This is very anti-social on the part of those concerned. All the signs in the world mean nothing to a blind person who is used to encountering no hazards along that footpath. Those responsible should be taken to task.
O/T but in response to an earlier thread (I have been away sunning myself on the beach for the past 5 days and am only now catching up), like Verity, I too have been to Sumatra as well as Sabah and Sarawak. She is right, the orang utans are lovely gentle creatures and well worth a visit - despite a muddy track or two. Bring proper hiking boots if your are going jungle trekking! For those who may not have noticed the ads plastered all over the UK, there is a "Visit Malaysia 2007" campaign running at present. The country is desperate attract some 20 million tourists this year (falling well short up to now) and is consequently offering some excellent bargains to would-be trippers. Come and see the jungle men, and try the satay and fried rice!!
Oh, satay and fried rice! And all the other wonderful Malaysian and Nonya food.
I always wanted to go to Kuching because it means 'cat' in Malay, as you know, and thought it was just wonderful that any country would have a city called Cat. So I never saw the rehabilitation centre in Sarawak.
But like Nomad, I would encourage people to see one of them (there's only two in the world). Just to be so close to wild animals in the jungle is such a thrill. And I think Nomad would agree, you are bathed in a sense of peace. These animals aren't hunters, and they are so relaxed and good natured, and they are so trusting with their keepers. The keepers know each orang utan individually and keep records of which ones turn up for meals. Apparently, little by little they stop being regulars, then they only drop by occasionally, then finally, once they've had the courage to return deep into the jungle,they don't need to come back any more.
Personally, I have a soft spot for Malaysians and Kuching is easy to get to. I found the Sumatrans harder - although,I don't know. Maybe it was just Lombok. If choose Sumatra, you can visit Borabodur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world.
In Malaysia, though, everyone speaks English, so getting around is very easy. Would you agree, Nomad?
Verity - yes, spot on. Kuching is one of the most pleasant and uncrowded cities in this part of the world. Much more so than either KL or Kota Kinabalu. Like you, I was not too impressed with Sumatra (Medan is another madhouse!), but Sumatra is Indonesia and not Malaysia - and as you will probably know, there is a considerable difference in their outlooks and temperaments.
Yes holidaying here is a doddle. Langauge, being English throughout, is easy and the food is something else! I have just spent 5 days in my favourite five star resort (both swimming pools pleasantly empty because the schools are still in session) in Langkawi where the nightly charge was 410 ringgit (roughly equivalent to a touch under £60)- and to think you pay £150+ a night for a cupboard size room in the Holiday Inn in Victoria and I think even more at the HI in Sutton!! I know where I would rather be!
Yes, Nomad, I am perfectly aware that Sumatra is in the land of Pancasila and is to the West of Malaysia and Singapore, whereas Borneo is in E Malaysia (and Indonesia.)
Although the language is the same, I find Indonesians, on the whole harder, somehow, than Malaysians.
I don't like resorts. I'd rather go to Penang and get a shot in the arm from the energy.
Verity, please rest assured that I was not questioning your knowledge of local geography! Merely pointing out to other readers who may not be familiar with SE Asia that Indonesia and Malaysia are completely different from each other.
I too like Penang, although it is now getting to be far too developed and what people used to go there to see (The Pearl of the Orient!) and experience is no longer there. The flat I was considering buying 10 years ago with a super sea view now has two other high rises in front of it. Glad I saved my money as I don't really fancy the view of someone's kitchen from what would have been my balcony!
Is this a competition? "Guess what this photo is"?
What the hell is that, Mr. C?
is that the hole opening up in the gound to gobble up the embarrased Mr Blair today?
Will ,having seen you trying to navigate the streets of Soho whilst pissed i would suggest that you need all the signposts you can get.
Click for bigness, as the saying goes.
/Thanks/ Hitch.
This is very anti-social on the part of those concerned. All the signs in the world mean nothing to a blind person who is used to encountering no hazards along that footpath. Those responsible should be taken to task.
O/T but in response to an earlier thread (I have been away sunning myself on the beach for the past 5 days and am only now catching up), like Verity, I too have been to Sumatra as well as Sabah and Sarawak. She is right, the orang utans are lovely gentle creatures and well worth a visit - despite a muddy track or two. Bring proper hiking boots if your are going jungle trekking! For those who may not have noticed the ads plastered all over the UK, there is a "Visit Malaysia 2007" campaign running at present. The country is desperate attract some 20 million tourists this year (falling well short up to now) and is consequently offering some excellent bargains to would-be trippers. Come and see the jungle men, and try the satay and fried rice!!
Selamat pagi!
Oh, satay and fried rice! And all the other wonderful Malaysian and Nonya food.
I always wanted to go to Kuching because it means 'cat' in Malay, as you know, and thought it was just wonderful that any country would have a city called Cat. So I never saw the rehabilitation centre in Sarawak.
But like Nomad, I would encourage people to see one of them (there's only two in the world). Just to be so close to wild animals in the jungle is such a thrill. And I think Nomad would agree, you are bathed in a sense of peace. These animals aren't hunters, and they are so relaxed and good natured, and they are so trusting with their keepers. The keepers know each orang utan individually and keep records of which ones turn up for meals. Apparently, little by little they stop being regulars, then they only drop by occasionally, then finally, once they've had the courage to return deep into the jungle,they don't need to come back any more.
Personally, I have a soft spot for Malaysians and Kuching is easy to get to. I found the Sumatrans harder - although,I don't know. Maybe it was just Lombok. If choose Sumatra, you can visit Borabodur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world.
In Malaysia, though, everyone speaks English, so getting around is very easy. Would you agree, Nomad?
Verity - yes, spot on. Kuching is one of the most pleasant and uncrowded cities in this part of the world. Much more so than either KL or Kota Kinabalu. Like you, I was not too impressed with Sumatra (Medan is another madhouse!), but Sumatra is Indonesia and not Malaysia - and as you will probably know, there is a considerable difference in their outlooks and temperaments.
Yes holidaying here is a doddle. Langauge, being English throughout, is easy and the food is something else! I have just spent 5 days in my favourite five star resort (both swimming pools pleasantly empty because the schools are still in session) in Langkawi where the nightly charge was 410 ringgit (roughly equivalent to a touch under £60)- and to think you pay £150+ a night for a cupboard size room in the Holiday Inn in Victoria and I think even more at the HI in Sutton!! I know where I would rather be!
Yes, Nomad, I am perfectly aware that Sumatra is in the land of Pancasila and is to the West of Malaysia and Singapore, whereas Borneo is in E Malaysia (and Indonesia.)
Although the language is the same, I find Indonesians, on the whole harder, somehow, than Malaysians.
I don't like resorts. I'd rather go to Penang and get a shot in the arm from the energy.
Penang's a bit like Hong Kong, but more tropical. Full of Chinese.
Verity, please rest assured that I was not questioning your knowledge of local geography! Merely pointing out to other readers who may not be familiar with SE Asia that Indonesia and Malaysia are completely different from each other.
I too like Penang, although it is now getting to be far too developed and what people used to go there to see (The Pearl of the Orient!) and experience is no longer there. The flat I was considering buying 10 years ago with a super sea view now has two other high rises in front of it. Glad I saved my money as I don't really fancy the view of someone's kitchen from what would have been my balcony!
Nomad, I was thinking of buying in Penang a couple of years ago, too. I had a house picked out. But I began to feel uneasy that Dr Mahathir had gone.
Anyway, Penang would still be a great choice. Jammed with Chinese, meaning lots of enterprise and lots of money and shops open late, late, late.
You had a lucky escape with your flat, though. Sometimes, something in the back of our mind just warns us ...
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