1. So I looked at the map and decided to fly to Malaysia
I had no idea what to expect from Malaysia, I was told about it from someone at the Yoga academy. Landed in Kuala Lumpur. Stayed at a the Hilton Garden because I waited until the last minute as usual and Wifi was spotty at best, I let Priceline pick the place for a special deal (cheap.) I did NOT like the location nor did I feel safe in the location, I did not do anything there at all, not even walk. If you are a female alone do not go this hotel—that being said the Hotel itself was great clean friendly and had a great gym, and Calvin the Manager was awesome. I did not have shoes because I left them at the bus station in Thailand so I was not able to use the Gym either. I waited rested and plotted my next move. Tried to upload Grab app on phone but because the Wifi was not secure could not do it, there is absolutely no reason why big chains Hotels don’t have secure WiFi, NONE. Lesson in this get a hotel in a time appropriate manner and never let Priceline pick a place for you.
2. Moving on….
I picked the Travel Lodge it had a deal going on and according to the map it was in a location that I could walk most everywhere. Serendipity wins again it turned out that my hotel was on a famous street for foodies! Lots of food vendors and restaurants to satisfy most anyones tastebuds. Not far from the famous towers but too far to walk in in flip flops, so I took a taxi there bought some shoes at a mall, took a few pics and that was that. Malaysia is a bustling metropolis ( had no idea) Malls rule here, I went to at least seven malls in one day- my mission was not to shop but find a post office it took me four hours and it seems that no one knew what one actually was. Blank stares, after many malls and many street talks with the locals I finally went to a business that might actually use the mail system, a computer repair shop fellow directed me. The malls in Malaysia are glamorous enormous and a site to behold ALL of them!
3. Learning curves and surprises.
Dear readers I have never traveled to Asia before and have only gone to three Countries a long time ago -so call me ignorant or worse and I won’t disagree. I had no idea that there were Asian Muslims or that Muslims were in Asia for that matter, so that was a real shocker to me. They are super cute! Malaysia is a Hindu Country buuuut it’s complicated. This Country is full of kind people- and I hope that if I was staring too long that you will forgive me. Another shocker, I arrived during Black Friday sale ( I had no idea this existed outside of my own Country!) The malls and streets were all decorated for Christmas and Christmas music was everywhere! I thought that I would be escaping that this year but noooo. Muslim women clothes were diverse, unique and beautiful. Not all Muslim women dress alike or even close to it. It is a conservative country, but it also has many bars and a nightlife comparable to the West if you are inclined to party. They have very dramatic shows and novellas! Muslim women are involved in all aspects from politics, news and entertainment. They are confident, happy, free, couples are attentive to each other and dads help out. We in the west only get to see one side so this was a profound lesson and a happy surprise to experience with my own eyes.
4. Went to the Batu Caves!
I had a fantastic female driver pick me up for a cultural tour, I found out this particular unique, interesting and Holy place is popular on Instagram, this is not a photo op, you dumb asses it is a Temple! I was told by my guide that for three days out of the year people old and young walk there for blessings prayers and offerings, that the highways are shut down because of the throngs of people making a pilgrimage there. I kept this in mind as I made my way up the rainbow stairs and into the platform with more stairs and finally into the sanctuary-my mind was a whirl, first off I thought, who found this place and said ahhh yes what a perfect place to have a Temple! How did they make it there before the stairs were built? Baffling, wondrous, awe inspiring, and chilling the levels of the devoted to bring this place to life and for such a purposeful meaning. Went to a Chinese Temple where couples take wedding pics it was hard to concentrate on the Temple but lovely to see the happy couples, managed to lose my clutch that one of my Guru’s gifted me for my birthday (sad). Went to the Mosque but the reception was chilly from the outside so I did not go in. Went to little India also but it was a bit aggressive for my taste.
5. Took a bus to Penang…
The bus station was super cool, with restaurants and shops, the wait time was not terrible, but my driver was. He treated me like a subhuman told me boys and girls sit separate, he was arrogant rude and commanded verses spoke. I did not like him nor the man that stole my window seat that I paid for. Also he dropped me off in an unlit, unsafe freaky place. I was left to figure it out. I did figure it out, but not without a lot of stress and trust issues, took an unmarked Taxi to my Hotel! I don’t get scared or nervous too often but that about did it to me. Im in a new land with limited recourses or resources and it was night time. That bus driver was a dick! Single ladies take the plane, DON’T take the bus to Penang! The Countryside of Malaysia looked amazing and I wanted desperately to see it, but after that bus ride I didn’t dare.
6. Penang a delightful interesting must see!
Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christians and probably Heathens all under one sky living harmoniously together, each doing their own thing in the same space, and once again Christmas was a recurring theme everywhere. It was mind boggling to see Muslims excitedly taking pics by a Christmas tree or through the Christmas fairylands on display I just had no idea that- that existed! All races and ethnic backgrounds kicking it with Christmas, my mind was blown away and happily so. That being said I never saw anyone that I could identify as a native Maylasian, I did not see unique clothes, food or products that I could go ohhh that’s a Malaysian craft/art shop/person/restaurant. I did ask many people, and got shrugs or I don’t knows, so that was a real bummer.
Penang was awesome it has lovely beaches, food stalls everywhere, Chinese Temples, Mosques, Little India and great coffee and a really nice vibe-you can walk most anywhere and I did, there is a round tall building called the TOP it has a wild Jurassic Park, an aquarium, a fun place for kids, on the 65th floor you can lay on the clear glass floor see the city below then take some pics. If you are very brave you can hook up to a beam or chair and have a look outside the building I was already dizzy so I passed on that, but I did go up to the 68th floor and took a walk on the skywalk. You can do a really cool heritage walking tour in Georgetown and play find the hidden art. You can also choose a guided tour in a trishaw. I didn’t have time to go to all the places that I wanted to go. I would spend at least 3-4 nights here max.
7. They do have some great hotels and guest houses
But I did not stay in one. My reservations got screwed up so I ended up in a place I really didn’t care for, in fact with the exception of Travel Lodge ( no complaints), the rest of the places were in good areas but lacking in so many other things including WiFi. Wifi is very very important, for hotels not to have it for travelers is in this day and age just plain unacceptable, I could not interact with my family for many days. If I were going to the jungle then I don’t expect WiFi, but in a tourist type city it should be a given and secured. I would go with a buddy and share the costs of a 4-5 star or stay at a nicely rated guest house.
8. Butterfield just don’t even bother going there.
I took the ferry there stayed at a really nice Condo but security were not helpful or friendly-it was next to a grocery store so that was cool I got to cook my own food-cable never worked, WiFi off and on, did not use the pool security guard made me feel like shit–could not use the gym as a guest—The nicest thing besides the actual condo was planning my next journey destination and crossing my fingers that it would be a better experience—I am glad and grateful that I came to Malaysia I learned a lot of things that Im sure that I needed to learn and I would do it all over again, but next time with a friend and next time to an island or two and to the jungle. My Guru’s said, Get enlightened, get with yourself, aware with your presence and don’t miss a single moment.