Asia Fizzle

So what to say about Malaysia? My arrival for the first time in Asia feels far more like a fizzle than a nice healthy pop! Not really seen all that much due to time constraints which is a very unusual feeling for me, but overall I'm glad that I don't have to spend too much time here. Kuala Lumpur locals are mainly unfriendly to the point of being rude and Penang is only marginally better.

It has a small element of the craziness assoicated with Asia; Chinatown and Little India areas abound in all major towns, but sadly I haven't had the chance to see inland - perhaps if I do on the way back, I may appreciate it a little more. The religious architecture is stunning - not usually high on my list for a country, but the extravagence of some of the temples is amazing and usually worth a couple of photos.

Spent over a week in Kuala Lumpur getting my head around a new country - always takes a while especially since my travel buddy extraordinnaire is in Thailand so it's just me, me and me. Got to know the Welsh/French owners of the bar downstairs from the hostel who were lovely and made me feel very welcome so that helped. Popped up the KL telecommunications Tower as well for a quick peek of the city from above - just another city really but with big hills in the background which was the one saving grace of the view. After a few failed attempts I managed to land myself on a bus to the island of Penang - really just an extension of the mainland especially now it has a bridge connected to it.

The hawker stalls both here and in Kuala Lumpur are fascinating for the frantic activities of the cooks and the most amazing smells reach my nose everytime I walk down the street. Most of the food (Indian, Malay, Chinese) is cooked fresh on the roadside and usually pretty bloody tasty as well as being super cheap - always a bonus!

So the Asia fizzle so far has been a massive assault on the senses in terms of the smells from cooking and the sounds of the traffic... although apparently nothing compared to what I am due to face elsewhere in Asia. I just hope for more friendly locals and really really have the need to be away from towns and near the ocean instead - I think I'm now cut out for the less frenetic pace of life and more for the relaxing wash of the sea... maybe I should have stayed in Fiji!!