It's been a while, a personal account of my 9 day trip in Malaysia

Monkey at the Bird park

Spring break trip to Malaysia in a nut shell was fast, interesting and chaotic!  I left Korea thinking, " WOW, its been a quiet 7 months in the country, without anything really exciting and neither crazy or dramatic.  Which for me is STRANGE given the last few years of living in different countries.  I WAS ready for some adventure, surprizes and FUN!


Landing in humid Kulua Lumpur wearing jeans and a sweater, Violet laughed as we met.  The city was bustling, multicultural with a tropical feel.  Knocking off a number of to do's on the first day we visited the Bird park, Chinatown, The Petronas towers and various downtown areas.  Exhausted by the end of the day and mind foggy I fell into a deep sleep as my head hit the pillow! As well it was nice to sleep in a giant, soft King bed that Violet so graciously shared with me!

 

Pictures of our first day.  Of coarse its obviously impossible to have someone get the view you asked for, but we were hoping to get the towers in the background!

That first day was the start of what I like to refer as a fun trip filled with mini disasters and challenges. 
Documenting it as such is necessary!



Challenge #1
Arguing with the taxi driver on our way back to the apartment.  WHY each time do I feel accountable if who I am with argues with the taxi and refuses to pay.   My mind fighting with itself, do I leave, who is right.....feeling guilty I hurriedly paid the difference and ran off....FYI only 2 dollars.

Disaster #1
Walking up after a delightful sleep in the comfy bed only to realize I DIDN'T have my wallet.....how is that possible.  I paid the taxi driver last night then came right in. Only people who have lost their wallets know what it is like to call the credit card company and hear someone has been using your call all night while you slept like a baby.  Day two was spent dealing with canceling cards, finding a way to transfer money.  BAH

Hindu Statue

Batu Caves

View of the clear sky and KL skyline

So I guess we have these things happen to be thankful for the quiet times, non-crazy times and to be more aware.  The rest of the trip I was over cautious, which in my opinion is not very fun!

Trek up the stairs to a temple inside the cave

Thanks to some friends who helped me get  money I was able to enjoy my time in the city, visit some sites and have drinks on top of a heli pad!

Violet's roomies and friends from Canada  at the rooftop bar called HELI PAD

Getting lost downtown and taking a local bus back to China town

Challenge #2
Trying to get a flight booked without a credit card....I really wanted to head to an island for rest and relaxation, which I was in serious need of. Resilience can be my number one trait when it comes to travel and doing impossible things. Haha thanks to both my folks for sorting out the flight and especially my dad's patience as we booked the flight online 2 hours before it left.  Literally I was hopping in the taxi on the way to the airport and he paid the ticket fee.



Disaster #2
Getting to the check in counter only to have the man tell you your flight was not for 8 more hours, seems Mr. Bert didn't book in time to get the mornign flight. Haha there is a way to change the flight for only a small fee.  YOU CAN only imagine I was happy to land in this beautiful place and go para-sailing by 3pm!

The hostel I stayed at had various cool new people to meet but I spent most of my time with a girl from Ontario, she was awesome.  With a better sense of direction, international drivers license and adventurous spirit she drove us around the island on a scooter!  If you know anything about the best parts of traveling its not necessarily the site seeing or shopping that makes a trip but the people you meet along the way.  Finding Jessica to hang with was great, she was into all the same things as me, seeing beautiful sights, trying local food, finding little adventures and meeting interesting people!

Scooting around the island with Jessica

There were a lot of interesting things on this island.  Such a rich variety of culture, architecture and beautiful vibrant colour , lookouts and ocean views everywhere.

How to enter the Mosque.

Stop for fresh fruit.  I swear these girls were listening to Latin music

Night market snacks. YUMM

The next day we headed out on an island hopping adventure. On the tour we met a few new friends. 

New friends

Jessica with Bed Nam and Fashid                     

I said good bye to the island and my new pal Jessica and headed back to KL for one last weekend with Voilet.  We relaxed by the pool, had pedicures and just hung out.  I really enjoyed my time there and the highlight was visiting her classroom and messing around with her art students!  As always, vacations come to an end and I was halted away from a terrible dream that I missed my flight as the alarm rang on Monday morning for my 5am taxi pick up to the international terminal.



DISASTER #3

As the taxi approached the airport, I asked him to drop me by Air Aisa.  He said no Air Asia here.  Confused I inquired "no Air Asia, but this is the international airport?"....it did not look like the airport I arrived at but again, it was pitch dark out.  Stubbornly asking for my money he said I drop you at International airport which you booked for but NO Air Asia.  You ask at the counter inside.

I was a pissed, but more than that frantic. I was not confident I was in the right place.  However, fed up with taxis in this country I paid and scrambled inside to what WAS definitely NOT the airport I arrived in on. With only 2 hours to my flight I had to hurry and get to the right place.  At the information counter they informed me I needed to be at the low carrier international airport.  I HAD NO IDEA :( This was a major oversight on my part!  I had two options, take another taxi or try to board a bus and get to the CORRECT airport 20min away.

Challenge #3
Decisions, split second decisions, the important ones that could mean a missed flight.  It was easy to see I was in a helpless moment.  Either way could be stranded with NO money or credit card to bail me out of this situation.  However, it was easy for me to decide which option I trusted more and just KNOW I would make it in time. I arrive with 1 hr and 10 minutes to check in, drop off my luggage, clear customs and security and find the gate.  YEP, all that is possible with enough time to pee before boarding and chat with a few beautiful people along the way.

The excitement and challenges were all what traveling is about.  But I think it was a bit much for short week vacation! Arriving in Korea felt great, exchanging my last bit of Ringit to Won was liberating . I had just enough to money get home on the bus and buy a few groceries!

Moments you can never forget that come out of nowhere. These kids came to say hi while applying sunscreen.