AWAY WE GO: Malaysia

I now understand why people would just shrug their shoulders when I asked them about what it was like in Malaysia. Up until Langkawi I would have suggested against this country but there were great times to be had here. The landscape is filled with beautiful jungle and appears to be cleaner than the rural areas found in the neighboring nations. The cities however lack any sort of reasonable pedestrian system and the sidewalks give way to the sewage running beneath your feet. Melaka could be removed from the map of my mind entirely as well as Georgetown Panang with the acceptance of areas north of Chinatown. Malacca: Panang Hill: Monkey Beach: Langkawi is a place to relax and slow down the pace while KL thrusts you back into the rush speckled with views of the spectacular. We have seen things here that are more remarkable then we could have imagined but Malaysia is a hard place to go after an diverse epicenter like Singapore. Malaysia has also cured any interest I had in visiting India. Langkawi: Batu Caves: Tina and I have communicated in new ways that have added more depth to our relationship. Depth and understanding of the needs of one another. It's a good thing to bring to the table what you desire in the other person and clearly whole hearted, daily attempt to be the person they want you to be. I notched up a few hero points when an aggressive monkey at the Batu Caves wanted to show Tina his molars. Now I'm no muskateer but I am able to handle an umbrella. Yesterday I saw two men in their whities taking advantage of the rain by washing their clothes in a drainage ditch. This is a humbling sight to me and a reminder for my thankfulness to be never ending in my circumstances. Whatever they may be. For even in the bad they lead to perseverance and perseverance gives birth to Character