising suns

Langkawi, that’s where we finished reading the book written by Elizabeth Gilbert, “eat pray love”, and it was a perfect place for it. A quiet, full of contemplation yet sunny and loving little paradise.

As much as we enjoy wandering about its endless beaches, discovering its wild sides, intentionally or not, it seemed not meant for our souls to linger on its grounds for too long.

During our two-week  stay (which was never planned, shortly after arrival, I got sick) we stayed in the Tropical Resort, in a simple, quiet, clean bungalow rented by Layla. Extremely lovely German woman, full of stories to tell if you only spend a little time in her company.

Within the first few days, we rented a scooter to discover our own ways around the island. We had never driven one before, and Langkawi seemed like the perfect place to try it out. Of course, knowing us and our eagerness for new adventures, we rented our little black friend one late afternoon. Despite that fact, we decided to have our first go straight away. We chose one of the farther destinations, which was so worth seeing. It was one of the most beautiful beaches on the island as we discovered later. While being ever so excited of the new unknown land, we didn’t calculate our return well enough to avoid travelling by night. AND shortly after leaving the beach, the night welcomed us with open arms. In Langkawi there are more roads and bigger traffic than we anticipated, which led us to taking a wrong turn, and we got lost.

I have to admit that driving in the darkness trough the jungle was not my favorite thing to do, not mentioning that I discovered why I was never really keen on renting/buying a scooter or motorbike in the first place. I’m NOT a scooter person! I’m a horse person, a car person but definitely NOT a two-wheeler person. Despite all, there I was on the scooter, at night, in the jungle.

Throughout our island adventure, it appeared to me that I had to face many of my fears, and accept them for what they were. I had to face an unknown part of myself and accept its existence, which was not easy.  However, I’m glad that it happened there and then. I’m so glad that I got to know myself better, and that I was ready for whatever had to reveal itself.

My hubby was so brave in all of that, he was the driver after all and he kept his cool. It was amazing how peaceful he was while we were crossing trough the darkness of the jungle surrounded by the wild and unknown. He took us home… wherever that was .

It was our first but not last scooter adventure, the next ones were much more welcome and confident. After facing the jungle at night we were invincible, nothing else was as terrifying. We were grateful and happy to be grateful. No other excursion could match the first experience. That night we were so happy to come back safe and sound.

Within the short however at the same time long stay we experienced many extremes. The Sun Cafe was one of the rare perfections one rarely encounters in life. That was our retreat heaven after whatever or however unfortunate moments. The food in that beautiful and comforting place is just amazing. The cook has a unique gift which we enjoyed in moments of need. That was our getaway, our perfect cave filled with tastes out of this world. Every time I tried a dish my senses were exploding!… I felt like the rat in Ratatouille… I saw rainbows and colors before my eyes, my happiest memories seemed never have left me. Oh GOD! I rarely praise food … but this you just must try!!!