Turn It Well.

"Turn It Well" by Up Dharma Down. Current obsession. The boy pointed out that it's my kind of shit; spacey, chilled... the kind you play just before the sun comes up. Already on my Japan vlog music list.

Cat tipi.

Why didn't I think of this before? LA based creators Megan Mah and Elan Bentov are cat geniuses. These actually don't ship internationally, however, the power of IG prevailed and they have given me a quote on how much it will cost to ship to Australia. A little on the pricey side but I know Birdie will love it to bits and it will be worth it. Yes, my cat owns me.

cattipi.com

Faux Winter Wish List.

I haven't done one of these in a while. It's summer here in Sydney but we've been getting unpredictable weather. While everybody curses when it gets cold & rainy, I dance a little inside.

1. Helmut Lang maxi skirt. This would be perfect paired with a white crop top.
2. Nike sportsbag. I spend a lot of time training whether it would be for pole or at the gym. It would be great if I can carry all my essentials on the go. (gym gear, stripper shoes, protein shakers, supplements, etc.)
3. Agyness Deyn x Dr. Martens. Ah, the ever elusive Agys. Before I could get a hold of these, they were sold out in my size everywhere. I am crossing my fingers that they stock these in Tokyo.
4. Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel. They're old but still a must-have. Leather, black and studs. What more can a girl ask for?
5. iPod shuffle. I'm meant to start practicing my freestyle during studio time so these are much needed. Also helps block out everybody else at the gym and the repetitive 'Gangnam style'.
6. Frederick Fekkai round brush. For those perfectly tousled and volumized blowdrys.
7. Versace biker jacket. I have been searching for the perfect biker jacket for years now and still to no avail. I've worn my hoodie leather jacket to death and in need of a new one.

Tibet

There's something about putting on a pair of hiking boots and trekking a remote part of the world. No comforts of home to retreat to at the end of each day but a basic bed and some questionable sheets, barely shedding a piece of clothing in the process. To truly walk the earth gives a feeling of utter bliss and satisfaction—an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything else.

Rainforest and deep valleys along the highway to Zhangmu

Planning this trip was surreal in itself, hell, even the idea of visiting Tibet had already started some sort of emotional mechanics that cannot be stopped or slowed. The stricter the rules got, the more enticing it was for me and giving up was not an option. I yearned for a sign, a validation that this trip is meant to be, that my dreams are to come true and that I will be lucky enough to see it in this lifetime.

Prayer flags on top of a hill in Nyalam

What a magical place. Lush greenery, waterfalls, rainforest, deep valleys, snow-capped peaks, sand dunes, rocky vistas... you name it. It was otherworldly yet very much natural all at the same time. I was in awe. No one could have wiped the smile off my face since crossing the border in Kodari. I had to pinch myself and say aloud that "I'm in Tibet." This mystical place described in fiction and non-fiction books, the unattainable, the top secret beauty of the north-east.

The mighty yaks-loyal and hardworking

We drove along the friendship highway in our jeepneys. It is no longer possible to travel through Tibet independently and must be in a tour group with a driver and a Sherpa (guide). The trip started from the Kodari border in Nepal and crossing to Zhangmu and stopping at Nyalam for acclimatisation which is necessary for climbing high altitude. 

Friendship highway in Western Tibet

Locals turning the prayer wheels outside a monastery in Nyalam

Tibet is nothing like anywhere I've seen in this lifetime. Words cannot describe its beauty and pictures do not do it justice. Vast and ever changing landscapes, wildlife and smiling Tibetans overwhelm you. These days, the nomads no longer ride yaks on their trips but have a motorised cart which are usually embellished with colourful strings, fabrics and bells. The kids are rosy cheeked, smiling and dirty faced. The people are generally a happy bunch.

A nomad boy who approached our jeep begging for money/food

Gurla Mandata ranges across Mt. Kailash

Havan by Lake Manasarovar

Part of what made my visit to Tibet extraordinary was traveling with a Hindu pilgrimage group which is led by a professional team of trekkers. I got to take part in their rituals, chanting, yoga and meditation. I got to eat tasty vegetarian Gujarati and Newari dishes every day which, for those that know me well, know it's something I would have definitely appreciated. I got to meet people from all walks of life, from different cultures and upbringing and people from different parts of the world. We would start our days with yoga and meditation with incense burning by the window sill. Chants of Om Mana Sivaya is heard from beyond the walls. One of the nights by the lake, I fell asleep to the Brahmin's chanting next door like a lullaby.

The day after arriving at Lake Manasarovar, I took part in Havan which started with an abishek with warmed up water from the lake. It is a core Hindu ceremony to cleanse and bless. I felt quite privileged to be able to take part in this ritual. The area of the lake is incredible in itself. The view of the holy lake, Mt. Kailash and the Gurla Mandata ranges which I will cherish forever. Never once have I forgotten how lucky I was to be able to come to this yatra. Some wait many lifetimes to get to where I am.

Mani stones outside Chue Monastery along Lake Manasarovar

Outdoor pool tables in the small town of Darchen

Breath-taking holy Mt. Kailash

The parikrama. The first day of the trek started late as horses, yaks and porters needed to be sorted. I got a young man named Nimang as my porter who has done the kora 3 times. He was kind and caring. He knew very little english but made an effort to learn or understand. I would sometimes catch him muttering words under his breath to repeat what I had just said.

Slow and steady was key and concentrating on the steady rhythm of my breathing is something I needed to exercise for the next 3 days. We made it to camp in 4 hours instead of 5-6 and had the most magnificent view of Mt. Kailash. It truly was stunning up close. I felt that I still had reserves of energy which was good as the toughest day of parikrama was still ahead of us. I couldn't say the same about my camera battery though which died halfway through after subjecting it to trans-himalayan altitude.

As night time fell, I watched yakmen herding their yaks and turning them in for the night. Trekkers and pilgrims were preparing themselves for bed and we witnessed a proposal in front of Mt. Kailash.

All rugged up on the first day of parikrama.

Dolma La Pass. I wasn't in the highest spirits to begin the day but I had to push the negatives aside and soldier on. I have always thought myself to be quite strong mentally and I knew that this was on my side to tackle this difficult day. The ascent to Dolma La Pass was one of the most challenging things I've ever had to do in my life both physically and mentally. Reaching the top at 19,500ft was such an accomplishment. I collapsed at camp feeling quite exhausted. My feet were aching and my body was feeling banged up but nothing a good Ayurvedic massage in Kathmandu can't fix. But for the most part, I was ecstatic at what we have accomplished and I sipped my hot chocolate under the warm blankets feeling quite content. My days had been reduced to simple pleasures such as celebrating when khichdi and ghulab jamun was served for dinner.

Reaching Dolma La Pass

Final day. We started the day with an early morning visit to a monastery on top of a hill where one of Milarepa's caves were situated, feeling the warmth from the butter lamps, peace and good vibrations the monastery emanated. The final day was a breeze in comparison. We reached Darchen by midday and took a final dip at the holy lake soon after. I will terribly miss this place and the people. After 10 days in Tibet, it was starting to feel like living amongst the nomads, yaks, horses and the wildlife was part of the norm.

Western Tibet

I will be back. I just know it. If not in this lifetime, then definitely the next. I left a piece of myself in Tibet, and I took a piece of it with me.

Nepal

As I step outside the airport terminal, I wondered if I landed in the wrong country. Surely this isn't Nepal?  The taxi drivers waving at me, shouting destinations and prices in perfect english, the many airport workers loitering around talking amongst themselves eyeing foreigners and hotel drivers holding up name signs. Then there's the humidity that swallows you whole and suddenly makes you aware of every piece of clothing you're wearing. This all feels too familiar, I thought. Save for the Nepali writing, everything is undeniably reminiscent of Manila.

I guess third world countries have many things in common and I experienced this throughout my stay in Nepal. This is mostly the reason why nothing was a culture shock to me. But this is not to say that nothing fascinated me. Although Nepal was only a thoroughfare for my main destination which was Tibet, my time spent here was nothing less of an adventure as this was the first city that I had truly traveled on my own.

Thamel. Dubbed tourist ghetto worldwide. It was hippie central in the 60s and 70s and is still popular amongst budget travelers, backpackers and trekkers. A labyrinth of unmarked streets lined with small shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, trekking gear, books, DVDs, travel agents and budget hotels. It was easy to get lost here, as I have experienced many times. On my very first visit, I was in search of a particular spa for an Ayurvedic massage and ended up in another part of town after walking aimlessly in the sweltering heat.

Thamel

Green Organic Cafe & Farmers Bar- my absolute favourite spot in Thamel

Ayurvedic massages, trekking gear and souvenir shopping and lonely dinners were had in this town. Not to mention several visits to Green Organic Cafe & Farmers bar which as the name suggests, serve everything organic and farm grown. I love this place. It's a slice of peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of Thamel. I would spend hours here at a time just writing in my journal, sipping masala tea or watching people below from the upstairs terrace.

Pasupatinath. I feel like one cannot fully appreciate a holy site without seeing it through the eyes of those that regard it holy. It's interesting to be at an alive and throbbing place of worship. There is some sort of energy despite the filth and neglect in its walls. I joined my fellow trekkers; a Hindu group who are followers of Lord Shiva in Puja and chanted with Brahmin priests. At the end of that day, I was gifted a rudra mala which is to be worn throughout the yatra.

"One who wears all mukhi ruraksha becomes equal to me so dear son, one should by all means try to wear this mala." - Quote from Padma Purana

Nagarkot. Promise of a breath-taking sunrise with the view of the Himalayas led me to a village east of Kathmandu called Nagarkot. I took a rather bumpy and sardined local bus (it cost me $1.40-can't complain) via Bhaktapur and made it to my destination by mid afternoon despite the language barrier and a few wrong turns and backtracks. The air was noticeably thinner up here than the valley and my backpack felt like it was a few kilos heavier. I met a man named Krishna who helped me find my cottage for the night up in the hills with an almost 360 view of the mountains. It was quiet up there, nothing but the sound of raindrops and leaves rustling. I rose early the following morning and headed to a lookout for the anticipated sunrise. The morning was foggy but I still managed to catch glimpses of Shishapangma and Everest. A double rainbow fell over Kathmandu Valley that same morning.

Double rainbow over Kathmandu Valley

My time in Nepal wrapped up way too quickly for my liking. Just when I was getting used to straight men holding hands, public transport, getting harassed in streets and being called 'blondie', it was time to go home! Great memories were had in this place. Like that morning when all the buses were on strike and I had to hitch hike for the very first time in my life from Nagarkot to Kathmandu. Those 2 idle hours sitting next to an elderly, leathery faced old Nepali man with missing teeth in front of a local store, having some meaningful conversation using only body language and hand gestures. Or my new friend Alok, who made me a friendship bracelet and kept insisting on taking me out to dinner. Maybe one day I'll come back to experience it all again or even tackle Everest. Who knows. But there is a lot of Nepal that I'm yet to discover and experience and I only got a mere taste of it.