Exploring East Asia

Sensational - a round of applause please!!   I expected Singapore to be clean and modern. I expected a certain level of organization. I expected to be impressed but actually I was overwhelmed and delighfully so. Wandered the city taking in the sites and sights smiling at the genius and gumption of this tiny Island Nation. From the bathroom at the Singapore Airport to the Marina Hotel -- it was utterly astounding. You get that sense in the minutes after you arrive in a new city.  In this one; The currency exchange " we take any country currency of any denomination sir "  -  huh? Well the rate must be sheer banditry. No sir we pay close to market rate - and they did. Huh?  Down the stairs to the subways - clean - on time - inexpensive.  This is where the Jetson's of my early childhood must have lived. It's so futuristic -- so not me :) There is still however the human side of the city. Carefully camoflaged by the glitz and ...

It's just that good!!! That's me and Beyonce if you're wondering. We're all that ...... :)  I languished in Langkawi for 5 days more than planned almost exclusively due to this stupendous  sunset that wished me good night as I sat transfixed on the deck of the Tubotel hostel. I made sure to get settled with a frosty cold beer 10 minutes before the show and was joined by numerous interesting personalities over the days I was there. It was a relaxing and delicious hangout with a long sandy beach to run and plenty of sun to soak in.  As nice as the hostel and surrounds were, the open road called my name in a way that reminds me of gravity - it is undeniable. So equipped with a faded red ratchety 125cc Honda scooter and lots of water I explored the island with all it's coves and canyons -- beaches and balconies where the cold beer waited seductively. It's a big Island but with scooter rentals at $7 per day and fuel at 70 cents a litre..... I...

*** Gong Xi Fa Cai *** A sobering moment came as I traipsed the air conditioned corridors connecting shopping malls and gazed lovingly at the McClaren sports cars whistling by on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. It was yet another humbling moment as I began to realise what a colossal economic power Malaysia has become. Thinking it a sleepy kissing cousin of Bangkok -- it is indeed much more like the mistress of Dubai dripping in the excesses that can only come from the accumulation of massive amounts of wealth. It is awe inspiring and spectacular in every respect. My recent theft aside (by the way he/she photographed my credit cards and emptied both the next day - fucker - may he/she suffer from diarrhoea for all eternity with never a bathroom in sight) -- people are very friendly, helpful, engaging and honest. The streets are clean  -- even the back alleyways are regularly attended to by some committed angelic soul. All that said it was time to catch a bus ...