Malaysia

In less than 30 minutes I will be setting sail on "Shearwater" from Langkawi, Malaysia to Phuket, Thailand.

The past two weeks have been spent on Malyasian soil from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands to Penang and finally to Langkawi, and now I will make my way across the waves with Gary, a middle-aged man from Michigan, who is also a long time sailor, photographer and diver. Bless him for having the patience to take me, a novice sailor, as crew.

The journey will be full of snorkeling, island hopping and sight-seeing. in addition to the oceanic fun, this experience promises to be a good introduction to the reality of sailing and living on a boat.

I'm not running away from the terre firma because Malaysia left much to be desired- quite the contrary!

After two days spent with Katie and Brian in Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malayia) I parted from the pair for good and headed on a solo journey full of jungle hiking, Chinese new year's celebrations, Malaysian cultural discoveries - food (mainly a mix of Chinese and Indian, dress (conservative in this Muslim culture and all clothes should come to a girl's knees and elbows) and decorum (eating with hands, squatting on toilet that look like horizontal urinals and using a hose to spray yourself off and of course not wearing shoes in doors (feet are rude and dirty).

The time has been spent well and I look forward to these next days to come!