“On this journey of life we are all travelers looking to make that great trip with someone. Journeys are made by people you travel with.”
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is one of the most technologically developed countries amongst industrialising nations in the ASEAN region. When we arrived to Kuala Lumpur, I immediately realised the slight difference between Thailand and Malaysia. I would guess Malaysia is around 30 years ahead. I was surprised by the cleanness of the city and if you compare it to Bangkok for instance its less polluted and less chaotic. And it’s very tourist friendly (but its Bangkok as well). I sensed the mixture of Indian and Chinese culture influence especially in cuisine. If you love indian food, you will be in heaven.
Petronas Towers, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 2016
We booked a room in this hotel very close to the central market, ideally located in the heart of downtown Kuala Lumpur, great starting point to walk and search this city. A walking distance to Petronas Towers a symbol of materialism, power and money. Surely a touristic point, but well worth to visit. It is an architectonical gem designed by Argentine architect César Pelli.
Penang George Town, Malaysia, 2016
Penang George Town
This place is best known for its delicious food.
We have been there and I can approve it. We found an Indian restaurant open 24/7 and ate there in the midnight. All I can say is it was the best tandoory chicken ever.
Combination of ferry and train and we moved to another beautiful spots.
Langkawi and then to Koh Lipe
I had an experience with fun dive once in Telč, Czech Republic in an old flooded mine. I always wanted to experience it in the Andaman see, everytime I was there, but I never did. When we accomodate in Forra diving Resorte in Koh lipe my old wish from my bucket list appiered again and when we snorkeled around the island close to the beach I was amazed how wonderful and diverse is the marrine life in the clean water near the shore. Its sadly not a sure thing nowadays anymore.
Our dive instructor Paul was great. Explained everything we needed to know and it was a fun to dive with him. Sometimes the dive is also a fight with your own inner demones and about overcoming your fear. So when you go and dive you not only see amazing creatures living in the see but you also learn something new about yourself. Thank you Paul for this great experience.
Andaman sea, Koh Lipe area, 2016
By traveling the world I always learn about the beauty of our planet Earth. On the same time I learn how we as a human race destroy it. The polution is anormous. We basicly use our own home as a garbage bin and if there is no place on the ground we through waste into the ocean. The most sad thing I experience while diving is the amount of plastic garbage in the water.
There are activities covering this problem which make me happy though, one of which we experienced while on the Koh Lipe island. Every monday you can become a hero. A TRASH HERO.
One thing every traveler on this island can do is to support this activities by purchasing a tin bottle which can be refilled for free in every store selling this bottle, instead of buying a plastic bottle everytime you are thirsty. There are plenty of stores and sellers on the island.
Just look for the trash hero sign. This activitie is growing in size on other islands in Asia, but also in other countries as well, which makes me very happy.
Indonesia is the new Thailand
Well at least for me. Indonesia is a new destination which is on my radar now. I am ready to start to explore it. On this trip we had begun with Lombok island.
Lombok
“Located just east of Bali, Lombok in many ways lives up to or exceeds the promotional term, “an unspoiled Bali”. With beautiful beaches, enchanting waterfalls, the large, looming volcano of Mount Rinjani combined with relatively few tourists, Lombok is indeed the paradisiacal tropical island that many people still mistakenly imagine Bali to be now. “
Gili Air
There is a heaven there, a turtle heaven and it is a capital of the world for turtles.
I love free diving. My personal best accomplishment is 15meters deep dive. I love surpassing my score to stay longer and dive deeper without help of the oxygen cylinder. Its the metter of practise. I usually snorkel and free-dive almost whole day and then I rest on the beach. Thats my way of relaxation. Complitely different world down there. Dangerous and fascinating. Fishes and different diverse creatures in an alien kind of environment. Yet, on our mother earth.
Mr. Richard may I place two cucumbers over your eyes? I am not kidding. This is a question you can get if you try special Bali massage in Sheraton hotel’s spa.
Do it. Everytime you can. Negotiate. The locals will try to sell as expensive they can but when they realize you somehow know the local conditions they will almost nod for the price you sad. Here is some useful help:
Apa kabar- How are you?
Bay trimakasi! – Good, thank you!
Mahal sakali – Very expensive
Tida bagus! – Not good!
Hati Hati – Be careful
“Never try, never know. Bro.” or
“Something is better, then nothing.” you are going to hear this quite often when talking to locals, especially to children trying to sell a t-shirt or bracelet to you.
Bau Nyale
“One of Lombok’s most important and popular festivals is “Bau Nyale” – a unique event that attracts thousands of visitors to the south coast every year. Many visitors to Lombok plan their trip to coincide with Bau Nyale.
Bau Nyale (meaning “ to catch Nyale” in the local sasak language) is a cultural tradition said to date back to the 16th century and is centred on the seasonal appearance of Nyale ( a variety of palolo worm found in tropical waters in certain parts of the world, including Lombok).
Once a year – when seasonal, marine and lunar conditions combine – the Nyale come to certain beaches around Lombok to spawn and, for a few days, the sea is filled whit wriggling sea worms in variety of colours, ranging from simple brown to red, blue and green.
Bau Nyale, or the Nyale Festival, takes place every year in the tenth month of the lunar sasak calendar and is celebrated in either February or March each year.”
Kuta Beach is a place where you have to rent a motorbike and go explore by yourself. There are so many beautiful beaches waiting for you to discover on the southern part of Lombok. If you are looking for a fantastic restaurant in Kuta Beach, then yes, there is at least one. “Nugetes corner” Strange name for a delicious local food served with french gentility. Look for Joachim, the french owner, he will explain you why he has chosen this strange name.
Hope we see you soon Indonesia!
In case you would like to see videos from our trip you can watch them here: