May 28, 2005
Kota Bharu, the Islamic City
(Day 100) Can you believe it? Here I am, on what could be set of the next Temptation Island (by the way, did that show ever make it to season two?), and I would only stay one day.
Continue reading "Kota Bharu, the Islamic City"
Posted by markyiin at 06:44 AM | Comments (4)
May 27, 2005
A vacation from my vacation
(Day 99) The Perhentian Islands, home to arguably Malaysia's finest beaches. Water the color of precious gems, sand as fine as Angelina Jolie. A beach lover's dream, really.
Continue reading "A vacation from my vacation"
Posted by markyiin at 10:54 AM | Comments (7)
Breakfast in the highlands, dinner on the beach.
(Day 98) I came to the Cameron Highlands with the intention of staying only two nights. James and Yvonne's hospitality made me stay for five. A home away from home is the best way to describe it. The cast of characters that showed up almost every evening made for some very entertaining nights. At one point, I wondered when I would have the heart to move on.
At 10:00am, a minivan came to take me to my next destination. James and I shook hands. "Ahh, what the heck," we agreed, and gave each other a companionable hug.
Continue reading "Breakfast in the highlands, dinner on the beach."
Posted by markyiin at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
May 26, 2005
Jungle Walk No. 7
"So have you seen any pitcher plants on your treks?" asked Yvonne. It was my last day here, and I was trying to plan the day's activities.
"Pitcher plants? No, I haven't seen any."
"Some of our guests have reported seeing some. You didn't notice any on Jungle Walk No. 1? The one you did your first day here?"
Continue reading "Jungle Walk No. 7"
Posted by markyiin at 06:21 AM | Comments (9)
Lata Iskandar
(Day 96) "I think I had a bit too much to drink last night," confessed James the next morning. "I can't remember what happened."
"I think we all had a bit too much." Pulling myself out of bed took a herculean effort. Thankfully, I was hangover-free.
Continue reading "Lata Iskandar"
Posted by markyiin at 06:00 AM | Comments (1)
May 23, 2005
Jungle Walk No. 9A
(Day 95) "Most travellers just hike up really fast and don't really get to enjoy the walk," James (the guesthouse owner) was saying the night before. "What you really should do is take your time and enjoy nature. Stop every so often to look and listen. You will realize the forest is a living thing. Love the forest, and it will love you back."
Now the last part may have been the alcohol talking, but he had a point. It's not about how fast you can complete a trek, or how much distance you can cover. If you're just going to put your head down and walk, why go? The trip is just as important as the destination.
Continue reading "Jungle Walk No. 9A"
Posted by markyiin at 07:21 AM | Comments (10)
Jungle Walk No. 1
(Day 94) In 1885, a government surveyor by the name of William Cameron hacked a path through dense jungles, and came across, "A fine plateau shut in by the mountains." The area took his name, and has become one of the major highlights of Peninsular Malaysia, not only for backpackers, but for local Malaysians as well. Strawberry farms, flower nurseries, butterfly farms, and even a golf course highlight some of the attractions that draw thousands of visitors each year. For the more adventurous, a network of jungle treks are also available. And since I consider myself 'adventurous,' I decided to take a stroll through the lush rain forests.
Continue reading "Jungle Walk No. 1"
Posted by markyiin at 06:17 AM | Comments (3)
May 22, 2005
Up to the Cameron Highlands
(Day 93) The room I stayed in had just the basics. Four walls, a fluorescent light, and a bed. No windows, no electrical outlets. Small enough to give claustrophobic people fits. I'm can't remember exactly what I was dreaming of, but it must've been of home, because I woke up in the dark completely disoriented. Where am I? Oh, that's right... KL. I fumbled for my watch and checked the time. Half past ten! Wow, I must've been really tired to sleep in so late!
Checkout time was at noon; there was still plenty of time. I went downstairs, where a slew of ticketing agencies operated, to check fares and bus schedules.
Continue reading "Up to the Cameron Highlands"
Posted by markyiin at 03:52 AM | Comments (4)
May 21, 2005
The rest of KL
(Day 92) Sometimes I wonder, if I skip a day in the blog, would anyone notice? I mean, if I sat around in the hostel lounge all day, and pretended the day never happened, would someone realize, 'Hey, it should be day 93, not 92!' Because as hard as I try, some days, there's just not much that happens. Even in a big city, like KL.
Continue reading "The rest of KL"
Posted by markyiin at 04:55 AM | Comments (6)
May 20, 2005
The Petronas Towers
(Day 91) When I think of the Petronas Towers, the first thing that comes to mind is... Catherine Zeta-Jones. Second thing that comes to mind is... Catherine Zeta-Jones. No visit to KL is complete without seeing the two towers that the stunning actress made famous. (Or is vice versa?)
I had heard it's important to get there early. Admission is free, but limited. Once the daily allotment of tickets are given out, no more visitors are allowed. First, though, there's the small matter of getting my debit card back.
Continue reading "The Petronas Towers"
Posted by markyiin at 03:38 AM | Comments (6)
May 17, 2005
The card eater
(Day 90) One day in Melaka is enough to see everything worth seeing. Many travellers like to spend three or more days in each spot, passing time by watching reruns of Malaysian Idol when activities become scarce. They have plenty of time to spare, often dedicating half a year to southeast asia. I have a lot of ground to cover; I want to be done with this region in two months, tops. So I have to press on.
Continue reading "The card eater"
Posted by markyiin at 11:48 PM | Comments (10)
Historical Melaka
(Day 89) My stay in Singapore was very relaxing. I had my own air conditioned room, and Auntie did more than enough to ensure my comfort. Transportation is convenient, the streets were clean, and I've already gone over how great the food is. Everything was so easy, I was a bit reluctant to throw myself back into the rigors of living on the road.
Continue reading "Historical Melaka"
Posted by markyiin at 11:31 PM | Comments (3)