Things I've Learned About Malaysia

Although most cars will follow the direction of traffic, scooters will, if it suits them, go against traffic, or sideways through the line of cars. Like bumper cars without the crashing into each other.

A helmet is required for scooter drivers, but not for the toddlers and infants they carry standing in the foot well or riding on the backseat.

One must look left, right, front, back and sideways before crossing a street.

Dilarang merokok (no smoking), is the most ignored sign in Malaysia. Folks often smoke right under it or beside it.

There are no stop signs from a side street onto a main street, so cars and scooters will not stop when entering a main street unless absolutely necessary. Especially the scooters, who just flow around the corner like a slinky, onto the far left side of the road. Sometimes, they meet another scooter coming at them. It is fun to watch the dance that ensues.

Busses rule the road and don’t care about scooters, or any other vehicles for that matter. I think everyone knows this so it is ok.

Parking? Fuhgetaboutit! The only place that is usually clear on the street is the bus stop. See above. 

Do not disrupt the free flow of the traffic or the horns will start and not let up until the cars start to move.

No matter where you stay, a mosque will be within spitting distance and you will listen to the call to prayers 5 times a day. Sometimes you get to hear the whole goings on, whatever that is called, lasting an hour or so.

Women don’t get asked questions if they are with a man, the man does. Women are usually ignored and even if a woman asks a question, the man will usually get the answer.

Malaysians have a very, very, very sweet tooth. Sugary snacks are everywhere and the teas usually have a sugary syrup in them. Kirsty ordered water and got it with a sugary syrup in it. 

Every female over the age of 14 has a cellphone in her hand, selfies are a national past time for locals and tourists, especially the Chinese and Japanese.

Apparently there is a severe toilet paper and napkin shortage in Malaysia. Wise to carry your own, even when using upscale mall toilets.

Different strokes for different folks:

 Other styles of beach wear here.

 Waiting for a parasailing ride.

 He's all for it. She's thinking: Wait a minute, what?!

 We thought we heard the guy running the rides yell "adios" as the boat started to pull them up.

Help me you know who! I wasn't able to get a picture of them landing because they fell into the sea while trying to come in for a landing. Seriously. The kid was picked up by a boat and the mother was picked up on a jet ski. She fell off the back of the jet ski when it came ashore.

 Hairy trees.

 We had breakfast here.

 Roti canai, one with egg, one plain, along with a curry dipping sauce. Popular breakfast food, with pulled tea, $1.01 for all.

When we first arrived the ocean water was brownish, like from silt. The next day, after a torrential rain the night before, the water was gunmetal gray. This is the actual color of the water.

The water left a gray-ish stain on the sand. Think we will skip the swimming here.

Peace my friends!