Discovering Asia

August 9th, 2009 Posted in Travel

No doubt it has been an amazing year so far, full with emotions and new experiences. After being accepted to join MIT and after wrapping up my work at E&Y, time for the well-deserved vacation throughout Asia.

This trip had several objectives, one of them trying to rediscover myself after a very turbulent period in my life. And a rediscovery that I had the privilege to share with someone very special…

Enough about that, let’s get to details (for full slideshow, click on each of the headings):

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jun 6 - Jun 7

Kuala Lumpur became the hub for our traveling in Asia. Meeting up in Amsterdam, we traveled together to Kuala Lumpur with high expectations and uncertainty in terms of what to expect from a region we’ve never been before. How nice would be the people? How hot? How humid? How poor?

“We” had decided that we would like to make this experience more or less a “backpacking experience”, so we started with staying in Hotel Istana, a 5-star hotel in the Golden Triangle (by the way, highly recommended). To top the backpacking experience, first night we went to have dinner at Frangipanni, also a not “too bad restaurant” LOL. It happens to be one of the best restaurants in town!!!

The next days were spent visiting the city which we loved!!! Food was awesome, very nice people, some nice shopping malls and…. CHEAP cameras… Couldn’t help but get the new Nikon D700 plus the awesome lens Nikon 14-24 at Photo Selangor after some tough negotiations!!!

Siem Reap, Cambodja

Jun 8 - Jun 10

4 o’clock in the morning and off we go from KL to Cambodja. Travel by taxi was pretty long to get to KLLT, the terminal from where all AirAsia flights depart, so we had to leave without breakfast

After arriving, we are welcomed by Mr. Thou, who picked us up in his TukTuk from the airport to the place where we were staying, a very cosy place called Shadow of Angkor. We actually stayed in their second guest house - Shadow of Angkor II. After leaving our stuff in the room, we have a quick breakfast and before we notice Mr. Thou is already waiting to take us to visit the Temples of Angkor. For those of you who don’t know, these are where Tomb Raider was filmed. And guess what? I got to see Lara Croft in my trip!!! Am I lucky or what?

I must say this was one of the most impressive places I have ever been. The architecture is fenomenal, as well as the strength of the people who live there.

Also it was the first time I had a real (paying) massage in my life. Mental note: when the lady pushes your arms, you should let it go… Can’t forget her smiling and saying: “hey, too strong…” LOL

After some amazing food and breathtaking views over the temples, it was time to go back to the airport, this time to go to Bangkok.

Bangkok, Thailand

Jun 11 - Jun 13

The moment we arrive in the airport in Bangkok and before even leaving the luggage hall we were already being offered “transportation services” for which everytime we said not they would reduce it to half. Luckily we did not accept it. The moment we got out we realize that even with a 1/4 of the price initially asked, just using the taxi outside would cost us much much less.

The dynamics of this city was a big contrast to the calm environment lived just before in Siem Reap. Bangkok is no doubt an amazingly active city in all senses. But make no mistake, it is also full with history.

Highlights were no doubt the constant bargaining with taxi drivers, great food, the Great Palace and trying to figure out how to use the river ferry

Pulau Redang, Malaysia

Jun 14 - Jun 17

Time to enjoy some beach!!! At this time, after visiting some cities, we were ready to enjoy the sun and… more importantly… DIVE !!! It had been a long time since I dived so I was very much looking forward.

Traveling once more from KL, this time we drove to Selangor airport to catch Berjaya airplane directly to Redang Island. From there we were greeted and transported in a small boat to Redang Kalong Resort.

I can only say… WOW… being in Redang Kalong is like being in a desert island where you have the sea and the fishes all for yourself. And did I mention the 30ºC water???
[TO BE CONTINUED]

Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Jun 18 - Jun 22

Taman Negara, Malaysia

Jun 23 - Jun 26

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jun 27 - Jun 28

Kapalai Sipadan, Malaysia

Jun 29 - Jul 3

Tawau and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jul 3 - Jul 6