Kuala Lumpur (KL) Pictures

I think KL is a great big city to live in (tons of shopping malls and you can get food of any kind), but the biggest (obvious) attractions are the towers: Petronas Towers (used to be tallest building, but now it's Taipei 101) and Menara Kuala Lumpur (aka KL Tower, it's a telecommunication tower). Fortunately, I visited the telecommunication tower before I made up my mind to leave because I discovered there are quite a bit to see in KL. I ended up spent Jan. 10 and 11 in KL. Since I wrote quite a bit while I was at KL (here, here, and here), this is a recap of sights I visited:
Jan. 10 - Chinatown, Petronas Towers and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre(KLCC), Merdeka Square, the library, National History Museum, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Masjid Jamek, and Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower).
Jan. 11 - Batu Cave, got lost in free way, and Bird Park

Penang Pictures

I already wrote two posts while I was in Penang (here and here), so just a quick recap of what I did there:
Jan. 8 - ATM, Ford Cornwallis, Kuan Yin Teng, Penang Museum, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Esplanade Food Centre
Jan. 9 - Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill

I think Penang is a fun city to live in but kind of boring if you're a tourist (Georgetown anyway). Books are cheap in Penang (books are expensive in Thailand, cost as much as in the States). If I go there again, I would like to check out the Penang beaches. I heard those are quite nice.

Bangkok Pictures are Now Online

Bangkok is very chaotic, I am not a fan of chaotic city; thus I only stayed in Bangkok for 2 days (on the day in and on the day out). I arrived Suvarnabhumi Airport around 10PM on Dec. 31, 2006 (New Year's Eve) . My cousin went to arrival floor to change his flight time for the next day, so we were able to get a taxi very quickly (by getting into those that just dropped of passenger). The taxi driver did not know where my hotel is but he only asked us to pay him 300 Baht for fare (good deal as our hotel is very far). The freeway in Bangkok are quite technologically advance, there are flat screens hanging on all major overpass that show the current traffic condition of the surrounding roads.

Through the taxi driver's broken English, we learned that Bangkok got car bombed at 6pm. It was the first time Bangkok got bomb. The driver is quite talkative so we chatted about a few other things, including how much we paid for our hotel. After we told him, he thought it was too much and due to miscommunication, he gave us an unwanted city tour (portraits of the King is everywhere) and took us to another hotel in another district. The clock inside the car blinked 11:30PM. I was piss because I did not come all the way to Bangkok to celebrate NYE inside a taxi! I would be so sad if that happened >=(

Eventually, we got him to understand we got friend (James) waiting for us at the other hotel so we have to go there. Reluctantly, he drove out of the hotel parking lot and took us there. However, 5 minutes before he got us to our hotel, the clock blinked 00:00AM. I was so sad! I couldn't believe I came all the way here and spent count down in a taxi cab with an annoying driver :"(

I was so sad and I shared with James how sad I was for spending the last seconds of 2006 in a taxi cab. And that was how I greet James when I got to the hotel. He looked at me like I was some sort of weirdo and said "What are you talking about, it's only 11:20PM." You have no idea how happy I was when he told me that. If it wasn't for the heavy backpack on my back, I would ran over there and gave him a big hug! Paul and I cleaned up very quickly then we went to Khao San Road (where all the foreigners are) and joined the festivities.

I wrote a very brief summary here while I was there.

We walked around, tried deep fried bugs (grasshopper - taste crispy, silk worms - taste like an empty shell, moth larvae - taste nasty). After walking along with the crowd for awhile on Khao San Road, we found an outdoor bar and just sat there and watch the crowd. There were a lot of people and tons of screaming and yelling of "Happy New Year!" James took pictures of NYE. Since all celebrations are cancelled, there were no count down. Next thing you know, it's 2 minutes pass midnight. 5 minutes pass midnight, all the restaurants/bars stop received new customers and all the music stopped. And many military guys with big guns got off the military trucks and everyone is told to go home/go back to their hotels. By 12:30AM, the street was quiet.

James and Paul left early for airport the next morning, so I was on my own. I walked to Wat Phra Kaew from my hotel and while trying to find the entrance to the temple, I met 5 students from HK and I ended up hanging out with them rest of the day till I need to leave for the bus to Ko Pha Ngan. See pictures for where we visited.

In many places, there are different entrances for foreigner and Thai. We didn't know that until I went into the temple but my new friends couldn't. Turned out that entrance is for Thai people only.

Jan. 1 was a Monday and the King of Thailand was born on Monday. To show respect for the king, many Thai people wear yellow (color of Monday) with imperial logo and they do that on EVERY MONDAY of EVERY WEEK!

I got a good scare while waiting for the bus to Ko Pha Ngan, read about it here.

I came back to Bangkok on Jan. 21 as my flight out of Bangkok (to Taiwan) is on early morning of Jan. 22. I was really tire, so after a quick visit to Central World Plaza, I went back to the hotel and slept till 3PM. When I woke up, I took the boat taxi and visited a few more monuments (see pictures).

Pictures from Cambodia (Angkor Temples) are Online!

I wrote a bit about Cambodia while I was there, so here's a brief summary of what I did:
Dec. 28th: Walk Around Siem Reap (the town right next to Angkor Temples).
Dec. 29th: Visited Central Angkor Thom in the morning, including Baksei Chamkrong, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, the royal pools, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, we visited Prasat Krayan (Hindu Temple), Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm (where "Tomb Raider" was filmed), and watched sunset at Pre Rup.
Dec. 30th: Watched sunrise at Angkor Wat, then stop by Pre Rup again and East Mebon (used to be a temple in the middle of the lake, but the lake has since dried out). After breakfast, we drove to the far away temple -Banteay Srey. After lunch, we came back to visit Ta Som, Neak Pean, and Preah Khan.
Dec. 31th: Visited Angkor Wat. Lunch at hotel so James can go to airport. In the afternoon, visited Rolus group (Lolei, Preah Ko, and Bakong). Then came back to Siem Reap for dinner before we head to the airport.

Four days at Siem Reap was perfect amount of time because Siem Reap can be seen in half day (it is very small) and by the end of 4th day, I was all Wat out. I have not visited the Egyptian Pyramids yet, but I'd imagine the grandiones of Angkor Temples is up at that level. Consider how ancient these temples are and the technology available at those time, it's very impressive that the Khmer built such sturdy and decorative temples with gigantic volanic stones and sandstones, and made the temples last so many hundreds of years. It's a shame that many of the statues were destroyed during the Khmer Rouge period.

I never joined a tour group when I travelled but from this trip, I learned that I don't have the personality to enjoy tour group. I didn't mind too much about waking up at certain hours, I did find myself not listening to the tour guide and my mind wandered elsewhere by the end of the days. I do highly recommend having a tour guide showing you the beauty and history of Angkor Temples. I know I definitely appreciate the temples a lot more because of the insight and history the tour guide provided (I think it'd have been perfect if I had tour guide only for two days). I learned (and forgotten) many interesting facts from our tour guide, such as Angkor Wat is the tallest building in siem reap (65m) and no other buildings are allow to build higher than Angkor Wat. Also, all the temples have moats around them. If they don't have it, it's because the moats had dried up, and some temples are built in the middle of lakes.

Like every trip, I was very snap happy at the beginning, so you get to enjoy 450+ pictures I took of Angkor Temples.

Note: I added comments to many pictures so you'll know what you're looking at.

I'll write about how I spent NYE count down in the taxi cab and bombing in Bangkok on NYE after I upload the Bangkok pictures.

Almost Stranded...

...in Taiwan. China Airline overbooked tonight's flight and they wouldn't gave me a boarding pass (despite the fact I made the reservation 4 months ago) till the seating situation is settle an hour before the flight. Uncle #2 and I tried to argue with them but it proved useless. Fortunately, Uncle #2 is more familiar with these situations as he travels frequently. I finally got my boarding pass half an hour later.

 

I am home now. LA is so cold. Our garden was lush and green when I left but it's barren and brown now because of the frost. So sad!

 

Though a month is not long, it is long enough that even my own room looks foreign. I found out I ruined my family's new year's eve because they were worry sick about me as they heard about bombing in Bangkok many hours before they heard from me. :(

 

Very tire now as I did not sleep much on the flight.

 

It's good to be home. Back to reality now, there are so many things that I have to do.

 

 

I Rather be an Engineer

The glamour photo shoot session was an interesting experience that I am glad I did it but I do not care to repeat it.

 

The session started with applying make up at 9AM. The make up artist applied foundation that is 3 shades lighter than my natural tan all over my face (because being dark is ugly in Asian culture). I looked like a geisha. The make up artist then putted thin strip of tape on my eye lids to make them seem like layer eye lids (because layer eye lids are consider beautiful in this culture). Then she charged me an extra 500NT (rip-off!!!) to put on eye lashes. I should have just said no since it's such rip off. But my head wasn't working without my morning coffee (got addicted in SE Asia) and I was in splurging mood so I went for it. It's very weird to look up and see eye lashes, I am  not used to that. After probably 1.5 hours, I transformed into someone that I don't recognize. I can't say I looked much more beautiful because all I see are cakes of make up and I am not use to that as I prefer my natural look.  I was not allow to have running nose, tears, or touch my own face because that would ruin the make up. The make up is already feel uncomfortable.

 

After that, the make up artist followed me into dress room so she can put glittering/whitening powders all over my upper body. It was uncomfortable as I am not used to being so naked in front someone other than my gynocologist. Then I changed into my first gown (white color). When I was done, the photographer and the light girl whisk me to Jiang Kai Shik (sp?) Memorial (right across the street from the studio) to take pictures. It was cold! We spent probably half an hour or so outside taking pictures (they told me where to stand, how to pose, and I hold still for 30 seconds or so in the freezing cold outdoor while they took pictures). After that we came back, I changed into the second evening gown (pink) and the make up artist reapply make up because I was so cold that my nose was running and there were a few tears on the cheeks. We went out again to take more pictures. The process is then repeated for qipao and my own cloth (thank goodness these were taken ind oor).

 

Though this is just a fun thing to do for myself, it gives me a feel what is it like being a model (or actress) and I hate it. Being under layers of make up is not fun and trying to look beautiful while you're freezing your ass off is hell. I am grateful I was born with some intelligence so I can make a living by sitting in front of computer rather than sitting still for the cameras.

 

I got a preview of the photos tonight as I needed to pick 20 of them. Not surprisingly, I like the pictures of me in my own clothes the best (I brought a bikini top and jean) because I actually look like me. The other one, I suppose I do look glamourous but I don't recognize myself. I do like the pictures of me in qipao a lot; I don't recognize the face but at least the body look really hot in the pictures. At the end, I picked 7 pictures with my own cloth, 6 in pink gowns (cuz the outdoor was beautiful), 5 qipao pictures, and 2 in white gowns.

 

I only have 2 days left in Taiwan and the only sight I saw so far is Jing Kai Shik Memorial. Sad, huh? Thus, tomorrow, I am going to go to Bei Tou/Young Ming National Park and go bath in there hot springs. Hopefully, tomorrow night, I can check out Shi Ling Night Market. And if everything work out right, I can finally go check out the tallest building in the world (Taipei 101) on Friday.

Splurging in Taiwan

Every girls that visited Taiwan took glamour photos so I want to do it too. Also, I can show these pictures and say "I was so hot at my younger days" when I am old and wrinkly, heheh. The studio charged 8,000 TWD for 20 glamour photos.  It is a lot more than what I expected but who knows when would be the next time I'll be back and I thought the studio manager was very nice (she is very good salesman).

 

I spent 2 hours picking out 2 evening gowns and 1 qipao. I was getting tire at the end and just go with whatever they suggested. Picking out a dress was a lot more work than I expected and I am not 100% happy with the choices but those 3 are what I like the best out of ~20 dresses the studio let me. tried I I think I am going to hate picking out a wedding dress when I get marry (assuming that happen).

 

I need to go in at 9AM tomorrow for them to put on make up and I can bring one set of casual clothes. I am not sure what to bring yet. The whole thing suppose to take about 5-6 hours. The experience should be interesting. Unfortunately, the photo would not be ready after I left. Thus, I may have to wait till the end of Feb to see the pictures (my relative will mail the photo book to me). I may go get a hair cut afterward the photo session, my hair is getting too long.

 

I went to Wu Fen Pu after picking out my dress and spent 3 hours shopping there. Clothes there are quite trendy and very affordable, even cheaper than Thailand (Thailand is suppose to be cheapest in Asia but since I am paying less in Taiwan, I guess I got terribly rip off in Thailand. I need some lessons in bargaining). Because I thought they were quite affordable, I didn't even bargain, I just pay whatever they told me. Am I suppose to bargain?

Food Battle: Taiwan Vs. Thailand Vs. Malaysia Vs. Singapore Vs. Cambodia

Taiwan wins!

 

I only been here for an afternoon so far and I love the food here already. Uncle #3 and his wife picked me up at the airport and took me to Dan Sui and Ba Li (near the fisherman's wharf, 40minutes drive outside of TaiPei city center). We ate shrimp roll, candy tomatoes, iron eggs, peacock mussles king plates, and some other local snacks. The food here are delicious (so many snacks) and dirt cheap (comparable to Thailand, both are roughly 30:1 to USD. Most snacks in Taiwan are only 10TWD. In Thailand, most are 15-20Baht)!

 

I can't wait to visit the ShiLing Night Market. It supposes to be huge!

 

 

All is Good Now

After spent about 1,200 Baht on fees & transporation & phone calls, I got my ATM card back.

 

I was very fortunated to have Jen (the Canadian girl) with me. She stayed with the ATM while I made calls. She spent the whole (Jan. 19th) day sitting around and waiting for calls with me. And when I did got the call, she went to the bank with me (and the bank center was far, it was outside of the city center). She calmed me down and reminded me this is not the end of the world whenever I freaked out. We just met, she has no obligation to go sight seeing with me nor stayed with me through this fiasco; but she did. I couldn't have ask for a better companion. I am very lucky to have met her.

 

Chiang Mai is cheap but one can easily go broke there. I spent more money during my 4 days in Chiang Mai than my 4 days in Singapore. Jen and I are a very bad combo when it comes to help each other not spending. After I got my card back, we went to silk and gem factory so we can learn how to distinguish fake silk/gem from the real thing. Instead of learning how to do that (they don't teach you), we spent lots of money there. And after resolve not to spend anymore money on the 20th, we walked into an herbal shopped and I spent another 600 baht on perfume for myself. Doh! Good thing is I was very tire on the 19th night, so I didn't splurge at the night bazzard as planned. Instead, I was on a mission: go find gift, buy, left. And I did just that. I got some Chiang Mai crafts for my uncles probably 30minutes after looking and I left right after that, but stopped by the wine stand from the Chiang Mai University professor. He is selling wine that was produce by the university. I had the Lychee wine the night before and it was really good. On the 19th night, I had the strawberry and it was even better (I like fruity wine). Since I was by myself (Jen didn't come cuz she's afraid she'll spend even more), I ended up chatting with him on how they produce wine in Thailand. Too bad there's a limitation on amont of liquor I can bring (Jen said I can bring 2 bottles) or else I would ordered a case. I bought a bottle of Lychee and a bottle of strawberry, they will also be given to my Taiwanese relatives, I hope they drink.

 

I am in Bangkok now. I took the overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. I really like the Malaysian train. However, the sleeper birth was all full so I have to book a seat since I have to be in Bangkok so I can leave for Taiwan early tomorrow. It sucks because I can't fall asleep. I think I only slept 2 hours total last night, right now, I'm sleep deprived and on caffeine high (so if I don't make anysense, you know why). I am in Central World Plaza. OMG, IT'S HUGE! I am getting a headache just from walking around in this (and I think I am lost). I think I'll go back to my hotel soon so I can sleep. I got a room in Asia Hotel. It's a four stars hotel and it is a luxury hotel. There were so many people waiting on you. There's someone just to push the elevator button for you too. I feel like I am being monitor. Too many waitstaff.

 

I am in ACER computer store, somewhere in the plaza. They are awesome. They let me use internet for free. Do they have ACER store in USA?

 

I have to wake up at 5AM tomorrow to catch my 8AM flight to Taiwan b/c the airport is one hour away. Booo....what the hell was I thinking when I book such early flight?

 

Ok, I really sure go, later.

 

 

 

#@&%

I am still in Chiang Mai. I still don't know how I am going to get to Bangkok, and my international flight to TaiPei is still leaving Bangkok on early morning of 22nd (I think today is the 19th, it's really hard to keep track of dates/days when you're not working). I still have not buy souvenirs for my relatives in Taiwan. And I LOST MY ATM CARD :"(

 

I went to ATM last night (7PM) to withdraw money last night so I have some money for shopping. As usual, insert the card, enter my pin, take out the money, put money in wallet, then take the ATM card. Well, last night, after I put the money the wallet, the machine ate the ATM card. $#%@

 

With one week of vacation left and no ATM card, I do not have money to buy any souvenir, hopefully enough to last me till I leave Thailand. But I definitely won't have any money for the 5 days in Taiwan. Needless to say, I did not get a good night sleep last night. (Oh, I discover why this hotel is 4 stars. All the money goes into our fancy marble bathroom and all electronics in the rooms is on one remote control. Pretty cool! And the spa and pool on 2nd floor is very fancy too). I made several phone calls last night and many more calls this morning. The local branch of the bank said they usually open the ATM once a week. I will be out of the country by then. They say they'll see if they can open it today and charge me a fee (that'd be great). All I can do now is sitting around going nuts and waiting for their phone calls. It's 1PM already, I hope they call soon.

 

@#$%, #@%!, &$@#, @%@#

 

I can't believe ATM ate the card!

 

@#$%, #@%!, &$@#, @%@#

Pampering

I want to pamper myself for the remaining 2 weeks of the vacation, thus I booked a 4-stars hotel for two nights (1800Baht ~$60 a night) when I arrived at Chiang Mai airport. What a rip off! The lobby is fancy and everything, but the room is very typical of a 3 stars hotel. I could've gotten the same thing for 900 Baht. Good thing I met a very nice canadian girl and we are traveling together, so the damage is less. But still, it suppose to be FOUR stars!

 

I was orginially plan to stay for 2 nights, however, after walking around the town for a bit and notice the crazy amount of treks available, I think I want to stay here longer. But if I stay here for 4 days instead of 3, that means I only have 1 days in Bangkok. I already book a elephant ride + bamboo rafting trip for tomorrow (650 Baht).

 

Going to go get a 2 hours massage (only 300 Baht ~$10, so cheap) now.

Singapore

I am at the airport right now (5AM), waiting for my flight to Chiang Mai. The airport gave each passenger 15 minutes of free internet, isn't that nice?

 

Many people warn me about Singapore being boring and that one day is enough. Luckily, I have 2 friends here to show me around and I have so much fun in Singapore that I wish it was longer.

 

James and I went to Sentosa and Mt Faber on the 14th, it was super fun.

 

Mike is a local so he knows where the best eats are. Since he lost the bet (whoever gets a bf/gf first have to buy the other one a good dinner), he took me to eat Singapore's signature dish: Chili Crab. He also ordered a whole bunch of other delicious dishes, including pepper crab, stingy ray,  satay, hokkien mee, oyster omelets, diakon omelets, deep fried baby squids, and a whole bunch others that I can't remember right now. It was delicious. And yesterday, he took me to try Kaya bread with butter and coffee. It was surprisingly good. I was afraid the butter will mak the bread taste greasy but it adds a nice saltiness to the dish. Then afterward, we met up with James to eat at Samy's, a famed southern Indian Restaurant. Normally, I am not a fan of Indian food but I do like many of the dishes he ordered and I really like how they serve the food on a banana leave. Very cool!

 

I think out of all the cities I visited so far, I can only see myself living in Singapore. It's modern but not too crazy. I really like it here.

 

Anyway, I only have 1 minutes left so gotta go. Write more later in Chiang Mai.

Medical Care in Singapore & Pictures

My friend Mike took to me a clinic today so I can see a doctor about my wound. I am getting worry because it has been 2 weeks and it still have not heal. I think it is healing (no more white pus but slightly swollen and it's itchy) but my sister (who is in the medical field) insisted I go see a doctor about it.

I love medical care in Singapore. I have no appointment. 20 minutes after I got in, I saw the doctor (he confirmed it's healing but gave me some antibiotic cream to help with the skin allergy - that's why it's itchy), got the medication, and the whole thing cost $20 Singapore dollar (no insurance needed, $12 to see Dr., $8 for the medication). It's so fast and so cheap. Why can US medical care be so efficient and affordable?

Anyway, I uploaded pictures from Ko Phi Phi and Ko Pha Ngan. I choose to upload these 2 first because they are the most gorgeous and I took the least number of pictures at these places (since all I did is napping on the beaches).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jellybellybear/sets/

Enjoy!

Pictures from Angkor Wat

I have not upload pictures yet. Maybe I'll do that tonight. In the mean time, here are the link to pictures James took of our trip to Siem Reap (Angkor Temples) and New Year's Eve at Bangkok

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpngl/sets/72157594455844282/

In Singapore Now

I'm staying at my friend James' place. It is a very nice hotel.

 

The first evening I arrived, we walked around the city center, saw tons of restaurants, ate french food (I needed something besides asian food), saw the durian theater, the Raffles statue, the Fullerton, and the bars/clubs area (didn't go in, I was too tire from waking up at 5:30AM by the sunrise prayer from the mosque in Melaka).

 

Yesterday, We went to Sentosa Island and saw the coolest water/laser/musical show ever! I love it! We also went to the most southern point of Asia Continent. Then my friend Mike picked us up and took us to Night Safari at the Zoo. I saw so many animals (and also got tons of mosquito bites). I love it (the part about seeing animals, nto the part about getting bitten).

 

Only damper is Mike's car got hit when he is getting gas. Hopefully everything will sort out smoothly.

It's noon already and I am still not out exploring. It's kind of nice :)

Walking in the Rain

I got into Melaka yesterday around noon and it has been raining all day and all night long. Since Melaka town center is very small, everything is within 15 minutes walk, I been walking all over the places in the rain.

 

Unexpectedly, I fall in love with this little charming city by the sea.

 

Will write more later, have to go catch the bus to Singapore.

More about KL and Solo Travel

Visiting Batu Cave (13km outside of KL) turned out to be extremely easy. There is bus station near my hostel and the fare is only 2RM. I hopped onto the bus around 9:15AM, got to Batu Cave around 10AM. Walked around and took pictures. The 272 steps to the temple was not as bad as the book described (probably because I been on training, aka getting lost and ending up walk miles for the last few days). There were a lot of free range monkeys running around and lots of water dripping down from the cave ceiling (or was that bats urinating?). At 10:45AM, I hopped onto the same bus (on it's return trip) to get back to Chinatown. By 11:30AM, I was back in Chinatown.

 

Then I decided to check out Mydin per Lonely Planet's suggestion. Bad bad idea. Two hours later, I walked out with 20+ panties and an emtpy wallet (I withdrawed enough money to last the whole Malaysia leg, assuming no shopping); so ended up going to ATM again.

 

I was planning to visit the Bird Park and the Butterfly Park after lunch. However, I got lost again and ended up walking into the middle of freeway (don't know how) and then underground and by the time I found the Bird Park, it was 3:30PM already. Admission to Bird Park was 30RM (quite pricy in Malaysian standards) but I think it is worth it. I don't think I ever saw this many birds in one place. Compare to Thailand, Malaysia doesn't have mosquitoes so I haven't bother to put on mosquito repellants since first day in Penang. Unfortunately, near the pond area in the Bird Parks, there were tons of mosquitos. Damn! Now I got many itchy bumpy spots all over my arms and legs. Since I got lost getting there, no time for butterfly garden.

 

It was raining when I left at 4:30PM plus I don't know how to get back to my hostel (since I got lost getting there), so I took a taxi back (10RM). After a nice cold shower, I met up with my coworker's friends at Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) for dinner. It was interesting learning about Malaysia from locals. I now know why the toilet floor is usually wet and what the extra water hose near the toilet is for. I also learned even after bargaining, I still paid twice more. And interestingly, although Malaysians earn less, they pay a lot more for cars (a 3 series BMW is about $80K USD and a Toyota Corolla is about $25K, mostly due to heavy tax). And their real estate market is as crazy as LA's. Everyone speaks some English here because it used to be a British Colony and in school, math and sciences are taught in English.

 

I been traveling for over two weeks and from what I experienced so far, solo travel is good. You see what you wants to see, you go on your own pace, you met lots of interesting people, peoples seem more friendly and more willing to help when they see you're by youreslf. But there are a few annoyances, such as:

1. You get stare at a lot (especially in Muslim country such as Malaysia. I would imagine worse in places such as India).
2. Shady men approaches you. Like today in Batu Cave, a middle age Chinese man came up to me and started to ask me where I am from and such. Locals usually do like to make friendly conversation and I thought he was one of them. However, he started to get creepy saying US has a lot money and if I am rich, if my parents are rich since I am from US, if I have boyfriend, if I am here alone, if I want to become friend. I started walking really quick and gave him one word response and hoped he'll go away. He finally stopped following me but told me he'll think of me before he took off (EW...)
3. It gets lonely sometime.

 

 

Unexpectedly...

After my last entry, I went to check the bus schedule. Since Malacca is so close (2.5 hours drive), there is bus leaving every hour and there is no need for reservation. When I heard that, I decided to go to Batu cave in the morning and just take off tomorrow afternoon.

 

After stopped by the bus station, I walked to the KL Tower (I was planning to take a taxi because it looks so far on the map but the Policeman that I asked told me to walk because it is very close, which means it's probably a 20 minutes walk). Since it's not hot today, I decided to take his advice and walk. KL Tower has better panaromic view than Petronas Twin Tower. I caught the sunset on the top of the tower and watched the lights turned on. Nighttime view of  KL is beautiful. I highly recommend going to KL Tower to watch the sunset. This way, you get to see KL during the day, KL during sunset, KL during the night. The 20RM admission to the KL Tower also came with an audio tour. The audio tour tells you what you are seeing from different part of the tower. The visit to KL Tower changed my decision on leaving tomorrow; I decided to stay so I can to see the garden with lots of birds and butterfly.  

 

KL is quite expensive compare to Penang. Most of the museum in Penang charge 1RM, most of the attraction in KL charged much much more (ie. KL Tower = 20RM, Bird Garden = 28RM). Plus, Penang is so small that you can walk everywhere, while taxi or rails are needed to explore KL. In one day, I managed to spent as much in KL as two days in Penang (and I stayed in more expensive hotel in Penang). First unexpected expense is visiting the Mosque required women to cover their hair. I know that and I bought some scarf for that purpose already; but I forgot to bring it with me so I went to the store next to the Mosque and paid 30RM for it (while I probably can get the same thing for 5RM elsewhere). The hostel I am staying at is in Chinatown and I have to walk through Petaling street to get to my hostel. The Petaling street turn into a huge shopping center (with stalls lining 5-6 blocks) in the evening and last till who knows when. I managed to stare at a few things too long and they ended up in my hand. I probably get hugely rip off as well (example of being rip off, bought a fake swatch for 10RM, bargained down from 20RM. Walked down a few stalls and saw the same thing advertised for 10RM). Oh well, I console myself with "still cheaper than if getting it in the States". 

 

I walked a lot today too. My feet are hurting. I hope the wounds would heal soon. I really want to get a foot massage.

 

Oh, did you know the tallest tower is in Toronto, Canada? At KL Tower, I learned the tallest towers are at 1) Toronto, Canada 2) Russia 3) Shanghai, China 4) KL Tower 5) China

 

Interesting things here, if you order drinks to go, they give it to  you the drinks in small plastic bags instead of disposable cups.  I also notice how the service in Thailand is extremely better compare to rest of the world. In Thailand, if you order something they don't have, they would send someone to get it for you while in Malaysia (and US and all other parts of world), they would just tell you they run out and you are to order something else.

 

To Stay or To Go?

KL is a very modern city, with a very efficient rail way system. I was very impressed by all the Malays for standing in SINGLE FILE lines to get into the rail rather than just push people trying to get into the cart like in other cities.  There is tons of malls,  with stores like Prada and Gucci. I felt like I am in LA again. There is not that much to see in term or attractions. I was planning to spend 2 days here but I don't know what else to see. I suppose I can go see Batu Cave tomorrow but not sure if it's worth an extra day of stay. I'll need to decide in a few hours.

 

I think I like small quiet town better than big bustling city.

Solo Travel

I been lucky. Even though I am traveling alone, I always have at least one other person going to places/seeing things with me till Penang.

The two people I met on the bus can't go do tourist thing with me. The English guy I met is on visa run, so he been to Penang many times and has no interest playing tourist. I met an American girl on the bus as well. She has one of the coolest job HP. She gives seminars on HP financial approach to executives at different part of world, though she is only 25. Just last year alone, HP sent her to 25 countries. And she gets to tag on vacation to spot she likes. She's at Penang to give another seminar at some golf resort. Thus, yesterday was the first day I was really traveling all by myself. In the morning, I kept running into this middle age English woman at every places I went, so we had lunch together. She is a 4 months around the world trip and is leaving Penang that day at 2pm.  In the late afternoon, on the Cheong Fatt Tze's Mansion tour, I met a fellow Californian whom is here on a 4 months vacation (he is between job and MBA school). Later that day, I met up with him and the English guy for dinner and drinks. We had some really good hawker stall foods and very stimulation conversations as both of them are very interesting people. Alas, both of them leave Penang early today, so I went all over Penang by myself again.

I did tons of walking today. I thought the bus would stop in front of Kek Lok Si Temple (largest temple in Malaysia with a 100+ feet tall Quan Yin), so I took the bus. The people on the bus was so nice. I showed them a picture of the temple and they told me where to get off and how to get to the temple. Unfortunately, the bus dropped me off at the bottom of the hill, so I spent 20 minutes walking up the hill. Walking under the blazing sun with jean and long sleeve is not fun! The temple is full of buddha statues. I don't think I ever saw this many statue in many life.

I was thinking of either  taking a taxi or bus to Penang Hill. While asking  the restaurant owner for direction, she told me Penang Hill is really close and  I should just walk. It's walkable, but unfortunately, it's  another 30+ minutes of walk in blazing sun.  Walking by yourself in blazing sun and with too much clothes  is a torture.  At  least I can take a  cable car up to the top of Penang Hill instead of doing a  4 hours hike . There was monkey along the  ride up.  The view at the top is really nice. There is the ocean, the beach, the loooong bridge (suppose to be longest in the world), Georgetown; the entire Penang island is visible from the top. There is a restaurant and hotel on top, as well as a botanical garden. I spent an hour hanging out up there  as there is not really that much to see.

Right now, I am tire so I don't want to go anywhere. Just killing time before going to Ferry.  I don't know why people say Thailand is cheaper because from what I see so far, stuff in Malaysia is cheaper.  Since this is only the middle of my trip, I can't buy anything yet because I don't want to walking around carrying more stuff than necessary.

I think solo travel is great in that you meet so many interesting people. However, it is not so great if you have to go everywhere by yourself. I like having another person to share my excitement, like telling someone "oooh, look at that, so pretty." I didn't meet anyone in hotel because, well, it's a hotel! It was very nice to have hot showers but I think I will try to go find a guesthouse in KL instead of hotel as you can meet other people that are doing the tourist thing. Plus, I may meet up with friend's friend in KL, so hopefully that will make KL more fun.

My hair is getting long, if KL is as boring as some people have told me, maybe I'll go get a haircut there as well.

Penang, Malaysia

I was planning to go to Ko Lanta after Ko Phi Phi, unfortunately, there is no overnight bus to Penang and I had 6 days of beach already, so I decided to skip Ko Lanta for Penang. I woke up at 6am yesterday morning to see sunrise fromthe highest point in Ko Phi Phi (also happen to be the Tsunami evacuation spot). Unfortunately, it was cloudy so the day just turned bright and saw some sunrays peaked out of the clouds. However, the view alone is worth the 15 minutes of nothing but uphill climb. The view was gorgeous, two white sand beaches surrounded by crystal blue water on two side and green mountain on the other two sides. I can't wait to share the pictures with you guys.   

 

After I got on the 9AM ferry to Krabi, it started pouring. This was the first time I see rain since I got to Asia. Since I have to spend the whole day on the bus to Penang, I was kind of glad it is raining :) On the bus, I met a very interesting Englishman, whom is currently teaching scuba diving in Thailand for the last four years. He left home at 18 for traveling and never went back. He usually worked very hard for 6 months (during busy diving season) then travel for another 6 months. He been to every continents already and still traveling. He is just doing a visa run via Penang, so he knows exactly which hotel is clean and cheap. We got to Penang at 10PM, so I followed him to the hotel so I can book my hotel stay at Penang.

 

Georgetown is very small and I just finished visiting all the interesting sites in Georgetown (downtown) of Penang Island. The highlight of my trip today is visiting the Cheong Fatt Tze's Mansion. Cheong Fatt Tze is a super rich merchant from China and he built the grandiest mansion in Penang for himself and his 7th wife. The tour lady was hilarious, she made the entire tour worth the 12RM (other historical sites charge 1-3RM, very cheap). Tomorrow, I am taking the bus to go up to Penang Hill to visit the biggest temple in Malaysia and its Botanical Garden. Hopefully, these places are interesting enough to fill up my day as my overnigh train to Kualu Lumpur doesn't leave till 9:30PM.

 

I did 2 several unnecessary damage to my budget at Penang.

1. I stayed at budget hotel (69RM or $20 per night) instead of guest house (18RM or $6 per night). However, since I arrived late, I don't want to risk my safety just for a few bucks; which is why I tagged along with the English guy since he seem to know where he is going.
2. I booked an overnight train to Kualu Lumpur (43RM) instead of taking a VIP bus (27RM). Plus, I would either need to walk 20 minute to the ferry terminal or take a taxi. VIP bus pick up is just right next to my hotel. VIP bus leave Penang at midnight and arrive KL at 5AM. Again, for safety reason, I rather not do that. With train, I would leave Penang at 7:30PM and arrive KL at 6:30AM.

There are a lot of Chinese here. I got so excited during breakfast when I heard the restaurant playing Fukienese(Taiwanese) music. I thought that means Hokkien is the same thing as Fukienese and I couldn't understand the waitstaff because they speaks too fast. Turned out that is not the case. The waitstaff looks at me weird whenI tried talking to them in Taiwanese. Fortunately, everyone also  speak Mandarin, so I just talked to them in Mandarin. Hokkien dialect is from Hui An (also part of Fu Jian Province) and although I can understand a few words here and there whenI try really hard, it is quite different from Taiwanese.

 

Although there is no language barrier here, I miss the Thailand beaches. Too bad the wound is not heal or else I would go back to Ko Phi Phi.

Things About Thailand

-They drive on the wrong side of the road (like in England and Australia).

-They are super friendly, even to strangers. Example: I don't know how to use the phone, they tried to teach me. We can't communicate so I still don't know how, so they used their cell phone and call on my behalf.

-Thai food are yummy.

-Deep fried grasshoppers tasted crunchy, not much meat. Deep fried silk warm taste like an empty shell. Deep fried lavel worms tasted nasty.

-Overnight boat/bus are easy. They tell you exactly where you needed to be. Sucks just b/c its so damn long.

-Most people on overnight boat/bus are probably 18-24 yrs old.

-Overnight boat are nice on top level as it came with a mattress and quite airy (I got this), nasty if you are at the lower level. The aussies & kiwi was on the lower level, they saw rat and got bitten by lice. We paid the same price, don't know why I got the top and they got the bottom.

-Thai food are cheap and tasty (40-90 Baht or $1-3 per dish). Farang food are expensive and average (200-300 Baht or $6-10 per dish).

-Big lobster looks so yummy, big lobsters are expensive :( 700-900 Baht or $20-$30 per lobster). I will eat a big lobster soon.

 

 

PS

I don't check my website since gmail/google is so slow in Thailand (Anyone know why? Other websites are ok). Therefore, if you want me to read your comments, email me.

 

I am Thai, Currently at Ko Phi Phi

I arrived Ko Phi Phi around noon today. Met a Kiwi on the boat so we decided to go find a room together (People from New Zealand are call Kiwi. Isn't it such cute name? I did not know New Zealand are called Kiwi. She kept referring to "Kiwi this" and "Kiwi that" so I asked her for definition). Ko Phi Phi is very expensive compare to rest of Thailand. I was thinking paying at most 500 Baht per room but everyone at the pier is asking for 1500 - 6000 baht/night as this is the peak season and most of the rooms are taken. We got lucky as we only asked a handful of guesthouses before we found one for 900 baht/night (no AC but has a fan and a typical sit down toilet, yay!). I was hoping to do my laundry after I get off the island as everything is pricier here, unfortunately, I ran out of cloth so I have to drop my laundry off with the maid and pay the premium. Also went shopping to buy skirts for me (got 2 for 550 Baht or about $18) and jeweleries for her.

 

In the afternoon,  Kiwi (her name is Anna but Kiwi sounds so cute) and I booked an afternoon sunset trip (4 hours trip) at the Garden Home Restaurant. We bumped into another two Aussies that she met earlier and they joined us (There are tons of Aussies here. Where are the Americans?) The trip including snorkeling, kayaking, visit monkey beach (saw a monkey drinking Pepsi - so cute and sad at the same time, viking cave (where the Chinese get the the swallows nest and sell for lots of money), and dinner while watching the sunset off the boat. The trip is so worth the 450baht. 

 

The Garden Home Restaurant has the cutest bathroom I ever see. Imagine a small orchid garden, with a step stones path leading to a clean sit down toilet in the middle. I was so impressed by it that I told Kiwi to check it out too. Thai food are delicious and Garden Home did a good job. I have the Basil with Squid today, it was very very yummy.

 

After lunch, a guy came pick us up and walked us to the pier (I love how small the town of Ko Phi Phi is. You can walk to everywhere). Then we got on to a small charter boat of sort with about 20 other farangs (foreigners). The people running the boat are super nice, they gave us free drinks and fruits. Our first stop is the Monkey Beach. Because the water is quite shallow near the beach, we have the choice to either kayak to the beach or snorkel there. Since my wound are not heal yet and neither is Kiwi's (her foot got cut on the beach in Ko Pha Ngan), we kayaked to the beach. The monkey are so smart, they snatch the bag full of fruit that one of the girl was holding for feeding them. Monkey bites so I did not dare to touch them.

 

After monkey beach, they took us around the Viking cave and show us a sample of swallow's nest. Then we went snorkeling for 40 minutes. The snorkeling alone is worthy of this trip. I saw more fish here than in Bahamas or Hawaii. They gave us breads, so I torn a few small pieces to lure the fishes in. Once a group of fishes surrounded me, I hold on to the rest of bread and the fishes just come up to me and eat of my fingers. It was such an awesome experience. There are tons of fishes with bright yellow and black stripes, schools of silvery fishes, some rainbow fishes, sea urchins, some round circle looking fishes (can you tell I am a fish expert?). Also saw the zebra-looking fish from "Finding Nemo." After snorkeling, the boat took us to this enclosed bay with a cave/holes in the middle of the rocky wall. Again, we have to either swim there or kayak there. I was probably high from snorkeling that I decided to swim there even though I suck at swimming. I was doing good at the beginning but the shore turned out farther than I expected. I got very tired at the end, one of the crew came drag me in when I was about 20 feet from the shores. After climbed into the cave, it opened up a whole new world. Do you ever watch "Lost"? Beautiful lush forest with white sand beach. The whole scenery behind the hole/cave is exactly like that. It was unbelievably gorgeous! We followed the sandy path for about 15 minutes and it lead to a beautiful white sandy beach. Afterward, we kayaked back to our boat and snorkel around our boat for another half an hour before enjoyed dinner at sunset. Very awesome trip.

 

Ko Phi Phi is beautiful. White sandy beach, small (walking size) town, surrounded by gorgeous little islands/caves for exploring, also tons of coral reefs with tons more pretty fishes. I am loving it even more than Ko Pha Ngan.

 

My wound looks disgusting after snorkeling, creamy white looking (imagine cold sore on lips kind of white). I know I shouldn't swam since my wound are not heal but hopefully it won't turn into anything too bad. I don't know what we are doing tomorrow yet.

 

We went shopping tonight and I got mistaken for Thai so many times. The Thai merchants thought I was here on vacation and talked to me in Thai, but started to ask me what am I when I have to respond in English. Many thought I was Thai-American when I told them I am from America. Some just choose to not believe me. Several customers asked me "How much is this" because they thought I worked there (kind of funny). In Bangkok, the students and I walked into the Wat Phra Kaew through a busy gate. I got in just fine (even with my backpack) but they all got waved away. I went back out wondering why they didn't go in with me, turned out we went into a "Thai people only entrance" by accident.  I really should learn "How much?" and "100, 200...900...1000Baht" in Thai so I can get good deals.

 

 

 

 

Ko Pha Ngan

Last few days here was great. All I did is eat, sleep, get massage, nap, eat, nap, dancing on the beach, nap, eat, nap. I definitely caught up with all the sleeps that I needed. I love Ko Pha Ngan.

 

Full moon party was last night. The whole beach is crowded with mainly 20-30yrs old (saw some 50-70yrs old hippies here too), most probably drunk or high. Loud dancing music was blasting from various bars on the beach. I'd imagined this is how spring break is like in Cancun but it is much bigger here and with kids from all around the world and no wet t-shirt contest. Heard lot of Aussies and British accent, some Swedish and Finnish too, didn't hear any American accents here.

 

Some things from the trip:

-Cambodia (Khmer) food are not good. It is a cross between Thai & Chinese but done it badly.

-Mosquitoes love me. I sprayed on bug repellent everyday and if I miss even a tiniest spots, the damn mosquitoes know it and bite me. I got bite everywhere, even my thumb. It was feeling numb for quite a while after being bitten.

-Thai food is good. Not drastically different from the one in US.

-Departure tax from Cambodia airport is $25, visa for entry is $20. Freaking expensive.

-I miss clean sit down toilet. Squatting sucks.

-South East Asia (Cambodia & Thailand) is very  nice this time of year. Not too hot,  not too cold. Perfect for walking around in tank top and shorts all day and all night long.

-Cambodian and Thai People are so friendly and helpful. Haven't met any mean/piss off people.

-You can get any kind of food here. I have a burger the other day cuz I miss American food.

-Ocean near departing ports are dirty (brown), ocean water near island are clean (blue) but water is cool, not warm like in the Caribbeans.

-I float easily in the water here. Probably cuz it is so salty.

-Bangkok have awesome traffic signal panel on their highway, they tell you where the traffics are on the signs.

-Everyone speaks a bit of English.

-I accidentally scrap my foot against a rock while swimming in the ocean, left 2 big bloody spots. no swimming/snorkeling/food massage for me for the next few days (hope it'll heal or become scat soon, I want a pedicure and go snorkeling, still haven't done these).

 

Taking an overnight boat to Suran Thani tonight, then taking a 3-4hr bus ride to Krabi early tomorrow morning, then taking an 1.5 boat ride to Ko Phi Phi. I plan to stay there for another 2-3 days. Hopefully my foot will heal then so I can go snorkeling. I want to take a cooking class there too. Itinerary for Ko Phi Phi: Snorkeling/Cooking Class/Napping/Eating/Massage.

 

Koh Pha Ngan

The bus was suppose to pick me up at 5:45pm. Ten minutes after that time, the bus still haven't come and I was the only person waiting in front of Charlie Connection Travel & Tour Shop. I totally thought I got scammed even though CCT&T got great reviews, I was already planning in my head on how to buy a plane ticket the next day. About 12 minutes later, a van came by. I didn't get scam! :)

 

The ride took forever. I got to Koh Pha Ngan around 1pm (~16 hours later). The bus ride from Koh PHa Ngan to Koh Phi Phi (my  next destination) suppose to take from 7am to 4pm. I think I am going to buy a flight from Krabi to Phucket instead b/c I don't want to spend most of my holiday traveling.

 

It is amazing how easy you meet people when you're traveling on your own. The first day (Jan. 1) I was on my own, I met 5 students currently doing exchange at HK University. I met them cuz both me and them are lost and trying to find gate entrance to Wat Phra Kaew. They were super friendly and I went visit Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (reclining buddha) with them till it's time for me to go catch the bus. And on the overnight bus, I met a fellow american. Since I did not make reservation for Koh Pha Ngan and the american was meeting up with an Australian friend on the boat to Koh Pha Ngan (whom already have hotel reservation), so I just follow them when we got off the boat.  The Austrailian was with 5 spaniards and 2 other aussies, and they all are very nice. I found a Bungalow next to theirs. Super cheap (100 Baht = $3), my dinner tonight cost a lot more (700 Baht = $20). These people are really fun people and all of them are taking monthly long vacation *me envy*. They all rent a motorbike, so I am riding around the island with them on motorbike. It is kind of scary b/c the roads are not that good and a lot of up and down hills. Plus, no one wears helmets.

 

Anyway, they are waiting for me at the restaurant so I've to go now. Will write more later.

Bombing in Bangkok

I am ok. Still alived!

 

Bangkok got car bombed twice last night (one at 6pm and one a bit before midnight, total of 6 car bombs), so all the new year celebration got cancelled. We went to Khao San Road. There were a lot of people and even lot more police/army with guns. The atmosphere was quite festive despite the news of car bombs. Right after count down, probably around 12:05AM, all the military guys came through the street and tried to disperse the crowd. All restaurants stop received new customers and started to kick people out. Music in clubs stopped playing. By 12:30AM, the street was quiet.

 

Right now, I am waiting for the overnight bus to Koh Pha Ngan. However, the location where I am suppose to wait for them to pick me up is closed and the cell phone number provided doesn't seem to work. I am very worry!

 

Will write more later. Hopefully from Koh Pha Ngan.