Our Epic Trip to Malaysia

So 32 bug bites, 23 hours of traveling, 12 trips to the bathroom of squatting toilets, 4 painful sunburns, 2 seasick girls, 1 ordeal at customs, and a ferry captain that can't drive a ferry landed us on the beautiful island of Tioman in Malaysia.

Needless to say despite all of the above that now sounds like the 12 days of Christmas song we had a long but memorable journey to Malaysia! We thought it would be fun to book a trip over the Chinese New Year, since Jason had two extra days off, needless to say there was probably a reason this was the last trip that was available when booking, although we all decided we would probably go back but fly there instead, since that only takes 45mins from Singapore instead of 13 hours on a bus and ferry. And we might go back just to drink the 50 cent beers :) which are no where to be found in Singapore!

The island itself was beautiful but very different from the Singapore bubble we have grown accustomed to over the past couple of weeks. We took the trip with our new friends, Katie and Quinn. Quinn and Jason are working together and Katie and I are hanging out most days figuring out Singapore. The full day that we were there we went snorkeling in the South China Sea and ate some great fish at a local Chinese Seafood Restaurant. We saw a family of monkey's at our resort (resort should be used loosely) and quite a few HUGE lizards!

So our relaxing journey to the white sand beaches of Malaysia ended up being a rough trip. Next time we will know what to do during Chinese New Year - stay home and eat mandarins! (Oranges are given during Chinese New Year to symbolize wealth and good fortune in the coming year)

Some pictures with the point and shoot from Tioman Island (a land far far away):

Finally Here!!!

Setting off to find cheap beer :)

Berjaya Resort

Apparently helmets are not a law here...just another family outing on the scooter

Grouper "Fred" Fish

I was getting clever with my framing at the beach....

Quinn and Katie :)

A nice shade of red

Our Chinese Seafood Restaurant at night

We thought since the ferry only took an hour that the bus ride home would be a breeze...we arrived at the ferry station at 1:30 for a 2pm departure, the bus didn't leave until 6pm, we had some time to kill! And we were the only ones there...

Chinatown - Gearing up for Chinese New Year! Year of the Tiger!

Noodles, beer and dumplings were probably the only way we would have survived the crowds in Chinatown as they gear up for Chinese New Year! The amount of people that flocked to the tiny streets of Chinatown were incredible, it was like a Disneyland line that doesn't move.

This year it is the year of the Tiger, check out the predictions for the new year:

The Year of the Tiger begins on February 14th 2010. Drama, intensity, change and travel will be the keywords for 2010. Unfortunately, world conflicts and disasters tend to feature during Tiger years also, so it won’t be a dull 12 months for anyone. The Year of the Tiger will bring far reaching changes for everyone. New inventions and incredible technological advances have a good chance of occurring. For all of the Chinese horoscope signs, this year is one to be active – seizing opportunities and making the most of our personal and very individual talents. Everything happens quickly and dramatically in a Tiger year – blink and you could miss an important chance of a lifetime!

We agree with the last line and hope we saturate this experience of a lifetime we are having in Singapore!

Here's a video to give you a feel for the crowd ---> and this is Jason and Quinn's ad for Bio Socks, the first sock that claims to eliminate odor :)

Quinn in the crowd

They were selling Chia Pets - but apparently they are just lucky grass heads :)

We thought these would be good fruit treat - I think we all took one bite and spit them out, they were persimmons covered in flour - double trouble for your mouth drying up in the heat

Sausages!

Kirsty these are for you!!

Thought it would only be appropriate to take a break and drink some Tiger beer for Year of the Tiger

Our first picture together in Singapore!

Chopsticks galore~

They say if you see a line in Singapore to get in it - so we did and had amazing Chinese food!

Waiting in line...

The best Little Juicy Steamed Meat Dumplings!

Jason got this great shot of this little girl making popsicles - looks like a Coke ad

Looks like TRUE LOVE!!...with my new camera and lens!!

One week Recap

We have now been in Singapore officially one week! It seems like we have learned so much in such a short time and we thought we would share what this week has brought:

• Driving on the other side of the road means that people pass on the other side as well (This has been Jason's biggest obstacle, I keep whispering go left when we hit someone head on)
• When you hand someone money it should always be with two hands - it shows a sign of honor and trust
• Napkins! Bring them with you before you leave the house. There are none!
• You are suppose to cover your mouth when you laugh...still a mystery as to why
• Alcohol is way more expensive then it should be
• Jason is struggling with the heat and I'm struggling with the cold...all the AC!
  
• The green bread is not moldy, its Pandan and it tastes great!
• Don't finger point always use an open hand to show something
  
• No Durian's on the MRT - but you guys already knew that
• You can get food 24 hours a day and that probably means there is a mall open 24 hours a day
  
• Business hours begin at 11am, unfortunately Genetech does not follow this rule :(
  
• There is no "You're" in Welcome - its just Welcome in your most Asian accent
• You'll never get your check at a restaurant unless you ask
• Don't turn the "Heater" light off in your apartment...you will have a cold shower! - turns out it is the water heater
• The light switches are never where you think they should be!
• My hair will officially be living in a bun from here on out :)
  
• We will have mastered the art of the Singlish language by the time we come home!

Here are some photos of our new home for a year! Enjoy and if you want to see more you are just going to have to come and visit...enticing no?

Our living room

View of one of the pools

View from our window - we are on the 11th floor

Dining room table

Fruit on our dining room table - this was our "welcome basket"

Our bedroom

The water heater button - Dad you can appreciate this, Mom not so much :)

Oh and you are not suppose to open the windows