May 11, 2013
So I'm riding in a bus through Tennessee on my way to Miami
Bay Beach. It's nice and green. Mountains everywhere. The 6 lane freeway is
flowing smooth and fast. The A/C is blasting on the bus. A line of
Lamborghini's zips past. Everyone is staying in their lanes. We stop at a real
rest area for a pee and a snack...
... oh wait. Are we on the left side of the road? Is that
sign in a different language? And did my driver nearly get in a fight with a
passenger.
Yes indeed, I'm in Malaysia folks!
Been here for a few days and have to say that I'm suprised
at how modern everything is. Subways. El-trains. Monorails. Roads that are
actually wide enough for cars to go each way. Bullet trains. High rises.
Shopping malls with all the boutique stores. A movie theater showing Iron Man 3
(for $4 or $7.50 in 3d). (I almost went but it didn't time out right!) A
surprising lack of smokers. And just about the most diversity I've ever seen.
When I got on the subway in Kuala Lumpur (KL) the cross section of Malays,
Indians, Chinese, Muslims, folks in shorts and T-shirts, in mini-skirts, the
combo was pretty awesome.
I landed at the airport and it was as nice as any I've seen.
I rode a bullet train into town. My hostel was slick and modern.
I spent my one day in KL going to the Batu caves, which are
a holy Hindu sight with 260 stairs and the largest statue of Murga in the
world. There's also a Dark Cave that has a good eco tour with a great guide who
tells you all about it. I wanted to go spelunking, but haven't found a place to
do that yet.
The rest of the day I spent in and around the Patronas
Towers. Eventually going up to the sky-bridge and the 86th floor observation
deck at sunset. It was cool to be able to have a view of the city, and the
mirror image building that you're in. Usually you can't do that from a big
observation deck. Really cool.
Officially Malaysia is an Islamic country, though there is
freedom of religion, so there are many Hindu, Confuscionists, Taoists and even
some Christians too. It's the first place I've been that had a sign "No
Indecent Behavior" and a silhouette of a couple kissing on the subway. And
at the beach. And the national park. Seriously: DO NOT KISS each other. Jeez
people. Way to risque!
I took a bus up to Georgetown, which sort of feels like New
Orleans. With tight streets and colonial archetecture, albeit British and not
French. There are tons of flop houses, bars, reggae places and things to do. At
first I thought: hmmmm, not so sure about this, it feels kinda junky. But it
grew on me fast. Especially when I found a private room with AC! and fan! and
bathroom! for $15USD! wooo! It ain't a palace, but that AC is cranked!
Met some folks who are biking from Germany to Australia.
Yep. And another biker going from Indonesia to Japan. Biking. Crazy! That'd be
an adventure. It was fun to drink Tiger Beer and swap stories.
And we also had Nyonya food. It's a local food that exists
pretty much here and is HOLY COW GOOD!! Really tasty. Panang (the island
Georgetown is on) is known for it's awesome food. I'm looking forward to trying
more.
TOday I rented a scooter and cruised to the National Park.
The scooter guy was this cantankerous Chinese/Malaysian man who was so funny.
He talked fast and was crassy. Enjoyed it.
I met some other travelers and we hiked through the jungle
for 1 1/2 hours to Turtle beach (which had Turtles. They're under protecxtion
and being prepped for release). Then took a boat to Monkey beach (which had no
monkeys). Hmmmm. Couldn't swim to deep because of jellyfish, but it was
beautiful nonetheless.
Malaysia is an interesting place. Looking forward to seeing
more. Mountains and the deep deep Jungle.
CraigO
