I’ll be filing this one under the ‘rules to be me, sucks to be you’ category on the blog: at the end of February I’m flying to the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia to do a story for The Dominion Post and Stuff.co.nz
So far, the itinerary lists “snorkelling, diving, swimming with turtles, nature treks, beach volleyball, massages, seafood and cold beer” as attractions due our attention – and yeah, obviously you couldn’t see me, but I just spent five minutes after writing that looking out the window with a wistful smile.
The swimming with turtles part, I must say, I’m particularly looking forward to – though cold beer gets a tick too – and I’m in general pretty curious about Malaysia. I’ve never been there and don’t know many people who have – not compared to Thailand or Bali at least – though I suspect that will change with the new direct flights to Kuala Lumpur available from Christchurch (Air Asia X) and Auckland (Jetstar).
Also it looks like we’ll be spending a night in Kuala Lumpur – en route to all the (did I mention?) cold beer, seafood and massages – and I’m well curious as to what that’ll be like. As crazy as Bangkok? Straight-laced like Singapore? Or maybe some comfortable in-between – so if anyone reading this now has been, let me know what to expect. And flick through some tips for KL eating, drinking and good-times.
Postscript – a random Malaysia fact:
Parts of Malaysia (plus Indonesia) are home to the Bajau people who are sometimes called Sea Gypsies, and who spend almost their entire lives off land. Sea Gypsies do a lot of freediving and apparently have evolved especially to cope.
