Jul 22, 2012 - taman negara elephaant sanctuary

well had a interesting day today went on a day trip up to the highlands about2 hours N E of K.L up in the jungle their little of the old jungle left first the rubber trees and now palm oil trees are taking over, the tea plantations are further north in the highlands. It is ramadan over here so most of the drivers don't eat from before sun up till after the sun goes down . it is the first time i done over 400 ks with a driver nearly asleep the whole time from lack of food and water.made the day interesting as their was cars,buses and trucks...

Jul 21, 2012 - Big island time

As the islands are so small you can actually see the location where you are going and all you have to do is negotiate a rate with one of the water taxis, we got one to take us over to the big island for 40 ringgit, about £8 so not too bad. The driver as usual was a bit of a nutter and the bat did not seem to be on an even keel and so it was a bit of a hairy ride over there. We got dropped off right on the beach and our resort was literally on the beach. As we were the first ones to arrive that day, the owner put us in a chalet right on the...

Jul 18, 2012 - small before big we say

We had tried to book some accommodation when we were in Langkawi for the Perhentian islands but there was so much choice and each time I phoned one up or tried to book it online they were full and it was the start of the peak season so we decided to go to a travel agent close to the islands and let them do it. In the end we got a deal which included a taxi pick up from the airport, the ferry over to the islands, 5 nights on the small island, 4 nights on the big island, the ferry back to the mainland and another taxi to the airport all for...

Mar 23, 2012 - Langkawi

21 March I don't really know what I expected from Langkowi but it wasn't this. We went to Borneo to see pristine forests and wildlife and actually we have probably seen as much if not more here!! It's a really beautiful archipelago of islands with Karst mountains that soar up from the sea covered with verdant jungle. Yesterday we hired a car (very cheap and there is no public transport) and drove all around the main island where all the accommodation is based. What we really need though is a sailing boat to discover all the uninhabited...

Feb 22, 2012 - Pulau Perhentian Kecil ** Malaysia blog **

Skipping South Thailand as we had originally planned, we made a bee-line for the beach in Malaysia to warm our bones after chilly North Vietnam. En route we stopped off at a relatively unremarkable town on the East coast called Khotu Bharu which was none the less an introduction to Muslim society in Malaysia, an interesting contrast to what we’d seen to date in Asia. A highlight was also the night market – probably one of the few we’ve seen that makes absolutely no concessions to tourists and is all the better for it. Our first taste of...

Oct 7, 2011 - Arrival

After almost 31 hours of traveling, I finally made it to my hotel. I am going to recap my adventures so far, then go to bed! I have an 11AM flight tomorrow morning, so I will need to be up around 8AM. On Thursday morning my SuperShuttle was at my house at 2AM! In hindsight getting to the airport over three hours early for my flight was probably a little too cautious, but oh well. The flight from DC to JFK was uneventful, and then I had a three hour layover. It was a good amount of time because I to change terminals and go through security...

Aug 26, 2011 - Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang) Mountaineering Experience

This is my first mountaineering experience in Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang is what it is called in Malay). This place is located in Ledang district of Malaysia between the border of Muar and Malacca. This mountain is the most climbed mountain in Malaysia. When I went there on 26 Aug 2011, the camping is prohibited due to the death of campers who were crushed by falling trees and the trail from CP7 to the Summit is blocked for the same reason (by the way CP is nothing but Check Point and there are 7 of them on the way to Summit starting from 1...

Apr 7, 2011 - Perhentian Islands

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Some people describe the Perhentian Islands as paradise found. There are two main islands Kecil (Small) and Besar (Big). Kecil is popular with the younger backpacker crowd but for those looking for better accommodation and a quieter atmosphere, Besar is the island they should choose. There is a narrow strait between the two islands and boats will carry guests between the two if they are not pleased with the island they picked sight unseen. The high season for the islands is between May and September. Everything pretty...

Feb 28, 2011 - A Life on the Ocean Wave

As you see today's effort is another water-based adventure(I feel like Mark Twain).Every time we go anywhere near water Elaine wants to go on some kind of boat,which fills my heart with dread. However much I love being by the sea it scares the Bejesus out of me. So with heart in mouth and much trepidation, I agreed to hiring a canoe for the day, along with snorkelling equipment. Anyone watching us must have enjoyed the sight of the two of us trying to get in a canoe on the move,it wasn't pretty.Once ensconced, directing the thing took a...

Feb 27, 2011 - Consequences

Just to set things straight from the "off" its me(Theo) writing today's blog(I tend to ramble-doing it already). Our second day on the Island was spent on a snorkelling expedition.It began with a light breakfast(not knowing how the sea and our stomachs would react to each other)of another Roti Canai(thanks Beth)and then onto the boat. We were joined by a Scandinavian couple(8 month honeymoon) and a young Chinese couple. Our guide, a local man, did a great job of trying to keep us all happy over the space of the day.He promised us 5 sites...

Feb 24, 2011 - Taman Negera to Perhentian Islands

Left the Rainforest yesterday and took the 9 and a half hour bus journey to the jetty at Kuala Besut, and from there, a boat journey over to the Perhentian Islands. We'll never forget our time in the Taman Negera for many different reasons. Being woken up at 6 by the most beautiful melodious singing as the Muslim call to prayer is relayed over the loudspeakers. Seeing monkeys and wild boar and lizards in the grounds of the resort, balancing across the wooden planks to get into the floating restuarant, (the only way in and out), and meeting...

Feb 22, 2011 - Taman Negara

Journey to Taman negara national park. What can we say? Challenging and amazing. The bus journey was hot long and tedious. 2 hour wait in Jerantut for the boat-must be the hottest, sleepiest town in Asia. Boat trip was beautiful at first, the river bank stretched either side, we saw a baby crocodile swimming along, and lots of laughing brown children. After a while, the numb bum and terrific heat got to us, and we were glad to get off. Fortunately we'd booked into a fantastic resort across the river, and are staying in a lovely chalet with...