Alright, this is where the story takes a turn, a bit more personal about the actual struggles.

2 weeks of making life long friendships and having an itinerary it was time to complete wing it. I had booked one excursion before I left the States so I knew I had to be in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand by March 25th and in Bangkok by March 30th. Health issues, travel issues, accommodation issues...  but what's a journey without. The extreme highs, some pretty lows & how I would've done things differently. And a lot about how you must roll with the punches and set backs.

Cheapest flight out of Siem Reap, just googled Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok & plenty of tours do the same trip so I took a ton of itineraries and customized them to fit my timeline 

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Cut to the Chase

Cities I Visited: Kuala Lumpur (unfortunately twice), Temana Negara, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Langkawi

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Kuala Lumpur

Period wrath, what I'd been dreading

Hostel

Shirley

Batu Caves - men from Jordan

how to get there

Great restaurant...

right net to a "dark restaurant" tempted to try but want to go with beri in new york

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Temana Negara

Mornings, most people don't want to chat, ok. but after first stop try to start. reminder that it's hard to get into a tight group.

The village, accommodation options

- B & C places.... ants in food, no big deal

Night Safari

 

Into the Jungle

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Aboriginals

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Shooting Rapids

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Cameron Highlands

Underwhelmed, thought would be a great place to rent a vespa

disclaimer: beginning of spring break

strawberry farms

huge tourist hub

stand still traffic, so many personal/rental cars

took half an hour to get out of the city center

scenery was very beautiful

dropped family off at a country club next to the spa & golf course

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Penang

Known for street food & street art

trishaw

Kelly from South Africa

2 for 1 drinks...

I had great plans climb the hill, wander the city

I was so utterly upset with myself for wasting yet another day 

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I normally don't blast places but I don't think I've ever been so furious with a place. Once again used Agoda, someone had recommended near Love Lane so I figured it couldn't be too be too bad since at end of road. Walked in at 10p to go to bed and I could hear the metal shaking, I knew this would be a problem. Music blasting till 4am. Like full on DJ screaming happy birthday and drunk girls screaming. Different if instrumental but ofcourse it's dance pop so I couldn't turn my mind of from singing. ear plugs, head wrap, towel & pillow, couldn't drown out the music.

The "Photo" trap. Guy asks you to take a phot, then ask if you want a photo taken with it, asks to take a photo with you. Cool whatever everyones loves americans, but use that as an opportunity to work their hand up your back around the shoulder.  Such a fine line between being a bitch because there are cultural differences 

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Langkawi

Worst ferry ride of my life and it sucked to be alone. I felt the blood draining from my face, and crawled over a couple to find a bathroom but could barely see straight tor stand up. Knees buckled on the stares, saw a small wastebasket next to the exit and crawled over to it, keeping my head between my knees the rest of the ride. A quick stop. conference had the whole island on gridlock

Splurged $80 for a street room at a hotel on Chiang Beach. actually much further from port than I thought. Decided to book flight instead of ferry... stay extra night in Koh Lipe.

Friends: A guy from Syria, nicknamed Leo 

As mentioned, I really was not in the mood to chat with anyone. I wanted to be in my own head, soak up the sun, float in the salty sea without making chitchat. 

So I felt highly annoyed when I woke up early to enjoy a morning walk on the beach before I headed to the airport and I have never been so viciously  cat called every few steps.  I understand that every 10 ft there is another water sports both and it's extremely . Other than a "Baby let me have you. Just for one night", nothing was said but I could feel the eyes and the whispers following me down the beach.

At that moment I really understood the benefit of Muslim wardrobe and the hijab. Although I held a confident gait and a strong gaze ignoring my audience, I wished that I could hide in a burka.

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Airport - looking back 

not being taken seriously, normally wouldn't have cared whatever. but so close to end of my trip and the excursion that I had booked weeks ago and what was driving my travel wouldn't happen. Had to take moment to take deep breathes in the bathroom. 

grateful that I was not throwing up and that the airline did not give into customer pressure when there was a mechanical problem.

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Dragged back to Kuala Lumpur

was expecting a hotel in the parking lot

Beautiful country club... 
 

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