My most awful moment after coming back is always when I have to replace my flipflops with shoes (ánd socks) again! I always try to do this at the last possible moment...mostly, when my feet are starting to freeze off ^_^. In this case when I was waiting for my train home from Dusseldorf Airport for about 15minutes. First thing I did once on the train was putting shoes on again, dreadful!
I finally got home around 9:30pm and unpacked immediately, I always do. I then went to bed a few hours later and woke up 15min before my alarm and so I decided to go in to the office at 730am. I mostly talked and went through my emails that day.
I told everyone what an amazing time I had and that I was thinking of going away again next year but for a lot longer and maybe even go to Australia for my working holiday visa. I have to apply before I turn 31 but I would then still have some time to actually use it. I noticed that a month was too short or maybe it was just that I didn't like having a time limit. And meeting so many travelers that were away for months or just finished their trip after months and months and were going home, made me think about it again too.
I also told my collegues that I might want to do a month of volunteer work in Indonesia and hopefully pick up the language too. I was hoping this would also happen in Malaysia but they spoke a lot of English amongst eachother too because of all the different cultures and backgrounds (Malay, Chinese, Indian).
I did learn a few new words and recognized some words I knew before, such as tandas (toilet), keluar (exit), taman negara (national park), selamat datang (welcome), terima kasih (thank you). And I also used words that I knew before to talk or make jokes with the locals. They would mostly laugh and I laughed with them :).
What I also noticed when I came back was some of the silence, we all use earphones to listen to music or watch videos, but in some parts of Malaysia they didn't. Music, videos, phonecalls were all loud and clear, although I of course couldn't understand any of it.
I was also (sometimes without my knowledge) featured in some videos, photos, phonecalls, more than I thought I would in Malaysia. But mostly good fun.
Anyways, I guess I just need to figure out what I want. During my time in Malaysia, I heard a Little Mermaid Song 'Part of your World' and again, the words spoke to me. "I want more", "I want to be where the people are", "Part of that world". I always want more, to see more, to be where the people are and experience their culture and be part of that world...
To be continued...
Cheers,
T.
So after arriving in Melaka after about 8 hours and almost no sleep, I was exhausted. Another guy I met in Langkawi was also arriving in Melaka that day around 5pm but I hadn't heard from him (yet another Sam). It turned out, his journey also took longer than expected. We went to a local restaurant for Indian food and then to Sids Pub for a few beers. The owners of the hostel I was staying in, also owned a Reggea bar and all day happy hour prices for their guests and so we went there after the pub. We met a few other people and also one local guy that wanted to take us out for local Peranakan food the next day.
After a very good night sleep, we all met up and went for lunch on our rented bicycles! It was then, when we left the cute and historic side of Melaka that I noticed how big the city was. Traffic was crazy!!! When we got to the place, Unicorn Cafe, we were welcomed with open arms! The guy kept telling everyone my grandmother and mother were born in Indonesia and everyone he told (Malay, Chinese, Thai) all had the same response: Ohhh with a fitted facial expression. It was very funny because after a few times I knew what they would say and would do the same. The food was amazing and I had a cendol Melaka for dessert nom nom.
We then went to a church on top of a hill with Dutch gravestones (and history). The view of the city was nice and there was a nice breeze, which was very welcomed because it was so hot. When we walked outside the church (ruines), there was this guy playing his guitar and singing a song but pretty slow music. And so we wanted to dance and he started to play 'Let's do the twist', a country song and then 'Proud Mary'! We, the 5 of us, starting dancing and singing and people came from every angle to see what was going on. Videos and pictures were taking and we just had a blast! Such a good day so far.
At night a few of us from the hostel and elsewhere went to check out the sunset at a floating mosque. We all had to wear these long dresses and a headskarf (just the girls) to go into the mosque. The mosque was nice, the view was great. Just water and skies. It almost looked like a painting. It was very cloudy so there wasn't much to see during sunset.
We went to the famous Jonker Walk Night Market when we returned but it was a bit of a let down. And so we headed back to the local restaurant for some Indian food and then drinks at the reggea bar. We sat outside on the 2nd floor and saw fireworks followed by hundreds of either bats or small birds that came from the trees and flew over the river away from the fireworks. I have never heard or seen anything like it!!!
All of us took the bus to KL the next morning, a 2-3hour busride, fingers crossed.. and what do you know, it only took us 2hours! We checked in at the hostel, we all stayed at the same one. I was suppose to go to a hotel for my last few days but decided to tag along. And also, because it happened to be the same hostel I stayed in 5 years ago and I wondered if the owner still remembered me and if the place had changed. He did and it hadn't. We went to a pubquiz that night, organized by the hostel. It was a night full of fun, meeting new people, lots of drinking of course and dancing! Great night out.
I got up the next morning, pretty early to extend my stay, I had only booked one night. I saw that there was still toast and decided to have a few slices, I then went back to bed but couldn't really sleep. So we got up, picked up our laundry and went to the Petronas Towers. I had already been a few years ago but since I couldn't sleep anyway, guided the guys there.
After that we went to the Batu Caves. I swore I would never go back again. It was such a let down 5 years ago and also after a night of heavy drinking, the stairs seemed to be endless. But a girl showed me some photos the night before that they had painted all the steps and since everyone went, I decided to give it another go. On the way there, I told everyone that I was not going up again, but once there, I did and it wasn't as bad as I remembered. But still once at the top, I didn't care too much for the cave itself.
I missed having a nap and was so tired, but as we came back, we pretty much went straight to Little India to, again, have Indian food and to see the last bits of Deepavali (Indian holiday), fireworks and all. The main celebration however was the day before...and we missed it. It didn't take long after we came back, that I was heading for bed. I didn't have the best or longest night, but I did get some rest.
I am currently at the airport and the flight is almost ready for boarding! (posted this during my transfer in Dubai though)
And even though, everyone is happy to see me coming back..I'd rather stay. But you'll read more on this in my next and final post I'll write for this trip.
Cheerio,
T.
Not sure where I left off last time, but I took a super cheap flight to Penang from Kota Bharu. It was a very small airplane, 19rows with 2seats on each side. 20kg of luggage and a snack&drink were all included for about €15!! The flight didn't even take an hour, happy days!
I was picked up by another Grab car and the driver, Lim was very helpful. He gave me lots of good tips and drove me around a bit before dropping me off at the hostel. I went from a 5* hotel to a €5 a night hostel. The staff consisted only of other travelers, who worked there through 'work away'. I arrived kind of late and decided not to do much that night. Another traveler, Sam(ir) from Algeria, came in a bit after me though and took the top bed. He then asked me if I wanted to join him for dinner and so I went out anyway. When we got back, I went to bed and not long after started to feel really itchy, I figured it might have been mosquitos but the bites were very close together and on my arm that was under my pillow... And so I turned on my light, saw a bug on my pillow and killed it...yikes. Not sure if it was bed bugs, but there's a first time for everything I guess. The staff changed my bed and the rest of the night was fine. Although I kept thinking something was in there with me.
The next morning, me and Sam went for a walk through the city. After the places I had been to before, this was such a breath of fresh air (not literally as it was super hot and humid). There was lots of Street Art and (street) food. And also one street with a church, a mosque and a temple, also known as Harmony street. There were buildings that clearly had Brittish influences, and those more Malaysian looking. A very versitile city and very walkable.
Penang is also known for it's food and so at night we went to a food market around the corner in search of satay! We found it and wow, so gooood. It even came with longtong (sticky rice) :)! I of course had more satay during my stay and also cendol, Indian food and much more. Before coming to Penang, I missed having fruit and vegetables, and was so happy to have found watermelon (juice) again! I did find a few apples before but couldn't really eat it because of my braces and my little pocket knife was confiscated so I couldn't cut it into pieces either. Veggies seem to all be fried here, and so I was happy to have a bit of raw cucumber and onion on the side of my satay dish.
I stayed in Penang for a few more days, just to relax for a bit and take my time seeing things. Me and Sam also went to the Spice Garden and National Park together. I don't know what I expected from the National park, but not another jungle hike. So in flipflops and a dress, I again went through the jungle unprepared. We ended up at a beach, which was really nice and then took the boat back. I couldn't and didn't want to walk back. It was soooo hot and humid still. The driver of the boat told us to look to our right, "look crocodile" and so everyone looked in aw, then he said "rock crocodile". A bunch of rocks that looked like a crocodile, he did the same with a turtle. We then turned the corner and I saw something swimming in the water, it kind of looked like sealions but smaller, So I asked the guy what it was and he "oh you want to see"? And all of us went YEAH!! Since he was pointing out rock animals, real ones didn't seem to interesting to him I guess. We went back a bit and it turned out to be otters!!! Me and the other people on the boat didn't know otters swam in salt water and let alone lived in a tropical environment! It reminded me of the first time I saw penguins on the beach in Australia and all I knew was that they liked cold weather.
Although it was fun to do and see stuff with someone else, I went to a temple and Penang hill by myself the next day. I took a local bus and next to me was this older lady with her bag on her lap. It reminded me of my grandmother and when we would take the bus together into the city. I think this trip was also meant to process losing her not too long ago and take some time to myself. I was glad I was by myself that day and in that moment, I squeezed my one hand with my other hand. Something my grandmother always did. I remembered the shared laughter, kisses, hugs and all those times she squeezed my hand. The older lady got out and I did a while after, still with my grandmother in mind. After visiting the temple, I took another public bus (when I finally found it). And there was another older lady that said, she was heading to Penang hill as well but only half way and so we went together. We took the free bus and got off a few stops after and had to walk for about 10min. I held her umbrella (for the sun and heath) and she held my arm to lean on me because of her replaced knees. We walked through a few back streets and talked for a bit. She then showed me where I needed to go and went on her way. I don't think this would have happened if I was with someone else.
When I returned and walked back towards the hostel, I noticed an 'I love Penang' sign and stopped. I got bit/stung by a fire ant under my foot while attempting one of my brilliant self timer shots (which did come out brilliant!). It was painful and burned, I couldn't even walk on it for a few hours. Luckily it didn't swell up or anything and stopped burning and hurting after a few hours. It seemed that Penangs bugs took a special interest to me.
I went on to explore the city the next day and to get my ferry ticket to Langkawi for the next morning. I had heard horror stories of rough sees and people puking on the ferry, but decided to risk it anyway.
It rained quite a bit in the afternoon and evening and so I just read my book at the hostel. I noticed one of the staff, a girl from South America, was practicing henna on paper earlier that week and I told her, she could practice on my if she wanted to. She was a bit hestitant to do so, but after me persistantly telling her she would do fine, she decided to go for it. The rain continued and the streets flooded a bit and the power went out for a few minutes. I had to use a flashlight (phone) so she could see what she was doing, haha. It turned out great and is definitely an experience to remember!
Me and Sam left for Langkawi the next morning and it the water was pretty calm. It took us about 3hours and it's during this trip, that I wrote my previous two posts. I stayed in a different hostel than him and so we would meet up later. I booked two nights, but after seeing the hostel and the short walk to the beach, I instanly knew, I would stay longer. I also knew this would be where my detox would end. I planned on a month without alcohol and for about ten days, I did fine. But seeing the beach & the sun, I knew it would end here. The beach was a 2min walk from the hostel and where the sunset was. It reminded me of Florida, only that's where I would go to see the sunrise (on the beach) but it was so busy, that it also reminded me of the last time I went to Bali with friends and we saw a sunset. I ended my detox that night.
Langkawi was full of socializing, I met some really cool people. I had drinks on the beach and in the ocean, danced barefoot, befriended locals and didn't want to leave. The guy from the hostel, a local named Jeff, was also lots of fun. I got on with him right away and also with another local girl that worked in the ice cream shop in front of the hostel, her name is Auri, and so I was talking to them almost every day. I didn't do or see much else of the island until a guy from my room said he would take me around the island on the bike he rented. When people kept leaving, we extended our stay for another night and another, both couldn't be too bothered to book anything or leave Langkawi. He eventually did and I left the morning after. I was there for 7nights, but could have stayed for another week. Oh and did I mention it's a duty free ISLAND and so everything is super cheap (especially alcohol)!!
It took me forever to decide on where to go next and I eventually decided I would go to Singapore, meet my friend (the same guy I met in BKK on my first night) and then take the bus to Melaka, so I could skip KL on my way to Melaka. I left to go to Singapore in the morning and the entire way there, I wondered why I had left Langkawi. The skies were grey in Singapore, it was a big city, the hostel was empty and it is super expensive (about €15 for a pint or cocktail, spent way too much money)! And after I took a nap, I went to meet my friend at his hotel. I was suppose to stay one night, but stayed two. Lots of drinking and dancing was involved and a few of the hotspots I remembered from my first visit. And without any sleep (went out again and decided to stay up), I am now on my way to Melaka. A 4 hour busride with fantastic seats but having to stop at customs to leave Singapore and again 45min after to enter Malaysia, I couldn't really sleep.
Well, that's it then, almost there and only 4days left...
Just an extra note, the busride took me about 8hours!!! I was exhausted when I got to my hostel in Melaka around 18:30 (I left at 10am).
Cheers,
T.