Malaysia so far...
So after some more time on koh phangnan while Kristen and Paul were recovering from their horrific motorcycle accident and after a fantastic trip to sail rock diving we did a pass on the full moon party and headed south once more to Krabi.
Krabi was a beautiful town, Well not Krabi exactly but the area around it. There are lots of cliffs and big pieces of rock sticking up everywhere. (I would put some pictures up but Cameron is currently being a camera hog). We went to the beach and a beach a little bit away and that was nice. Did some exploring of the area. Nothing amazing to report. Had some really yummy Museli, that was a highlight. Then it was finally time to leave Thailand.
Thailand didn't thrill me. On a scale of desert warzone experiencing drought and famine (1) to a tropical paradise where a genie is present to grant all of your wishes (10) its a 5 maybe. I just felt overcrowded a lot of the time (it is high season) and like we could never escape from people trying to rip you off or sell you something or the stupid taxi rackets/unions. It was ridiculous at times and I was just not looking forward to that. Don't get me wrong, its very beautiful and the fact that so many people go there makes it a sinch to travel in, but it got to me.
There are essentially two main types of people who travel in Thailand.
1--> Wealthy older people who are there for a week or two staying at a resort or two and going on a tour or two. These people are fine. They are nice and they mostly keep to themselves and their private beaches and are nice enough if they ever happen to slum it for a bit and hit up the backpacker areas. This group also includes families who are in resorts or on tours
2--> The traveling youth of Australia, UK and etc. that are in Thailand for "the buckets of alcohol, to sleep with Scandinavian women (or men) and who get a bamboo tattoo when they are drunk" (quote by Simon our last dive guide). I don't mind these people either except once got jealous when I saw a guy from Australia's facebook messages with his mom.... she was funding his trip and he was "never coming home, lol", because he was "having to much fun sleeping on the beach all day and partying all night" on his parents dime.
So maybe this is the reason I didn't really like Thailand. These types of travelers created a sort of vibe.... the wealthy people pay the first price and so prices are high and the Thai people see white skin and assume money and the young drunkers are a mess all the time and probably just p.o. the thai people because they tend to disrespect the land and the area, using the country as a giant playground/toilet bowl. I don't know if how I travel is any less offensive to other people or Thai people (even though I have had only 2 drinks the entire trip I am sure I get lumped in group 2 by the locals), but yeah, just didn't like it all that much and found the people to be unfriendly.
FACT: 12 million people travel to Thailand every year.
Alls I am saying is that I wouldn't do a backpacking holiday in Thailand south again. I would go to a resort and chill for a week though.
Anyways, had a good time though and made some great memories.....
We are in Malaysia now. Our first stop was Georgetown/Pedang. A very cool little area. It had an Arab quarter there and it was awesome to eat something besides Asian food! We had samosas and naan and tandoori chicken. excellent. We also went to Fort Cornwallis.
Then we went to the Perhentians. They are what I was hoping Thailand would be more like. More chill. less development, although they are headed the Thailand way. The people there were really nice and friendly and although Island living is a bit more pricey, I didn't feel like I was being ripped off or taken advantage of. Maybe they are just better at hiding their resentment. Also we saw loads of awesome animals there when we did a snorkel trip and diving. Things as a child I stared at my library books never dreaming I would one day see. It was great. I love swimming with sharks.
Now we are in the Cameron Highlands. Its a cool 20'C. I am cold. I am wearing pants and a jacket. hahaha, I have no idea how I am going to cope when I get home. I am very much looking forward to being in Canada and starting my program in thee Fall.... just a lot to do between now and then... oh well. C'est la vie when you take off for 5 moths!
Looking forward to seeing you all, but am still enjoying traveling and experiencing this part of the world. :)
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