Looking Back: Langkawi
Daniel | Feb 24, 2010 | Comments 14 |
Langkawi, Malaysia (September 21, 2004) — Where the manicured fingers of the beach fan out across the asphalt, we tourists sing our cicada songs—seventeen years in the dark earth of our jobs. In one brilliant summer, we discover our world and wheel in the blue swarm of sky, burying our mandibles in every place blessed by wind. We sing during the heat of the day in all-inclusive harmony. But we hold out for a room upgrade with the recycled air bubbling in our blood: the promise of air-conditioned transfer to the hereafter and a welcome drink. Deep in the longboat shade, the specter of a grin surfaces like a dead fish.
We’ve started a new category on our blog called ‘Looking Back’ that will include an occasional entry from our journals that date back to 2001 when we first began writing about living and travelling abroad. We’ll present these paired with a photo in the form of a verbal postcard. Together, these postcards provide an (in)formal and often (in)coherent narrative of the trips we’ve taken!
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Filed Under: Featured • Looking Back
About the Author: Everywhere he goes, Daniel is quietly reminded of the adage attributed to St Augustine: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page". And so it was with St Augustine’s maxim echoing in his mind that he decided along with his wife, Kathryn, that they would embark on a round-the-world trip in July 2011.
Comments (14)
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That is true poetry, Daniel. Beautiful. I love it!
Thanks for the kind words, Gray. Appreciated!
I remember Langkawi as a peaceful, happy place. Very mellow. We rented a car and drove around the Island. So much to do – I remember hiking up to see this massive waterfall and being surrounded by little monkeys (who had no fear of humans) and visiting the location where they filmed ‘Anna and the King’. Had such a great time…want to go back…
Won’t be too long now. At the time of this reply, just 1 year, 2 months and 24 days. But, hey, who’s counting?
Good idea, made me interested in reading the complete original post.
[...] they include a journal entry from their past travels. Daniel kicked the series off this week with Looking Back: Langkawi (Malaysia) which includes a photo and one of the most lyrical descriptions of a place and time [...]
Love the writing!
Thanks, Jen — appreciated the kind comments!
So poetic and beautifully written. Amazing how one summer can change everything isn’t it?!
Ahh, I love this series – amazing how you feel when reflecting, isn’t it?
Agreed, Andy! Reflection provides an opportunity for us to open hearts and minds to the experiences of others — and to acknowledge the wisdom of the world around us!
love your “looking back” series. We found also that Langkawi is such a peaceful place to unwind.
5 years ago, I went on exchange to Malaysia staying in Penang. We took a weekend trip to Langkawi and loved it. Thank you for the memories.
Glad it took you back — we were there around the same time — end of summer 2004!