In da funk?

Hello peeps!

I made it round and came back in one piece!  I am home now, and it feels good - catching up with friends and having a taster of the English summer for a few days. I even brought back with me that fresh perspective I was hoping to find during my travels. All is well, now time to pull my sleeves up and get stuck in - I need a job...

The eagle has landed
Image courtesy of artur84 / Freedigitalphotos.net

If you are like me, freshly arrived and full of bordering-on-maniac energy, you start experiencing a little funk right about... now!

Worry not, peeps, you are not alone. In this post I will share a few tips to help keep da funk away and keep moral up while job hunting when returning home after your travels.

Before going any further though, stop a moment and take stock of what you have just done.

Hopefully you did not get mugged, assaulted, impossibly lost or taken hostage - or any of the other things you were worried about when you sat in the plane that would take you to yonder way so many months ago.

My worst fear was getting ill. I did and I was on my own but I managed. I might never go back to Vietnam because of this unfortunate memory, but I survived. Very close second was bed bugs. I was absolutely paranoid about getting bitten. I got eaten alive, twice, but again I survived.

Whatever your horror stories, you survived. You are a hell of a lot more resilient than you give yourself credit for!

So now you are back, and things are bound to be very busy for the first few days.

My to do list seemed endless - pick up the car from the garage, deal with the flat battery, sort out car insurance, MOT and servicing, fight off the cold nibbling at my little feet, update LinkedIn, register for the job seeker  allowance - and get told I cannot get anything for the next 3 months, arrange to sleep at friends, comb through the job boards... I have indeed been busy enough to run away from da funk.

Chances are though, once you are a bit more settled, da funk will somehow manage to catch up. The weather is a bit miserable and definitely colder, the meager remains of your saving are melting away, you are still trying to figure out what kind of jobs to apply for and the turn over of new vacancies advertised is unfortunately quite low.

You are stuck, and moral is noticeably taking a plunge. But, remember, you are more resilient than you give yourself credit for!

There is not much you can do about the job market, once you have done all the network activation, contact reaching out and applications you can do. You just have to sit tight and wait for answers and new ads to come up, no other choice.

The choice is somewhere else though - leave da funk take over and curl up on the sofa, or start moving again and run away from it. Here are my top 5 tips to start moving again:


1. Looking for a job is a full time job

Obviously, you will have to spend a lot of time on this - specially if you need to start working soon-ish! Job hunting should be your main daily activity, almost like a 9-to-5 kind of schedule.
Online job boards are a great tool, but networking with recruiters/friends/old colleagues is also very helpful. After all, two, three or more pairs of eyes are better than one when looking for something. I would advise to spread your time 2/3 online and 1/3 networking, adjusting the ratio as needed.

2. Make a plan - everybody loves a good plan!

Mapping out an action plan usually helps with calming the little panic troll in your brain as you feel more in control of events, so plan for different scenarios:

- Plan A, deadline highlighted in the calendar: focus is entirely on the 'perfect job', what is is, how you plan on finding it and how long you allow. How long you spend on plan A will entirely depend on how urgently you need to start earning again.

- Plan B, with deadline: still includes a part of looking for that perfect job, but the focus will have to shift to widen the scope of your search. That could be looking for part time jobs, contracts or more junior positions.

- Plan C, with deadline: now you need to do some lateral thinking to widen further the scope of your search - other industry, further afield, re-training... This is crunch time! By now, you should be qualifying for job seeker help from your local Job Centre so make full use of it.

Job search action plan
Image courtesy of Luigi Diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3. Get some exercise

As much as curling up on that sofa and watching movies all day sounds appealing, go out of the house and do some exercise. On top of helping with letting some steam off, exercise gets you tired so you sleep better at nigh, rather than tossing and turning in bed worrying about things beyond your control.
Having challenged a friend to a half Ironman next year, I decided to join the local Triathlon club and start training for the event. Hello, endorphin rush!

4. Have some 'me time'

Go on, curl up, watch movies, go shopping, have your hair done, do the crazy dance listening to the radio, bake, catch up with friends, go to the museum...

Add a little of TLC
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There should be something to look forward to, if not everyday at least twice times a week.

5. Keep things in perspective

Unless your parents own a business and take you on straight away, it WILL take more than a couple of weeks to find a job. Also, getting your applications rejected time after time is stressful and disheartening, but again, try keep in mind that you will eventually get into employment. It might take longer than you would want, and it might not be your dream job, but it is money in the bank. Which brings me to...


(Cheeky) 6. Get ready to go again


If things really do not work out for you, how about packing your bags again and head back out travelling? Life is too short to be spent in a job you hate any longer than is necessary to save up a few quids and go again.
I am giving myself 6 months to get my perfect job. If not, I will just get whatever cash I can from a part time job and go travelling again. Better to sleep in a dorm and eat street food in Indonesia than spend winter in London :)

All packed, including the Milo :)

Last word...

Unless you are coming back to a job you already sorted out, it will not be a walk in the park. Any long term return back home will require a job hunt and it will take time to feel comfortable again - you are looking for a job, a flat, new habits, a social circle. But then again, you have done just that many times over, and on top of it, you had to learn new currency exchange rates and snippets of a new language!
So do not let the funk get you down though. Most of us have been through the same and have come out of it better off.

It was all worth it!

I am now going to follow my own advice. Wish me luck :)

What would YOU do if time and money were unlimited?

Hello peeps!

Hoooooot today in Ubud so I thought I would hide in an internet cafe for a couple of hours and soak up the air con - together with the cigarette smoke and the smell of burning incense in the shrine next to my head...! What's not to love?!

Anyway - back to the topic at hand...

After a while being on the road, I realised the conversations I have when first meeting new people are almost on a set script:

So, where are you from?

Me - Hey, how are you?
New person - I'm alright thanks. You?
Me - I'm all good! Where are you from?
New person - I'm from X. Where are you from?
Me - I'm from a French Island in the Caribbean.
New person - Wow, the Caribbean? Where about?
Me - Martinique.
New person - You must be so used to the heat / You must be so cold!

Me - I live in London now, so not used to the heat anymore / still not used to the cold! 

Then it goes something like:
How long have you been here?
You traveling on your own too?
Are you on holidays or traveling around?
Where have you been before?
How much longer have you got?
Where are you going next?

 It would usually stop there, either because this was all it needed to be, a fleeting meeting whilst waiting for my pasta to cook, or because I - or they - could not be bothered to keep the conversation going further. And that is fine. It is one of the perks/curses of traveling, you can just walk away from a conversation and no one will be offended. Well as long as you do it politely that is!

But when I got to spend some time with someone, and I wanted to know them a bit more than just the superficial stuff, I started to ask this one more question: What would you do it time and money were unlimited?

I was expecting to get all sorts of crazy answers to that one like but no. What I got mostly was - I would quit my job and go traveling around the world.

I was really taken aback! It is true that most people I met were traveling for up to 6 months, a few had been away for a year and a handful for over a year like me. I can count on the fingers of one hand the ones away for more than two years. So most of the people I got to ask this question were going back to their 'normal life' after the trip.

They had a taste of traveling but still thought you need to have an unlimited amount of time and cash to go away for long.

Sorry, what?

Let me break you the news then - You don't.

Let me repeat that slower - You. Don't.

You do not need to be Bill Gates. I am certainly not even if I wish I was, yet I am doing what 90% of all people said they would do.

Don't get me wrong, I did not just wake up one day, packed my bags and took the first plane to wherever. No, that would have been a very silly thing to do!

I did my research on the places I wanted to go, I saved like a mad squirrel for 4 years and I had to find a friend who would agreed to collect my mail for the time I was away. And I quit my job, booked my first ticket, bought a backpack and hope I put the stuff in it.

More importantly - I took the decision to go, to do something for myself, be completely selfish and foolish, to put myself in harm's way. But I TOOK THE DECISION.

I could have stayed at the planning/saving stage forever, coming up every day with a good reason why I should not go now. But all these months traveling showed me that there are no 'good' reasons...

'What about money?'
Save up a bit and go. You can always pick up some odd jobs to get cash in or work in exchange for food and board. Working Holiday Visas are widely offered and if you're too old to apply, you can always work under the radar!

'I can quit my job now, what about my career?'
A job is a job is a job. There will always be one for you to take when you go back. Might not be the same, but if you are seriously considering going, something tells me your career is not your #1 priority right now...

'I have got a morgage/credit to pay off'
If you have got a morgage, you have got a house or flat you can rent while you are away. That means the house or flat can pay for itself. I you have got credit, save up some more and see if you can get away with lower monthly repayments. Then work as you go to support yourself while traveling.

'I can't get time off work'
That one is easy - quit the damn job!

'Wait, I have got a family. I can't go traveling with kids'
I have met many families traveling, some with very small children, even a lady on her own with two small ones! I will not say it will be easy every day, but it is possible. You will not be able to slum it like a 20-something German boy, you will be able to go places.

'I have never been away on my own'
News flash - me neither. I had never even been to a restaurant on my own before this trip. I am still alive and well, thank you :)

There is never going to be enough time, enough money, enough freedom to go traveling. Or to do anything else for that matter. This is true only if you let the 'good' reasons stop you.

But if YOU TAKE THE DECISION, if you do, then believe me, you are in for a treat!

So go on, go traveling, go back to uni study medicine, have that baby - whatever it is, once you take the decision, everything will fall into place.

Because YOU are enough when you have made up your mind :)

Nothing can stop you but yourself

One these good words, it is time for me to go for lunch!
Bye :)

Fiji Trip Report, Jan-Feb 2014

Bula peeps!
(That's hello in Fijian)

Fiji is a country I have always wanted to visit. Why? I don't know, I guess I was just fascinated by the name, Fiji. Sounds like paradise :) 
I have in my mind this idea of a beach paradise, with scorching sun and ice cold drinks, lovely people and laid back pace of life. So much so, I had this crazy idea of marrying someone from over there! 

Did it live up to my expectations? YES, and some more!! The place also looks eerily like Martinique - the people, the food, the scenery, everything is so similar to where I am from. People even thought I was a local and were talking to me in Fijian!

I hope this trip report will convince you Fiji is THE place to go for a relaxed holiday :)

Sunset in Taveuni

 1. Getting there

There are about 3,000 islands in Fiji, some just temporary sand banks that are only visible at low tide, others a cluster of rocks lost in the middle of the ocean. Where ever you end up though, the view is simply breath taking!

The main points of entry in Fiji are either Suva the capital or Nadi, both on the main island Viti Levu.

My first stop in Fiji was Nadi - pronounced 'Nandi' - coming from Auckland. I stayed on the main island Viti Levu then went to Taveuni and Ovalau before coming back to Nadi for my flight back to Auckland.

You will get a free 4 months visa on arrival, and proof on onward journey required to enter the country. They wouldn't even let me check in at Auckland without a ticket confirmation!

Many airlines fly into Fiji, so check on skyscanner for an idea of prices and routes. Also look on other sites as skyscanner doesn't always show low cost carriers.

For all the destinations, I made sure to check out the reviews on Trip Advisor, Hostelworld and Hostelbookers and was never disappointed with a choice made based on these.

2. Viti Levu

Nadi is nothing to shout about. It is big, busy and the only interest is the possibility of shopping. No notable sights and the craft market is a sorry little thing with a handful of stalls selling exactly the same thing.

Most hotels offer a free pick up from the airport.

Not many budget options, aside of the area around Wailoaloa Beach. The rest is all high end resorts with the prices that go with. I stayed at Bamboo Hostel not far from the airport for FJD 20 a night in a 6-bed female dorm or FJD 12 in a 16-bed dorms. They also have private rooms available but these were out of my budget. Loads of free activities on offer, but everything is on Fiji time where 2pm is the same as 5pm! The tradition of kava is enforced every night :)
A little more flashpacker style is Smugglers just down the road.
As the hostels, hotels and resort are a bit out of the way, expect to pay a premium on all food and drinks. Best to stock up at the supermarket. 

On the way back to Nadi at the end of my trip, I stopped a few nights at the Beachouse resort, a couple of hours away from Suva on the Coral Coast in the south of Viti Levu. I have got very mixed feelings about the place...

Beachouse slumber
And yes - I am in a hammock :)

Pros: the beach is gorgeous, the atmosphere relaxed and the surfing/paddle boarding/kayaking is enough to keep you busy. There is a pool - clean - and a collection of hammocks dotted around the grounds. Afternoon tea is served everyday at 3.30pm and the freshly baked scones are a delight! In the evenings there are more activities, this time involving copious amount of alcohol being consumed...

Cons: I stayed in the dorms and got bitten by BED BUGS for the first time in 14 months of travel!! It seems only the dorms were infested, not the private rooms. Definitely put a damper on my enthusiasm :(

3. Taveuni

A long 21hrs ferry journey north west of the main island is Taveuni. It is close to Vanua Levu, the second largest land mass in Fiji.
Taveuni is also called the island garden as is provides much of the fruits and vegetables on offer on Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. It is a green and lush place, however I spent more time underwater than above so I haven't really visited much of the island!

Diving was the main reason I came to Fiji and Taveuni was to be the place I got a good soaking :)

Dolphins at the Rainbow Reef

This is one of the top 10 places to go underwater, and the Rainbow Reef id the reason why. A long stretch of reef between the south of Vanua Levu and Taveuni the Rainbow Reef is so called because of its colourful display of soft coral. Turtles and reef sharks are regular visitors and the White Wall is just an amazing sight when the tide is right. Dolphins, whale sharks and even sometimes manta rays can also be spotted in the area.

Overland sights include:

• The date line monument, showing where the 180 meridian crosses the island making it effectively possible to stand between today and tomorrow and go back in time with a simple hop
• The water slides, a natural slide made of smooth rock
• The waterfalls

Further afield you can visit Nanuku island for an overnight trip or Qamea island for some sleek surfing in Maqai.
Unfortunately my budget got a serious dent with all the diving so I will have to come back for Nanuku and Maqai... such a tough life!


Taveuni can be reached by flight from either Nadi or Suva or via the overnight slow ferry ride from Suva. I took the ferry route. There is a choice of either 1st class air-con reclining seat area or the 2nd class air-con no reclining seat sleep on the floor area! If you go first class, it is possible to request for a small fee a mattress with bed sheets and pillow for the night. 2nd class is ok though - I did it on both legs of the journey. Just remember to take something to sleep on and a jumper as the air-con goes down to freezing levels in the night! There is also a restaurant on board and showers are available to freshen up in the morning.

Dinner at Tramonto - Taro chips,
pan fried fish and coconut spinach

As with the rest of Fiji, Taveuni isn't really budget traveler friendly. I stayed at the Maravu Plantation, the only backpacker of the island and still known under its old name Tuvununu. It is a converted 5 stars hotel which offers dorms for FJD 35 B&B. Double rooms are also available for FDJ 70 so if you have got a travel buddy it would be a much better option. Food was a very westernised version of Fijian fare but just 10min down the road is Tramonto,  a very good locally owned restaurant. The owners are absolutely lovely, the food is amazing and the view at sunset will leave you all thoughtful!

I was diving with the friendly crew of Taveuni Dive. I would really recommend them as the service offered is first class and safety is not taken lightly. If you happen to go there, say hi to Mila the German/Canadian/Fijian dive instructor. She's proper bonkers and a pleasure to dive with :)
I also went one day with another company, Taveuni Ocean Sports. Both operations are comparable. Dives can either be organised by contacting the shops individually or via your hotel.

4. Ovalau

Still a bit groggy from the 21hrs ferry journey back to the main island from Taveuni, I decided to hop onto another bus/ferry combo for later the same day to go to Levuka on the island of Ovalau. Levuka is the former capital of Fiji, before the government moved to Suva in the 80s. Now Levuka is a sleepy little village with a UNESCO World Heritage status since 2013.

Levuka's main street

Looking at Levuka now, it is rather difficult to imagine it being the capital of the country until the late 19th century - it is not much more than a main street these days!

What Levuka does not have in terms of night time activity, it more than makes up for it with a very laid back and relaxing atmosphere. Go there with a good book and have a wander around to see the historical building, then go back to your room for a good nap :)

The only backpacker in town is New Mavida Lodge a short walk from the bus station. There is one fan dorm - no bunks - and the rest are air-con double bedrooms. The place is spotless and the bathroom is inside the dorm, with boys and girls facilities. I stayed there nights and I was on my own for most of it. The dorm is FJD 25 B&B. And I even got a snazzy haircut for FJD 5!

5. The Yasawas and Mamanucas Island Groups

With only one month staying in Fiji, I run out of time before I was ready to head west to the Mamanucas and Yasawas Islands. It is possible to visit this area on a day trip but then you would not get a real view of the islands, only the touristy bits.
This is not how I travel - I want to be able to spend some time in the same place rather than change island every night and only see the resort. The problem is that the western islands are very much resort based, not so much like the east where the independent traveler can go around on her own.
I therefore made the decision to skip the Yasawas and Mamanucas all together. I got to experience a slice of the 'real' Fji in Taveuni and Ovalu so the picture perfect beaches of the resorts in the west held no pressing urge to visit for me.

6. Good to know

- Currency is the Fijian Dollar, FJD. Bureaux de change are available is most resorts and in big towns as well as ATM. When going to islands, it is best to withdraw some cash in Nadi and Suva.

- Electricity is 220V, with the flat slanted pins system like in New Zealand and Australia.

- Tap water is usually OK to drink, however I had a runny stomach episode after the water turned brown following a storm when I was there so I started buying bottled water. Not very eco-friendly but definitely tummy-friendly!
Food is OK to consume everywhere, but there are not many road side or beach shacks. It is usually resort or restaurant food. Keep an eye out for doggy places.

- Mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere, so always apply DEET 50%. Mosquito screens are usually on the windows. Long sleeves top and bottoms are also recommended.

- Bed bugs can be a real nuisance, but they are not sensitive to DEET. The only was to avoid them is to check for traces in the beds. If in doubt, move on as they can get in your bags and go back home with you!

- Always keep your belongings in view and don't flash money or expensive gadgets, specially at night.

- Fiji is a rather patriarchal country, so keep PDA to a minimum and LGBT peeps are advised to keep a low profile. Best to pretend being just good friends if traveling as part of a same sex couple. That said, I came in contact with many gay people, one even at a church event, and there was no issues.

- Dress wise, be mindful of the local sensibilities and dress and behave accordingly. Ladies, you will need a sulu - local sarong - when entering a village.

- Public transport: inter city bus and mini van travel was by far the easiest and cheapest, although internal flights can be dirt cheap too! You can just flag down a bus or mini van and pay accordingly to your destination.
Taxis are everywhere in Nadi and Suva. Most don't have a meter so you need to agree the price before hand. When meters are available, always insist to have it on as drivers tend to 'forget' to switch them on...

- Doctors and hospitals - never had to use them so cannot comment.

- I always cross checked the info on Trip Advisor with Hostelworld and Hostelbookers for all the accommodations I have been to and so far this has paid off well.

That's my summary for Fiji. It really is a beautiful country, with lovely people. If my budget was not already so stretched, I would have stayed longer there. I will definitely come back one day, but during the manta rays season and I will also do the shark dive :)

Evening at the Methodist Church in Levuka

Vinaka vaka levu!
:)

Malaysia Trip Report - Apr - May 2013

Hello peeps!

Apa kabar? It's been a loooong while in the coming there it is - my Malayisa Trip Report :)

This will be only for my first stay in Malaysia in May-June. The summary of my stay in Mantanani Island volunteering with Camps International will be the topic of a separate post.

The Petronas Towers, an iconic element of the skyline in Kuala Lumpur

 1. Getting there

Main points of entry in Malaysia from London are Kuala Lumpur (KL) in the Peninsula, Kota Kinabalu (KK) and Kuchin in Borneo, although you might have at least one stopover en route for the Borneo destinations. Most airlines will have a connecting flight either in Dubai, Hong Kong or, Singapore.
My first stop in Malaysia was Melaka coming from Singapore, so I got the bus there.

You will get a free 90 days visa on arrival, whether coming by plane or crossing land borders. No proof on onward journey required to enter the country.

Many airlines do the London/KL route, so check on skyscanner for an idea of prices and routes. Air Asia is also a good bet when traveling from other countries in South East Asia. Also check on other sites as skyscanner doesn't always show low cost carriers.

For all the destinations, I made sure to check out the reviews on Trip Advisor, Hostelworld and Hostelbookers and was never disappointed with a choice made based on these.

2. Melaka

My first stop in Malaysia, coming from Singapore by ViP bus.The journey was rather uneventful - I slept most of the way! A couple of toilet stops as well as the border crossing stop were more than enough to keep my bladder happy :)

One notable sight though - palm oil trees were everywhere! This was my first encounter with deforestation on a massive scale to make way for these oil plantations.

The bus station in Melaka is away from the town centre and the taxi there cost 30 MYR - the bus is just a few ringgits.

The first thing I noticed arriving at the bus station was a massive Tesco - that was rather unexpected! Actually, I really didn't think I would find such a level of development at all - I even bought period pads from the supermarket before leaving Singapore, thinking Malaysia would be just like Indonesia where choice in this particular genre is limited to the 'uncomfortable' variety.

These little pedicabs are all the furor in Melaka

Melaka in itself is a large-ish town. There are the historical sights downtown, two luxurious malls facing each other, countless 7-Elevens and ATMs. Again, the image I had in mind was completely wrong!

My first taste of Malay food was amazing - nasi lemak, aka coconut rice and toppings, from a street stall not far from my accommodation. That's all it took to make me fall in love with this country :)

There are several bus companies doing the route Singapore to Melaka, most of them clustered in the Golden Mile Complex not far from Jalan Sultan. Prices are very similar, sometimes you get a pick up from town rather than the Complex. I got a ViP bus, set up 1+2 seats per row and I got a single seat at not extra cost. 

Christ Church

Loads of choice with regards to accommodation in Melaka. I stayed at Apa Kaba Home & Stay not far from Christ Church - for 30 MYR I had a single bed in a small room, shared toilet/bathroom, breakfast included. The owner was really helpful with map, info and recommendations.

For activities, I went to the Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum. It was a tour of a traditional house used by a Strait Chinese family back in the old days. The Stadthuys and Christ Church were rather impressive and well preserved. Across the river is Jonker Street and it's Sunday Night Market, with souvenirs and food. The Menara Taming Sari is a 360 viewing deck that will take you for 15min for great views over the city.

3. Kuala Lumpur

KL... After Singapore, my 2nd favourite city in South East Asia! Why? It's big, it's busy, it's multicultural, it's a food feast and it feels safe to walk around, even late.

I got the bus from Melaka. Again, many bus companies doing the route, prices within the same range. Another uneventful journey where I slept most of the way.

Yes I do :)

Loads to do in KL - the Petronas Twin Towers are an obvious must, although rather expensive to go on top. A much cheaper alternative is the KL Tower which gives 360deg views over the city. Shopping for (fake) designer items is to be had at the Petaling Street Market in Chinatown. They are tough at haggling down, but don't let up, they will eventually go down on the price. Despite all the market is only fake stuff, it is still very good quality and for the price you end up paying, it stays a very good deal.

Food wise - there is plenty to satisfy even the pickiest eater in KL. Malay, Chinese and Indian food places are everywhere and you can't go very wrong when it is a s cheap as that!

FYI, there are four bus stations in KL, each serving different areas of the coutry:
1. the southern terminal Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) at Bandar Tasik LRT station serves all routes to/from the south, so this is where I arrived coming from Melaka.
2. the town terminal Puduraya Sentral Bus Terminal is not far from Chinatown and serves routes to/from the north.
3. Duta Bus Terminal is also for buses mainly going to the north but most of the bus companies are at Puduraya. Worth double checking when booking the agency is you're not buying your ticket directly from the station.
4. Pekeliling Bus Terminal serves the routes to/from the east coast. Nearest LRT Station: Titiwangsa Station on the monorail line.

You are spoiled for choice with regards to accommodation - from high end hotels such as Traders with their amazing view over KLCC and the Petronas Towers, to  cheap hostels.
I stayed at both Traders, courtesy of a very generous friend who offered to share her room, and BackHome, a high spec hostel between Chinatown and Little India.

4. Cameron Highlands

Lush, green and rolling views of tea shrubs

I only stayed a couple of nights in Tana Rata, the main stop for the Cameron Highlands. The town itself is rather unremarkable, the main interest being the numerous walks in the area as well as tea plantations you can visit.

I took the opportunity to sample Malaysia's famous Teh Tarik during a visit to the Boh Tea Estate :)

Only a handful of hostel, with mixed reviews. I stayed at Eight Mentigi Guesthouse. I had my own room, shared facilities, for 30MYR, but you could touch both sides of the room with arms stretched out! It was clean and safe though, so cannot complain.

5. Penang

If KL is my 2nd favourite place in South East Asia, then Penang sure is a close 3rd! A bit cliche, but this is definitely the food capital of Malaysia. I stayed mainly in Georgetown, with a day trip round the island to see the other sights the island has to offer.

Sunset in Georgetown

You cannot go hungry in Georgetown - Mee Goreng (fried noodles), Fish Ball Koay Teow Soup, Asam Laksa (a coconut based soup with noodles and an assortment of yummy topings), Cendol (the weirdest ever ice dessert, with red kidney beans and sweet corn???), Curry Mee (noodles in a curry sauces), all sorts of finger licking good Indian dishes and the world famous Char Kway Teow (flat noodles stir fried with cockles, pork meat, suasages, eggs - looks mean but tastes awesome!). Needless to say I tried everything, more than once...

Street art in Georgetown

Street art is also a big thing in Georgetown, with many mural on display. Just pick up a map, pack some water, put sunscreen on and off you!

There are many hostels and guesthouses in Georgetown. I stayed at Syok, a recently opened hostel at the time of travel, in Chulia Street. I was mostly empty and some bits still needed polishing off, but overall a very good place to stay, close to the night markets but quiet. At 48MYR a night in the mixed dorms it is definitely more flashpacker than backpacker, but they have deals going if you book a few nights in a row.

6. Sabah

• City side in Kota Kinabalu

Chicken butt... I swear I didn't know!

KK is a big city but it felt a lot more human scale than KL. I spent most of my time eat yet again, this time at the night market. All manner of seafood is on offer and cooked from fresh. Just point, pay and be ready to be blown away!

Most people come to KK to climb up mount Kinabalu. It is a tough undertaking, not for the faint hearted and a permit needs to be organised. No permit, no guide - and going alone is a one way ticket to a very early grave.

I stayed in the dorms at Masda Backpacker, the main interest being the all day breakfast. A 6-bed female dorm cost 35MYR a night. It is clean and close to the night market and the Sunday market.

• Wild side in the jungle

Misty morning on
the Kinabatangan River

From KK I booked a 3D2N tour to go in the jungle along the Kinabatangan river, in the east part of Sabah. I saw a plenty of wild life, including a pygmy elephant, but no elusive man of the forest, the wild orang outan.

After the jungle, I made my way to Sandakan before flying back to KK to catch a flight to the Philipines.

The package in the jungle also included accommodation in dorm style rooms so this will depend which company you book with. I found that the prices dropped a bit if booking from Sandakan compared to KK.
In Sandakan I stayed at Harbourside Backpackers for 25MYR a night. Clean and conveniently situated in the town centre and not far from the market. They also have a very good DVD selection!
Check out the Malaysian Airlines website for bargain fares from KK to Sandakan or Lahad Datu - the short flight is a much more interesting option than the 6hrs bus journey to/from KK!

7. Tioman Island

Cute little place off the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia, with all surrounding waters declared marine park and reserve. The inland rainforest is also a protected area and there is a very nice walk from Tetek to Juara, the only touristy area on the east coast.

The beach in Juara

I spent a little under a week on the island diving, diving and diving a bit more :)

The main drag is the main village of Tetek on the west coast. There is a further backpackery strip at Air Batang aka ABC, a short taxi ride followed by a 20 walk from Tetek.

The ambiance is laid back, the locals very friendly. Fish and seafood are fresh but relatively expensive, considering this is an island. There is a duty free shop on the island where you can find beer almost cheaper than water!

Diving is the main attraction here obviously, with a variety of dive sites available, from reefs to wrecks, to suit all abilities. Snorkeling from the shore is just as rewarding an experience. Just grab you mask and snorkel and jump in!

I stayed at Cheers Cottages, a short walk from the ferry terminal. I had a double room with shared facilities for 30MYR. Cheaper accommodation can be found in ABC, but be aware you will only get what you pay for...
Food wise, the many little restaurants offer good food, relatively inexpensive unless you go for the seafood BBQ.
The cheapest way to get to the island is the ferry from Mersing on the east cosat, but you can also fly in from KL and Singapore in the tiniest ever plane - hold onto your knickers for a very bumpy ride!
Diving was with Tioman Dive Centre, a small operation in Tetek. Lovely people, clear safety briefing and amazing dives.

8. Good to know

- Currency is the Malaysian Ringgit, MYR. Bureaux de change and ATM are widely available in most towns. Only 1 ATM on Tioman when I was there - not so good when running out of cash during the w.e...

- Electricity is 220V, with the round pins system like in continental Europe.

- Tap water is never OK to drink. Always buy bottles or refill at the hotels. Food is OK to consume everywhere, even at the road side and beach shacks. Just keep an eye out for doggy places.

- Mosquitoes are pretty much everywhere, even got bitten in KL, so always apply DEET 50%. Mosquito are provided. Long sleeves top and bottoms are also recommended as malaria is a risk.

- Always keep your belongings in view and don't flash money or expensive gadgets, specially at night.

- Malaysia is an Islamic country, so keep PDA to a minimum and LGBT peeps are advised to keep a low profile. Best to pretend being just good friends if traveling as part of a same sex couple. Most places I have been, there was no problems wearing shorts, but be mindful of the local sensibilities and dress and behave accordingly.

- Public transport: inter city bus travel was by far the easiest and cheapest, although internal flights with Malaysian Airlines can be dirt cheap too! When buying bus tickets, best to go to the bus station directly as hostels/travel agents will add a commission to the actual price of the ticket.
Taxis are everywhere in the cities. Most don't have a meter so you need to agree the price before hand. When meters are available, always insist to have it on as drivers tend to 'forget' to switch them on...

- Doctors and hospitals - never had to use them so cannot comment. Healthcare is supposed to be very good in KL.

- Always always haggle - for goods, transports, travels agents and even hotel rooms!

- I always cross checked the info in the Lonely Planet with the reviews on Trip Advisor, Hostelworld and Hostelbooker for all the accommodations I have been to and so far this has paid off well.

That's my summary for Malaysia. It really is a beautiful country, with lovely people. In my initial plan, I only allocated 3wks to go through peninsular Malaysia - I was worried that being a single female traveler I would get a lot of hassle in this muslim country.
I ended up staying 5wks and coming back for a further 8wks, so it cannot be all that bad! I was even considering staying on for a lot longer and tried to get a job with the company I did some volunteer work with, but that's a story for another post!

Sama sama!
:)