Friday, 5 April 2013

Malaysia - Thailand March 2013



     Anything above 200 meters and things are noticeably cooler. Here in the Cameron Highlands at around 1800 meters the days are pleasant at around 25 degrees and the nights 17 degrees, a welcome relief from the heat of the coast where days are 38-40 and the nights around 34.  Here Marina enjoys a local tea while looking out over a beautiful vista of the tea plantations. 







         Political party campaign flags with a back drop of a partly built building: Stalled building projects are all too common in Malaysia, where building projects often rely on funny money and support or otherwise from key Government officials. We were told that the elections according to the constitution should have been held by the 8th March but the Government has only this week announced the dissolving of parliament. Running scared of a defeat at the polls it has been accused of stalling while vote buying by pumping millions into sensitive areas.



        On the magnificent 4 klm bridge across to the island of Penang and George Town; a very pleasant surprise with a large Chinese influence resulting in impressive development of industry, trade and resorts.






     



      Finally entry to Thailand on the 1 March. Nothing as organized as Singapore but away ahead of Malaysia; And friendly – where else would a customs officer give us both cold drinks while we waited to have our papers processed!

          Krabi on Thailand’s south west coast catering for the back packers and upmarket resorts. Early morning long tail boats jockeying for the start of another day ferrying tourists around the coastal attractions









         The attractions of course are the unique limestone islands and nice beaches…. but look out for the hordes of tourists and keep your mouth closed while swimming!











  

And some snorkeling but the water was not to write home about and watch out for a long tail being thrust in your direction  




      The sunsets were beautiful with crimson skies 











      What we really liked was Khao Luk which incidentally was the epic entre of the tsunami…







          …now an idyllic setting…. 








…where for AUD10 you could have a true 1hr Thai massage before a great dinner for two on the beach with drinks for AUD12 




 

  
     …but the same scene some nine years ago post tsunami was a different story!!





     Not sure who this magnificent beast was meant to represent but apparently he appears to be king of the local domain








       The King of Thailand is a most revered monarch and flags, portraits, pictures and as in this case, arch ways over roads, adorn every part of Thailand



       More long tails which are always colorful as are most houses and shops in Thailand








       And monkey rode shotgun!

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