Malaysia

Our Swedish girls.

Malaysia was only a stepping stone on our way to Indonesia, but, there is an interesting story to tell regarding our exit from Thailand. This is what happened: we booked a tiny ass boat where you couldn’t even stand, hot as hell and ready to sink which brought us back to the mainland from Koh Phangan. From there we were to catch a bus to Panang, Malaysia. But, when we arrived this fat Thai lady noticed that we were one day over our month-long visa. We were aware of this, and also that it would cost us 500 baht each day over. However, she refused to give us our bus tickets, or to take us to the bus stop. Instead, she told us that they wouldn’t let us pay our fine at the border, rather, they would put us into jail (a new law, apparently). We would have to go to the immigration office 8 hours away by taxi for 12,000 baht (around 300 euros/ 450 dollars) that very morning in order to make it in time and avoid more penalties and/or hotel fees. She was trying to help us, you see… But we had to go now! She was on the phone getting us our appointment when we realized this wasn’t right. We were tired and fucked up from our days of drinking, without sleep due to the shitty boat, and still we balked. 12k? No. Something wasn’t right. Suddenly, the price went down to 7k- our first clue that we were being played. She pressured us until finally I looked at Jo and said “Man, I need time. This isn’t right and I just can’t take it. If we lose another day and have to pay fines okay, but this shit doesn't feel right. Let’s just walk away now. Walk away. We’ll find some other tourists or a hostel, internet and figure this shit out on our own.” So we did. And they didn’t like it, but we said ‘fuck off’ quite literally, and walked away. It cost us our bus ticket, but we did the right thing. We soon found some people and a new travel agency which informed us that ‘yes’ we could pay our fines at the border. In fact, people do it all the time. People do it all the time… So we got played. But, we managed to avoid the major part of the trap. It still cost us to book a new ticket and I hope that the evil Thai lady and all her offspring die of cancer. But in a way, I was proud of us. We avoided the major hit. Now I still ask myself ‘could I have handled that pressure alone?’ Oh, how we wanted to go back and hit that lady with our sticks. But, it was time to go and head for the border in just 10 minutes, so no time. Oh well.

Leaving Thailand was by far just the hardest exit ever. At the border I was taken to a doctor’s room and inspected for Swine Flu, while poor Jo had to come along just for being my friend and traveling with me. They didn’t care that I haven’t been in the US for almost 2 years, haha. Considering our state, thank god we weren’t quarantined (‘cause they sure seemed ready to quarantine somebody). Then, they fined us and searched everyone’s bags. Ugh, what an ordeal. So much wasted time and needless stress.

So finally we made it! We arrived in Malaysia in the beginning stages of our detox, which worked out well ‘cause smokes and drink were much more pricey than Thailand. We didn’t do much but eat, read and watch movies at the local mall (which was quite huge btw). The next day we were walking on the streets and who do we run into? Why, it was none other than our Swedish girls from Ko Phangang, well- 3 of them. Their group had split, but it was good to see ‘em. They saw our sticks and did a double-take. From there on our time in Panang was much more fun. We did pretty much the same stuff but with our Swedish girls. We ate Dim-Sum, Satay (apparently, it’s Malaysian), and Indian (lots of muslim Indians in Panang). I even got my tongue pierced, so after that the eating wasn't so much fun. I don't know if I'll keep it, but it's about healed now and oh so much fun!

Overall our time in Malaysia was pretty short, but it was a good rest stop while we figured things out. We decided on Bali as the next and possibly last ingredient for Asian-soup (our trip). It’s got the most surf with beaches for all skill levels, tourists, etc.

Camera was sort of busted and couldn’t focus so well after the Full Moon Party at Ko Phangang, so we only caught a few shitty pictures. Oh well! Next stop Bali~

Packing for Bali. Stupid camera can't focus anymore...