Dearest friends!
As usual when someone dear to him is leaving after having stayed with him for a little while, Jean feels very lonely after his son Thomas Eric goes back home to Germany. He is eager for his walk to be over and done with so he can come back home to his loved ones... see them regularly... hold them in his arms... But before he is permitted this immense pleasure he needs to complete his project.
While continuing to walk in the exotic landscapes of the Philippines, he wonders about the climatic aspects of the following countries, because after the Philippines, he plans to go to Vietnam followed by Cambodia and Thailand. I email him spreadsheets on the averages of precipitation for various cities where he plans to go and unfortunately we can only notice that May to September are very rainy months, monsoon time!
He thinks that the rainy season is already catching on him in the Philippines. It is raining intermittently and the showers are sometimes heavy. Of course, Mother Earth needs to drink too but Jean is not equipped to walk under tropical downpours. His shoes get ruined and wet feet bring their lot of problems.
After a little more than 644 km from Manila, on April 5, Jean crosses to the island of Samar. The landscapes are idyllic and even if people of this State are among the poorest Filipinos, they display their beautiful smiles and nevertheless seem happy! As everywhere in the world, children engineer toys and parents do the same for accessories with the means at their disposal.
On April 13, he crosses the bridge connecting the island of Samar to the island of Leyte and this is where he has to make a choice: he either goes over to Cebu and leaves the Philippines for Vietnam or he moves on to the island of Mindanao. With the spreadsheets on the averages of precipitation and weather that I sent him earlier, he sketches several plans of his route. But as he walks southward, getting closer to the Equator, he notices that the rains are less frequent and plentiful and that he is kind of getting into the climatic system of the southern hemisphere.
From Libagon on the 18th, he writes: "After having elaborated several scenarios and having obtained information from several people, I think that I will follow this route: I will cross over to Mindanao and walk the route towards Zamboanga. From there, I shall board the ferry to Sandakan in Malaysia, on Borneo Island. There, I shall walk alongside the North of the island from East to West and then go onwards on to Singapore and subsequently to Indonesia. I know that travelling in Mindanao is not warmly recommended but do not worry. After inquiring with many people here, it seems that the authorities have control of these areas and that I have nothing to fear."
So, on April 25th, he sleeps at the Police Station in Carmen, on the 29th, in Jassan and on May 3rd, in Ligait. The panorama continues to be very exotic.
Shortly after Iligan, a team of policemen and men from the army takes turns to escort him as he is walking through a zone that could be dangerous. He is also joined by Jun Enriquez, a civil society peace advocate facilitating collaboration between a diverse network of grassroots NGOs on human rights, social justice, peace advocacy, transparent accountable governance, environmental issues and media peace journalism. Jun is also a media man and anchors a daily program on the local radio station in Iligan City and while walking on 17 km between Linamon and Kauswagan; he did a live interview with Jean, sharing their experience and ideas on peace.
I do admit being a bit worried when reading reports about that part of the Philippines but my walker comforts me with his email on May 6: "I have been told that I would be escorted until Zamboanga City, situated at the southern end of the peninsula where I shall board the boat for Borneo. All these people looking after my safety are of an incredible kindness. I am not allowed to sleep in the homes of families anymore. I thus must spend my nights in Police Stations."
On May 19, Jean leaves the Philippines for Malaysia. Because of the pandemic of flu A(H1N1), the health authorities are closely watching all entries into the country. The Island of Borneo evokes a powerful exoticism. Carnivorous plants are growing there and one of the main industries of the island is the culture of palm trees to extract "palm oil" of their fruits. Jean discovers fruits that he has never seen before and he delights in their delicious flavor. Although the territory is not much populated, the inhabitants are very friendly.
He is warmly welcomed in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of the province of Sabah. There, he meets Weng Kiong Yee who invites him in his hometown, Miri, situated some 15 walking days further.
On June 6, Jean leaves Sabah to come into in the province of Sarawak. Although the 2 provinces are in Malaysia, passports are stamped at the border as if it was another country. Malaysians again welcome him with much kindness. He walks for a single day and across the river is the border of the Sultanate of Brunei where a charming family welcomes him for his first night in the country.
Once more, a river to be crossed and he is back in Sarawak where the Idriss family is his host for the night. Just as the American Indians of the past (Huron Iroquois etc.), Ibans, natives of Sarawak, traditionally live in "longhouses" and the Headman is always very happy to welcome foreigners with great courtesy.
On June 11, he is back again in Brunei where he finds his new angels Kate and Alan, Australians who are teachers in the capital, Banda Seri Begawan. A short meeting with the students of the International School, an informal visit with the Canadian High Commissioner and the activities in the capital are done. Brunei is as well a very exotic country with its "water villages", its flowery residences and its strange vegetation. People are happy to greet him on the road.
On June 18, he is back in Sarawak where there are not only "longhouses" but also "long boats" that sail on sinuous rivers and that the people call "Express". He celebrates his coming into Miri City with Yee whom he met previously in Kota Kinabalu and who offers him hospitality during his stay. Yee introduces him to the journalist Vincent Lo who in turn introduces him to mister Andy Chia, member of the Malaysian Parliament and mister Sebastian Ting who both welcome him with great attention and bring their assistance for the promotion of his mission with the media.
Our emails become less frequent because he walks in regions where access to Internet is rare. But I do allow myself a few calls on his cell phone through Skype and this is how I can update the "Route page" of his web site. During our talks, he keeps saying that Malaysians of any origin are extremely kind and obliging: "They are really sweet people and there is absolutely no problem of security here."
On July 8, a friend emails me photos of his stay in Saratok and writes: "Good luck on your mission. We are very proud being part of your route." Finally, on July 15, I get another email letting me know that Jean is in Beratok and that he has only some 35 km to go before reaching Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak where he is eagerly awaited.
Till next time...
Luce