Malaysia! I’ve returned to KL for the third an final time of this trip. I spent a wonderful 6 hours hanging out in the airport till the cheap bus to the city started since I got in at 1am and couldn’t be bothered spending money on no use a hostel and a taxi (any way to save after Bali’s taxes stole a chunk of my $!)
Rambling on, I figured I should sum up my two weeks in Malaysia.
Highlights:
Perhentian Kecil Island where the beautiful, crystal clear water was so refreshing to see after many many Thai beaches where my feet disappeared in the first step. Here i could always see the bottom, regardless of how deep I went. Snorkeled for hours around the island, swimming with thousands of fish, a gorgeous spotted stingray, and though I didn’t see any, my mates saw turtles and a few reef sharks. Diving is known to be superb in the Perhentians but unfortunately my dive’s visibility was shit and the current was quite strong. We swam under the old Japanese wreck but didn’t see much. This island was tiny. Long beach had gorgeous white sand (I never wore shoes once I arrived). I stayed on this side as most backpackers do because the only nightlife on the island exists on this side. Otherwise, it’s a sweaty 20min walk through the hilly jungle where many mosquitos and huge monitor lizards hang out. Being on my own, I immediately befriended a Dutch guy on my bus and we agreed to find accommodation together (extremely difficult on weekends). He had a group of friends already there, but we still did not have a place to stay and after hours of searching both sides of the island we were ready to set up camp on the beach. Somehow last minute we found a dorm able to fit us and from there I spent my week hanging with a lot of dutchies, a few English, a Belgium, and a French Canadian. Every night was the same routine, dinner, sheesha (hookah) and drinks on the beach turned in to a party on the dance floor. Same music, same fire dancers, same people every night but I loved every minute. I even started understanding Dutch and freaked out the guys when I answered their ?s to each other. I was suppose to relax, drink minimum, and practice yoga heaps but hey when you meet such a great group you enjoy it because there’s a good chance you’ll never see them again (although I’m already planning my trip to Amsterdam).
Penang – delicious, cheap hawker (street vendor) food. Casey and I tackled Gurney Drive for their night market and as it poured we ran from umbrella to umbrella trying all of Malaysia famous dishes (well I got to try all the veggie ones). For $.30 I had the best fresh squeezed oj of my life served in a bag. One night in a nice dorm, the next night a super cheap room, just $6.33 for the both of us since we had to leave super early for the Cameron Highlands. I don’t think Casey was too happy, the bed barely fit in the windowless room, water leaked on one side of the room, not touching our things not the bed but I don’t think Cas slept much. As long as I have a fan and there aren’t any bed bug signs I’m happy. There’s rarely a room or bathroom I’m afraid of after my time in India and if I can save a few bucks to experience more, have a good meal, or some beers at the end of the night I’m going to take it.
Cameron Highlands – beautiful cool weather that for the first time in a month didn’t make us sweat. Jeans and a t were comfortable during the day and sweats were needed to keep us warm at night. The highlands are famous for their all-year round strawberry picking, huge tea farms, mossy forests, and yummy honey. I enjoyed all of its perks during Cas and I’s trek to the highest peak. Worth the view and the experience. We chose to hitchhike around the highlands to experience all the fun without having to buy in an overpriced tour. Honestly, my favorite was the Indian food. The thosais, banana leaf thalis, and the tandoori naan made my mouth water. I quickly found the best one in town and went twice a day. I knew all the staff in 3 days and I was sad to say g’bye. Cas headed to Singapore and Bali, I stuck around for another day before heading to the Perhentians and accidentally leaving my Nike runners at the hostel. Oh the things I have left all over Asia, I swear you could recover an item of mine in every city I visited.
Kuala Lumpur – not much to say about this polluted, smoggy city but nothing was ever dull with the dutchies. Walked around the golden triangle, ate and drank in Chinatown, and my favorite part was when we went to clubbing to the hottest spot in KL. It was the first time on the trip getting properly ready for a night out, the boys cleaned up nicely and we got good and drunk beforehand. We rocked up as Mercedes, lamborghinis, and many more luxury cars were pouring in. We had to buy a bottle of belvedere between the 5 of us and we danced till 5+am? I remember many dance-offs with the Malaysians, laughing and smiling nonstop, and per usual making friends with the djs. Great way to end the trip with the guys I met, and experience a true night out in a big Asian city.
Now I’m back in KL after Bali, but just for 40 some hours to meet Chris (mate from Lucky Coq) before we head to Taiwan. It’s the Fourth of July and I haven’t slept in 27 hours so I apologize for this post being all over the place, but I’m sorta crazed at the moment. Trying to sleep but really just want start pounding Budweisers! Anyway Happy 4th my American friends! Cheers x
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