MALACCA This port town meant to be our gateway to Sumatra, but thanks to my misunderstanding with myPhone and the mobile banking app associated with it, now we have a reason to visit Singapore. There we will meet a friend who may help with restoring access to my cash, which Barclays keeps safe even from me. It's a sort of win-win situation, since we were hesitating of visiting this city state. Main reason: cost. With the knowledge of meeting Michael there we had a couple extr

KUALA LUMPUR I am nothing less than astonished about how this city looks like out from a 70's science fiction movie. Well, it's a mixture of that and contemporary architecture but even the modern often breathes with this retro futurism. Our first trip on the monorail, or as they call it the MRT, to the downtown near Jalan Bukit Bintang felt like we've materialised in an episode of The Jetsons. I'm sort of holding my camera ready, but a bit shy to shoot people due to their wha

CAMERON HIGHLANDS Home to the famous Malaysian tea and known for the numerous jungle treks your best bet is to make a base in the town of Tanah Rata or Brinchang. This place after a while is inland again and getting to it requires a few hours climb even though we have enjoyed the climb through the windows of a mini van. Upon arrival we have found out that Tanah Rata offers a little bit unimpressive value for the buck in terms of accommodation. Despite this we made it our grou

PENANG Thanks to friends we have made on Ngapali Beach, Georgetown has come to our attention as an artistic place with many Chinese shophouses and a place not to miss. We have taken the words of Debra and Lou and decided for Penang to be our first stop in Malaysia. First impressions of the country are to do with religion, culture and weather. Religions seem to mix smoothly. Street art is abundant and weather is great, if not too hot and unbearably humid at times. Along with a

RAI LEH Probably the shortest distance covered between 2 places on our journey brought us to Railay Beach. If I would have read up on this place I would have discovered an alarming issue that far too many visitors get food poisoning there. But I didn't, I've only checked some pretty photos and it suited us as a mid stop on our way to Malaysia. And guess what, I've been poisoned. I'm the living proof that the issue is still there. But I'm still here, so can't complain too much

KOH PHI PHI Sleep on the overnight ferry was surprisingly comfortable and we arrived to Surat Thani just in time for sunrise. There wasn't much time to take in the view. From here we were catching a bus and then another ferry to Koh Phi Phi. This little cluster of islands is mainly known since that DiCaprio movie, 'The Beach'. Ever since the island has changed forever. I was hesitating whether is a good idea to go for such a tourist hot spot, but after all I've decided for it

KOH TAO It was still dark when our bus pulled up at the jetty. Our speed ferry was leaving at 7.30am so we have enjoyed the cool fresh morning in a beach chair while the sound of the sea was trying to rock me to sleep. It was nice until it lasted, but soon the sun came up and we've swapped the comfortable seat for a bumpy ride on the ferry. Many long minutes and filled plastic bags later we have arrived to the island. While neither of us has been sea sick the first steps on t

BANGKOK (take II) Our plane has landed just after sunset. Clearing customs is as easy as standing in a queue and throwing a polite smile and the end of it. Done. We have our 30 day Visa since we've arrived by air. Bare in mind if you arrive by land you're only permitted 15 days. We are taking course to Lamphu Tree Hotel to indulge in our dear friends luxurious hotel set in a quiet area right on the canal, but still only walking distance from all the bustle and hassle. The sta

YANGON ...or Rangoon, I have no shame to admit I left a piece of my heart here. Again. There is no particular reason, instead there is about 7 million of reasons. This former capital, and I believe its status will be soon restored, is a metropolis like no other. When I first visited 2 years ago, the first impression was to do with smells when the heavy humid air kicked me in the nose. The air was full of smoke, the smell of lush vegetation and manure. Nothing unpleasant, but