Apr 12, 2013 - Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia

I don’t know exactly what we expected from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, but what I saw was not it! The city of Kuala Lumpur was about an hour drive from the port where the shipped docked. During the drive in we saw no trash, no poor housing areas, no folks living and begging on the streets that was common in Cambodia and such. We saw a very modern society much like any city USA. They have basically built this growing economic stronghold in the 40 years since they defeated the communists! Amazing! If not for the historic Mosques and temples...

Apr 12, 2013 - Penang, Malaysia

Penang is known as the northern gateway to Malaysia and also the country’s oldest British settlement. The word “Penang” in Malay refers to the areca nut palm which produces the beetle nut, an essential delicacy chewed by millions in the Far East. This island became famous for its many unique and abundance of spices and its perfect location on the spice route between the west and China. So what did we do…of course we went to a spice farm and cooking school utilizing the many local spices grown on the farm. We went to the largest spice farm...

Apr 8, 2013 - Malaysia - 08/4-28/4

13/4/13 - With no visa left & Langkawi only 45mins away from Ko Lipe, it seemed the sensible option to come here even though I was here in January. I've now been here for a few days, having to make the most of the beach (of course!) & planning my next move. Keith & i have said our goodbyes this morning & he's left for Thailand for the water festival as his end of trip clock is ticking but I'm going to hang around in Malaysia for a little while. Ciao Hun, enjoy the rest of your travels, keep in touch & stay safe! & then there was one. Ok,...

Mar 26, 2013 - Perth to Kuala Lumpur

Quite a wild night with wind & rain & a very cool day for this area. Spent the morning washing & packing up then Neil drove me to the airport. Went to the Malaysian Airways Business Class lounge & had a glass of champagne (also the first of many, I'm sure). Just ready to board our flight now. Arrived safely in KL, 2 minutes late. Just had a shower & change of clothes so I'm ready for another 13+ hours in the air & maybe another glass of champagne. It's a tough life.

Mar 26, 2013 - On my way ...

A hanging around day today - flight to Korea not until 23:30 ish & I had to vacate my special room @ 13:00. Additional layers of clothing, heavy fleece, jacket, gloves, socks at the ready. 0 degrees in Seoul last night. Another surprise for breakfast this morning: freshly juiced celery & orange juice. Mix to your own taste. I did ! Went off to Asian shopping mall over the road in search of a watch I can read. I found one but we couldn't agree a price - now I know what to look for & hopefully cheaper in Sth Korea or China. Then off to...

Mar 25, 2013 - Shopping

Foogasmic Bircher Muesli with fresh fruit and sunflower seeds. Breakfast to die for. Everything. What d'you want ? It's here: Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, European. I followed with a spicy omlette and waffles with syrup. Who knows when I'll get this again ? Oh yes ... I know. Tomorrow. (Hmm - too much sugar in the muesli. Why am I surprised ? This is Malaysia afterall.) I decided to hot foot it to the Petronas Towers. What I didn't know was (1) there is no access on Mondays and (2) the main attraction is a huge shopping centre on five...

Mar 24, 2013 - Respite

I had decided to keep these two or three days in KL to "recover" from Burma and get myself sorted before flying off to Seoul for the next trip. So, this morning: techie stuff. Catching up on my journal, seeing why PayPal won't process payments (it really does want to check me out and is taking it's time giving approval for payments) and goodness only knows what. I was doing well until the leather pedestal chair slipped from beneath me depositing me very hard on the marble floor of the Business Centre I was in. Very painful. Everyone ran...

Mar 23, 2013 - Burma farewells

Departure day. Some have gone off to the beach already, most of us going to Yangon to return to UK, USA or Australia. The last stayers came to wave us off which was nice. A reasonable start and check in … until it seems both Haymar and I had got me there one day early ! No great problem – changed the flight for $30 and I’m on my way. Next problem: where to sleep in KL ? Urgent email to Trailfinders despite the fact it is Saturday to see if they can book my hotel for an additional night. Uneventful flight, lots of goodbyes at KL airport and...

Feb 21, 2013 - Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

If you are standing in the middle of KLCC tired of walking around (or tired of going from one shop to another) just looking for a place to relax but too tired to leave the city How about a garden with a lake? Where would you find such a place in a very noisy and busy environment like KL? Then set the course towards the lake of Titiwangsa Water, flowers, trees and birds… birds mean REAL birds :) just make your stress fly away. I will make it short before you get bored he he he No need of a compass it’s a famous landmark in KL yet it is...

Feb 3, 2013 - Stargazing in langkawi

The people who i met in this journey simply made me realize how friendly and caring they are.Our holiday was something different than the usual island hopping, sea bathing, boat riding and the rest .Me and my wife thought of exploring langkawi by driving around the whole island and getting to know the places that everyday traveler might miss and so we did.We rented a car for three days and when we reached the jetty the car was already there and there was no hassle in running around trying to argue and look for cheap rentals or hires.From...

Jan 4, 2013 - Malaysia - 4/1-11/1

& then there were two.... 10/1/13 - Langkawi - Not sure this was on my list of places to come as previously done the best parts of Malaysia but here I am. After the madness of the festive season all I've wanted to do is just shut down & recharge, so here I am in Langkowi for some r & r in a bungalow on the back of a beautiful beach, it's perfect. (Did have a little moan last night though that there wasn't enough life here!) Moving on to Penang in the next couple of days to stay with a friend of a friend & then on to The Philippines at the...

Nov 20, 2012 - Kuala Lumpur

Spent a week in KL, catching up with Peter’s brother Kim and his neighbour Ferdie, for four days, who were on their way back from Sri Lanka. In the special way things play out in Asia every single outing Peter planned, every food stall we wanted Kim to try, every bloody excursion just stuffed up. Either the planned bus didn't arrive, we got on the wrong train or the many long-awaited food vendors were on holidays or had the day off. Peter was very disappointed as we do know KL very well and it was a beautiful opportunity to show off – HA!...