WORDS . LOVE . ME

It is pretty easy to summarize what we have done for the last 2 days: EAT. Apparantly Penang is Malaysia’s food capital and we can only confirm that. Our favourite food court “Red Garden” was around the corner of our hostel… delicious Amuse-Gueules from Malaysia, Japan, China, India… we cannot stop and will make another visit tonight before we get on the night bus to head to Singapore. Sushi, Maki & Satay, here I come!

Location: Pulau Perhentian Kecil
Time: doesn’t matter, life’s a beach
Setting: Mira Beach, Bungalows 7 and 1

Two folks from the Alps are discovering the local fauna face to face. This includes the house geckos Heinrich and Gerlinde (approx. 20 cm in size), the occasional bat (2, easy to distract with a broom), further developped iguanas (let’s call him Moritz, size, 1,5 m (i.e. 5 ft) head-to-tailtip) and the Bonnie and Clyde of this island: 2 squirrels called A-Hoernchen and B-Hoernchen (named after the German version of a Disney movie…) who snatched our Oreos (sealed pack) from our room while we were sleeping. Also, we discovered their taste for salty snacks soon afterwards, getting their tiny thief-hands on our Pringles as well (well, our fault, left them on the balcony). I assume they were very concerned about our health.
If we manage it, we are going to fit all of this into one grand theatre play – for your entertainment only!

Apart from those encounters, the Perhentians offered sandy beaches, sunny days, great food and plenty of time to relax, swim, read… and do nothing.
And if some of you read about an airplane crashing in this area these days, it might well be my fault, as I probably blinded the pilots by exposing my bright white torso on the beach – my most sincere apologies.

So, we are now in Penang, exploring the next town and island. Lean back and enjoy the visual arts of Katharina N.

As we are told, we are reaching an international audience rather than just aunts and uncles back home, I try my best to write in English now.

After leaving KL we made our way to a more mountainous area, i.e. Cameron Highlands. That means: forests, small paths, tea plantations, few people, strange noises (by invisible animals), cool temperatures… we like!

Having spent the third day at the highlands we are still stunned by the beauty and calmness of the landscape.
Today we have been exploring the mossy rain forest and learned about the wildlife, got to taste wild cinnamon, smelled herbs and flowers and took a stroll through the tea plantations. Again, pics say more than words, so enjoy our selection!

Tomorrow we are heading north for the Perhentian Islands to spend some days by the sea, before eventually making our way down to Singapore, stay tuned.

To everyone at the Summit: I am sorry I cannot be there this year… having been to all the Summits so far, missing one feels really weird. I want to thank my Dad for organizing it and pouring his heart and soul into it. I am sure you guys are going to have a great time. I will speak to you all soon. Stay safe, take care & lots of love.

Raus aus China, rein nach Malaysia, so schnell kann’s gehen.

Wirklich schnell: wir brauchen geschlagene 24 Minuten fuer landen, durch den Flughafen spazieren, Grippecheck, Visum, Geld wechseln, Gepaeck holen, Bustickets kaufen, Bus finden und auch schon am Weg in die Stadt sein.

Als erstes ueberrascht uns der grandios englische Einschlag in der Sprache (see: Bas, Teksi, Restoran…) als zweites wird man von der ueberschaeumenden Freundlichkeit der Malayen erschlagen, freundlichstes Land ever.
Und: waehrend zu Hause Bumsti Strache den Untergang des Abendlandes propagiert leben hier Hindus, Buddhisten, Moslems und Christen auf engstem Raum in hoechster Friedlichkeit zusammen, teilen die Restorans und bauen ihre Glaubenshaeuser nebeneinander.

Kuala Lumpur selbst ist schnell erwandert, die Innenstadt ist sehr komprimiert und so ist man im 15 Minuten Takt von Chinatown nach Little India ins Golden Triangle zu den Petronas Towers unterwegs.
Rauf kommen tun wir da zwar nicht, weil die Tickets ausverkauft sind, dafuer gibts Stadtausblicke vom vierthoechsten Fernsehturm dieses Planeten – auch nicht zu verachten.
Naechster Tag dann: weiter Viertel-Hopping und dann die Batu-Hoehlen, 43m hohe Murga-Statue vor Hoehlensystem mit mehreren Hindutempeln drin, dazu Bollywoodmusik und eine Horde Affen, coole Sache.

Next Stop: Cameron Highlands (fuer die, die uns auch auf Facebook verfolgen: ja, wir sind etwas hintennach mit dem bloggen)

PS: Fachliteratur in den Urlaub mitnehmen – bloede Idee!

Es fotografiert fuer Sie, wie eh und je: Ms Katharina Nemec – gratis aber keineswegs umsonst!

PPS: Happy Birthday liebe Maggi. Du fehlst uns und wir hoffen dir geht es gut, wo auch immer du bist.