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Star Date: June 2019 |
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Hello Dear Family & Friends!
Horas! Mauliate!
“The world's seven wonders stand the test of time: Truth, love, joy, faith, peace, virtue, and wisdom.” (Matshona Dhliwayo - Canadian based Philosopher)
The simple, uncomplicated life in Lake Toba, Sumatra, allows time to relax, read and take a good look into our lives; reflecting on what is important. Where are we at and where are we going? There is time to appreciate and feel and experience the other seven wonders of the world: To see, to feel, to touch, to hear, to taste, to laugh, to love. Often people get too busy, too stressed in modern life to remember the simple things. We forget to be kind and ignore the people and family who are close to us. We forget to be thankful and live in gratitude for our many gifts and blessings. We think, "I'll do this or that when the dust settles." Life is short. The only dust may be you, before you are ready. Take the time, whenever, wherever. Time re-connecting with the essence of life improves all aspects of one's life and restores a certain inner peace. This peace transfers to those around us. Talk is cheap. Actions reflect our inner peace. The best thing you or I can do to help this sometimes tumultuous world of ours, is to be peaceful ourselves and spread this peace to those around us; like the ripple from the pebble thrown into a pond. Another thing that happens when we are left with ourselves, alone and quiet in Nature, we must look at what lies in the depths of our souls. Just us. Drop the chatter, the blame and the excuses. Take a good in-depth look. Focus on the good and work through the shadows. As pieces of styrofoam bobbing around in the busyness and chaos of the ocean of life, it is easiest to hang on the froth on the surface, just dealing with the current drama or crisis we have brought into our lives, never diving deeper. Many people suffer from stress, which leads to illness. They are always on the edge with never enough time in the day. As the Quakers say: "If you are stressed, sit in silence 1/2 hour a day. If you don't have enough time to do this, then sit in silence for 1 hour." Find the balance or the busyness will do you in. It is much easier to live in the diversion and act like the hectic pace you live is normal today. All is well until you hit the wall that is. Be proactive. Find a place of serenity and peace in Nature and take the plunge. Amazing and wonderful revelations are awaiting you. Young people around the planet are being forced away from the complicated, chaos of modern life into seeking a minimalist approach to life. The pendulum swings. Lake Toba is minimalism incarnate. For the past 18 years we seem to have been drawn to Lake Toba, to Samosir Island, in the middle of this vast, deep lake, in the middle of the remote Indonesian island of Sumatra, in the middle of S. E. Asia. Here, one of the planets largest catastrophic volcanic explosions, with an ensuing type of nuclear winter that lasted for an estimated 8-10 years, changed life forever. Once the ash dissipated and seasons returned, a natural wonder remained. Left behind was stunning Lake Danau Toba, an 80 mile long, blue, 1500 ft deep lake, fringed by green forests and small villages of the Batak peoples. Here the altitude offers a cool, comfortable, spring like, year round climate.
As nomads traveling the globe
continually for the past 17 plus years we have kept our eyes open for spots to
recharge our batteries for longer stretches of time. Out of
the current 205 countries on this planet, two places repeatedly
filled this need; surprisingly both in Indonesia. Bali out in
the rice fields or on a secluded beach, and the village of Tuk Tuk
along Lake Toba. Our few belongings from mountains of
possessions in 2 large homes in Hawaii, were sorted sold or given
away years ago when our adventure began. Our daughter and husband
kindly stored our things above their washer. Four boxes each were slowly brought over to Indonesia
and stored while traveling. Not much to own (try putting
everything you want in only 4 small bins!!) but we were shocked to
have "stuff" once again; after 15 years with only a small 18"
suitcase and a daypack. Thanks to the kindness of our new
landlords we figured a system to temporarily set up and 'play house'
on these two islands in S.E. Asia for 4 months each a year.
Just what our souls were craving.
We have a routine now. Within 1
day of arrival we have our new little home fixed, photos of family
hung on the walls, 'treasures' from around the world in place, and the relaxation begins.
At the end of the time we still start getting 'itchy' and within 1
day all things are sorted, packed and stored away awaiting our
return. I wrote this to family and friends within the first
week of arriving at this remote gem:
"We are settling into our little routine at
Lake Toba. The ever changing lake 50
feet in front of our cabin, beckoning us to swim daily. Calm, peaceful.
Greeting old friends and meeting new ones. My garden is
planted. Reading, swimming, walking, cooking 4 nights a week.
Adding
little touches to the cabin to make it ours. I am an "only
for enjoyment NOW" interior designer. A challenge but fun
at the same time to see my little things appear from their
hidden
boxes."
Nanda,
the manager/owner of our little 16 cabin resort, on the edgeof
the lake
beyond Tuk Tuk peninsula,
is an amazing, helpful, down to earth woman. Migrating
from Holland 38 years ago she has a straightforward answer for most
questions or ideas, "Why not?" And so thanks to her and
her friendly family and staff; and our good friends Lenny, Bill and Rose of 18
years, we have etched a new
life into the fabric of Danau Toba. (our honeymoon 18 years ago was Kashmir,
Thailand, orangutans in N. Sumatra and Lake Toba thrown in as an
added bonus).
And so it goes.........................................Next on the road again, continuing our look at Rajastan. Until next month remember to stop being so busy all the time. You are the only one who can make a change and prioritize your precious time. Appreciate and feel and experience the other seven wonders of the world around you: To see, to feel, to touch, to hear, to taste, to laugh, to love. Thanks for stopping by. We love getting your emails and news! Take care and keep in touch!
Love, Light & Laughter,
xoxoox Nancy & Joseph
I wrote about the Hawaiian story of a man in the 1800's who was moving so fast towards his goal that he collapsed . The Hawaiian Kahuna or healer, told him that he had to lie still in bed until his spirit caught up with him. I can relate to this as we relax along beautiful serene Lake Toba in Sumatra, after completing our around the world adventure last year. I write the webpages in order of us visiting each place and finally we have caught up with our spirits. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into our life along the shores of Lake Toba, a respite from our travels; if you don't call 4 months in remote Sumatra an adventure! If you look close you will see us waving to you...................
Travel notes: 1 United States Dollar equals 14,500 IDR
Visit George Carlin's STUFF for a good laugh.
Stuff rules our lives. Just watched it again. Only 3 minutes.
Funny every time. Take the time NOW to LAUGH! Lake Toba: Wonderful places. The peninsula becomes very loud
and busy on weekends and holidays as locals from Medan discover the
lake. They often come for 24 hours and don't sleep at all.
Take the hint. Very quiet, resorts
right on the lake between Tuk Tuk peninsula and Ambarita. Great,
reasonable food wherever you stay. Scenic boats right to the resorts from Parapat
for 15,000rp. or the
resort will drop you off at the Tomok car ferry. Buddha's Cafe Bechek: Bechek - fancy covered for 3 pax Panjaitan - Driver - old suburban 081264563314 Cargo bechek - 50,000 rd trip from Timbal: Sumatra: Bukit Luang - Garden Inn or Jungle Inn Bande Ache - Great remote islands on the north coast
of Sumatra. West Coast - Niaz Island, surfing Airports: Fly into Medan via Air Asia. Go outside to the right and ask for NICE transport shared taxi (van). About 80,000 to 100,000rp per person. Arrive by plane by Noon as the trip takes 4-5 hours and the last boat crosses the lake to the resorts at 6:30. Or you can take a green modern type bus to Siantar for
50,000rp. Then a taxi to 200 - 300,000 rp to Parapet - 1.5
hours. Total trip time, including haggling with the taxi
drivers still 4-5 hours. Silangit Airport (DTB) Indonesia Airlines flying to Silangit Airport Air Asia through KL to Silangit as of Nov 2018 Currently 400 to 500,000rp for transport, 1.5 hours, to Parapat, where you catch the boat over. Transport prices will get more reasonable as the market develops.
We would like to introduce you to the work of Ivan Roca, founder and head of Biotherapy Asia. This remarkable man has been developing and perfecting the healing art of Biotherapy for decades, both in Europe and now in Asia. This technique activates the energy in our bodies to accelerate our own body's healing power. A fantastic healing option to alleviate the health challenges we all face in this stress filled world. Good health is Freedom; especially living a Nomadic life on the road continually for 17+ years as we have. I can personally recommend his ability and integrity from his treatments received. Check out his website: www.biotherapy.asia
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