I just spent four days getting reacquainted with real life on Nipah Beach--- a unique little part of Tioman island in Malaysia.
There is no cell service or wifi anywhere on Nipah, and at first, it was so strange to be totally disconnected from everyone and everything. Truly though, I had been longing to get away from the commercial and material world. Living in Singapore, though it has its good points, has weighed heavily on me with it's need for speed and drive to get more things. And, I will be leaving Singapore very soon in fact--- but before I return to Japan, I wanted to come once again to Tioman-- the place that is perhaps the origin of my love for all that is Malaysian.
Being at Nipah was a 'trip' in all senses of the word. I spent three of the four days going on adventures --everything way out of my comfort zone-- jungle trekking that was beyond any sort of trekking I've ever done-- ocean swimming for a mile against the current to get out to a particular spot that was good for snorkeling-- where I saw three big sharks and a stingray-- and then, the following day, snorkeling in the middle of a formidable tempest (which was super interesting-- all was calm underwater, while above the surface was like something out of the movie
"A Perfect Storm".
I remembered what it is to be really brave and that I am capable of more than I think I am. But more than that, I felt a connection to the natural world that I'd forgotten about--- I can't speak for other human beings, but for me, that connection is necessary to fully experience life.
And (with the exception of missing people I talk to regularly) I didn't miss the internet one bit!
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