The journey was arduous.  Three and a half hours by minibus to Hat Yai in the far south of Thailand, where I bought a van ticket to Penang (pronounced pee-NAHNG in Thai and sometimes spelled Pinang).  The driver dropped me off right at a travel agency, which should have been the first red flag, but fool … More Penang, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is one of the strangest cities I have ever been to.  Half the time, I couldn’t figure out where on earth I was.  The Islamic culture combined with conspicuous wealth reminded me of some oil-rich country in the Middle East.  But then around the corner is a Hindu shrine, and you think you’re in India.  We stayed … More Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia