Forests and Oceans are my lovers

Have you ever heard of 'Forests are the lovers of the Sea'? Yes, this frase indicate they are both inter-related. To me, they are both different, but they are both my lovers. Oh, at least I want to think that way.

The virgin forests are my favorite, a way different message they convey in comparison to the secondary forests. I also like small streams and water falls that has the therapeutic feature. In Japan, what we call 'satoyama' is developed in harmony with nature through centuries of small-scale agriculture and sustainable living. I think the term may be coined in Japan, but it applies to many parts of the world particular in Asia. This may be why I choose to travel within Asia nowadays where I feel 'at home'.

There is something else I want my readers of this blog to learn. Talk to the ones that travelled before you. In the last decades, the seas as well as forests have changed drastically. The other day a scuba diver in my group told me how he was impressed with the big bank of fish he saw. I dove the same site nearly twenty years ago and the fish group size was more than quadrupled that time. The same goes to the coral reefs and the solar-power-farm-tainted mountains. The desertification and the retreat of glaciers are also in the same category of disappearance. Learning on-line or in the text books are fine, but do travel and feel with your five senses while you are young.

Grewingk Glacier, Alaska (Photo taken in August, 1997)

The recent shot of the same glacier (image from Emerald Air Service)

I am blessed as places I visit are often accompanied by the locals where no mainstream tourist go. This has become my standard for a long time. Note that their reason to bring tourism is not just the economic advantage. The primary reason is for nature conservation, alleviation of poverty, etc. I want to support their causes as a traveler.

Indonesia Bogor, Satoyama near Mount Gede Pangrango National Park （Sept. 2005）

Satoyama in Higashi-Iya, Tokushima（2006）

Satoyama, Laos near Luang Prabang （July, 2007）

The places I went are not limited to these breathtakingly picturesque sites. The toilet, the shower, sanitation and interesting gastronomy gave me many lessons sometimes very harsh ones. However, there is always a village-full laughter echoing the valley and mountains. As a visitor, I thought I cannot take away their happiness, no development should deprive of their happy life unless that is what they desire. I now am a firm believer of this and practice wherever I travel. The way I travel and the people I've met have taught me so many good things.

With village kids in West Africa, Benin, Lake Possotome on an ecovillage project

A country I feel like my second mother country is Costa Rica that transformed me to shape me. That is the topic I want to address on the next issue.