Langkawi Back Through KL – and a Worm Hole

In the air - the heavens

I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Richard.  Richard is a friend of Stuart’s who I met in Australia on my last night there.  Stuart told me to contact Richard when I got to Malaysia since we both are interested in environmental issues and traveling.  So, although my initial time in Malaysia up until now has been pretty busy, Richard was kind enough to offer me his spare bedroom in his lovely condominium in an area called Mont Kiari.  Mont Kiari is an “expat” neighbourhood where shopping malls and condominiums are rising swiftly.  Richard’s place is a fine example of interior decorating well done.  It is a far cry from the hostels and guest houses I have been staying in.  It is lovely.  Richard is also great.  He took me out with his friends on a vigourous mountain hike first thing this morning and then yoga this afternoon before heading to Melaka.  I wish I had been doing more yoga on this trip since I was soooo tight.  Never to late to start now!

This person landed safely - unlike that other bloke!

Living from where Richard lives and meeting the expats also gives KL a very different flavour and angle.  Obviously it is more familiar ground thus feels more comfortable.  But enjoying all different experiences is key.  I did not get the best out of Langkawi and that was my fault.  Both with being sick and just feeling a bit of tourism burnout.  I needed to rent a scooter but was feeling a bit reticent to do so having not really ridden one but also concerned about the traffic.  And ultimately the heat was so oppressive everyday, I just could not imagine getting on a hot black seat with a helmut to ride around everywhere.  Moving very little seemed to be the order of the day.  But hindsight is 20/20.

Langkawi from the air

So now I am enroute to Melaka.  The funniest thing happened to me though.  I went to this new huge complex where all the buses leave now for southern locales.  I wanted to just buy a Transnacional Bus ticket for Melaka but the next bus was not until 5pm.  It was only 3:30pm.  I guess I could have taken some of the other lines, but what did I know.  Anyway, a little confused.  But they suggested the Nice Transnacional bus which was 10 more ringit (about $3) but more comfortable with food, movie etc… (well I am on the bus and yes it is more comfortable and I see a little kitchen and there is an extra person on the bus appearing to be there for service but nothing has happened and the tv screen is blank and my seat is broken – oh well)  So I get this bus ticket.  As I am waiting for the bus, I am eating a danish and looking at the departure board.  I finish the danish, and my ticket is gone.  And the weirdest thing is that I had just been looking at it.  For the life of me I can’t figure out where it has gone.  To this moment, I don’t know where it went.  No one was by me, and I had had it in my hand, and suddenly it was gone.  And this was not a small ticket.  I had been holding on to it wrapped around my water bottle and it was no where.  So I went and bought another ticket.  So what could have been a 22 ringit journey, turned into a 44 ringit journey.  To this moment, I don`t know what happened.  It was like I went through a worm hole.  And I know I didn’t eat it.  I checked everything and everywhere.  Just odd, very odd.  Twilight zone revisited.  Very strange, very strange indeed.  It was like I suddenly disappeared for about 15 seconds to another place and when I came back the ticket was gone – no memory of what happened and no clue as to where I was for that 15 seconds.  And no, I had not been drinking!

My last view of Langkawi from the comfort of the Yellow Cafe.