Malaysia- Langkawi & The Cameron Highlands

Hey all,

I know, i know, i still haven't finished my island hopping entry but i thought you would all like to know what i have been up to of recent weeks!

So from Ko Tao, myself, Emily and a crazy but lovely irish guy called Consi who we adopted as our daddy (he even sorted out our accomodation in Ko Tao!!) travelled to Langkawi. Now this was all good fun in retrospect. We had a 2 hour delay on our ferry from Ko Tao to Chumphon (mainland Thailand). It was a pretty choppy crossing. We were picked up from the ferry in a lorry without the full cab on the back...instead a roof with bars on the sides and benches along each side. For 20km we travelled with a bunch of japenese tourists and were taken to the 'farang bar'. These guys were great, they organised our onwards travel to Hat Yai while we ate...even going to the train station to book our tickets!

Our train was so much fun...not! Consi and I took economy seats while Em got a sleeper! Now i was happy with the seats but didn't want air con but boy did i get it! We were in a wind tunnel to say the least and the locals didn't seem to understand the concept of shutting them but instead wearing kenny from south park type jackets. Thats cool for them but when you have come from a thai islands and are wearing shorts and a strappy top, not so good. Consi finally gave in and pulled out a fleece for himself and i ended up with his golf jacket...it was such a hot look!

At 5.30am we arrived and we met jackie chan in the tour operators. We organised our onward travel and i made it my mission for a cup of tea. I finally got one in a nearby run down cafe, made with boiled water in a saucepan, tea leaves and condensed milk to taste (they don't have fresh milk in thailand very often!). It was a great cuppa!

After a mini bus ride and another ferry journey we eventually got to Langkawi. We picked up Luke, a guy who had overstayed his visa for 1 day in thailand and owed 500 bhat, which he didn't have. Daddy consi came to the rescue and lent him it.

We stayed at Gecko...a really relaxed guesthouse. Naturally we had the most expensive room but this didn't stop there from being geckos and ants in inhabitance in it! However to make up for it, the bed was so comfy and i had a double to myself!

The beach in Cenang was beautiful, the widest stretch of sand i have seen so far but murky waters compaired to thailand. The sunsets were stunning. Met two girls from Adelaide, Jodie and Gemma, who i have arranged to meet when i get there in a few days. Also met the owners of Lazy Bouys who run a water sports and boat tour operation..except i never saw any of them work...hence the company name! They organised a party on the beach for jodie for her birthday and we had cake, wine and Jack and coke!

We hired a car for two days and saw most of the island. We went on the cable cars which overlooked some of the 99 islands in the malaysia archipologo and had fantastic views. We also saw a waterfall and seven wells. On the 2nd day we headed to a beach north of the island which was very hot but beautiful!

Met some great people and 7 of us took an island hopping tour where we saw a fresh water lake, the pregnant lady mountains, eagle feeding and a deseted island, except for some monkeys that is...one of which stole a guys shirt! Frisbee and chilling out listening to music was so relaxing!

As per usual a mad night was had, drinking in the guesthouse and then onto the beach. This is what happens when you can buy a litre bottle of smirnoff vodka in duty free for 25 Ringet (just over 3 pounds!)

5 days soon passed and we then headed onto the Cameron highlands. Had a bit of a nightmare journey which ended up in us arriving at 4am in the morning and the guesthouse i planned on staying in to be closed. We checked in elsewhere and in the morning headed back to Fathers guesthouse. Great atmosphere with a fantastic lounge where they show films. The weather was totally different. Langkawi was 42c in the midday sun, c.Highlands....about 20c!!! and raining!!!

The 1st day we just checked out Tanah Rata which is one of the three towns that makes up the Cameron highlands, the 2nd we went on a rainforest walk. We learnt so many things about the plants and insect...also got up close and personal with a few which was quite upsetting!

Had a really relaxed time, no alchol consumed...a two day record!

Now in KL...will write soon to fill you in...off to bed now

Hope all are well, take care, have fun and i miss you all

T xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx