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Published: February 27th 2008
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Like all good blogs this one starts with a man named Roland and a yellow pick-up truck.
But this isn't any ordinary blog, its special, a bit like me, so I'll do this blog backwards, stir things up a bit.
Besides, a man named Roland makes for a spectacular ending (not to mention his yellow truck).
So instead I'll start with a group of Swedes...
As you may have noticed I have been on Pulau Pangkor, an island.
On the ferry through I met some Swedes, this group of four adopted me, and quite rightly so. As I would make a very good Swede; I have blue eyes, sort of blonde hair, the only thing I lack is a grasp of the language (they did however teach me to say "I am a Christmas sausage" in their native tongue, which is a good thing). In return I taught them how to play 'black 5'.
Anyway for the first time in my travels I have been relaxing, days by the beach, banana boat ride, canoeing round a smaller island, having fun! A great example is me riding round the island on a scooter / moped. That's right me loose, cruising the
This was alot of fun
It had a huge tongue jungle roads on a motorised vehicle. This was something I decided I wouldn'nt do; i'm not qualified, I could get hurt, what would my parents say etc. But I gave in to peer pressure (due to the swedes) and my new advice is young people should give into peer pressure more often, cause I had alot of fun. There was some really steep jungle roads, crazed locals, stray dogs and monkeys! I was sad to say goodbye to my fellow swedes, but we had some great times, especially nights at 'daddy's cafe' - which had a dish called 'monkey love'.
Previous to this adventure on Thursday 21st February I had a Day to remember.
After being slightly dissatisfied with yet another city while in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to escape it and slot in some time for the dark underbelly of Malaysia, where boys fear to tread, and discover whats wonders this country has to offer this intrepid traveller. I'm not talking about prostitution, I visited an elephant sanctuary (Kuala Gandah), that cared for and re-homed Asian elephants threatened from de-forestation and humans etc. As you can tell by the pictures it was great. Feeding them, riding them, they
go into water and fall over with you still on their backs, then you play with the babies, wash them - all round family entertainment. But something I'll never forget.
The second memorable section to that day was something I could not capture on any camera or camcorder, but again was one of the most unique things I have ever seen in my life, I would classify it as one of natures wonders of the world. Kuala Selangor was where I wintessed Fireflies, thousands of them. This was a night trip, a boat with a silent motor and no lights, takes you down a secluded part of the river and allows you to slowly drift by the banks and gaze into the bush where the firflies are. It was'nt an intense glow, but the sheer number of them (mostly blinking in unison) and the silence of the river, made it experience that is best described as magical.
Before I left on my last morning I got up early to go see the Bhatu Caves at dawn. These are Natural Cave formations just above Kuala Lumpur, that hold a small hindu shrine (slightly insignificant compared to the caves). But
The Last Picture Before my camera broke
Is also one of the best photos I've taken. those Hindu's don't miss a trick and added a huge golden statue at the base of the stairs just to add that fear of massive-god into the place. Lonely planet says it gets crowded quite early but at 7am I was the only tourist there and after climbing the 270-odd steps, I found I was the only person inside the caves. Again a very impressive natural wonder, I hope the pictures convey the same. I left after an hour, as one satisfied cave customer.
Roland scared me a little at first. I thought he was your typical Malaysian nervous guy. Turned out I was right, but there is so much more. He enjoys astrology, discussions about the after life, talking about how bad terriorism is (then laughing). He thought I looked a little like Prince William (but all us white guys look the same). Roland was my driver for that Thursday 21st Februaray. The only time he scared me a little was during the firefly trip where he turned round and whispered 'its very romantic'. This aside he made for a good days entertainment, and when I asked him to sign my book at the end of the day
Roland
The man and the machine and the legend. he reffered to me as his 'customer and new found friend'.
Did I mention he drove a yellow truck?
You may wonder why I have done so much but still find time to fanny around on the internet writing this blog, its because my camera broke on my last evening on the island, so I have had came back to Kuala Lumpur to wait on it getting fixed - 3 days. A slight snag in my plan, but its not costing much to get repaired, so fingers crossed I can pick it up Saturday, where I will then Venture north to the oldest rainforest in the world, not affected by any ice ages or volcanic activity, I will delve into the 'Taman Negara'.
(But tommorow I will go to a waterpark to kill time - which is'nt as dramatic a conclusion but never mind (in fact I should probably edit this last line out)).
Love Kevin.
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