Women - know your limits

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Currently in the city of Kota Bharu, nicely refreshed from our time on the islands...things really are different here though. One of the more devoutly religious areas of Malaysia we always knew it'd be different, but perhaps weren't quite prepared for the reality.

On our first night we ventured to the night market for some local food, paid about £1 for some chicken and rice (a brilliant bit of guess-work as obviously nothing is in English so just had to order and hope for the best). We've visited the war museum (again, Hans was in his element) and generally had a little walk about.

Keeping covered up has been hard as this is by far the hottest place we've been to so far, but not wanting to cause offence or disrespect I've been baking in a long sleeve shirt for the last 3 days (which isn't really helping my non-existent tan I have to say!)

We've booked to leave at 8am tomorrow to be taken to Taman Negara National Park (and possible meeting Rob's friends there if they can be convinced to tackle the leeches...yes, leeches...great...)

There is a huge, palpable difference here between the older and younger generation and their attitude to westerners, especially women. Once you get used to the staring that's fine, most of the younger once, especially girls, are very friendly and just want to say hello but you'll tend to find no matter how you're dressed you'll get disapproving and often disgusted looks by the older generations. I commented to Hans yesterday I wouldn't like to venture out without him which couldn't have been better proven than about 15 minutes ago when I was confronted with the most aggressive woman who seemed to appear out of nowhere and started shouting and screaming at me. I'm still shaking right now, I've never experienced someone as furious or aggressive as that and I thought she was going to hit me. We turned very swiftly on our heel and walked back and around her giving her a wide berth, luckily we were only a few steps from the hostel.

So, our time in Kota Bharu has been educating at the very least but I have to say after seeing her reaction to me I'll be glad to be leaving so early tomorrow!! The leeches are starting to become an appealing option...

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Photos

Kota Bharu
Kick-a-Poo Joy Juice...yummy!!

Kota Bharu
Delicious curry on a banana leaf

Kota Bharu
A hobo on the bus to Taman Negara

Comments

[Mummy Bailey]

Daft old bag
She sounds like a nutter - and probably was. Tell her you'll get your (Glaswegian) mother to sort her out! And don't let nutcases ruin your adventure - they're all part of it... Have a wonderful time in the national park. x

[Neens]

Crikey
Could Hans have a Malay ex-wife he hasn't told you about...?! Good luck with the leeches (burn them off with a lighter, don't pull). Fab to hear your stories, love to you both xxxx

[Brian McCabe]

That sign at that abck of you says "Sedap". Should it not say "Fedup"? lol Mind on further inspection of this photo Roberto, you look like you've ate everything, apart from that pile of red goo? Where as Katie has been wise and hardly ate anything! Is that the start of the banana leaf curry working it's way through you? lol