Ang Thong -- Kayaking

Second order of business -- sea kayaking. Jason and I selected a two person kayak, and set out. We (everyone) followed the coast line around a few islands. The water has eroded the rock in such a way that there are loads of underwater caves, nook and crannies. Its a very peaceful ride!

This is the first cave. I am looking up out of the cave.

Same cave -- only now I am looking back at the way we came in!

Heading through one of the nooks around the islands -- and the slight traffic jam in front of us!

I turned around as fast as I could to take this picture of Jason before capsizing our boat!

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Enough of all this relaxation! Get to work! As my dad would say -- or in our case, go climbing! Go kayaking!

The park is behind Jason. The park consists of something like 40 islands that are uninhabited around Koh Samui. Its basically a nature park with limited access for tours. Lucky for us, we were on one of these tours!

Our little heaven in Koh Samui!

This is the entrance of our front gate. The steps lead up to our bungalow.

This is our private pool! Its fantastic but freezing!!

This is a lounger bed/sun chair. We had many a nap here!

Main bedroom.

Our view. Behind that building is the ocean.

Why it was all worth it! (Thailand)

Look how pleased we are to be looking at this scenery knowing we are heading to Koh Samui, where a week of relaxation awaits us!

We are the ferry crossing to the island. I couldn't be happier that the end is finally near! Beach time here I come!

Jungle Hot (Thailand)

After waiting 3 hours in Hat Yai, we boarded the train for Surat Thani. We were stunned to see the train conditions. No air, big windows, vinyl seats and ceiling fans. We were dying. Our Western bodies unable to cope with the heat and humidity. In these pictures, you can refer to my post without pictures to get a sense of the heat. Or look at me. I am so hot! :)

The sunset and the scenery were amazing, so it was worth it. But 8 or so hours to go about 150-175 miles -- whew -- slow, slow, slow train. Once in lifetime about sums that up!

Sleeper Trains.

The sleeper train to Thailand is seriously a bit like camping. Its old and frankly reminded Jason and I of a camper van from the 1960's. It was lovely in its prime, but now its just a reminder of what used to be. That's not to say we we're smitten with the experience. We snacked, played dominos and giggled for a long time about the entire experience.

I slept on the bottom bunk, which turned out to be the better deal. The cushioning behind me held me snug in the bed whereas Jason was thrown all over on the top bunk. We giggled taking these pictures about the seat belts hanging from the ceiling to keep you in -- little did we know just how important those belts would be!

On our little table, playing dominos. Also so not 1960's -- my iPod and a last minute set of speakers my mom gave me before we left. I was hesitant aboout taking them -- but we have used them quite a bit.

Total train time -- 15 hours. At least we were comfy!

At Last...The Petronas Tower and How Small You Really Are.

What else do you do on a layover in Kuala Lumpur? See the Petronas Towers, of course! One thing that instantly struck both Jason and I -- KL isn't that tall of a city. When we were on the train I was thinking of Hong Kong. Something incredible and tall. I mean, isn't that what the city should look like, especially wehn boasting of these magnificent towers? But no. They are a sight to see, but only because they stick out so much. There is nothing in the city (minus a communications tower) that is even remotely that high. And that's not to say there aren't a lot of tall buildings, there are just none that can compete.

I am smiling in this photo because right behind me is an entrance to the very air conditioned and incredibly chic shopping centre under the towers. Once this photo is taken -- I'm in!

Time to Leave Singapore!

We opted for first class seats – and don't they look nice? The steward was kind enough to bring us bottles of water as well. Total journey time to Kuala Lumpur? 7 hours or maybe 8 -- depends on which employee you ask!

We are ready to depart!

For Lisa.

For Lisa, who loves being mentioned in my blog. Singapore slings. The guidebook says that every tourist in Singapore comes to the Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling. Oh, and you can throw peanut shells on the floor. Which ordinarily, I admit, isn't that big of a deal, but in Singapore it is advertised as the one place where littering is encouraged and not fined! The guidebook failed to mention that said famous Sling would be the most expensive drink we have ever bought. But it was good, and more importantly, the gentleman at the table next to us offered to take our picture. How lovely is that?

What to do at night in Singapore!

We loved dinner and drinks in Singapore. Around every corner is a restaurant or more likely a group of them. Our first night we headed to Boat Quay – and joined all the business workers out for a pint or two after work.

Jason took this picture of me, which I like so here it is.

Here is what we were really looking at during dinner. Its the Fullerton Hotel and its what's actually over my shoulder in the picture above.

These are both night shots around the quay. Between the lights, the warmth, the atmosphere and the people – it just has to be a great night out!

Beer and Shopping Chinatown Style

What is there to do in Chinatown you ask? Shopping and drinking beer. Good thing Jason and I happen to excel at both!

Relic's Roof Garden of Orchids (Singapore)

Because its my blog and I love flowers. Here just a few of the orchids from the orchid garden. There were so many different shapes, sizes and colours! I just could not get enough of them!

The Relic's Roof Garden of Orchids

Because its my blog and I love flowers. Here just a few of the orchids from the orchid garden. There were so many different shapes, sizes and colours! I just could not get enough of them!

Buddhist Relics

Chinatown. I always love a wander through Chinatown. In any city. What is surprising here is that, well, Singapore is mainly Chinese! So the thought of a Chinatown is a bit odd, but full of wonderful sights and few surprises.

First surprise – Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

Here is the outside of the Temple and Museum. Unsurprisingly, it is absolutely stunning inside. It was a very unique experience as Jason and I were trying in every way to be subtle and out of everyone's way, when everyone else marched in – took photos and videos, and were encouraged by the staff. Everyone who worked there was proud of the Temple and certainly wanted to show it off.

And here is why:

Don't forget to scroll down for the chanting as well! Its absolutely amazing!

About Friends...

This will be a post without pictures. But it reminds me of my friends and recent emails. The only internet in the hotel is in the lobby, which is fine, but for the very bored employees listening in on our Skype calls and looking over our shoulders. So instead we are sitting below in the "library", which is a room below our lovely lobby that is full old books and magazines discarded by guests. Its nice, but there is NO breeze, or really air for that matter. We are dying down here.

We are in the most charming, full on resort on Koh Samui. Pools, palm trees, a lovely bar and great food -- nothing else we could have ever asked for after the crazy train ride through Malaysia and Thailand. Yesterday, I refused (and Jason quickly agreed) to move anywhere but from the pool, to the restaurant to our room. We were so spent.

But back to friends. My friend Lainie went to Vietnam last year and when I was talking to her about climate, she said she adored "jungle sweat" -- the kind where everyone is so hot, you have such little energy and overall time slows to the pace of the heat. Frankly, where you all sweat, Western or not. I understand now. Sitting here in this little open air box where the evening thundershower just ended raising 80% humidity to about 90% -- I understand. I am jungle sweat.

And for my friend Lauren and those of you waiting to hear my bug/rodent tally. So far -- 3 cockroaches and 0 rodents. In all fairness, the cockroaches were actually on the train, not in our lovely resort. But nonetheless, they were still cockroaches and needless to say, I never put my feet on the floor of the train. Not for 8 hours. :)

Want a brief synopsis of our journey?
In Kuala Lumpur we boarded the overnight train Padeng Besar (the Malaysian border). The train was fantastic. Old, no doubt, but a bit like camper with your parents in the 70s. We had our own private berth, where Jason slept on the top bunk and I on the bottom. At the border , we reboarded the same train, only with the sleeper cars removed and headed for Hat Yai (the first Thai stop). At Hat Yai, we boarded a hilariously local second class only train for Surat Thani. Ohh, if only I could describe it. There were old silly fans on the ceiling, and the windows all opened for air. I spent the first hour of the journey with my head out the window gasping for air! It was so great -- at every stop, local merchants would board the train at the front, selling food, water and magazines, walk through the train and exit just as the train was pulling away from the station. It was fantastic! We felt so local (and jungle hot)!

Anyway, we spent the night in Surat Thani, and hopped the first ferry to Koh Samui. By mid-day we were checked in, settled, in swimsuits and at the pool.

And speaking of friends, tomorrow we are headed out to Ang Thong National Park a la Adrian. Its going to be another great day!

So, I will sign off now and promise pictures tomorrow! :)

Hello from the Petronas Towers!

Jason and I are sitting at Starbucks underneath the Petronas Towers. We are enjoying iced coffees and relaxing after our morning train journey. I would like to tell you how lovely KL (as the locals call it) is, but I am afraid we are unqualified to do so on our six hour layover here. We did however manage to get out of the train station, ride the Metro and head (with all the tourists) to the Towers. And boy was it worth it. They are magnificent. Dizzying really! I also should comment that there is a KL wide sale going on, and well, all the designer shops are under the Towers. Jason enjoyed looking up and I enjoyed looking at all the pretty things. :) To each his own!

For now we are killing some time before we head back to the station and board our sunset/overnight train ride to Thailand. We loved the train ride from Singapore. It was relaxing and the scenery was lovely! Definitely a great break from airports, lounges and airplane hustle and bustle!!

Signing off now...until Thailand. :)

We are charmed by Singapore!

Singapore is a contrast in all things new and old, Western and Asian. Its lovely and clean city, and despite all my fears about how insane and militaristic I thought it would be, its not. Its casual, laid back -- just full of rules. And the rrules work. The city is clean and orderly -- and for anyone coming from India, A little order is always on the menu!

Jason is standing in front of the National cricket pitch!

The Esplanade. Singapore is often criticized for being sterile and without culture. Hence, the Esplanade. Designed to rival the Sydney's Opera House, its a multi-functional venue with a concert hall, theatre and lots of water front activity. The locals say it looks like a large durian fruit. I thought the architecture was delightful and had to get some close up shots!!

A Taste of Singapore.

Before we are off to bed. This afternoon we headed over to Chinatown in Singapore. There, we stumbled up the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. There are so many more pictures to come from the Temple, but as I say good night, here are the chanting monks and their followers. It is said that if you say the names of the 100 Buddhas you will be rewarded with peace and prosperity. The monks and the followers are doing just that.

Welcome to Singapore.

I had the flash on my camera turned off, and apparently my editing skills aren't what they used to be. But I am running out of internet access so this will have to do! This is what Singapore is all about -- shopping and eating. Its sport here; its the national pastime, say what you will, the Singaporeans excel at both of these things!

Jason hates when I take these pictures, but then always likes how they turn out. Here, we are about to board the MRT to take a ride to Chinatown!