We’re fortunate when we have a handful of people with whom we share a deep connection. Real friends – the kind we share our lives with whom we build networks of mutual support – are among the most valuable of all possible riches. They aren’t easy to come by and can’t be put on a shelf until they’re useful. Friendships are living creatures requiring nurturing, love and attention.
I take mine seriously – in part because I absolutely adore each of my friends. They each have qualities I admire, respect and appreciate. If you could bottle the essence of any one of them, the resulting elixir would cure cancer – that’s how good they are.
That’s why I feel so fortunate to have had a visit from Conlan. He is a quality human being.
Sadly, today was our last day together before he heads off to circumnavigate the globe with work duties in London and New York. The time flew by so quickly.
For the past two days, Conlan has been enjoying Langkawi – the next major island north of Penang. He was ready for a little beach time and Langkawi is famous for resorts and water sports on its white sand beaches. He treated himself to a bungalow in the jungle-filled hills overlooking sea at one of the island’s luxury resorts where he communed with the monkeys and cicadas.
This morning, I took the 8:15 hydrofoil from Penang to Langkawi so we could meet up for lunch and an afternoon hanging around the beach. Zooming through the morning sun bouncing off the turquoise waters of the Andanman Sea, the world felt and looked brilliant.
Langkawi is an entirely different Malaysia from Penang. The large verdant island is something out of a picture postcard – a vaguely familiar one. It reminded me tremendously of the islands of Southern Thailand – which of course makes sense since Satun is visible from Langkawi.
I’ve often marveled at how big a difference an artificial political line makes. With some borders not only divide countries, the differences between two sides is stark. Penang feels nothing like nearby Hat Yai and with its fantastic roads, low-key feel and perfectly modern buildings, Langkawi is another world from the Thai islands I’ve seen.
The cultural mixture of Malaysia extends right out to the island. Of course, with a far less party-oriented or party-tolerant culture, Langkawi isn’t and probably never will be one of the great party spots of Southeast Asia. What remains are astonishingly quiet beaches with resort guests laying around on lounge chairs, reading and napping in the sun.
Langkawi is exactly what so many people who mourn the overdevelopment of Thai paradise really want. It’s just that it’s in Malaysia which doesn’t sound as sexy and certainly isn’t as cheap. Somewhat counterintuitively, it’s more developed Malaysia that has the more pristine and accessible paradise.
You also have to love an island with its own royalty. Before Malaysia formed, Langkawi was its own sultanate with a large degree of freedom onset British suzerainty. The sultan remains a visible figure today. His dominion seems to live primarily off tourism as well as some minor farming. The Kenny Rogers Roasters, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, KFC and donut franchise in the main town suggest people are doing alright – at least financially.
Conlan too was doing alright. A couple of days of relaxing, decompressing and enjoying some solitude agreed with him.
We spent our last 4.5 hours taking, laughing, and exploring the beach. Naturally, he photographed all kinds of sights and details as we went along. The artist in Conlan never tires – it’s part of what I love about him. The way he sees the world compels him to study his environment and capture the beautiful, unique and interesting. Conlan documents, shares and even creates texture in the world.
There’s something tremendously mind expanding about seeing Conlan’s photos and realizing we were in the same place, chatting away – but he saw something of value at which I never would have glanced twice.
Conlan told me that he’s ready to get going. Staying still too long doesn’t suit him – he has a lot going in his work and life right now including a new apartment he hasn’t yet fully Conlanized. He always has something he’s working on – it’s his nature.
Parting with a good friend is never easy. I’ve laughed a lot during his stay and enjoyed having someone around who knows me so well and for so long. The nice part about saying goodbye to a friend like Conlan is that it just begins the process of looking forward to next time. In this case, when we arrive home in early July.
Conlan, we’ll miss you.
Sent from my iPad
