Day 4: Christmas in the sun

Merry Christmas!

As far as Christmas' go this one was unique. Santa even found me at the Hyatt. When I returned from using the internet last night I had a xmas card and xmas dessert in my room. (care of Santa Hyatt himself).

It's Sunday and in KK that means a morning market on Gaya st. I wondered through the market and did a little shopping to start my day. Some of the things for sale were really different. They had live fish for pets, pet mice and dogs, spices, fruit, coffee and then the regular handicraft stuff. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was neat.

After the market I booked my tours for the rest of the week. I was pretty limited because most of the tours had a two person min but I am happy with my plans. Survivor Island (Pulau Tiga - where they filmed the first survivor) was on the top of my list but it didn't pan out....tear, sniff, ...oh well. That had a four person min and apparently isn't a popular tour. I don't know why? :) So tomorrow im off to kinabalu National park and on Tuesday Im white water rafting. FUN!

My island of choice today was Pulau Mantukin. It is one of the smaller islands included in the TAR islands. I caught the boat like I did yesterday and spent three hours on the island. There wasn't much there except a public bathroom, some BBQ pits and places to camp. But it was quiet and relaxing and the water was refreshing. It was sunnier today then yesterday but still a little overcast.

The best part of my Christmas was definitely the xmas dinner. I hadn't had turkey in two years and it was as YUMMY as ever! (although xmas dinner is not really xmas dinner without mashed potatos or grandma's trifle!)

I also got to thinking. I remember having a conversation with Carla once. I can't remember exactly when it was (like highschool or university and what year) but we were at the movies with her friend Jenny W (other people were there too) and we were talking about doing things on our own. As far as I can remember Jenny went to Australia or something and was saying how different and weird it was when she went out for dinner and saw a movie in the theatre by herself for the first time. Carla and I had never done anything like that and wondered how it would feel. Well I thought about this again for the first time about a month ago when I was at a restaurant for lunch by myself. I had a book with me then and remember thinking that reading a book is still something that detracts you from being alone. Well tonight I sat in a restaurant and ate Christmas dinner by myself. I didn't rush it (like I had at other meals this trip) and I didn't take a book. I ordered a glass of wine, sat back and just relaxed, people watched and enjoyed my festive meal. I even prolonged my meal by ordering coffee (overall it was an hour and half of Christmas food goodness). So as weird as it may sound, tonight I am truly proud of myself and feel that I have accomplished something that only a few years ago (or however long ago) I thought was totally out of my comfort zone.

I hope everyone's Christmas are filled with family, love and lots of good food (hehe)!

Have fun!