Loco Langkawi Ironman...The tuffest show on earth....

Oh what a joke....new motto...Ironman Langkawi...A lot disorganized...Very much Dangerous...And a little disastrous.
Well the day started by Signe and I at the Jetty at 6:45am... Before the sun... Ready to do the body marking...Well no the Muslim girls were there in full force...Mind you it's against their following to touch a man other than their husbands. They didn't need us at all. All the checking points were swarming with lazy locals all standing around doing nothing. Signe and I decided it a Malaysian thing to say yes to everything so they always seem polite. They really didn't need us at all. So we decided to skive off and watch the race from under a shady tree. It was 42 degrees on Sunday and it been the hottest day there in months. The locals were able to dive on the run cycle course, which were the same mind you, So you had motor bikes cars and tractors zooming along almost taking out some of the worlds best. I couldn't believe it. There were no spectators either. The locals didn't even know it was on not even the shop owners in the area. If there was a street that was blocked off the locals just simply went around the witches hat. So in my wisdom I stood on one street which was particularly dangerous for the Iron men trying to stop them from coming on to the course but they just tried to run me over.Signe and I gave up. We change out of our uniforms and went for a quick swim and a Roti Pisang ( yummy Indian pancake thing with banana) We went back the see if Morten was still running but we couldn't seem to find him...We thought he had an injury cause he fractured his foot 4 weeks ago...So we went off to the finish area to get some info. We head to the medical tent where they said no one was inside...So I cracked a nana in the media tent till someone helped us...But to no avail. We found Peter who pulled out of the race at 30ks cause his broken rib practically punctured his lung and he couldn't breath (IDIOT) he said Morten had pulled out a lap one 3 HOURS AGO!!! Signe went back to the hotel but he was nowhere to be found...Yep you guessed it ...HE WAS IN THE TENT ALL ALONG!!! Over heating...:(
So that was Iron man.
Now I'm in Kota Bahru or KB. It's a strict Muslim city that hasn't quite developed much yet. It took me 45mins to post a package today. No one speaks English and the city is very confusing and the streets are not signed.It doesn't help I can't read a map either. There's been tears this morning out of sheer frustration. I arrived on the over night bus from Kuala Perlis and got here at 6.30am. The second I hoped of the bus I was harassed by Taksi drivers. All I wanted was a coffee and to get my bearings. Ahhh I'm just a bity frustrated I think but tomorrow I'm going to hire a tour guide to take me on a cultural and City tour.I'll only bee here a few days till I move on to Kuala Perhthians ( spelt wrong I'm sure) It's a beautiful Island for scuba diving and snorkeling. I'll hang there for a few days then a few in cheering then Taman Negara National Park for some bush trekking and a cool change. Then Melaka to Singapore....Ahh. There are so many cats here and their all scrawny little buggers with lopped or bent up tails. The locals think that if you lop the tail or bind it when they are kittens it stops them from wondering from home. Maybe they should try desexing them...Far less cruel. They are so bazaar looking and the dogs look a little like a dingo. Last night I'm sure I saw an otter look a like animal. He was so cute. Tarn's or Dad could it be?? Or do you know what it might be?
Anyway. I've got that off my chest and I feel much better...Now I just have to find my way back to my lodge.MMmmm.
We'll see how I go hey.
Love you all
Lizzy
Ps. I'm walking around with my hair covered to not offend the locals. I don't know how the women here do it... It's so hot.. They get my respect I tell you

Oh I HATE THAT MONKEY

Forgot to tell you.
Archie Bit me on the ear. No blood but bloody hell it hurt. He's just a baby so he's like a puppy on speed!!
Then he stole my banana sandwich threw the Banana at me and ate my bread....
Then he chased me around a table for My plum and didn't stop till I threw it at him....
Then he stole my breakfast the next day took it up a tree and threw it at me....
Then he bit me on my ass....
F**king Monkey!!!
I got my revenge tho.... On the last day I got to feed him sedatives cause Rebecca was going to have his Balls cut off!!!!
Maybe this will calm him down....
I went to bed last night knowing he was less of a monkey.... And in a little bit of pain :)

Stuck In Langkawi

Well here I am stuck in Langkawi!!
I was meant to leave Wed but met up with a Danish Couple, Morten & Signe, and a German fella, Peter, who a doing the Iron Man triathalon. 3.8k swim,180.2k bike,40.8k run!!! Bloody mad. So the convinced me to stay in Kuah and come watch. So poor Peter has let me share his hotel for free. He and Morten are in the pro league so they get a pretty good deal... We'll peter more so.
Signe and I are volunteers on race day. I have a pass, T shirt and all. I get to write the numbers on all the guys legs and arms....Oh poor me. We also are on the finishing line numbering all the guys and gals as they come over the line.(9hrs plus later mind you)
So Monday I am off to the east coast definitely!!!

Today I feel a little home sick. I want "normal" food and to talk to shop owners who can understand you and not rip you off. AHHH I tell you!!! Yesterday I was about to have firstly cuffs with a taksi driver cause he wanted to charge us originally RM 20 to Kuah but when he saw we had a few bags he wanted to charge us RM 30 !!! Signe and I were furious 2 people in a taxi not 4 (the boys rode to Kuah) what difference is the baggage going to make. Finally I found someone to take us for 25. The other fella kept coming up to our new taksi driver a telling him to charge us more... Me not happy!! RRRRrrrr I was telling him not so nicely to Piss off.

I'm working on my tan tho.Not on purpose...Lots of sunscreen I promise... I'm practically the same colour as the locals.

I hired a Motorbike and drove around the Island!!!! I can drive a manual....Now. Dave had already left for Thailand so it was just me. I had so much fun it was a little 100cc and there's no speed limit so i zoomed around the back roads...I'm so ready for a big bike. I had a little visit to Langkawi hospital too. Peter was walking and fell down a 2 meter drop in the foot path. He's broken his rib, gave his hip a good wack and it's all black as well as tearing half the skin off his shin...so lucky I had the bike. He's got stitches in his leg and sore all over. He's still doing the race tho.
If I fell down the hole I'd still be there!! Morten, Signe and Peter are all 6 foot plus. I look like a munchkin!
Any hoo better get going.
Take care and you'll hear from me soon.
Love Lizzy

Palau Langkawi via Penang

Well howdy. Last time I posted I was in Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands about to embark on a trek....Well we took the easy track thank god!! Easy MY ASS!! At some points you had to dig you hands into the side of the mountain to grip on because there simply was no track and it was ridiculously slippery..But in good Aussie spirit ( and there was no way I was letting a Pom show me up) I kept on trekk'n. it was only 2.57 Klm but it took a good part of 3 hours. At the end we came to a beautiful tea plantation cascading up the mountainside. Along the way we met up with a French man about 65 years old retired and always on the move. The three of us decided to catch a taxi back up the mountain.....Lucky for Dave cause at that stage if we had walked back I may have pushed him off the track never to be seen again. I have never met someone so um... Focused on money really. Or so Arrhh!!! Could be cooler...Could be warmer...Tea could be hotter...Malaysia could be cheaper...Lets not eat here it's 50 Cents more expensive!!!!!" Bla Bla Bla.
I just tune out and laugh at him. I always say try to focus on the experience DAVID!!! Yeah have a budget but shit 50 Malay cents ..Really.
anyway Next day we caught the bus 5 hours north to Penang and stayed in Georgetown just near the famous Love Lane which gets it's name from the many prostitutes and Trannies. It's on the Chinese side of Penang and there are so many beautiful old Chinese temples and buildings. I went for a walk around the block....3hours later....Just a little lost... I found my way back. The City is an absolute Crazy place. Chaos. I always felt safe there is just too many people around not to and I have found majority of the Malaysian people to be friendly.
I stayed one night in Penang and we headed by boat to Palau Langkawi. It's a small tourist Island 3 hours from Penang Island. It's surrounded by small tropical Islands and Is just beautiful. 2morrow I'm going to hire a motorbike and go for a zoom. If Dave is lucky he maybe invited.:) At gecko homestead where we are staying is a monkey called Archie who just loves me.... Yes he's healthy Dad...everytime I am anywhere in the grounds he is all over me. If he hears my voice I'm a goner!! But he's so cute and bloody cheeky. Tries to steal everything you have.
Dave goes back to Thailand on Tuesday and I'll be heading back to Penang Wednesday to catch the late bus 11 hour north east to Kota Bharu for some real Malay culture then down the east coast Island hopping.
Oh what a hard life...........

MOVING ON

Hey Guys Just wanted to check in and let you all know I'm doing well. Have Moved on from KL to Cameron Highlands where it's a little cooler. I'm actually wearing a jumper!!. Cameron Highlands is about 4hrs Bus from KL north. I'm staying at Father's Lodge and sharing a room with Dave my new found English friend. YES FRIEND!! We met on the bus ride up here and I can tell you it's much better having someone who you can talk to. Tomorrow we're going trekking and he's actually going to trust me not to get us lost...Not to worry tho super Steph has taught me all she knows about the ways of the bush..Just ask Dan. Our 2k trip turning into a two hour marathon. Na were going to stick to the well worn track.
I decided to leave KL after the hostel had no water or working toilets for 2 days and people trying to scam you into playing cards and gambling your money away.Speaking from Experience. I was lucky and saw through it. I was also getting a little frustrated with the chaos. I'm going to stick with Dave for a bit since we're heading in the same direction.We'll stay here for 2 days then head to Panag to Georgetown then go Langkawi to catch some beach, sun action. Look out Malaysia here come my seriously white legs!!!
Then I'll let you know> will probably be heading east coast way to a few beach towns then south to Taman Negara National park to do some trekking and check out the bloody HUGE bird eating spiders in the rain forest. Then Singapore to Borneo then Bruni. But let you know a little more specific when I do.
Haven't got sick yet ..Touch wood but I'm sure it's coming. The water here is drinkable but I still try to stick to bottled water unless I'm desperate. I'm eating with the locals which is quite a feat trying to order when I don't speak Malay/ Indian and they don't speak English. But it works. Food pretty good and a meal is usually RM$6 which is about less than 3 bucks.
Mostly people are nice but if a Muslim man buys you dinner or a drink he thinks it's his right to more.So I found out when I went to dinner with Susile a girl who worked at the hostel in KL and some of her male friends last night. the men here are slimmy but I just tell them to piss off nicely.
I'm bigger then they are, so they keep reminding me..So they wouldn't take me on.
Anyway all is good and I am well.
Hope you are all keeping well.
Love Lizzy

Finally I arrived

Hey guys I arrived at KL a little head of time at 11pm local time but it took me 45 to get my way out ... You see it took my ages after going to the men's loo...(several woman did the same mind you) to realize you go via train to luggage claim then to find info to catch transport to hostel. I ended up catching a cab which wasn't too bad.
I was so exhausted I just wanted to lay flat. My digs are just um ok a bed in a room and communal loo's and showers at the end but it's clean and no bed bugs.

Today was the most ridiculous, hilarious and frustrating days of my life.
I got up had a shower then decided I'd go for a walk and get some tourist info...We'll I walk a million K's got no where stuffed myself in a taxi with a Sydney chick who proceeded to stuff me into a cab ( the bus broke down) with a Malay fella to go to Batu Caves for a Hindu religious festival. He decided half way nup not going so paid for my taxi the rest of way...Very generous.
Got there and there were 50 million Indian Hindu's. I walked up 272 upright tinny stairs to the inside of the caves whilst 50 million Indians ogled me. I have never smiled and waved so much.
It was smelly like rotten fruit and spices oh and Dan for you sandalwood. But the people have been so nice. I gave the kiddies AU money for letting me take photos of them in traditional Hindu dress with there heads shaved for god and masked in clay.
So down I came... Tell you I'll have me a hot ass by the time I get back doing the Malay stair master. I walked around the markets and it was just a mouth opener more that everyone stuffed me with food samples of things I'm not sure I ate..But they taste goooood.
Then I tried to find a Bus back. "A bus to KL" i said about 2 thousand times and got 4 thousand different responses. I walked passed the police riot squad about 10 times each time they asked me if I found the Bus. In the end I sat with them and they laughed at me and took photos on there mobiles...One fella who's name alludes me right now ended up getting me back here. So first day abroad and I'm escorted home by the police.
Tomorrow he may take me to a few sanctuaries like bird and butterfly...To ensure I'm safe. And a few clubs but we'll see. Luck has it his English is pretty good and he's friendly. I'd still be sitting by the road if he didn't help.
Tho I found first thing anyone asks is... You married.... Live at home with your parents...What your job? No matter who you meet.
Well lovelies there's my first installment. Keep posted see what else I can entertain you with. Hopefully tomorrow is less eventful in the hiccup department.
Bye. Love you all

Bon Voyage!

Well Guys it's finally here!!
I'm leaving the country on Saturday 11th Feb at 1.35pm with Austrian Airlines... first stop Kuala Lumpar....then....who knows??
You'll have to keep checking my Blog to find out and to check out my photos :)
I'll miss you all terribly but I'll be home before you know it.
Take care and be safe.
Love Lizzy