Penang and Langkawi, Malaysia

Nice view from 7 small pools that you hike up to for a refreshing swim in Langkawi.

These little islands off the Indian Ocean in Northern Malaysia are very unique. The one thing I really liked about Malaysia was the culture. I was unaware that the biggest percent of the population of Malaysia was Muslin. The people were very friendly and curious. I would have liked to spend a bit more time here in Malaysia, but my time is running short for S.E Asia and I have a large list of things I'd like to see before I go. One place that I didn't go to but feel like I really missed out on was Indonesia. Going to put that one on my list of places for next time! I really feel like I could do my whole trip over again and go to the exact same countries and the trip would be a completely different experience. The people you meet along the way can make a boring site fun and there are so many things to see and do you wouldn't really need to see any of the same sites. I got an interesting post on my blog the other day from a friend in high school who I haven't really talked to in 12 years and it really made me smile to know that my blog isn't a complete waste of time. Sometimes doing a blog you constantly say I did or I went and so on and it almost makes you feel like you are just going on about yourself. I love going back and checking out the pictures and reading it for myself so I guess that's whats really important. I think a lot of people say to me, "How can you travel for so long?" It's really easy.....really easy! Yes uncomfortable at times, like everything things start to wear at you. For those of you who don't know on how much money I left with and are curious, I started with 30,000 USD. As of right now I have spent $22,000 dollars in 375 days of traveling. Because I have been moving around and have now been through 24 countries is partly the reason why that number is so high..... compared to other travelers that I meet. If you wanted to just go to S.E. Asia and go to 6 countries in 8 months and didn't include the airfare it wouldn't be hard to get by on $600 dollars a month or so? Obviously you would be on a tight budget, but I am 30 now, and sometimes really enjoy a nice meal, hotel, or better then cheap public transportation. (VIP BUS FOR ME) On top of that I get a massage about 4 times a week since they cost around 5-6 dollars. Traveling is so easy and I don't know how I am ever going to take another 2 week trip again or not have the urge to take off for 6 months to explore the various places in this wonderful world of our. It really takes no guts at all to do what I am doing. Even by yourself you are never lonely. One thing I dislike is when you make friends and things are so nice, and then....you say goodbye. After you have been friends for more then a few days you don't have to go through the same conversation that you do with everyone you meet for the first time! It's nice to move past those oh so familiar sentences and on to another topic. You also become a pro at accents. I can usually tell where someone is from with out asking. You can hear the different accents in their English even if it's a second or third language for them. It's really funny as you move around you find that each country is a popular place for certain people to travel in. Sometimes it's the UK travelers that dominates a country, then Sweden, or Germany, then Israel, and lately it's Dutch travelers I keep meeting. One thing is for sure and I haven't been to one Country that Americans are the majority. With the size of our middle class, there should be more of us.....maybe someday? I have always worked hard and though that working was so important, but we all need to seize the day because they go fast. We are not here for a long time, So we should not forget to have a good time.

I sure am!