Island Living or Survival ?

Have you ever dreamed of living on an island paradise ?

,,,,,Kapas island is ideal for a private retreat or getaway, this island is for those who appreciate privacy and tranquility within nature.

,,,,,Just read a book under a tree and let your mind wonders with the breeze plus the sound of waves beating its way across the beach.

,,,,,So peaceful,,,,,,,,,,,no worries be happy

,,,,, just relax and rest both body and soul.

Well, that's for the house guests-lah,,,,,,,,,,,,not for this poor old fellow !. Waking very early in the morning to ensure the water is boiling, cleaning up the late night left overs, washing whatever needs washing,,,,the typical poor wife's role-lah, apa nak buat jadi bujang senang di-pulau.

But am happy and healthy,,,,that's what counts !. Me and my so called, Pirate Kingdom and crew in the South China Sea. Living my childhood dreams,,,,,,,,Yoo Ho Hoo around the high seas and creating lots of fun activities on the island.

Lots of people may think that am a bit crazy !,,,,,,,,,,,,which in a way is true cas. just imagine surviving with my island dog "Jane" plus my good Friday, "Chef Kalid" and latest addition Traditional Malay Massager/Tukang Urut, MaiEeee or "John" for short who had just graduated again from a "Pusat" somewhere,,,,,,and also now not to forget, part timer "Awang Toddy" the air nira coconut maker, who is also acting as our marketing agent/people pusher from the main land. In fact, he is very effective, today itself 2 x rooms were booked for his people from his kampong. He keeps sending lots of his folks and friends to taste the island life style nowadays. Awang has been selected to undergo for technician training by Petronas in end April 2009 and that will hopefully path his future career in the E&P business.

We lost "Boy" again, he came with his girl friend "Adik", about 2 x weeks back and stayed/honeymooned for 3 nights after which decided to find his career somewhere else, understood from the German girl that he introduced to Kapas ,,,,,,"Boy" is now in Perhentian Island,,,,,, I wish him well. At 29 years of age still wondering around to find his likings in the World,,,,,son of an Army ex-General, what a pity. He worked for 3 x months last year but could not get along with "Ciko" the moneyman that ran off with the house money at the end of the 2008 season !.
This "Ciko" character is another interesting fellow/joker,,,,,,,Geeeee told him the Capt's Longhouse motto is "Loyal to None" and indeed he really went right into it. Will write more about him after me getting my hands on him one of these days in the very near future !. He is always somewhere close near the post office in Kuala Terengganu and my good taxi sapu driver friend, "Mr. Singh" will advise me of "Ciko" where about in town if am interested to settle my house money business with him !.

Right now, the 19+ year old Swedish guy "Yohan" or fire stick player that burnt his left arm in Cambodia will check out after 3 x dorm stay nights at Capt's longhouse,,,,,,,really don't know how to charge him since he seems broke and hungry all the time !,,,,,,been feeding him all day long.
He can eat half a chicken all by himself and 3 plates of rice at each sitting. Lucky he is leaving today, or else he might eat up "Jane" too if we are not careful. After listening to his 'dog eating' experience in Vietnam just a few weeks ago !. Apparently, dog meat is sweet and kind of soft according to him. ,,,,,,,Eeeyaaak ! ( Yaaaa,,,,he also reminded me about the BBQ smell when his arm was on fire !,,,,,,he must be pretty hungry then too)

Well, got to prepare the dorm/rooms now,,,,,,,,,,,,before our new house guests arrive for their fun under the Sun. ,,,,,,,Now where did I put the penyapu burok tadi ?.

Get into the right frame of mind before hitting the water

Preparing this 58 year old body and mind for my next dive!
Guess other than getting my diving equipment be properly serviced and back to speed, my knowledge and diving skills needs refreshing too.
Once under water – an alien environment, equally important to appreciate and manage is my safety attitude, the state of mind or mental conditioning plus preparedness in facing emergency underwater.
Handling stress underwater might not be obvious until one is committed, perhaps many divers are not aware or don’t recognize that underwater stress is present in a variety of forms on every single dive we make.

Some of the common underwater stress, which I normally en-counter are as follows;
,,,,,Time pressure stress from having limited air supply since, I am such a heavy breather.
,,,,,Task loading stress that arise from having to manage other activities such as underwater camera /picture taking while controlling buoyancy plus trying to keep in track with the rest of the diving team or dive buddy.
,,,,,Disorientation or lost of navigation in poor visibility condition causing compound stress, when a number of stressful factors coincide.

It is very crucial as a diver to understand what produces stress, how to recognize it and how to handle it when it happens. If stress is not managed properly, it could very quickly lead to panic, a life threatening event and indeed the major cause of diving fatalities world-wide.
,,,,,Right now I am exercising daily again by performing physical work outs to get my body back to be physically fit for diving as well as mentally fit mindset.
,,,,,Focusing on self rescue skills to a point that I can perform automatically, so that in an emergency, I don’t have to think about what to do, it shall be instinctively.
,,,,,Building my water confidence level by swimming, free-diving and snorkeling plus spending more time at the beach !.
,,,,,Learning to breathe properly, go for the 15 second breathing cycle and four breaths a minute.

The secret to manage underwater emergency is to stay calm and assess the situation and apply the emergency skills.

Keep a clear head and positive state of mind, be confident of dealing any situation before the next coming dive.,,,,,,o.k. Capt please take it easy ,,,,,you are an oldman nowadays-lah !.

Geeee,,,,guess I have to talk to myself too, in-order to play it safe yaaaa.

Suffering of an Islomaniac at Kapas Island

Am a Islomaniac !

An islomaniac is a rare affiction of spirit,,,of people who find islands somehow irresistible and being on one is indescribable intoxication.
Its my dream which I make come true,,,,,to live on a remote tropical island, with a coconut bar and a small boat for fishing or renting out for a little cash income to purchase its petrol. Forget about the kids since they are grown up and having their career to lead and just lie here in a hammock in the evening, sipping my home made tuak/rice wine and watching the sunset every evening.
Guess only another islomaniac could kind of understand the power island can exert on the mind and heart of man, the way they can stir up feelings of love, contentment and belonging.
Life on an island is simple and satisfying,,,,,,if you are the right kind of person for it. If you crave adventure and new experience, you will find in islands a happiness that’s inexpressible, something real and vital you will never forget. However if you can’t live without all the conveniences of modern life,,,newspaper, cinema, air-con, TV,,,,please stay put at your home in the city !.
Today a tropical island is most people’s idea of an ideal holiday destination. Yet not too long ago in the 19th century, they are seen as remote backwater where condemned criminals, failed bureaucrats and society’s misfits were exiled.
Islands also attracts eccentrics, repository of castaways, hermits, beachcombers, artists, writers, exiles, hermits, expatriates, pirates, buried treasures and the fabulously wealthy,,,,,in other words, they make great stories, both real and fictitious.
With tourism becoming one of the world’s largest industries, more and more visitors are competing for a limited amount of islands.
Over the past couple of years, isolation has ceased to be a form of deprivation. In fact I find isolation becoming a scarcest commodity. Too many people are visiting my hideaway at Pulau Kapas nowadays.
All my life I have been an escapist. I wanted to be anywhere apart from the mind-numbing suburbia in which I felt trapped and constricted by the small minds and smaller aspirations of those surrounding me.
Maybe, I have to find another unexplored or untouched island ?.,,,,saw many new islands at Kenyir dam from the air recently eeemmmmmm.
If not, why not ?. Anyone interested in an inland island ?.

Falling in love with my body and accepting it.

As I grow older, its absolute vital to appreciate and love my body in a sustained way. I indeed have to constantly tell my body that I still love it as itself !.

Don't be angry or put anger into part of my body, especially a part that is sick or aching, cas. it will only delays the healing process. If any part of my body that am aren't happy with, then I will put lots of love into that injured part on a daily basis. Telling my body that I still love it plus will provide tender loving care plus massaging it regularly.

For any sagging or wrinkled parts, I have to remember that it has been with me for a lifetime and it is doing the best it can with the health choices I have made !.

Hating any part of my body won't make it younger or as muscular again-lah.

Learn to love my body and it will love me back. Take care of my body and truly love every bit of it, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes,,,,,plus all the organs in between, inclusive of the hairy parts too. ,,,,,,,,,hahaha.

Its bloody true that when I love myself, others will love me too,,,,,,,,,yaaaaa.

O.K.,,,,,must also remember that poisonous thoughts poison my body. I cannot allow myself to indulge in negative thinking. It will make me sick and can kill me.

Negative thinking produces negative experiences. If ever I want to change my life for the better, I must learn to think thoughts that support me and help improve the quality of my live.

Only when I love and appreciate who I am, I will naturally take better care of myself.

Well,,,,,,,,,,,for a 58 years old guy am feeling good, even better when am on Kapas Island. The blood, sweat and tears keeps me healthy and strong like an Ox !. What I really need is a Lembu for her fresh milk !!!!!.

Retirement Masterplan from Capt's Longhouse

This is my 53 days into retirement and in addition to signifying opportunity and challenge, retirement for me also means FREEDOM and an era in which to follow my own chosen pursuits. Again am in full control of my daily, weekly, monthly and yearly timetables, and, more importantly to choose the content !.
In retirement, there are few loftier ideals that I can pursue than passing on the knowledge, wisdom, and experience that I gleaned in my own working life.
Guess I could and actually have kind of dedicate this blog site of mine to mete out my expertise to the rest of the World in my own pirate ways.
Or just "writing my life story" as a momento to my future grandchildren.,,,,,,,,,,Who am I, What am I, and Why I am as I am ?.
Guess imparting one's wisdom needn't necessarily take the shape of a book or making a movie out of it !.
Just blogging it away as it is, may just be the most easy route for a retiree like me because it is less demanding plus do permits of one-to-one interfacing with like-minded visitors.
Guess its going to be my Personal Case Study sort of ??,,,,,,,,,with a single purpose in mind ;
Imparting what little I know for the benefit of others. Just things about I specialised at, what pearls of wisdom that I have accumulated over the years and establishing my own route for passing on knowledge.

Slow down, Relax and be Happy

Slow Down, Relax and be Happy at Capt’s Longhouse.

Firstly, just remember this simple advise from your KapasPirateKing !,,,,, that the existing global economic failure is the result of money taking a centre stage in the political and economic game plus in your mind and your life !.

The obsession with money has everybody asking ?, "Now that we have money, what do we do?"
Presently, there is a poverty of ideas and innovation. The reason that economy is standing still because banks and businesses plus individuals like you, do not know what or where to invest in any more !.

Currently technology has gone unfortunately to the level that it has failed to serve mankind anymore. As such, then a “slower GDP growth is the answer rather than stimulus packages to save the nation economy”. I say it again,,,,“ slow down, relax and be happy”.

Even in a “money-using world where money is everywhere and in everything”,,,,, the trick is really to think out of the money and into the real world where “money is a slave and not a master”.

,,,,,,And, on this “money-not-important island”, the reality for happiness is family relationships, friendship with people we have met, our sense of how we are going to actualise ourselves, and quietly preparing ourselves for our own demise .

All the reality in the world can be reduced to just a few simple thoughts in your own minds.

You will find that ,,,,,,,,,,,“you can live without money in your mind”.

Slow down, Relax and be Happy !.,,,,,,,,smile O.K. its another wonderful day on Kapas Island.

The PirateKing Hideaway

The PirateKing himself,,,,blogging & bragging,,,,! hehhehheh.

Lifestyle of the unknown old man at Pulau Kapas,,,,, sharing it with many travellers, backpackers and new found friends.

,,,,capt's magical corner and dorm beddings ?,,,,many sweet dreams,,,,,yaaa !.

,,,,,,,,checking e-mails & blogging away,,,,,,,but at times, the connection is horrible, what to do ?.

However food is always pretty fresh, we eat what we catch from the sea only,,,,at times go hungry when the sea is too unfriendly. Everyone must learn, how to survive on the island,,,,we will teach you how,,,,,,,young coconuts are free but you must climb for it yourself o.k. !

Life can't be better,,,,,,do nothing, you go hungry-lah,,,,,its our lifestyle here, back to basic survival !,,,,,,,,,, please just make yourself at home,,,,,and do help keep the place clean & tidy o.k.