Hey faithful readers!
Wow what an incredible few weeks to update on! I can't believe my trip is halfway complete...I don't want it to end. I left off with my time ending in Lao. After leaving the capital of Vientiane, I met my friend Ildi in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was quite a shock to every sense to arrive in the capital. The city was surely alive and active, especially since the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was in town visiting as well. (copycat!) However the poverty and aftermath of the 1975 Genocide was still alarmingly present.
Ildi and I spent most of the first day touring the remnants and exhibits dedicated to the memory of the victims and survivors of the genocide. We went to the killing fields, torture prisons, and witnessed the slums of outer Phnom Penh that are still underdeveloped due to the massacres. After that we definitely needed a drink! After a few days of touring the bustling city, we took a 5-hour bus ride to Siem Reap, the famed host to Angkor Wat.
Known to most as the 8th wonder of the world, Angkor Wat certainly lived up to expectations! The temple complex was built in the 12th century and is incredibly maintained. (perhaps due to the $20 entry fee??) We started at dawn to witness the hyped sunrise behind the main Angkor temple and we were not disappointed! The rest of the day was spent meandering through the vast expanse of ruins. The area was packed and we were told that it was the low season...whew!
From Sieam Reap we flew into Kuala Lumpur to begin our Malaysian adventures. KL is incredibly diverse, as is the rest of the country. It was incredible to just walk for 15 minutes and find ourselves go through Little India, China town, and then end at a hawker-stall complex full of Malay food. We always joked that we could never tell who was a tourist or a local due to all of the ethnicities that comprise Malaysian culture.
From KL we settled in Penang. NO, PANANG CURRY DOES NOT COME FROM PENANG. I know, we were disappointed too. Penang means betel nut, if that helps anyone. Despite the lack of panang curry, we were gastronomically pleased with the array of foods we could find and immediately devour. The island is famous for its lhaksa soup, rojak desserts, and Nonya secret cuisine. On the island we were able to hike, swim, motorbike, eat and sleep. Not a bad way to spend three days!
From Penang we took a 3-hour ferry to the remote island Pulau Langkawi. Langkawi is an underdeveloped island with great beaches and water sports galore. For my birthday Ildi and another friend Andres snorkeled with baby sharks! Very memorable. Sadly last night Ildi and I said goodbye as she headed south to Singapore and I head north to Bangkok to meet Mara.
From there we will tour the city for a few days and then holiday on one of the famed southern islands, most likely Koh Phi Phi. Can't wait to meet up with her, will keep you posted soon!
Cheers,
Aviva
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