Advertisement
Published: December 19th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Love these kids!!!
At the Pinang botanic gardens Hi Friends...
Here's an update on my travels..I've been meaning to blog earlier but time flies when you're travelling and having fun 😊 So here's a longish one...
After Singapore I bused to Pinang and was blessed to spend 4 nice refreshing days with P. John, Cindy and the little ones...oh the littles ones are still so adorable 😊 Pinang's fusion of old and new architecture is quite spectacular...a bit like Mexico City but without the Spanish influence. The food of course was amazing...everyone seems to adore the Pinang Malaysian Cuisine. But what Asian food isn't good right? (go the MSG..lol)
From Pinang, I rode the bus for 6 hours to Kuala Lumpur and spent my first night with Lisa Leong from 1am via Sam's connections (thanks Sammy) 😊 For the next 4 days I stayed there with a Philippina chic called Lady (nickname) from our EN church there. 4 days was prob not enough to explore KL City but I did most of the things I wanted to do...tried to watch a contemporary dance show at the KL Performing Arts Centre, but it took me 1 train ride and 3 cabs to find the place (was right
next to like a national park in the suburbs..what's up with that!) and by the time I got there..show was over...boo...
The KL twin towers are quite spectacular at night- a must see.. Chinatown was supposedly dodgy but I survived it...the megamalls were a mission to get around and with xmas sales left, right and center- reminded me of the states and all it's pressures to wine and dine with consumerism but not quite as bad...and the driving in the city was like bumper cars (Im surprised I witnessed no accidents)- but i guess nothing different from the rest of asia's metropolitan cities...
All in all, Singapore and Malaysia were both great experiences and a really nice way to slip into South-East Asia, although I'm not too fond of the increasing influences and domination of Western culture in these countries...it's all a bit too developed and systematic for my liking of an Asian city- especially Singapore!
BUT... before I knew it, I was already on the plane again...flying to THE destination which this trip is all about-
CAMBODIA...and gosh am I loving it here!
Before heading to the orphanage- I decided to stay in Siem Reap
for a few days first to go visit one of the greatest wonders of the world- Angkor Wat. These ruin temples just blow my mind away...most of them were destroyed and dismantled during the Civil War but some have managed to be restored- I can't imagine the amount of work and years it would take to piece back together the stones of these temples! Each stone has intricate stone carvings and to match them all up is one stressful jigsaw...it just amazes me how skilled man was, is and can be, to create such aesthetic wonders...each King built a temple which was bigger and better than the previous King's temple- can you imagine! How much more can be done with the King of all Kings???
I''m currently staying at Jasmine Lodge..its a family business and all the people here are really nice- I absolutely LOVE cambodia! I haven't quite figured out why but one thing I've noticed is that the people are very friendly, non-threatening unlike other parts of Asia and so admirable, given what the previous generation went through. To see the people now get on with their lives the best they can is really something. And to
Victims from the Khmer Rouge
At the Siem Reap Killing Fields see someone over the age of 40- you know they would have a heart-breaking story of their own about their genocide survival; but to dig up the past is not an easy thing and alot don't speak english either.
Hiring a bike and riding around town like a local has got to be one of the most exciting things I've done so far- such a simple activity but yet so satisfying! It also stops tuk-tuk drivers and motorcyclers hassling me to ride with them. Last night I went to a welcome home party along with 2 other Aussie chics and the guys that work at the lodge here...interesting times I must say- especially when someone professes their love for you after having only met you for one day...the guys here are surprisingly a lot like guys in Tonga...if you know what I mean lol...don't worry I'm still single!
Anyway- I can't thank God enough each day for how privileged my life really is back home in NZ..it makes me so so grateful. I am so undeserving of the lifestyle I have and the amazing experiences I've had so far in life...As I travel more and more, I am
continually reminded of how good we really do have it in NZ and how great our God is- yeah our govt isn't the best; but at least it's not corrupt like many other countries- just take Burma for example...and we don't have laws that restrict our worship or choice of worship like Malaysia where Malays by law have to be Muslim or else they're imprisoned and shunned by society. There is so much to be thankful for and even just this trip- the abundant grace, protection and provison from God is beyond words to describe. I seriously don't know what I'd do without God in my life...
On Sat, I'm busing to Phonm Penh, the capital to work at an orphanage called "Love in action Cambodia" over Christmas and NY...super excited...after that is Thailand for a few days and Sydney for the Arts Festival...which I just found out about so looks like my trip will be extending...
http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2009/ if anyone is keen to join me...all you arty farts!
Ok off to ride my bike to the temples again to watch the sunset and chill out at the lake...I'll try update again- if not before Christmas...HAVE A VERY
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BE BLESSED!
xxx
Lisa
Advertisement
Tot: 0.145s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 7; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0882s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Jen May
non-member comment
Amazing
the first thing I thought was..."Lisa is still on her trip and it got extended!!" Wow. that's so gooood and i'm happy to hear you're enjoying Cambodia. you're taking great shots of the city and your time there. I SO WANT TO SEE YOU IN NEW ZEALAND NEXT YEAR. do you think we can make it happen? heheh we'll see. keep taking care :)