Weeks 49, 48, 50 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hi peeps, hows everyone hanging? Sad
to say I have had my first ****** experience since I have been away.No one got hurt apart from my pride. But I am still well, happy and on good form. I shall explain more later on. Oh and I must add the Malaysian city of Penanag where I was staying had land/mud slides
from the monsoon rains. I had left the area prior to this but was
shocking to see it on the news and in the papers. In 11 and a bit
months I have had 97% good weather everyday so I’m not complaining
at all. Even though England had its best summer for years while I was
not there. Typical. I will pick up where I left off last
entry: Sun 1st Sep – All I did today was go to the cinema (again)
and watch Kick Ass 2. Good fun film. Probably repeating myself but
for GBP2 – 3 per film its rude not to take advantage. It’s
raining a lot too. Mon 2nd – Today I met George, a Singaporean lad
my age, Pauline a beautiful French woman and Mark, a northern ex
soldier, who supports Chelsea. He has lived in London for the past 10
years or so. He would later become one of my best mates I have met
while traveling. During the day I wrote my last travelpod entry and
of the night, the four of us go out for dinner and drinks. We all get
on like a house on fire and fun time shena****ns are had, which
included dancing, talking, playing games, watching mark go 10+ games
unbeaten on the pool table much to the annoyance of the locals! And
meeting other travelers. I must add something that I have written in
my diary (which I refer to when I type these Travelpod entries). “
I am so grateful to meet these guys – great people.” Or so I am
led to believe. Tues 3rd – I went to the middle class mall on me
tod. It’s still raining. Watched some comedy with the lovely
Jennifer Aniston playing a stripper. I love Jen I do. After Met up
with the crew again for more bonding and fun. We all went karaoke,
with single, double and group performance going off. George nearly
brought us all to teas with his rendition of a Chinese classic. We
smashed the granny out of it and it was another good night. Wed 4th –
Pauline left so we became the 3 amigos. Off we went to the upper
class shopping mall named Gurney Plaza. More male bonding. The
brotherhood is strong. Went to the cinema again and had no choice but
to watch a film ive already seen (as I go so much). Denis my
Indonesian friend joined us. We all went for a few sherbets
afterwards. Thur 5th – I went back to Gurney plaza to buy aI few
bits I had seen. I needed some warm clothing for my upcoming trip to
New Zealand. Of course my bros were in tow. Then we all watch a film
in the lounge of the hostel with other travelers. I love penang and
all the people here. The bromance continues but was soon to turn
sour. Fri 6th – George loses his wallet so I lend him money. No
probs. We hired bicycles and cycled around the town taking photos of
the street art which it’s famous for. Of the night a big group of
us from the hostel went out and partied. We all drank beer towers and
had dance off’s in a big circle on the dance floor. Was generally
a good night. Sat 7th – The 3 amigos all sporting hangovers trundle
off to get messages. Me and mark popped out for a few cheeky ones
after however we were still feeling the after affects of the previous
night , so we got to bed fairly early. Sun 8th – Disaster strikes,
the hostel receives a phone call saying that George’s dad had been
hit by a bus in Bangkok and is in critical condition. The whole
hostel including the management rally round George offering him
support. Of course he must get to Bangkok asap. Mark who has already
also lent George money, books a flight for him and I run to the cash
machine to withdraw money. My heads all over the place. I take out
the full withdrawal amount limit. The little voice in my head says to
me.. don’t hand it all over to him, I soon slap that notion down
and have a word with myself (while feeling bad that id even
considered not giving him all the money). His Dad has just been
seriously injured, give him it all worry about it later. I handed
over the full amount. We see George off shortly afterwards with tears
in our eyes. I think to myself that I did not see one wet tear roll
down George’s face. Strange. So we all sit around the hostel
feeling like **** and wait to hear something, he phones to say that
his Dad died but he is still on his way to Bangkok. The rest of the
day was pretty grim. During the night I feel bad for not accompanying
George to BKK and give him some support. So I email my dad, basically
saying what has happened. As I read the email back I take out the
parts that say I’ve actually given George money as it sounds so
stupid. So not knowing about the financial part my dad simply replies
I wouldn’t trust anyone you don’t really know especially if they
know you have money. I laughed out loud to myself and think if George
asks for more money tomorrow then it’s all a scam. Mon 9th –
Happy birthday to the greatest mum in the world! Love you mum. As the
day progresses I don’t mention anything to Mark but surprise
surprise George text asking for money to send his dads dead body
home, hospital fees etc. I tell Mark not to send him anymore money
and It’s a good job too as he would of. We discuss it over a a game
of pool and a few beers, Things just don’t add up and we both
conclude it’s a big lie. The whole time George has been with us he
has been fishing for info and feeding us ********* about himself.
Then we even start to question eachother and everyone around us. But
I know in my gut that Mark is a good lad or at least I think so.
Lesson learnt and all that bollox but I am gutted that we have been
punished for showing kindness and support to someone we thought we
could trust. Of course I feel like a stupid fool too and its giving
me the ball ache having to go over it all again. At the time I was
wondering who to trust and do I need to change how I am as a person.
But since that day I have reassessed it a little more calmly. I will
not change my kind nature and I will still help out a person in need
just not financially, unless they are a close friend or family. As
for trusting people I will assume that George is one bad egg out of
about 100. Its not massive amounts of money we lost but it’s
enough. I would happily lose that amount again to meet someone like
Mark, Who I’m 99.99% sure is a diamond Geezer. But honestly he is
a legend and we have had a great time during the scam and since.
Anyway Georges pleas continue throughout the day and mark ignores
him. Tues 10th – George then emails me asking for money – I reply
letting him know my true thoughts on the situation. At this point I
am still hoping he’s actually genuine. Wed 11th – me and mark
decide to F off to the Perhentian Islands. A 7 hour journey by
minivan and ferry. The place consists of two Islands named the big
and small islands. We head to long beach, the popular place for
backpackers. We find two huts that are basic but clean and
comfortable. Although the fan/electricity does not come on until
6:45PM! Sophie and Farah, two german girls we know are staying at the
same place as well as Rob a mancunian who we also met in Penang. That
night we all party on the beach with cool people and good music. Two
beautiful Iranian sisters joined us as well. Safe to say we let off
some much needed steam after “George gate.” We actually had many
laughs about it and even got a “George Jar” going , at each
mention of George you had to put money in. Which we later split the
profits of. Every cloud and all that! Thurs 12th – Me and mark,
Sophie and Farah and the two Iranian sisters went kayaking around
the Island. Was fun and a great workout. Me and mark even paddled
back out to rescue the two Iranian sisters as their arms had stopped
working on the way back due to exhaustion. Saints we are or mugs! You
decide. Lol. The Islands are beautiful with rocks, clear blue waters
and sandy beaches. Very nice. The 6 of us all went for a BBQ that
night and more fun was had on the beach. We danced in the rain. Oh
yeah and Georgy Porgy admitted he lied and said sorry in an email to
me. Yeah no worries George you little ****a! The audacity of him.
Honestly I am not the brightest button but he is a very cleaver guy
and the scam was a good one. Fri 13th – during the day me and marky
mark went snorkeling. Despite the date it was a great day plus I
thought we had enough bad luck to last us a while. It was marks first
time snorkeling and what a debut to have as we saw turtles, coral
gardens, a wicked beach and baby black tip reef shark - I also saw a
four footer briefly. By the time we had got back to the huts the
girls had left. That night we went to the beach and chatted to
travelers and relaxed. For some reason I got really drunk and
couldn’t even string a dance move together so I stumbled home. Sat
14th – Me and mark decided to teat ourselves after George gate.
Yeah right - how to cope with losing money, spend some more. But it
was a lovely 5 star accommodation inland which only cost GBP35 each.
We had sofa bed, lounge area, two plasma screens, entry to the
business lounge, the full works. We stuffed our faces with the free
food and drink, played darts, watched footy and lounged about in the
air con. Bliss. Sun 15th – The two german girls turned up. They
must of missed us. We just did the same as the previous day with a
few alcoholic drinks thrown in. Still can’t get George out my head
or whoever the **** he is. Mon 16th – said goodbye to the girls, me
and mark went to the bus stop. Mark is heading back to Penang and me
to Kuala Lumpur. I will miss him, he is a goodun, I or at least Im
pretty sure he is. See what George has done to me! Mental trauma lol.
The bus journey was a horrid 12 hours but was pleasant and comfy so
no wockas. I checked into a guesthouse and got me turnip down. Tues
17th – Spent the day walking around the mall, watched a film called
paranoia staring Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford. Was OK. Strange to
hear Gary Oldman speak in his native English accent for a change.
Sorted out my to do list prior to NZ. Wed 18th – Traveled to the
airport, got the two flights with no delays. Nice and comfy both
journeys – no panoramas. Looking back on it I am a bit gutted to of
left Penang/Malaysia with the sour taste of you know who in my mouth,
esp because of how much I’d loved it initially, but I am looking
forward to the adventures ahead. Thur 19th - I arrived safe and
sound in Auckland and get stuck in to a booze cruise straight away.
No messing about. The eve is a good one and I meet some nice people
along the way. That night I cannot sleep at all, must be jet lag. I
am a full 11 hours infront of the U.K. just in case those at home
wondered. But in Malaysia I was going to bed pretty late and NZ is
infront by 4 hours so its all adding up. I finally get to sleep
about 7AM. Horrid. Fri 20th Sep Wake up really late and popped to the
library. Got to sleep at a fairly decent hour. Sat 21st – Woke up
late again didn’t do much but its ok. I have lots of time here in
Auckland as I am attending a meditation retreat for 10 day on
Wednesday – those that are interested here is the link. www.medini.dhamma.org
It will be
tough going but hopefully I will get something out of it and learn a
thing or two. Then 6 days after that has finished my Dad will come to
visit me. Looking forward to seeing you Dad. Once all that little
lot is over I am free to explore New Zealand both the north and south
islands. Auckland reminds me of a more spacious less congested London
Including the weather – drizzly and cold, not that I am
complaining. I think I am going to like it here. Sun 22nd – Meet
up with Quinten, a cool Belgian guy who I met on the booze cruise,
we spend all day watching football. I go until 6:30PM avoiding the
West Ham score only to see us get turned over by the toffees. Much
better team than us. Lakaku is a beast. I just hope we stay up. I
shake off the post match blues usually associated with supporting
West Ham and me and Quin meet two local woman in a bar. Nikky and Di.
We all went to daisy doolittles and then the casino. Good times were
had. I was sure to keep an eye on my wallet and only bet $2 in the
casino. Quinten is a top man too, Pleased to of met him. I did make
one little faux paus though, I called Nikky Becky all night and not
heard from her since. I wasn’t even drunk just a genuine mistake.
Oh well. Lets pray I don’t ever meet another George in my life.
God help me if I do! Be lucky and stay safe ya X