The sunsets were outstanding. We had a hotel with a view of the setting sun and was it ever a treat to watch it nightly. The colors, the peace, the serenity, the cows…it was definitely a picture perfect opportunity.

Fish Zoo

One thing we did get to do on the boat excursions was to stop by a fish market. Not the run of the mill market we think of…it was kinda like a zoo as well as a market place. They had some fish that were there just to show the tourists…hence the picture of me feeding a manta ray!! It fluttered up to take the food, though I have to admit I dropped the food more than I actually got it in the guys mouth! The kids were much better at it.

Island Hopping in Malaysia

The claim is that Malaysia is the land of 100 islands and the Langkawi area certainly works at providing its portion of the 100. It is surrounded by a large number of small islands, some of them very, very small islands, imagine car size. We spent one day on an island hopping tour, again on one of the small boats, though this time with about 10 other people. This time they took us to some of the small islands to spend some time. The day was gorgeous so we had a wonderful time soaring through the water, smacking into the backwash from other speeding boats and having water splashed up into the boat as the drivers raced to the first island. I actually think their goal was to get to the island as fast as possible because then they got to lie back on the boat for and hour or so while all of us crazy tourists took a walk UP the hill to the small lake hidden in the jungle. Well..it’s actually not hidden very well because there’s a walkway heading up to it, complete with toilet facilities (that you pay for), drink stand (no ice) and, when you get to this hidden lake, they have paddle boats available for only a small fee. So much for back to nature.

After their siesta, we visited a beach for more swimming and lounging around, us on the beach, them in their boats. Here again they had a food hut…perhaps the destinations were chosen by the availability of facilities to fleece the tourist??? It was pleasant to swim, the water warm, the beach clean (for a beach) and I just like being warm and in the sun!!!

Bats in Malaysia

Bats! We got to see bats in their caves!!! We cruised on the little river boat up to “Crocodile Rock”. There they manipulated the boat INTO the mouth of the cave, coming very close to the top of our boat. However, we were well rewarded with a view of bats roosting inside the ‘belly’ of the crocodile. They also took us to a nearby cave where we could walk through and see the limestone caverns along with hundreds of bats. On my side of the lantern, it was cool to see so many bats up in the far reaches of the cave. I’m sure on the other side of the light, the bats were not too pleased to be disturbed in the middle of their night. Some fussed and watched us pass, others just snuggled into their wings and attempted to ignore us.
With over 100 different species of bats in Malaysia, I have no idea which bats we had the opportunity to disturb.

Mangrove Swamps

Mangroves happen to be the weirdest trees I’ve ever seen. They look like they have these long, spindly legs that they stand on, almost like they’re ready to walk out of the swamp on their own.
Now…since the rest of us don’t have boats or the knowledge of the swamps and the swamps have all these crocodiles and snakes and bats and insects living in there (it’s a cool swamp), they have come up with a fool proof way to treat/fleece all of the tourists…excursions into the swamps. Our two guides took us off into the mangrove swamp, first stop watching the eagles feed. Now we were totally impressed. The eagles were circling overhead, performing aerial tricks, swooping in, latching onto small fish…the perfect photo opportunity. I just had to know what fish was in such plentiful supply to have so many eagles all in one place, repeatedly diving in for the kill. Well…it’s a very rare species designed to convince tourists that the eagles always congregate in one spot to eat their favorite food…chicken skins.

Langkawi Island

Langkawi ! An island paradise! Blue sky! Blue sea! Rainforests, waterfalls, mangroves, and, most of all…WARMTH.
Our hotel was like a step back in time - right out of Swiss Family Robinson. Old wooden building, wooden shutters and a view of the forest that was totally relaxing and welcoming. It was such a treat to wake up to the birds and clean smells and delightful scenery every morning.

News Flash from Japan

OK...you've got to check out Nancy's blog about their trip to Japan. It's absolutely fabulous. You can find it at: http://www.nancyoster.blogspot.com/
She has included lots of the Engrish available here in Japan.

Petronus Towers

The fabled Petronus towers, the tallest in the world for a little while at least, are cool, towering, gigantic, colossal and absolutely magnificent. Standing below them and looking up makes you want to fall over backwards! They seem to spiral as they rise, making them appear to be taller and taller, almost reaching into the stratosphere. It’s hard to get a picture of them that really shows how awesome they are.
Inside is a food court to beat all food courts. The variety of foods is unbelievable and any kind of eating beliefs, preferences or restrictions can be met and any finicky eater pleased. We spent a long time just looking at the variety, Indian, Pakistan, Chinese (a couple of kinds), Malay, Pilipino, and who knows what else. Before we could even decide what to choose we had to go around a few times!
We had hoped to go up to the skywalk but, alas, you must have a ticket. You can sign up for one the night before and they hand out tickets at 8:30 in the morning - if you don’t get one of the tickets then, you don’t get to go up. Just a warning…plan ahead….

Kuala Lumpur

T’was the middle of vacation
And all through the house
All the heaters were running
To warm up the …
Freezing people within!

I do believe we left the land of the freezing sun at the perfect time. The cold was seeping into our bones and we all needed to be warmed…While Nancy and Dave returned to the sea and sun in Santa Barbara, we headed to the sea and sun in Malaysia.
Just the name, Kuala Lumpur, conjures up pictures of mystery and the exotic and indeed we found it. Our friend Robert helped us through the first hurdle…the mystery of getting past the myriad of taxi drivers, all attempting to give us a ride…and for MANY different prices. They followed you like porters on a train, each hoping you’d change your mind as they changed the price, each trying to out bargain the other. We’d have fallen for the first ruse if we hadn’t had Robert along to keep us moving.
While Jeff and Robert took off for a day in the electronic stores, Maria and I tackled the subway system for a trip into Kuala Lumpur, through a mosque, street markets and finally the famous Petronus Towers.
Malaysia represents a mixture of many different peoples and beliefs…Indians, Malays, Chinese, Hindis, Muslims, Christians and tourists to cover just a few. It’s remarkable to walk down the street and see the confusing swirl of colors and costumes and listen to the blending of the languages and the smells! The foods were sumptuous!
They allow all people to come and view the gardens around the mosque…and they even provide the head scarves and a long robe so that you’re appropriately attired to enter. It’s interesting…the women need to be covered but the men could wear shorts or whatever and they were fine.