Surfing

Surfing

Echo beach, Bali. A surfer's paradise, or as one tour guide said, "It's like Hawaii".

Bali

Ubud is the rural part of Bali and apparently it's where they shot some of Eat, Pray Love. It was a very pleasant city, not so many tourists. It was peaceful but busy and there's a monkey forest/ Temple at the edge of the city.

Bali

The Streets of Bali

Louis Vuitton helmet (not sure if it's real)

The easiest mode of transport in Bali are bikes, I'm not sure if it's because of the traffic caused by the tourists or they're cheaper than cars but most people have them and they use them as family cars or delivery cars. One other reason could be that the roads are so small and narrow, bikes are easier to maneuver and get around town with.

Bali

First impressions of paradise

My first impressions of Bali from the taxi ride to my hotel. Very busy city for an island. I started in Kuta which is full of tourists, high prices and a bit dirty, but it showed life in Bali; people on bikes, traffic and construction sites.

Malaysia

Malaysia (truly Asia)

The only two things I knew about Malaysia prior to the 18 hours lay over was that Formula 1 had a race here and they have the iconic Petronas Towers, which were once the worlds tallest buildings. Since I wouldn't be able to go the Formula 1, the Petronas Towers were the only things left to see.

Verdict: really beautiful city, especially with the lights on.

Highlights:

Since I was only there, alone, for 18 hours and I slept for 7 of them, I had a very limited experience of Kuala Lumpur but it was a very eye opening experience. The city reminds me of South Africa, complete with Nandos and crazy taxi drivers, not to mention the accent.

Malaysia is a Muslim country but it's full of diverse people, Chinese, Indians, all with their own religions and cultures; it really reminded me of home. All the good parts of Joburg, Cape Town and Durban put together.

But this was all in the city centre, I didn't get to see the surrounding, non tourist areas but on the train ride to the city, I got a glimpse of it. Like all cities, you get the glamorous, industrial, busy CBD and then you get were everyone else lives- lots of tall apartment blocks, some dirty some clean and people living on the side of the railway.

There's always a bit of reality behind the images of glamour.

summer holidays!

Summer Lovin!

Wow!

I don't think there's a more suitable word to describe this past week. Starting in Kuala Lumpur and ending on Echo Beach in Bali, this holiday has been amazing! I learnt 3 things:

1. The world is huge! and the people in it are so diverse and different.

2. Malaysia reminds me of home, although I was there for 18 hours, I had Nandos and went to a Plaza like store, it felt like home but a bit prettier. I think SA could learn a couple of things.

3. Stay in hostels, you meet a lot more people.

I have over 500 pics, so my holiday posts will be spread out.