Malaysia

The first stop on my wonderful world-wind adventure in February was Malaysia. I knew relatively little about the country before I visited so my expectations were low. I do like it when that happens because, more often than not, you end up having an amazing time and wonder how you didn't know more about such an incredible country before hand. Malaysia really is a great, diverse, culturally rich and ethnically enchanting country. An important thing to note is how welcome I felt there which after living away for so long is something that is particularly important to me when I travel. It's something that can determine your whole experience of that country! (Not to name names but... ahem... *CHINA!*) Malaysia is a country that I feel very lucky to have experienced and a country that I would jump at the chance of visiting again in the future.

Kuala Lumpur
My time in Malaysia began in KL with Melisa and Kasia. It was nice to start the trip with company. In fact, the trip as a whole worked out perfectly- with friends at the beginning and the end and a decent amount of alone time in the middle. It really was the perfect travel combination! I was only in KL for a couple of days but I saw some pretty awesome sights including the Petronas Towers and the Batu Caves but favourite part of KL was all the delicious Indian food. Nom, nom, nom. SO.GOOD.

One of the best meals I have ever eaten!

The Petronas Towers

The Batu Caves

More delicious Indian food! 

Langkawi 
I parted ways with my company and headed to Langkawi, "the Jewel of Kedah," next which is made up of 104 islands and situated off the coast of northwestern Malaysia and adjacent to the the Thai border. I took an overnight bus (which was an experience in itself!) from KL to Kuala Perlis- a port serving the largest of the Langkawi islands, Pulau Langkawi, and the common base for visits to this wonderful part of Malaysia. Highlights of my time in Langkawi include the Langkawi Cable Car, (the most vertical cable cars in the world! Not the faint hearted! It was bloody scary being alone in that thing and swaying from side to side in the wind overlooking the sea over 2km in the air!) making random friends on the street, randomly bumping into a couple of friends from Seoul, more great food, lots of relaxing beach time on a pretty, peaceful beach, a great island hopping tour and lots and lots of monkeys! Had a splendid old time in Langkawi. Would recommend it to anyone! :)

After my little, yet somewhat terrifying, cable car ride

The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

Bumping into friends from Seoul :)

Cheeky monkeys 

Island hopping to beaches like this. Life could be worse. 

Langkawi sunset :)

Penang
The final stop on my Malaysian adventure was the fascinating little island of Penang: an island south of the Langkawi islands and easy to reach from there by ferry. Penang is extremely diverse in terms of ethnicity, religion and culture, yet it all seems to fit together perfectly creating a unique, harmonious feel.. This tied in with its strong colonial past makes Penang, and its capital, Georgetown, in particular, one of the most interesting places I have ever visited. To further prove my point, I managed to make it away from that island without one single visit to a beach! Me! Unfathomable, I know! There was just too much exploring to be done to justify any beach time.

One of my favourite times in Penang was walking around Georgetown on my first evening as the sun was going down and taking in all the diverseness; the close proximities, in particular, of the Islamic Mosque, the Christian Cathedral and Church, the Hindu Temple and the Buddhist Temple; it really was quite dissimilar to anything I've ever experienced before. Other favourite times in Penang include my journey up Penang Hill on the funicular railway, my henna tattoo, hanging ribbons on the wishing tree at Penang's largest Buddhist Temple- Kek Loc Si and learning more about Penang's colonial history at Fort Cornwallis. Oh, and not to forget all the AMAZING street-food! Yum! :) I really did have a great time losing myself in this unique, heart-warming, little place.       

Great hostel but the world's tiniest dorm room! 

St George's Church, Georgetown
The oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia

At Penang Hill

Having my henna done :)

May as well have pitched a tent outside this man's street food stall