Malaysia

  Hey everyone, John here.  Megan is taking a vacation from her blog, so I'm picking up the slack.  Sorry for the delay in uploading our latest blog, we've been busy!  So I know you're all anxious to here the news.  Well, Chiang Mai turned out to be quite a disappointment.  For some reason we were expecting something akin to Luang Prabang...quiet, peaceful, atmospheric....but no.  We were greeted by a huge, noisy city, with barely a monk in sight.  Initially, we were intending on doing a Vipassana retreat, but were so stunned by the crassness of the city that we couldn't find the motivation.  The image of Chiang Mai that jumps most readily to mind is a 50+ man walking hand-in-hand with an 18 year-old Thai girl.  Chiang Mai is crammed full of girly bars, prostitutes, and the lonely old men who flock to them.  It was a bit shocking.  After a few days of trying to make the best of it, we decided a change was needed.  So, yes, about the "big surprise"....Well it seems as if everyone already knows, and you'll have to forgive us for making a comment so packed with promise.  No, it's nothing sensational, we simply jumped on a plane and flew to Malaysia.  This is one of those happy, spontaneous decisions that make traveling so much fun.  We suddenly found ourselves in a totally different country, and deep in the heart of one of the craziest cities around: Kuala Lumpur.

KL is both ultra-modern metropolis and old-world sprawl, but all of it is interesting.  For one thing, it was exciting and refreshing to be in a Muslim country.  The conservatism was refreshing after the hedonism of Thailand, and the people were fascinating to watch.  The call to prayer (heard multiple times a day over loudspeakers) somehow stirs the heart and adds another layer of mystique to an already enjoyable experience.  KL itself wore on us after a few days, but not before we had explored it by day and night, including the biggest mall either of us had ever seen (it had a rollercoaster on the seventh floor).  From here we island hopped up the west coast, during which time I was fortunate enough to pick up a sweet lung-infection, finally arriving at the island-paradise of Langkawi.  When you imagine giant crescents of golden sand, swaying palm trees, and warm blue water, this is one of those places that makes all of that come to life.  Unfortunately it was discovered by tourists long ago, so the trick is to rent a moped and zip across the island to the more remote stretches of beach.  Life here is almost too easy, and a strange sort of guilt settles upon you after a few days of idle nothingness.  Still, it is amazingly beautiful, and the people are remarkably friendly and laid-back.  We have been here six days and are likely leaving tomorrow to return to Thailand, but this time to explore the islands of the south.

One final, most distressing note.....Carly and Nikki, I know you will understand and feel my pain.  Two days ago Megan made a very very unfortunate discovery.  Well, they may not sell VANILLA COKE at home any more, but they sure do here!  You should have seen the crazed look in her eye.  She turned into a fearsome beast right in front of me.  I tried to have a sip and she nearly destroyed my face with a fork.  Oh no.

A note from Megan: Another great aspect of Malaysia is the multiculturalism, Malaysia is made up of immigrants from China, India and of course Malaysians and this combination results in some of the best food in the world. Curries from India, Roti Canai, fried Koay Teow, Mee Goreng, Vanilla Coke, seafood galore! Locals love great food; you just have to watch where the locals are headed at meal time and you will be rewarded.

I guess my blog vacation is now over

Kuala Lumpur, KL to locals, is the biggest city we've seen yet

The gigantic twin towers downtown KL.  They're sitting on top of a mall.

These girls were desperate for a picture with Megan.

The beautiful island of Pangkor.

aw.

Monkeys!

More monkeys!

A swimming monkey?

The amazing island of Langkawi.

The beast is back.