Tag Archives: #underwaterbliss

Mola Mola

2007 mola and diver

Time to jump in and enjoy being in my element for a couple weeks……… hovering in the deep blue, riding the currents, and gliding soundlessly (except for Darth Vader like noises from my regulator) along coral reefs, in search of elusive creatures.

I came face to face with my first Mola Mola in Crystal Bay off of Nusa Lembongan in 2007. After this photo was taken, the large fish swam past us close enough to touch. I looked into its eye which was easily the size of a small plate. What I saw in there had me spellbound for a moment. An abundance of soul, curiosity, kindness, and wisdom, as old as the ages.

So now I’ll be offline for a bit, off to see if I can find this big guy again (or another one of its kind). All the best to all of you! I’ll be resurfacing beginning of May 🙂

Indian Ocean Mementos

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Just yesterday, I re-discovered this picture from 2008. It used to be posted on the staff board of the Maldivian dive center where I spent four profoundly inspiring years. Consequently, today, I am feeling even more nostalgic than usual about those turquoise years. Let me share another little tidbit from my book with you from those times:

“With my clumsiness gone, water became my ally. Amidst the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean, I gracefully floated, somersaulted, vaulted, stopped, and turned at my leisure. I was weightless and graceful in body – yet even more important, I was weightless and graceful in soul as well. This was the true sanctuary I had always searched and hoped for.

In addition to the Indian Ocean wrapping its strong, tender arms around me, I was blown away by the underwater life. Now that my uncoordinated struggles didn’t scare them into flight anymore, most reef inhabitants ignored my presence entirely. During every dive, hundreds of brightly-colored, graceful creatures went about their daily routines without so much as a glance towards the little guy hovering peacefully in front of them with a tank on his back. My first encounters with fully grown sharks took my breath away. Amazingly, while immersed in the Big Blue, I wasn’t scared of anything – respectful yes, but not fearful. I felt at home.”

If you want to dive in deeper, you can find Paralian in all major online book stores (Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith, Google ebooks, Apple iBooks, Nook, Kobo, etc. as well as directly from my publisher, Troubador), or you can have your local book store order it… What better time to let yourself be whisked away on an odyssey than the middle of summer?

This Week’s Eclectic Media Buffet

2016 Bibimbap in London-small

What an eclectic mix on my interview menu in London this week!

On Tuesday, I had a lovely chat with Rosie Hopgood from the Sunday Mirror. We met at the London Aquarium, enchanted by the many sharks and stingrays circling us lazily while we talked.

Wednesday morning started out with a pre-recording for the “Global Village” show of Newstalk Radio Ireland. Aoife Breen was a pleasure to connect with. After the energetic radio interview breakfast, I went on to a journalistic lunch. Back under the watchful London Eye, I met with the fabulous Nick Hoare from Gay Times. We chatted for a long time and it was a true pleasure!

Thursday morning, I was up early to go to yet another promising on air breakfast. I went to the BBC studios in London for a live link-up with BBC Leicester. Great and fitting to have this opportunity, since my publisher is based in Leicester. The 20 min interview with Jonathan Lampon was in-depth and refreshing. I did find myself giggling uncontrollably when I left the studio however. All had gone so well until our goodbyes when Jonathan asked me to pop into the studio sometime for a visit, and wished me well. I had started stuttering on air, “Thanks… ahem… b… bye… I make… I’ll make sure to do that.” It was very funny. I’m still ages away from being the suave, routined interviewee. But then that’s ok. I’m enjoying how new and exhilarating every single media experience is, and I am sure my listeners can feel my honest and genuine enthusiasm.

Thursday evening was the highlight of my media buffet. I was invited to chat with Lizzie Cundy on Radio FUBAR. My flight out of London was booked for that evening but I had made a last minute decision and changed my flight home to Friday instead to be able to honour the invitation. It was the best decision. The interview was extensive. Lizzie was open-minded, positively beaming, and an immensely charming host. It was the first radio interview during which I was also able to talk more in-depth about my teenage experiences, my adoption, travels and many other elements of my life journey. Our talk was truly not just transgender and very much reflected the positive, diverse nature of my book.

Overall a week to be remembered. I’m leaving London enriched, bursting with new impressions and experiences. It was a true privilege to meet this broad spectrum of dedicated, compassionate media professionals!

Underneath the Wings of Stingrays


Having a fresh mint tea – a well deserved treat after heroically queuing for an hour in the rain to get tickets for the London aquarium. In a little while I’ll head over there for the next treat: a chat with a journalist about Paralian underneath the gently undulating wings of stingrays…

Paralian: Not Just Transgender – Book Release Week – Author Interview Opportunities

BOOK LAUNCH RELEASE WEEK Paralian: Not just transgender By Liam Klenk Author interview opportunities: Liam Klenk is currently flying into London from Zurich and will be in the UK as part of his book launch press tour and available for face-to-face, telephone and in-studio interviews this week (30th May to 3rd June).

Read full press release here: Paralian: Not Just Transgender – Book Release Week – Author Interview Opportunities

Syndicated Interview With Liam Klenk

Author of Paralian: Not Just Transgender (Memoir, Paperback, 28th May 2016)
When did you first sit down to write your memoir?
In my head I’ve been writing for more than 10 years. Resting in bed, on public transportation, whenever I had a minute to reflect I’d catch myself writing paragraphs for my book. I actually sat down to physically write it in October 2013 on Lamma Island in Hong Kong.

Read more directly at the source. Thanks so much to my great PR company LiterallyPR!

Syndicated Interview With Liam Klenk

Enjoy the Bubbles!

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Whether in the ocean or just in your glass of champagne, enjoy the bubbles and celebrate a blissful holiday season!
Paralian, Santa and a Manta are wishing you a Merry Christmas!
‪#‎Paralian‬ ‪#‎LiamKlenk‬ ‪#‎notjusttrans‬ ‪#‎merrychristmas‬ ‪#‎underwaterbliss‬