The last leg

We’re on a shaky coach right now, heading towards Kuala Lumpur. We were there for a few days last week before heading to Pulau Pangkor, an island to the north. We chose this island both for its relative proximity to KL and also because it was described as ‘sleepy.’ One tripadvisor review even went so far as to recommend people not to bother visiting as there was “nothing to do.” Exactly what I figured we needed. I’m not sure if it would come as a surprise to any of you, but there hasn’t been an awful lot of sitting around throughout these last few months. True, we never move anywhere quickly, but we’re also seldom idle. Idleness is my natural state whereas Mountain Dad thrives on exploration and sating his curiosity. As if that was even possible...
So it was out of a desire to do it my way, that I booked us onto Pangkor Island and even Mountain Dad slipped into island life, on a few occasions calling out to me,
“Look, Camille! I’m relaxing!”

It was great to let the kids swim each day and play at the beach. They don’t need toys or suggestions to create intricate imaginary games that keep them entertained indefinitely. It’s always Shea and I who get bored first and suggest a walk or a meal or an ice cream. Or indeed ice cream for a meal, as happened on a couple of occasions.

In the words of the sage John Glynn Morris, “Malaysia kicked our butt,” on our first day. Arriving on the overnight flight from Dubai and staggering out into the oppressive humidity, we were a write off for our first couple of days. On one afternoon we set out to walk to KLCC park, the one that looked a mere stones throw from our apartment window but in fact, due to immense building projects that were in the way, took us an hour to get to. It was like a torture walk for all of us; there were woozy heads and children half walking and half leaning-staggering against our bodies. By the time we trudged our sluggish selves into the park, it was all we could do to stay awake. The kids paddled in a water park while Mountain Dad and I had a sleepy, drawling argument about who was going to stay awake and who could pass out.

Shea won.

Until security came by and told him ‘no laying down.’ Or rather told me to wake him and tell him.

We had small adventures round KL, not as much as we’d hoped due to lethargy and a sick little girl, but still enough to get a feel for its diversity, multiculturalism and food. Heading to the island of Pangkor allowed here a taste of the Malaysia beyond KL; one without the ritzy malls and towering skyscrapers. A countryside of more prevalent garbage (Ade even commented one day about swimming into too much garbage in the sea), a countryside of stray dogs and kittens that were so tempting to pat but we’d put the fear of rabies not the kids so no-one dared. A countryside of lushness and heat and friendly strangers. The Malaysians, more than a lot of people we’ve met, we’re open and friendly, not at all pushy and so willing to help. People would go out of their way to help us out, with directions or information or gifts for the kids. One new friend, Fanum, who I met on the bus even invited us to her home on Pangkor for a visit.

Other highlights included Lox getting a one dollar haircut. A motor scooter ride around the island. Hiking through the jungle to get to a deserted beach. Eating fresh fish (highlight for us, kids just ate fries), and swimming at sunset and not being cold. 

Buying a bus ticket from very small ticket booths.

Breakfast, Malaysian style. The rest of us had toast; we’re far less brave.

Freshly caught, steamed fish. The whole fish.

Painting our own Batik

Next step, off to Australia. Where we will laugh in the face of the heat wave, hardened as we are now to this equatorial business. Bring it on, we say! 

And we hope you all are gearing into a safe, happy and not-torturously-hot Christmas.