On how Asia reminds me of childhood - Mice

My parent's are not going to like this, but it is true, we used to live in an appartment in downtown Olot and in the storage room there were mice. I do not remember ever seeing or hearing them but I remember my father's telling me that there were mice, how the traps worked and not to put my fingers in there.

Since we have been in Asia we have had many encounters with mice:

• You see them on the street at night
• Next to the markets and even sometimes in your room. 
• I remember one night in Cherating while I was reading Ana Karenina I saw a mice on the frame of the bungalow but the book was so good that I didn't care. 
• In Cambodia Robert was working one night and he saw mice playing around him. 

This is the modernist flat in Olot that had mice. Thanks Josep M. Pararols for the photo

Last night a group of mice living on the roof of our room woke me up. They were going up and down like crazy. In my adult life I have not been around mice so here's another reason why Asia reminds me of my childhood!

Here's other reasons:
Everything is under construction and lots of flowers
Sun drying food and stone tables 
Reusing everything and poorly paved roads

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On how Asia reminds me of my childhood: Excitement

Cycling around Asia is a great way to see the real life. You can go on an organized tour or you can go by yourself, most of the places are very safe and people are extremly curious about you.

When you cycle in small towns kids get extremely excited. Here's some of the situations:

• Moms with babies waiving at you, starting to teach the kid to say "Hello"
• Kids so little they don't even know what to do, they just stare at you with their mouth wide open.
• If you look at the front yard of the house, you might see little kids going to get their big brother because they want to go by the road and say hello to you.
• Kids screaming "Hello", "What is your name?", "Wellcome to Malaysia!".
• Kids picking up their old rusty bikes and racing you.
• Shy girls smilling at you and waiving from their bikes.
• Teenagers getting out of school and trying to block your way or do stupid things.
• And the most painfull but also the best, High fives! Yes, high fives are back.

When I was little every summer there was a race going on and they would go through my grandparent's house. We would be waiting for them for hourss, to see the cyclist, to cheer at them and to get the beach balls and other merchandising that they were giving away.

Going through the little villages and hearing the kids with their "hello, hello" made me think of what I looked like when I was little.


The picture that ilustrates this post was taken by somebody I don't remember with Max's camera during our trip from Saigon to Hanoi in Vietnam.

Here's other reasons why Asia reminds me of my childhood:
Everything is under construction and there are lots of flowers
Sun drying food and stone tables 
Poorly paved roads and reusing stuff

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On how Asia reminds me of my childhood - Reusing and pavement

Recycling or reusing: in the photo we see the kind of the rice crackers :-D It seems that before the crisis we were buying everything new and not thinking about second or third uses that things could have. Reusing old buckets seems to be the norm here.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Poorly paved roads: I love poorly paved road sides, they are so much more fun to walk on than perfectly paved ones! I love them!

Tuk-tuk on poorly paved road

Everything is under construction and lots of flowers
Sun drying food and stone tables

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On how Asia reminds me of my childhood - Construction and flowers

Since I have been in Asia I feel like I am back to the summer days when I would go to my grandparent's home as a child. Here's some of the things that remind me of those days:

• Everything is under construction. Look at the back of the photo of me as a child. It is the same here, everybody is building homes, shops,... and like in Spain, some remain empty after being built.

• People have flowers everywhere. Check out my grandma's geranium pots behind me, Asia is full of flowers and people take care of them.

Outside a temple in Luang Prabang, Laos. The house you see is where the monks live.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Beautiful Luang Prabang, Laos

I have taken so many photos to illustrate this topic that I will try to post them all in individual pages. I hope you enjoy time travelling with me!

Reusing, recycling and poorly paved roads 
Stone tables and sun drying food

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My reasons for loving Malaysia

Oh, once again we are in Malaysia, this is our third time here and once again, we are in love with this country and its people.

These are some of my reasons for loving Malaysia:

•  The shiness. First they look at you, immediately they smile and some days later they start making jokes and talking to you in a more open way. I like it when people take their time.
• I know this is not really their choice but opposite to neighbouring countries like Thailand, here they don't treat you like a walking dollar.
• People are super welcoming. As soon as you get out of the main cities, you will hear people saying "Welcome to Malaysia" from their cars or motorcycles. Can you imagine if we did that in our countries every time we see a tourist? Wouldn't that be just great?!
• It feels safe to be here and travel around.
• Things aren't easy for the locals, there are 3+ communities living in 1 country and it doesn't always work as well as we would expect.

Yes, Malaysia has a lot of things to work on, starting with the freedom of the press but I can't help it, I am happy here!

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A theme park called Koh Samui

Going from the airport terminal to the plane

We spent 10 days in Koh Samui, an island in the south of Thailand. I felt like I was in a theme park, some reasons:

• Ha Bo Put on Friday night: targetting only to tourist.
• Drunk westerners.
• Amusement park price.
• We didn't visit Hat Mae Nam where it is supposed to be more real.
• Airport: see photo. :-)

If you want pristine beaches and white sand, go to Perhentian Islands in Malaysia. No beer there though!

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Do they have something in common?

Sunday at Gunung Pedang by Robert Rogge

Eventhough the 3 cultures don't do a lot of things together, they have many thing in common:

• They love to smile
• They take care of their business
• They treat foreigners very well
• They love thé tarik
• They eat all the time and they eat a lot
• They all love to spend a hot Sunday in the waterfalls, who doesn't?

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Varietat cultural a Malàisia: Comunitat india

Unknown author unless you tell me that it is yours

Aquí us faig un llistat de les coses que només he vist fer a la comunitat india de Malàisia:

• Anar al seu rotllo respectant als altres
• Parlar obertament de política
• Lluitar per un sistema democràtic
• No tenir por als ulls
• Posar la música a tota pastilla

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Cultural variety in Malaysia: Malay comunity

Girls going to the Laksa Festival in Langkawi

Things I have only seen malay people do:

• Some women swim completely dress.
• Be extremely respectful and shy.
• Eat all the time really greassy and tasty food.
• Jiggle in the cuttest way.

Cook from Frangipani Resort in Langkawi serving Laksa

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Variedad cultural en Malasia: Comunidad china

Celebración Wesar en Melaka

Cosas que solamente he visto hacer a las personas de origen chino:

• Estar preocupados por su salud, lo que comen, lo que beben,... 
• Conocer las propiedades de cada uno de los alimentos.
• Acercarse a nosotros para ofrecernos regalos, conversación y hospitalidad.
• Bailar y disfrutar bailando.
• Comer mucho cerdo.
• Nadar perfectamente.

Clan jetty en en Georgetown

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What is going on in Malaysia?

After almost 4 months in Malaysia in the next posts I would like to tell you a little bit more about the different people in this fantastic country. I would like to tell you about the people based on where they live, what they think, what music they listen to, what their religion is, how they brush their teeth, even what their social class might be or what urban group they belong to, but unfortunately I will devide my posts by their family history, also called race. I see no mobility so here I go! Later on I will go back to individuals, but I thought it would be interesting to give you an outlook on the situation here.

Introduction

Here's 2 extracts from I am muslim by Dina Zaman.

 "What is happening to this country? Heads of old chinese men are shaved over some harmless Gong Xi Fa Cai fun, non-muslims protest dress codes, people fight over loudspeaker volume for azan (call to prayers), and churches and temples are being demolished. God, we live in a circus. Around the city I see young people increasingly congregating by race. Young Malay kids on one side, trendy Chinese kids whooping it up on the other and Indian teenagers speaking Ebonics and wearing winter clothes in the tropical heat. My sister, who is a teacher, tells me it is the same in schools whether amongst students or teachers... the modern, progressive, wealthy Malaysia."

A few pages later in the same chapter...

Photo from In the name of search

"This my be due to the misguided perception (in Malaysia) that Muslims don't mingle with non-Muslims. That those who do so come from urban families, go to good universities at home or abroad, and have good jobs, ergo, they are liberal Muslims. And progressive Muslims don't adhere to rituals.
I see plenty of "mingling" in Terengganu and Kelantan. The Chinese in Terengganu speak the local dialect fluently and aren't seen as "the other" Maybe I only see what I want. Maybe, I am too idealistic."


Here's a blog that disagrees with me: http://freemahesa.blogspot.com/2011/12/malaysians-are-not-racists-trust-me.html

Here's the rest of my posts: Chinese community, Malay community, Indian community and what they have in common.

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Paradise number 3: Pulau Langkawi

After Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tioman, the third paradise is Pulau Langkawi in the Adaman sea. Some facts about Langkawi:

• Malays eager for consumism, shops and Duty free items love it.
• We meet a lot of very well travelled people that advised us not to come to Langkawi.
• We stayed in Langwaki for over a month, yes, we don't like to be told what to do or where to go. :-P
• This might be the only paradise with a road in it.
• Underneath the surface of a very tourist island, we found two things:
• An amazing expat community that welcomed us inmediately and made our stay in Langkawi a fantastic, unforgetable time. We are so thankful for that!
• Locals living in their kampung houses, going to school and doing their business like everywhere else, I mean this is still their country. I say this because we were told that there where just a few malays in Langkawi!!!
• The water is not clear like in Perhentian and Tioman but the beaches are fantastic and the lake too. 
• There is jellyfish so it is always an adventure to go swimming!
• But for us Langkawi will always be the place where we meet great people that love boats, the sea and travelling! Thanks!

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Bateaux sur la mer d'Andaman

Naga Pelangi avec la gracieuse permission des propiétaires

Damai Indah Luxury Cruises avec la gracieuse permission de TripAdvisor

Pendant un moins nous sommes sur la mer d'Andaman à l'île de Langkawi où on a l'occasion de voir les plus jolies bateaux à voile. Ici une petite description de trois bateaux:

• Naga Pelangi :  bâti avec le plus beau bois du monde et fini avec perfection, on peut voir plusieurs photos ici. Elle s'appelle aussi The rainbow dragon.
• Damai Indah: nous avons fait une croisière avec Captain Dean et Eva pendant un jour et ça était une journée fantastique.
• Lili Marleen: est trop grande et magnifique.

S'il vous plaît, si vous parlez français aidez-moi à améliorer l'écriture, merci !   

Lili Marleen

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Taking photos with us

Picture taken by the Rogge Master in Merdeka Sq KL

This was the first man that asked us to take a picture with him, this is what we thought in order of appearence:

• That he didn't speak good english and that what he really wanted was us to take a picture of him. We soon discovered that we were wrong, not only he wanted to take a picture WITH us, but he wanted us to take off our sunglasses so his friends and family would see our eyes.
• That he wanted to steal from us. This is our second day in Malaysia and we were coming from Barcelona, I hope malays can forgive us.
• That he was out of his mind, I mean, he only had some teeth left and was all alone wearing a pink shirt! Not only he was not out of his mind but he was a very nice and friendly guy.

The next day, while walking on a Park we got asked by a group of people from Singapore and today I got asked by a couple from Sudan. The funny thing is that they always have special requirements: take off your sunglasses so we can see your eyes, pose here, pose there, or even to take a photo with you on your bikini so everybody can see how fair your skin is! :-) I love cultural exchange!

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Vacances

Aquests dies estem a Langkawi, una illa al nord de Malàisia que és anunciada a nivell nacional i internacional com al millor lloc a on anar de vacances. Això fa que hi hagi molt turisme però té un efecte positiu fantàstic i que no havíem trobat a cap altre lloc: la gent té moltes ganes de passar-s'ho bé.

Quan viviem en altres llocs a on la gent no anava de vacances sinó que hi havia gent local i backpackers-cobradors-de-prestacions-d'atur la gent estava relaxada, passant els dies amb poc interès i endinsats en el que és la quotidianitat. A Langkawi tinc la sensació de que la gent actua com si el món s'acabes. És la sensació aquella de saber que només tens 1 setmana de vacances a l'any i que t'ho has de passar molt bé. Els diners no són un obstacle perquè res pot arruïnar les teves vacances així que vius a tope. És com viure en una illa a on tothom està eufòric i obert a tot. Això si, si alguna cosa no funciona els turistes s'enfaden molt perquè només tenen 1 setmana, però en general són una companyia molt agradable.

Aquí hi ha pocs turistes blanquets com nosaltres, la majoria de turistes són parelles de Sudan, Emirats Àrabs, Dubai, Pakistan,... en lluna de mel. Ens encanta aquesta versió feliç de Platja d'Aro!

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Paradis numéro deux: Pulau Tioman

Nous avons visité Pulau Tioman il y a trois ans pendant la basse saison et cette année quand nos amis Arantxa et Iñigo ont décidé de visiter la Malasie, nous sommes allées là parce que Tioman est le meilleur endroit pour faire de la plongé et pour se détendre.
Mes raisons pour aimer Tioman :

• Les plages sont fantastiques, mais il fault faire attention aux oursins !
• Si on prend un bateau, on peut voir le corail vert, violet, rouge... et beaucoup de poisson-clown, des seiches et d'autres animaux maritimes plus beaux.
• Il y a une piste qui connecte des plages et on peut aller d'excursion et se baigner sur des plages désertiques.
• Il y a une plage peu profonde qui s'appelait Monkey Bay où nous avons vu un requin plus proche de la plage que nous. 

S'il vous plaît, si vous parlez français aidez-moi à améliorer l'écriture, merci ! 

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Begudes

Llet de soja amb gengibre

Coconut shake amb Lin-lin i amiga

Aquí la varietat de begudes és al.lucinant. Us faig una petita guia:

• Sucs de fruita naturals de xíndria, meló, pataya amb llimona, lima, pinya, mango,...
• Llet de soja amb prunes, amb gengibre, amb ginseny o amb te d'herbes!
• Llet de coco
• Shakes, o sigui llet amb gelat. La versió india sería el Lassi, o sigui sucs de fruita amb iogurt.
• Refrescs com els que ja coneixem però amb versions locals
• Com que la majoría de la gent és musulmana, no es veu gaire alcohol però a les illes es veu molta cervesa i sempre amb llaunes. :-(
  
• Te, un altre dia us explicaré l'experiencia de la cerimónia del te



Llet de coco a Singapore

• L'aigua de l'aixeta es pot beure si la bulls primer, el que no podeu fer és veure aigua de les fonts que hi ha al mig dels parcs o sinò tindreu molt mal de panxa.

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Paradis numéro un: Perhentian (Pulau Besar)

Pendant notre voyage, nous avons visité beaucoup d'endroits fantastiques, mais ce sont des îles que j'aime le plus.

Ici je parle de la première île où nous sommes restés une longue saison, Pulau Perhentian et des raisons pour aimer cette île :

• Pendant le mois du Fébrier, l'île est complètement désertique. 
• Si on nage deux minutes, on peut faire de la plongée avec tuba et voir beaucoup de poissons aux couleurs vives.
• La plage est paradisiaque. Dans la jungle il y a des singes, des serpents et beaucoup de lézards. 
• Il n'y a pas de rue ou routes pavé.

S'il vous plaît, si vous parlez français aidez-moi à améliorer l'écriture, merci ! 

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Killing little animals

Robert asked me to show my killer face and I did. This photo was taken seconds after I had gone into "killer mode" and killed a very big spider, it took me five hits to kill it, it was so scared! That same night I killed one cockroach, one small bug without a name and one little animal that was something between a baby rat and a baby lizard, it was just born so it was hard to know what it was. I felt so bad that I decided not to kill anymore animals and I haven't since then. :-)

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Casetes

Com ja sabeu ens agrada quedar-nos varies setmanes en els llocs que ens agraden. Aquestes fotos són d'un poblet que es diu Cherating a on ens hi vam quedar gairebé dues setmanes. En aquest cas l'allotjament era una cabanya amb una habitació, WC+dutxa i un porxo amb una taula desplegable i dues cadires. Perquè entengueu una mica més com vivim us explico les coses que mirem quan busquem allotjament:

• Perfecte cobertura de la companyia telefònica d'aquí que es diu Celcom i així podem utilitzar el nostre internet portàtil.
• El llit no pot tenir animalets ni humitat.
• Si és en una ciutat ha de tenir aire condicionat i si no és a la ciutat un ventilador.
•  Ha de tenir una taula i cadires per treballar.
• No pot ser un prostíbul.

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