Vacation Goals

When I left for this trip I set two goals form myself: loose 6 pounds and read 6 books. Well, since I hardly do anything durng the day but sit around and read, I am working hard on those 6 books, but can't say that I've lost a single pound. As I begin to dive more, I hope the activity will help shed those pounds. In the meantime, and am cracking down on those books and I am well on my way...

Life on the Perhentians

I have been here a few days now and they seem to just go by. I have not done much of anything, as I am trying to take care of my foot. (unfortuneately, my scrapes did get infected and I am working to get rid of the infection) Considering I have not dove at all yet, I am quite happy.

Each morning I go down and have breakfast overlooking the sea. I read in the restaurant where it is cool and shady. I will sometimes get on the internet to check email or make travel plans (mostly research as I have made no plans to leave the island as of yet). Sometime after 12, I go to my room, sublock up, and go to a chaise on the beach under a palm tree. I read there for the rest of the afternoon.

I frequently have to go up to my room, as I am drinking about 2-4 liters of water each day. On my walk, I usually encounter a salamander of varying sizes hidden within the path. Sometime in the late afternoon I have lunch, curry or mee gorgen (fried noodles), when I get hungry. The sun hits my chair around 3:30-4 and then I have to cover up and add more sunblock. I continue to read until 6:30ish, when I go take my shower and get ready for dinner.

I eat either at my accomodation, or I walk down the beach to one of the restaurants on the sand at the other end. Often I will make a peach Vodka cocktail with the bottle I got at duty free. After dinner I go back to read a bit before bed. I must take down all the bathingsuits, towels and sarongs off the line becuase it seems to rain in the middle of each night. I have already lost a shirt to the mud from the prevailing winds.

I know it doesn't seem like much, but it is surprisingly relaxing. Today I went for my first snorkel (without fins), and I am confident I will dive tomarrow. The hard part is, unless you are in the water, it is virtually imposible to be in the sun from 11-3 becuase it is sooooooooo, soooooooooo hot. I think I will be hear 9-10 days or so, as it has taken me a bit to get into the water. Plus, the accomodation is quite nice, the food is good, and life on the island is quite agreeable.

Traveling to the Perhentians

I woke up about 4:15 to catch a taxi to Sentral Station. He only charged about 15 or 20 RM which I felt was a good price at 4:30 in the morning. I then got on the bus to go to the Air Asia, Lost Cost Terminal. This was a place I new very well. However, it was great not sleeping there and having enough money to get a tea before my flight. I flew to Kota Bahru, at the northeast corner of Malaysia. I then needed to get a taxi to the little town of kuala Besut to get the boat to the islands. I asked a couple to share a taxi with us. They turned out to be French and Marc, who speaks fluent French, chatted with them throughout the 45 minute drive.

The little town was more like a corner. Unknowingly, we got dropped off by and at a little travel shop. We booked our boat tickets from them and then discussed accomadation on the island. the woman rang up a few places we were considering and "booked" us a room. I thought I had made it clear that I wanted the ability to move if I did not like it. Well, the next thing I knew, Marc had paid 90 RM for the room and that was that.

The boat ride over was quite bumpy, and we dropped all the other passengers off before we made it to Long Beach on the Kecil (the small island). We had seen all the beaches on both islands and I felt that we got a fairly nice free tour. We had to pay a local water taxi 2 RM each to take us from the boat to the island. We grabed our backpacks and found our bungalow.

Upon entrance, we were not impressed. It was hot, stuffy, and the electricity & fan were not working at the time. Rather than figure it out, as I was starving and marc was sweaty, we headed to the beach to get lunch and check out other acomodation options that we could get the following day. Long Beach was quite busy, and full of young backpackers nursing hangovers. We traveresed the length of the beach and stopped for a bite to eat. Nothing seemed to catch our fancy.

We decided to head across the island to the smaller beach, Coral Bay, to check it out. The walk was about 1-2 km, up and then down a rocky path. I spoke with a man who make spiritual waks throughout India, I guess for a living. Although, when I asked him if that paid well, he just laughed. We started checking our accomadation on Coral Bay, but did not look to seriously at any one place. When we got to the end of the short beach, I finally went up to reception at one place with a big restaurant to inquire about availability and cost. They showed us a room with an ocean view, hot water, and air con for 75 RM a night. We were very interested. After chatting with an instructor at the attached dive shop, we decided to move that day and "eat" the cost of the room we had already paid for.

We quickly walked back arcoss the island and grabed our packs. He hoped to catch a water taxi back around the island. But while we thought it would cost 10 RM, it actually cost 20 RM each. Since we had already spent an extra 90 Rm on a room we were not going to use, we decided we needed to suck it up and walk the 2-3 kms with our pack back over the hill. It was so hot and we were pouring sweat. But we made it and were rewarded with air con and a quiet, relaxing evening. I went to bed just before 7 pm, as it had been quite a busy day and the jet lag was still catching up with me.

I awoke to sit out on the porch looking at the sea. I realized this would be a place I could stay for quite some time.

My Day in KL

I finally spent an entire day in KL.... no sleeping on the ground outside the domestic airport, no geting lost in Chinatown drinking in a regae bar.... I actually saw the cool parts of the city.

My day started nice and early, only to discover that I had a view of the Petronas Towers from my room (I guess I had never looked to the right the day before). I woke up about 7 am, I'd like to think from excitement, but I think it was from jet lag combined with the fact I went to bed at 7 pm. I was excited and eager to go to the Petronas Towers. I have been waiting to see them for about a year now, but it is rather tricky. They begin handing out the 1400 free tickets at 9 am.... after those tickets are gone, you have to come back the next day. The line usually form around 8 am. So I had my free breakfast (tea, fake OK that tastes like Sunny D, scrambled eggs, toast, baked beans, and sausage which was really just an overcooked hot dog). Then I go in a taxi and paid 10 Rm for the 5 minute ride which went in circles the 2-4 km to the towers.

The line was alreay long, but I was hopeful. After about 25 min., I got a voucher that entitled me to a ticket. When I got my ticket it said to come back at 11:45. I began looking around the visitor center, then a man came up to me and asked if I wanted to go right then... of course I went. The whole experience was only about 30 min. We watched a propoganda video about Petronas (the oil company) and their 'vision' of Malaysia. I then waited in line to go through security, then the whole group (about 20+) went in the elevator and went up together. we only could go to the Skybridge on the 41st floor. The ride to less than 40 seconds. The bottom story of the double decker bridge was for tourists only. We had about 10-15 minutes to take pictures. It was kinda foggy/hazy but I didn't care. The whole building was so amazing.

At the bottom I walked around the entire complex and took pictures from every angle imaginable. It was quite sunny then and the building sparkled. I then got in a taxi and went to the KL Tower to look at the city and the towers from a higher vantage point. That tower is the 4th tallest tower in the world; it cost 20 Rm to go up. It was VERY hazy at the top and the towers looked ond and faded, but I was still quite happy to see the city, my hotel, and other places I recognized.

Once on the bottom, I decided to same some cash and walk to a recomended restaurant in Little India. The walk was good, I found the spot that the restaurant should have been, but not the intended cafe. I did find another Indian restaurant that was quite good and it was fun to walk around the area. By this point, my foot was killing me and the bandages were getting quite gross from the humidity. A taxi ride home was the answer; it turned out to be a great decidsion.

I bartered with the driver for a lower rate in Malay (same as Indoesian). It turn out he was Chinese and a HUGE Bush fan. It was halarious. In this area, the Chinese and the local Indians have very little rights and are not considered Malay... only Muslims can be Malay. Well this man had a VERY strong adversion to Muslims and did not think their practicies and descriminations against other races and religions were fair. He was quite please that Bush was making war with the Muslims to put them in their place. I could not stop chuckling and the only thing I could do to calm him down was to promise never to marry a Muslim so that my children would not be Muslim.

Along the way, we drove by a great area of town with a variety of restaurants and bars close to the hotel. I probably would not have ventured that way without seeing it from the taxi. So, after a 4 hour jet lag nap, I walked back over to restaurant row. The options were endless: japanese, Chinese, a Brittish Fish n' chips place, Lebones, Brazilian, Italian, French, South American.... I finally picked a Thai place and had THE MOST AMAZING green curry I have ever eaten. I was very happy. After dinner, I opted for internet instead of drinks b/c I had to get up at 4:15 to catch a plane up to Kota Baru to head for the Perinthean Islands. My first full day in KL was great!!!!

KL: Arrival and Public Transport into the city

I arrived in KL with enthusiasim and confidence. There was 1 group of 4 "white" girls on the plane (US or Canadian). I quickly realized I was already much better off than they were. I asked them a few questions about landing cards and ATMs, just to see their experience. I was initially confused as I did not need to fill out a landing card, not were any such cards anywhere to be seen. In the past, they have let me in, no problem, but I have always needed to fill out a little form stating my flight and passport #. Here, I simply gave the customs officers my passport, said hello, and he gave it back. Entance KL!

In the arrival hall, I stopped at Duty Free to pick up a bottle of wine for my friend Marc's 30th. The selection was slim and shitty, so I got a bottle of Absolut for $10. I figured it would last longer and it cost about the same as any of the bottles in the store. I then bumped into the white girls who were having a horrible time getting money- they didn't, but the ATM gave me 500 RM (about $180) no problem.

I got my bag and a ticket on the KL Ekpress, a 28 minute direct train ride into KL Sentral... the same bus/train station I encountered last summer. The ride cost me 35 RN (or $10) The man at the ticket booth said I would have to go outside to catch the monorail to the area of the city I was staying, Jl Bewkit Bintang (litteral translation: Street Hill Star). There are about 5 public train/monorail systems/lines in the city, however none of them are connected so it is often much easier to take a taxi.

Upon arrival, I walked around the station trying to get my bearrings and see if I could find a sign for the Monorail. I saw ticket booths for two other train lines, and finaly understood where I had walked in my drunken/hungover state last summer at 4 am trying to take the bus to the domestic airport. I asked a woman at a ticket counter which way it was to the monorail; she said "outside." I went outside and discovered I was on the 2nd floor of an 'arrivals' area.... no monorail in sight. I walked 1/4 around the building and entered from another door. I asked another man where to find the Monorail. He repiled, "outside." I Asked "where outside." To which he said I had to go down the stairs and then ask someone down there where to go next. I had seen those stairs... the sign said it was the way to the bus stop. Either way I followed his advice. As soon as I got down stairs a woman from the bus company said, the monorail is donw the footpath. I started walking down the median btween the Taxi pick-up and the bus drop off. I got to the end. No monorail. I began to walk back, really wanting to get in a Taxi. The taxi would have been about 10-15 RM ($2-3) depending on my bartering skills (which at that time would have been useless due to my frustration, sweaty state, and overall level of tiredness) I knew the monorail would have been less than 2Rm (<$1). I began to take a look at the big picture. On the other side of a little "market" I saw a raised platform... my beloved Monorail. Why didn't she say "Turn down into the lane with all the shops / stalls / people trying to sell you crap" I knew I would have walked right there.

From there I got on the Monorail and took about a 10 minute ride with 5 short stops. It winded throughout the city and dropped me off less than 2 KM from the train staition; but it was much better than walking. Plus, one of the stops was the final scene from Entrapment whent Sean Connery tricked the police and got on the monorail and got away. I was very excited. The walk was about 2 minutes and 2 Starbucks from the Monorail stop. I made it to my hotel and into my room within 2 hours of landing on the runway. I was very pleased with myself and my abilities not to take the easy way out. I spent 36.90 RM ($11) and made it on my own. I know 3 years ago upon arrival in Bangkok, my 1st trip to SE Asia, I quickly opted for the$30+ taxi ride. I think I have come a long way!!!

In Transit... Alive and Kicking

I have arrived in Tapei and have about an hour to catch my flight to Kuala Lumpar. The flight was long, very uneventful, and passed quite pleasently. I feel like I have been here and done this before. Oh wait, I have. During my first trip to Southeast Asia back in 2005, I took this same China Airlines flight to Tapei, only I transfered to Bangkok. I have met quite a few travellers who are doing that journey today.

It is quite a wonder how I even made it here. Some may know quite well my final 24+ hours in California before I left. Let's recap to make this at least somewhat interesting. Names, events, numbers, and sheer obsurdity have not been changed so that you can understand the full picture of my current mental state.

Friday 4:35: am finished with work (well most of it); go to parking garage to leave and find out I am blocked in by Soojin, Eddie, and James: These are the only vehicles in the entire garage. So I go upstairs to find Soojin, and I find Rebecca trying to leave, but has about 3 trips worth of boxes to carry down... decide to help her. I finally leave school and start getting ready for going away party. Have diner then Meghan and I decide the orange Jello Shots are better so we start eating as many as we can before our friends arrive. During the Party we play paddle ball in living room, have jello shots, have dance party, eat more jello shots, I eat the hidden orange jello shots, then we all make a mass exedous to Main Street. At Henessy's Shane charges me $25 for 3 Red Headed Sluts and Captain Nate is convined the price should have been $0. After 12+ Jello shots I decide its not important; the heavy rock band and dancing with Emily and Vicki are important. Sometime after 1 am I go home, decide to ride my scooter and promptly take a face plant to the side walk. Multiple scratches, brusies and bloodblisters are my reward.

I manage to get out of bed by 10:30 on Sat. Limping and trying to balance out my blood sugar levels take priority to packing. Who would have thought sugar free jello would have caused so much damage??? I have to do 4 load of laudry, meet Dani for lunch, go to the bank for $$$$, hit up CVS, and pack. Well we had boat plans for 2:30 and packing got postponed. We finally got to take a ride with the boys/owners of Corks Away (Shane & Capt Nate). We had so much fun, wine, swimming, pictures, munchies, Hard Lemonade.... the 2 hour tour lasted 4+. We got back and I still had to pack and be at a BBQ at that time. Meghan went, I packed (with Dani's expert and drunk help) and said goodbye to the boys. Needless to say, I was quite late for dinner at Uncle Kevin's & Aunt Jane's. I got there just in time for pie. Erin Drove me to LAX with a brief detour to my house to drop off a car. I had left my swimsuit, dive book and card, and Indo dictionary. Got those and went on my way. I spent 2 hours Standing in line after line, after line at LAX. AHHHH!!! All I wanted to do was sleep. I made it on the plane only to realize that I really did forget my toothbrush and my sarongs. Sleep was more important.

So here I am in Tiwan, waiting to catch the next plane. This airport was only slightly amusing the first time in 2005, as I had gotten lost. Now, I know exactly where I am and I am quite board. The aching srapes and bruises down my legs don't help either. At least I found some free internet!!!! More importantly, as least I seem to be alive. After 24 hours of partying in Seal Beach, a forgien country where you don't speak the language halfway around the world seems like a breeze!