13 February, 2010

Back in Asia

Blondie was very very naughty and didn't keep her blog up to date.....apologies to all diligent readers!!!
The rest of India-Nepal saga will be updated asap, which means definitely this month!!! Promise!

But now, welcome to Malaysia!!!
Kuala Lumpur is a sticky hot and stormy place right now.
After a long trip from Dublin, through London to KL, Blondie arrived in the land of skyscrapers, orangutans and some best diving spots in the world!!!
An the London airport, she met Tim, an English diving instructor, and so she was getting tonnes of diving information and tips all the way to KL, with an 8-hour break for sleep! Air Asia is a budget airline, just like Ryanair, however it's used for long haul flights, and this is not fun! The seats push back by maybe 2 inches (not sure how much is an inch, but still, it's like nothing!!!) so you spend 12 hours sitting straight like in the army! with a crying baby in front of you and one behind you....that's why as soon as Blondie arrived to KL, she felt like coming back home straight away!
Anyway, she was very proud of herself, as this time, her backpack was 10,9kg!!!
Anyway, the next day was better. She experienced a monsoon rain, standing 40 minutes at a bus stop, waiting for the rain to stop. However, every time the rain seemed to ease out, it immediately was picking up on speed. You have no idea with what speed it can rain here!!!!
After few sticky days in KL, and a great time with Maria, Blondie's CS host (Couch Surfing) and her extremely comfy bed, Blondie was ready to travel to Cameron Highlands, a lovely peaceful highlands in the north par of peninsular Malaysia.
On arrival, she was picked up by the guesthouse, Father's Guesthouse and brought to a lovely hostel on a hill. Since all the rooms were taken, she ended up in a dorm, which at the beginning didn't look that appealing, but later turned out to be a very quiet and comfy place to sleep - earplugs and eye-mask work magic!!!
The following morning, Wed, Blondie went out for a full day trip to Malaysian jungle, to see the biggest flower in the world - Rafflesia, or sth, then she visited the tribal village of Orang Asli people, who still hunt using blowing pipes and poisoned darts, she saw carnivorous flowers and wild orchids, she strolled through rolling hills of tea plantations....paradise...
Then, all happy and content, after lovely hot shower, and quick laundry - it's a must after a day in a jungle..., she set out for a dinner in a local restaurant, with some freshly made friends....the lovey day was ending with a spectacular sunset and delicious chicken curry...
And then, the world collapsed, the blood left her face pale and breathless, as she walked into the dorm discovering that her backpack was not where she left it...actually, it was nowhere...
A guy from the neighboring bed asked if everything was OK, and Blondie said that, she's not sure but the reception probably took her bag as a deposit, as she didn't make it to go there and pay for the previous nite...but the guy just went: "hmmm, don't think so, they don't really do that. But this evening there was a burglary in the hostel and few people got their stuff stolen...."
Only thanks to her powerful personality she managed to keep on her feet and not to collapse...
Then, the rest followed, the police report, the despair, disbelief, beer and cigarettes for comfort, and then she just laughed, as she refused to cry on this occasion...
And it's great to meet good people in bad times. She met Paulina, who turned out to be Polish and a great help, she donated a bag and a use mobile to Blondie, as an instant help, as well as a sea of words of comfort!
So, Blondie was now left with:
*almost all clothes and all shoes - as "luckily" she did her laundry (!!!) - how ironic...
*sleeping bag-liner and pajamas...
*and a little backpack.....
*money, credit cards, camera, mobile, ipod, passport went out for dinner with her, so they were safe...

What did she lose?
* 4 months of her life in India-Nepal in her diary - fuck fuck fuck!!!!!
* 6 month supply of Malarone and contacts
* other medicines, penknife, guidebook,
* original Malaysian Gucci sunglasses for $3.00
* all chargers, which is shit!

So, Ladies and Gentleman, nowadays, Blondie is traveling as light as no one ever did!!! Forget her 10,9kg! Anyone dares to challenge that? For 6 months? Hahaha, didn't think so!
There is no need for words of sympathy - almost recovered from the initial shock!!!
Now, she is preparing to go shopping soon, in Ho Chi Minh City!!!! And this time, fully justified, with no guilt! Sweet!!!!!!!!!
Talk to you soon!

2 comments:

  1. what can I say...? It will make you stronger my dear... nothing will discourage little blondie to fulfill her dreams :) good luck :))

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  2. i know u r a strong girl. Will always look things happened in a positive way. All the best in your journey to up north. (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand). Hope to see u again when u r back in KL.

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