在等待Pina電影上畫之前，我就一直無間斷地聽它的Soundtrack。 越喜歡它的Soundtrack，就對它的期望越高。Trailer也看過十多次，剪接和配樂實在是完美。Lillies of the Valley 是就是那種帶人進入另一種境界的歌吧！

看罷電影，一點都沒有失望。

If everyone has a duty in life, Pina was born to be an artist and bring amazing dance pieces to the world!!

Thank you Wim Wenders!

現在重看台北探戈節的照片，感覺很不一樣。雖然只隔幾個月，當天在課堂教著探戈的Andrea老師已離我們而去。我不像其他探戈朋友般對Andrea老師認識那麼深，只在台北上過她和Javier的兩門課，但老師給我的印象是很和善的。在上海跳Milonga的時候突然知道老師在新年的車禍中去世，享年只有34歲，我的心情就久久不能平伏。只差數月，她還在我們面前演出教課，現在就與世長辭了！曾經上過她的課，是我的幸運。願她在天堂一直跳著她心愛的阿根廷探戈。

圖中坐在最左的位子上的就是Andrea老師

這次的台北之旅跟以往的很不一樣，因為我根本沒有時間旅遊。每天上兩堂探戈課，下課吃個飯就去跳Milonga。跳到三更半夜回Hostel就昏睡過去。謝謝Jamespopo陪我玩了一個上下午。開機車帶我去泡溫泉，吃好的，還做了我最需要的腳底按摩。晚上我超憤怒的時候，還帶了小學同學出來跟我喝酒聊天。沒你們，當天我大概被氣得沒心情去舞會了！

每次去外國的探戈節我最期待的就是在它們的古建築裡跳舞。在台北，當然是西門紅樓了！地方很美，大家還穿上中國風的服飾。可惜人太多，地方太小。跳起來不是很爽。但我很開心認識了一些新朋友，尤其是韓國來的Sang。和他很聊得來，後來去首爾工作也有跟他見面。希望下次在其他探戈節能再跟他玩。

 

另外，以前曾經聽些師兄師姐說總會有這麼一個人，你跟他跳探戈時會有一種整個場地只有你和他的感覺。他不一定跳很難的舞步，甚至不一定跳得特別好，但你和他跳的時候就是那麼的投入。這無關愛情或其他，就是純祽的Connection。

Tango就是那麼神奇的舞蹈。

在台北探戈節，我遇上了。雖然他不是台灣人，但這成為我這個旅程最重要的回憶。

It is time to visit my family in Melbourne again!

 

A little drama was on during my visit:

 

After going shopping with Scarlett, Jocie and Zachy, I went to the train station to take the train back to the city. We said goodbye in front of the station. Then, Scarlett found that I forgot my bags of vitamins on the stroller of Zachy. She brought 2 kids with her to try to look for me at the platform. They walked cabin by cabin to find me. Jocie and Zachy kept calling my name: Ball Ball E. At the end, they could not find me. Jocie and Zachy were very sad and kept saying: Ball Ball E is gone.

 

According to Scarlett’s report, Jocie and Zachy was non-stop talking about Ball Ball E even after they were back home. When they saw WY (their father), they told him that Ball Ball E is gone and they could not find her. Hahahahahahahaha!

 

After that, Zachy had a very strong impression on me. Scarlett said: Ball Ball E, you have to come back soon!

 

P.S Ball Ball is my baby name and most of my family members call me this. So naturally I become Ball Ball E (mean Ball Ball aunt) when my cousin got her babies.

The reason of me being called Ball Ball when I was a baby is simple: I was totally like a Ball with my round head, round eyes and round body.

So, I went back to the city and had dinner with Angela (another cousin) and KaHo. We were talking about marriage and things like that.

 

Few months later, I got a Whatsapp from Angela saying that: KaHo proposed and I said Yes!

 

I am for sure coming to the wedding either in Melbourne or Hong Kong, or……both?

和同事在異國的小公園過中秋節其實也很快樂！

這個美妙的旅程由小又和阿寶發起。大約在旅程的半年前，她們就訂了Air Asia的超平機票並問我會否同行，我答應了會盡量調機配合。最後，在千千萬萬的Swap後，終於能參與沙巴的部分，但貓城的部分就去不了。在此，要特別感謝Jen的慷慨，沒你的那顆G，我就去不成了。

 

旅程的很多部分都很難忘，但其中兩件事令我最開心。

 

第一，我成功說服了小又和阿寶和我一起潛水，而她們兩個事後都非常喜歡潛水。能夠和她們一起看見神奇的海洋世界讓我加倍興奮。雖然這不是我的初潛，但能與好朋友一起經歷這一切是不一樣的感受。我最喜歡那些藍色海星，裝成沙樣的撻沙和可愛的Nemo。 好想去宿暮考牌，還有夜潛呢！

 

第二，我第一次見到滿樹的螢火蟲。像我這種在大城市長大的小朋友，從來沒機會見到螢火蟲。從來没有想像過佈滿螢火蟲的樹在夜裡一閃一閃是如此的美麗。這就像一棵一棵天然的聖誕樹，在黑暗中閃耀著。讓人感動的美，我一再回味。我們順著日落前找猴子的河流一直漂著，當天的導遊May拿著大電筒照樹，樹上的螢火蟲以自己微弱的光回應著。大自然多麼的神奇，白天我們可以找到不同種類的猴子，一到晚上，這就變成螢火蟲的世界。

Tips to Sabah is at the end of the entry!

 

 

Day 1- a relaxing day alone in Kota Kinabalu (KK, 亞庇市）

 

My flight departed in the morning while Po and Yau would arrive at night, so I had a half-day wandering around KK. I was totally exhausted from the work I had before I came for this trip, so I took a nap when I arrived Lavender Lodge (our hostel). Afterward, I had my massage at a local beauty center. I also spent some time walking around the street. KK is a very small town and I could finish it in an hour. I tried to look for the very famous food in KK and successfully got the Bak-Kut-Teh (肉骨茶). I loved it a lot.

Philippine Market

 

Sabah Tourism Board

 

China town

 

 

When I was waiting for Po and Yau at the hostel at night, I was invited to play slugger with the Canadian and Korean friends. They taught me how to play and I enjoyed the time with them.

 

 

 

Day 2- Snorkeling at Mantananl Island (美人魚島）

 

We woke up quite early in the morning as we booked the tour to the Mantananl Island. It is an amazing island with super clear and beautiful water. The owner of the island only allows 50 people get on the island per day, so it was very quiet and clean. We chose to stay overnight at the island and it was an excellent decision since a half-day is totally not enough for such a wonderful island.

 

We chilled out at the island for a bit and then headed to snorkeling. The water was heavenly lovely with the blue starfish, coral reef and fishes. We had a lot of fun snorkeling. 

The snorkeling site

 

 

 

Then, Yau and I went for kayaking. We came up with a stupid idea of jumping into the water and tried to get back on the kayak. It was a very tough job and we laughed non-stop when we were doing it. Po was worried about us as she thought we were in danger. Hahahahaha!

Sabah is famous for its sunset, so Yau suggested to watch the sunset everyday when we were there. Of course, we could not miss the one in this beautiful island. On the way to the sunset coast, we passed a local village.

This cat was so cute and tried to follow us all the way.

The local village

 

 

Sunset at Mantananl Island

 

   

 

 

After all the exciting activities, we ended our day listening to the wave (I fell asleep as it was too comfortable) and looking at the sky with stars at 3am. With the help of Iphone App, we were able to identify the Constellation. What a wonderful night!

 

 

 

Day 3- Diving at Mantananl Island

Po and I took a morning walk before diving when Yau was getting ready. Sorry to leave you behind baby, I promise it wont happen again.

 

Does it look like a swimming pool? It is the ocean! 

 

 

I tried to convince Po and Yau on diving. As I dove before, I knew that they would definitely love the underwater world once they can get closer to it. At last, they decided to join me and 3 of us were doing very well in diving. We all enjoy the unbelievable scenery under the water. As I was always floating (no idea why I could not sink), the coach was actually holding my hand and led me all the way. We have seen some amazing coral reef and even Nemo.

 

It was an unforgettable experience to dive with my 2 very good friends. Thanks for joining me and I hope you enjoy your first dive. Wish to dive with you again soon.

We were back to KK after diving and just in time for the sunset at the habour.

 

  

We ended our day at the night market with all the street food at KK

There was pouring rain all of a sudden! 

 

Day 4- Visiting Monkeys and Fireflies at the river

Our tour started in the afternoon, so we spent the morning exploring KK. We had the famous chicken rice (味雅雞飯) for breakfast. Then we spent some time at the local market and found some interesting local food. I was excited to see cinnamon the first time (I always just taste it).

 

In the afternoon, we were picked up by the tour guide of the day- May. She was a very professional guide and we enjoyed her service. She was telling us the features and characters of Nasalis larvatus (長鼻猴）. It is a special species monkey in Sabah. I find it very cute as it got a long nose. More importantly, its hair color makes it as wearing a shirt and a short pant. Haha!

 

After we boarded the boat, we started to look for the monkey along the river. They are very shy so we had to be quiet and patient. May is very experienced, so she is always the first one who found the monkey. I love to see animals living in their own habitat instead of the Zoo, so I really enjoy this hide and seek experience with the monkeys.

We found 3 species of monkey on that day, lucky us!

 

 

The sunset on the river was stunning and we had dinner at the riverbank.

 

After dinner, we boarded the boat again to find the fireflies. May used a big torch to shine on the trees and the fireflies replied it by its flame. It was unbelievable beautiful to see all these flashing flame on the tree. It looked like a natural Christmas tree. As a girl growing up in the city, I had never seen fireflies in my life, not mention a whole tree of them. I was totally moved by the scene.

 

Day 5- Kinabalu Park

We had no time to climb the Mt. Kinabalu, instead we visited the Kinabalu park. We wrongly went to one of the sections of the park as we did not know the park was divided in few sections. After visiting a garden with tropical plants, we took taxi to another section to try the canopy walk.

 

 

When we arrived that section, we were told that the biggest flower in the world (exclusive in Kinabalu) were bloomed. The 2 Rafflesia arnoldii were not beautiful at all and even carried an awful smell. It attracted the flies. However, they are huge with no doubt.

We finally got to the canopy walk. It was not as scary as I thought. It was fun walking between those tall tropical trees.

Thanks Yau and Po for the wonderful trip. I hope we can make it happen every year!

Tips:

1.     You have to stay overnight at the Mantanal Island. Do not go with the one-day tour please.

The owner of Mantanal Island only allows 50 people to get on the island per day, so it is free of pollution and very quiet. If you join the one-day tour, you can only access to the snorkeling and diving site. However, you will be missing the main beach, the sunset, the local village and the starry night. It definitely worth having a 2-day tour!!!!!! We booked it with www.sabahyou.com.

2.     Transport to Kinabalu Park.
In the morning, there are taxis that combines passengers who go to the Kinabalu Park direction. Ask your hostel about it the night before. It is easier and not expensive at all.

3.     Do not miss the tour to the River for the monkey and fireflies. This is one of the best things I have done in Sabah. We booked it with www.sabahyou.com as well. We love the service of our guide May. See if you can get her to be your guide.

4.     Kinabalu Park is not only 1 park, it is divided in few sections and they are not close. Check what do you want to do in the park and go to the right section for it. We wasted some time and money as we did not know about this before.

5. Our hostel is called Lavender Lodge. The owner is very nice. He can speak Mandarin and English perfectly. He is willing to help and the hostel is clean.
http://www.lavenderlodge.com.my/

6. Do not forget to bring a water-proof bag (the bigger the better) and most importantly the underwater camera. You can either buy a water-proof case for your own camera or buy a water-proof camera, please pay attention on how deep it can go.