Malaysia

Loved Bangkok, but time to get out - 6 days is more than enough. After an 11 hour journey involving taxi, bus, plane, taxi, taxi, ferry, taxi, we arrived in Langkawi, Malaysia. The flight covered the 1,000km or so between Bangkok and HatYai - a journey which would have been 12 hours by bus alone. Instead it took only 1 hour and 10 minutes and cost 20 quid each. Additionally though, it involved a sleepless night for Andy followed by several hours of sweaty palms. It would seem he wasn't too sure about AirAsia's safety procedures.

We entered via Padang Besar, crossing the border on foot. Nobody else was following suit in the midday heat, and we received some funny looks. After a taxi ride to Kuala Perlis, we boarded the ferry which was to take us to our destination - Langkawi. Perlis is a town where polygamy is condoned. Apparently, this is to stop men having affairs. I wonder who thought of that one. So we are now in Langkawi, a luxury holiday destination by all accounts. We're not on this map, but are situated to the West of Perlis which is on Peninsualar Malaysia (see left hand map). Island Malaysia is the right hand side.

Immediately, Malaysia had a different vibe to the rest of SEA. Predominantly a Muslim country, all the women are dressed in head scarves and long dresses. They even go in the sea like this - what a nightmare! As we sat at the ferry terminal, I became aware I'd attracted a couple of male observers. I didn't really mind (it's been a while) but they weren't beauties. Even though I was wearing trousers, I felt that the vest top was the item of interest, so I took the opportunity to wrap my scarf around my shoulders and tuck it down my
cleavage. The rapidity at which both men lost interest and vacated their seats was comical. I felt like Rose West at a speed-dating event. They could at least have been subtle about it.

Other than that, everyone has been very polite and kind. I get the feeling we're not going to be ripped off left right and centre here. That said, things are more expensive than we're used to. And what's worse is that beer comes in small cans. That's if it comes at all. Some restaurants and hotels are tee-total (like ours). As we're now accumstomed to massive bottles of 6.4% beer, it will probably do us good.

We're staying in a lovely place called Tropical Resort. It really is - especially after the first place we checked into. We were both knackered after the journey, so only Andy went to view the room. The woman had us pay upfront for a 2 nights stay - always a dodgy ploy. The room, it turns out, was a total hole. As was the toilet (literally). No way - I just couldn't stay in that place of depression and grime. So we had a quick scout about for somewhere decent, depressing ourselves at all the lovley places we couldn't afford. Then we happened upon TR, owned by a lovely German woman called Lila. After some grovelling to the first place ("Charlie's Motel" by the way - quoted in The Book as the best option on the beach - when? 25years ago?), we managed to get a refund (minus a few quid for 'housekeeping') - whatever - I'd pay three times that to not stay there. What was more, I knew Em & Andrew would have been horrified with the place.

So, we've slept 11-12 hour sleeps the past three nights (recovery after Bangkok) and are now waiting for Em & Andrew to land. They should be with us in less than 5 hours and we can't wait. Friends from home!! Our best mates! What's more, they're bringing a bottle of Bombay Saphire and a supply of Green & Black's. Kicking myself that I forgot to request the latest copy of O.K! magazine though. I mean, I only want to know if Angelina's had the baby and what kind of a state Brittney's in these days. And if she has had the baby, how's Jen taking it? The ONLY good thing about returning to work in 8 months' time will be catching up on 12 issues worth of celebrity gossip...better request some extra management days to cope with the increased workload...