there are some who may think that my mind and my body and my soul may have an inability to relax, an irresistible urge to hang on to the unforeseeable anxieties that pace the world. sooner or later, though, they learn that every once in a while, I let go.

and so it was this past weekend we reveled in the clear waters of Pulau Tioman, an island thought to be shaped like a sleeping dragon. and although the road long and arduous and rocky, we all agreed that it was in fact the destination, and not the journey, that made this weekend special.

when we finally arrived at Tunayama, we slowly took in the realization that we were in absolute paradise for three days.

with the sun hot and the water clear, the kids took no time to hit the beach, and then cool off in the pool that seemed to stretch out for eternity.

we wasted little precious minutes getting head to toe treatments at the spa, languishing in salt scrubs and body massages, allowing our faces to feel fresh and clean and minty with newness. we were so relaxed we lost all definitions of time and only knew this place.

the next morning we watched as storms rolled past, appreciating the tides and how they synergize with life beneath the water.

later we boated to a different jetty, where we trekked up the mountains to the famed Asda waterfalls; while stories of South East Asian pythons in the trees above skipped through our heads, we pushed onward until we found the fresh springs.

drenched in sweat and crying from the burning heat, we dipped our feet and cooled our bodies with the clear water.

we returned to the dock to await our ride back, and sword fights ensued in front of the Tioman sleeping dragon.

as our boat drew nearer the resort, we decided to drink up the flora of the sea with our eyes, and for almost all on our trip, go snorkeling for the first time. the sights weren’t as grand in front of the resort as would have been seen elsewhere, however still beautiful and vibrant for coral passed over and swam over and envied by guests over time.

that night, we feasted on the bounty of the ocean over an open flame, stuffing ourselves with deliciousness and allowing ourselves the fruit of the vine in our veins.

we slept hard and rested through the night, only to awake to the sad realization that we would be leaving our paradise soon. we frolicked on the beach and in the water, enjoying every moment until our departure.

against the yearnings and the wills and the pleas of our souls, we said our goodbyes to the lovely staff and rode into the vast waters of the ocean, promising to never forget our jaunt in the South China Sea.

keamanan, friends.

next up: Georgetown, Penang.