Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure

An open-ended adventure by Fifi flipflop Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Langkawi bound
May 6, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
I join the crew for breakfast and say goodbye to chin and the boys as we are all heading to our separate destinations but Annie and Judith are flying to Langkawi this afternoon. We have breakfast in mugshot the little cafe where I've taken my coffee each morning and it's nice as I get to say goodbye to happy. I want to go to The blue Mansion this morning but when I arrive there the tour doesn't start till 1400 and I'll be on a bus out of here by then. I frab a bite to eat and book a grab thinking I have loads of tim to play with but the grab takes 15 minutes even though it said it was 6 mins away. I'd checked goole maps earlier which said the journey would only take 20 minutes is now quoting 45 minutes. I am so annoyed with myself as I always like to get there early and when I say to the grab driver my bus is at 1330 he laughs and says we might make it. I literally get the station at 1328pm and run up the steps to board the bus. The bus arrives in Kuala Perlis shortly after 5pm and when I come to put my flip-flops on one is missing as i look under the seat i can see it and ask the young girl in front of me to pass it we hace a quick chat andthen I run to try and get a ticket for the ferry. Its to no avail as they are sold out for 3 days. Thankfully they follow me to the counter and we arrange to catch a private speedboat to the island between us. After a bumpy ride I arrive to Langkawi and a 30 minute grab ride gets me to my room. I shower and head straight out to explore. It not what I expected here but I put that down to it being dark. After eating in a seafood restaurant I've arranged to meet Marly and Harvey and as we sit in the restaurant they're eating at they tell me we are meeting two guys from Pakistan on the beach . I think it's going to be at a bar but no we sit on the packed beach enjoying one of the best fireshows I've seen yet, playing cards and drinking whisky smoking a shisha. It starts to rain so we are invited back to the boys place literally across the road. A very different night to what I was expecting but thoroughly enjoyed myself.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Grand reunion
May 7, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 30 °C
I wake in the morning and head straight for coffee. I then make my way to the beach. I have missed the water so much. As i walk along i see little balls of sand everywhere and when i stop to inspect its baby sand bubble crabs. They digest the sand and sort the nutritional stoff like a wasshing machine in they're mouth then spit out the sand in little balls. I spend most of the morning on the beach near. I spend an hour chatting to a Polish lady named Marta before getting a message fromAnnie and Judith. They are heading to Tanjung Rhu beach with a couple of guys from their hostel and when they say a Canadian and German, i know they are talking about Carl and Toby.So after purchasing a few beers we all meet at the hostel and the guys laugh when they see me. We all jump in a large grab and it takes a good 40 minutes to get there but its so worth it. The beach is beautiful and we're also joined by a guy called Sebastian who has a drone. Another girl called Stephanie is here and very similar to Thailand we all seem to take the similar path through Malaysia. We spend the afternoon sitting in the sea drinking beer and taking footage with the drone. Eventually we run dry so Annie and I go to a little shack on the beach and return with 2 trays of 7 tiger beers in cold glasses. We are like heroes. The sunset here is so beautiful but as we come to leave we can't get a taxi for love or money. Eventually I manage and as we're on the way back I realise we're heading in the wrong direction. There are two bed attitude hostel on the island and I've selected the wrong one. The driver kindly accepts the new destination and after an hour we eventually arrive back. The plan was to go to red tomato but when we arrive its shut so we walk along and decide to settle for the street food. As we arrive a kind lady named ju offers for us to sit with her and her two children and literally as we take a seat her daughter projectile vomits every where. As she ushers her away I follow with tissues and water. Shortly after I make my way home as I have set my alarm for 3am to watch the Liverpool game.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Chill day
May 8, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 30 °C
Today is mothers day here. I wake at 230 and set up my stream for the football. I've put my headphones on so I can watch it on my balcony in the hammock. I watch the game and although im thankful we get an equaliser I'm devastated that we have lost our opportunity for winning the league. I return to bed for a few hours and arrange to meet Annie and Judith for breakfast. I spend the day on my own today just chilling on the beach. I am always very aware of respect and have difficulty because its a very Muslim country here and as I lay on the beach in my bikini apart from a few other Europeans most of the women are in the water with clothes on to cover up. Not really a place I can rock my Bridget bardot look but the tan needs topping up so I take myself to a quite area. It's a little bit crazy on the beach as its full of water sports- jet skis paragliding and boats all speeding around without separate areas for people to swim, it's a bit of an accident waiting to happen. It's been so busy here but today is definitely quieter. As I head out this evening I walk past a seafood restaurant where the have lobsters and Fish in tanks so you can pick your own but one of the tanks has 2 dead fish in it so I keep on walking and end up on the beach with the sunsetting and take a prime spot because I'm early. The fire show is really impressive here and it's on every night, I just thought it might be something they did for the holidays. I'm joined a little later by Judith and Annie and we decided to head for a comfier seat on the bean bags on the beach but when I pull a bean bag over the guy says we're not allowed to do this and one of us must sit on a mat. It's crazy and I can't really understand the reasoning behind it. We look at the menu on our separate bean bags and it's 15 rm for a non alcoholic drink and to be honest I'm ready for a beer . The girls and I decide to go to a quiet spot further down the beach and get a takeaway beer from 7/11. I'm so glad we did. Judith Annie and I stroll our way through a private resort and I have no costume so get in the water in my knickers and bra. I light my cigarette but The waves are pretty intense and after a few wipeouts we begin to see plankton in the water.with the fishing boat lights in the distance and a storm in the sky it really is a wonderful moment shared with these two wonderful ladies. They live pretty much opposite so as I walk back on my own I treat myself to an ice cream and watch the city game.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Back in the saddle
May 9, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
I've hired a bike today and I plan to head to Kuah. There isn't much to see there but I'm interested in the Naval base that's enroute. I have a breakfast in the local place near me called Raos banana leaf I have the kopi brew which is a strong bitter coffee sweetend by condensed milk and chapati with a small curry. Its delicious and ill be back for the banana leaf rice which is rice served very hot on a banana leaf giving it additional flavour and sides of vegetables and curry. After brunch I chill in my hammock as I don't really want to be riding in the rain yes I say rain not the midday sun as its been a little shower this morning. I enjoy my ride in the afternoon its a while since I've had a bike but the road here is pretty good and I manage to dodge all showers. I make my way back to my place and get chatting to Ruth who is a teacher and travelling for 8 months and Dean who is working out here remotely. There are so many ways to travel and fund it and I feel extra appreciative today that I am actually doing this. I invite Ruth to join me for dinner and we stroll to the end of the road and enjoy a wonderful fish dinner. There is killer pool at the supper club tonight so I ask if Ruth wants to join we walk down and when we enter it all Malaysian men apart from one lady. Its 5 rm to participate and in the first round I get knocked out in second to last place. The guys here are really good and when I say really good I mean it. Half way through an old guy called Uncle Johnny comes in I got talking to him this morning in the restaurant and he said he might call in. I put my 5rm in for the second round of killer and I'm shocked to say I win. We get bought a beer and I collect my 45rm winnings. One of the guys here is a die hard Liverpool fan(there are a lot of them in Malaysia) and after a few selfies we bid our farewells. I've had a wonderful evening but I'm ready for bed.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Dizzy heights
May 10, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
I wake this morning and when I go into my bag of clean laundry I find 5 1rm notes I think that it's the money I paid for the laundry with and out of honesty walk down there to hand it back. The lady laughs and says I left the money in one of my pockets so the honesty comes back to me. While im out I get a coffee to take away. Out here it's served in a plastic bag tied with an elastic band and a straw attached to it. I really do worry about the amount of plastic in these countries I've travelled to. Marly and Harvey are coming to collect me this morning and were heading out to the sky bridge. Ruth joins us and we arrive to the sky park in good time. The tickets cost £17 which includes the cable car and art gallery and sky dome. I find this a little expensive as when we reach the top we have to pay an additional £1.20 for the trail to the sky bridge or £3,20 to get the little train. We ascend on the cable car the steepest in tge world and the highest cable car in Malaysia as it takes us past Mount Machingchang and the surrounding Langkawi archipelago. We wander over the middle station then take another ride to the top. The clouds start to clear and we get some wonderful views as we cross the sky bridge. This area is over 500 million years old and as we descend there is a man taking a closer look at one of the rocks. He works for the geotechnical department of the University and shows us what he believes could be a fossil. The cable car takes us back and we experience a 3d show in the dome. We contemplate the gallery and decide we've paid for it so might as well do it. We have so much fun taking photos in these 3d images they even have circles on the floor showing you how to pose. The park is still really quiet and we've been able to enjoy it without queuing. After the park we ride a few minutes to the waterfall where I enjoy a quick dip before heading back to the hostel. In the evening we're invited to a 70th birthday party and when we arrive we are welcomed like we've known them for years. Even though we've already eaten plates of food are put in front of us by Kumahs wife who's Thai. We have a wonderful evening eating drinking and dancing and even get taken to another local bar by a guy called Aiman. We have a couple of beers here then make our way home in time for me to watch the game.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
A day with the locals
May 11, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 29 °C
I wake quite late but sometimes sleep is needed. I go to the local restaurant and take tge banana rice with chicken masala. I've messaged Ruth but had no response so I guess she's sleeping. We were due to take a proper Malaysian lunch with Aiman but he messaged earlier to say it would need to be tonight. When I get back to my room Ruth is awake so I go back to the restaurant with her and just have a coffee. We've opted for a beach day and after lunch make the 5 minute walk down there. Its so hot today I'm in and out the sea like a yoyo but refuse to pay the 30rm for a brolly. Box Jellyfish are predominant here and im always wary when I can't see my feet so it a quick dip in and out each time. On the way back we stop at a little restaurant on the front and grab a coke and water but I honestly think they over charge me and its a crazy thing because its next to nothing but it's the principal. We head home and shower and Aiman picks us up as promised. I've not eaten Malay food since I've been here and he takes us to this traditional Malay roadside restaurant. The owner goes out in his fisherboat during the day then goes to bed while his wife cooks them. While were sat in the restaurant a guy comes in with supply department and a warship on the back of his t shirt and I say I'm ex navy but I don't think he understands. Afterwards we head to bistro 33 and watch live music I look at the menu and a beer is 7rm in here and a gin and tonic 18rm(£3.30) I have two beers and a g+t and Ruth and Aiman have 3 g+ts and the bill comes to 82rm the locals get near enough half price drinks so it's really handy. On the wall is a picture of the prime minister he was in charge for 20 years and then did another 5 years but is now the electorat of Langkawi. Very well respected here which is more than can be said for boris. We go on to woods which was the bar we were in the other night and play pool. We even get Ruth playing and she does really well. Another wonderful day in paradise.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Saying goodbye
May 12, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
This morning Aiman is picking us up to drop Ruth to the ferry. Its a strange thing how in just a couple of days we have really bonded and it's been nice having company my same age. Before we go to the ferry Aiman takes us to a friend of his AJ's for breakfast, he has a restaurant next to the airport and although I don't eat I enjoy a coffee.We get to the ferry nice and early and say our goodbyes and on the way back we go to the supermarket to pick up some stuff for AJ. It's been a long time since I've pushed a shopping trolley. I even managed to buy my hair wax here. I spend the afternoon sorting through paper work and Andrew one of the guys at the hostel is kind enough to go out of his way to get me stuff printed out. The people here are so kind I honestly think they are the kindest I've ever met. Nothing is too much trouble. In the evening I venture to the night Market for dinner I pick a few bits of different things samosas noodles with an egg, chicken say and get an iced caramel coffee and it all comes to less than £2. I walk down to the Sandy beach resort to meet Ej he's printed some paperwork out for me and I'm really glad to meet his wife Chris and his two beautiful children. On the way back I call Uncle Johnny an the 83 Yr old guy who joined us at pool the other night. He's in his goddaughter Carol's bar Wundabar where I share a few beers and walk him home. It's only 8 minutes away but with a little stop for him to take a rest it's more like 15minutes. I have a few things to do tomorrow so am glad of the earlyish night.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Kuah
May 13, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
After my regular coffee I have to hire a bike as I need to do some official business in Kuah. I hold offa little as its really hot today and by the time I'd get to Kuah I'd be a fried chicken. I set off just after 1pm and put the address in Google maps and as I get closer to the place Google maps has me driving around in circles. I go into a local shop and as always they ate willing to help and thank goodness they are as Google is totally incorrect and the place I need to be is 1.8km away from me. I jump back on my motorbike and eventually arrive at the Solicitors. I just need a document witnessing and it sets me back £80 I never carry that amount of cash and when I try and pay for it with card they only accept cash so off to the bank it is. Its only a 3 minute walk so rather than mess round with the bike I take a stroll. The heavens open and I decide to take a drink and wait for the rain to pass. I ask a lady sitting at a table if its ok to join her and when we get chatting she on the film set for Survivors Documents collected and paid for I jump back on my bike and within seconds it's pouring again. I am drenched so seek shelter underneath a little shelter. The rain persists so I grab another drink in a little cafe. Eventually the rain stops and I explore the local landmarks. As you arrive in Kuah ferry port this 39ft Eagle is one of the first things you see. The eagle was constructed to serve as a symbol for the island. According to local legends, the name of the island came from two Malay words – helang (Eagle) and kawi (reddish-brown), hence the name lang-kawi.A little further along the front is the Maha tower it was commissioned by the old prime minister and now he is the electorat here had it built although its still not open for visitors. I decide I should head back as once again the sky is full of dark clouds and after the 30 minute ride the heavens open again minutes later. I relax in my hammock before joining my neighbour Dean for a bite to eat and a few free cocktails at the yellow cafe because its ladies night. I retire early as I'm saving myself for the game tomorrow.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Day at the beach
May 14, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
I wake up with my priority of deciding where I'm going to watch the game tonight. After much deliberation I think I will head to the new bar. Uncle Johnny is in raos when I go for my morning coffee and when I say I'm heading to the beach he offers that I can use his pool instead. We finish breakfast but when I arrive to his place the pool doesn't look as wonderful as it did the other night. Actually it's really dirty from all the leaves that have dropped in it and after dipping my feet I see the biggest betle I opt for the beach after all. Its extremely hot today so I spend the afternoon dipping in and out the sea just to keep cool. The heat here is so draining that after a few hours at the beach I take myself back to my room to get a few hours sleep before the game. I've arranged to go to the new bar with a couple of the locals and feel well rested after my afternoon siesta. We go to the local bar cinnamon where I have the pleasure of meeting Dato Azhar Mansor. He was the first Malaysian to sail single handed around the world back in 1999 which took him 190 days 6hrs 57mins and 2 seconds. The fastest at the time. It seems crazy that I'm sitting here with a world record breaker. Let's hope Liverpool achieve the win tonight to still be in with a chance of breaking the quadruple record. After a few beers here we make our way to the new bar Knot Shore. Its a crazy thing because along the beach here there used to be many bars before lock down but since restrictions were lifted and the bars started reopening the landowners have restricted the people who lease the bars and with it being such a high Muslim populated island the alcohol restrictions have been imposed which is crazy as its also a duty free island. Andrew then drives us to the bar . They have a projector onto a canvas which doesn't necessarily give the best quality but at this point I'm not too bothered. I'm so stressed watching the game and as the final few minutes approach we lose the Internet signal. I book a grab as I want to see the extra time without interference and when I eventually spot the grab driver he drives past without stopping. Nathan and I start the walk home but by this time the extra time is half way through. I eventually arrive back and see the last few penalties and in a way I'm glad as the suspense would have killed me. I rejoice in our victory with a final beer before bedRead more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Nice day for a white wedding
May 15, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
I wake this morning and my cheeks are aching from smiling so much. As I wander out for breakfast I pass one of the largest houses where they were hosting a wedding, the ceremony is a little different here as they only celebrate during the day but its a very large do. The area is decorated with the most beautiful flowers and marquees set up all around the property. I don't have the energy to do much today so head back to my hammock.Its a crazy thing because I put so much pressure on myself to do something every day when occasionally maybe I do need to take a chill day. My friends Bea and Mike arrive in Langkawi today and even though I didn't think I'd see them again till the uk our paths have once again crossed. I wander a little further a field and have Thai green curry for lunch but its really spicy and my mouth is on fire. While im at the restaurant they put salt around the base of the coconut tree and apparently the sodium increases the amount of coconuts the tree produces. Back at my lodgings I watch some netflix before getting an invite to go out with the guys to watch the city game. When west ham go 2 0 up I jump for joy but I'm still happy even with the draw at the final whistle. We do a little tour of the bars and even though there supposed to shut at 2am one of the bars has been staying open till 4am but has been raided 3 nights on the run so we give that one a miss and return home.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Rain rain go away
May 16, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 29 °C
I get woken this morning by the most torrential rain its literally bouncing off the roof and making such a noise. Eventually I just get up and wander down to my local cafe. Uncle Johnny is in here and he congratulates me on the Liverpool win when a Malaysian lady from across the cafe shouts over I'm a massive Liverpool supporter. She invites me over and we sit and chat for a good few hours mainly about LFC. The support for my team is massive out here but it's very rare I meet someone who's actually been to Anfield. As we are due to leave Nilo says she lives on an island called pulau Tuba and asks if I would like to join her at her home on the island. I can't believe it I'm so blessed to meet these amazing kind people. In the evening I walk down to the yellow beach with Dean and Joe before walking back and meeting Bea and Mike. We go to the Cinnamon restaurant and I see Azhar the round the world yachtsman and introduce him to Bea. Its killer pool night tonight so I take her to meet the locals and have one game of killer before we finish the night off in the yellow cafe with a wonderful live singer.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Pulau Tuba
May 17, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
I wake this morning and have arranged to meet Nilo at Raos. She has invited me to stay over tonight and to say I'm a little excited would be an understatement. Its quite crazy as this lady has only met me yesterday but is inviting me to stay at her home on a remote island. It's a good job I'm not an axe murderer. I suppose this is part of the Lfc family way. I have to pack up my room as its pointless paying the night if I'm not staying there and Dean my neighbour has kindly offered to mind my big rucksack so all I have to take is an overnight bag. The island is totally Muslim so I have taken appropriate clothing to be respectful. When I get to Raos the pick-up point I've arranged with Nilo its closed so I head back to my lodgings and message her I'm there. A short while later she picks me up and we head over to pick up her best friends daughter Zarife They want to take me to a restaurant they love but when we arrive its closed so we head to another place instead and share lunch before dropping Zarife back. Nori and I then drive down to the small ferry point which for its size is really busy as this is the port they are using for the series Survivors so literally everything going over to the island is being transported from here. The small passenger ferry arrives and its £1 to take us on the 15minutes journey to Tuba. We stop off at the jetfor the island of the Pregnant maiden where a fable says a couple who lost their son buried him at the bottom of the heart shaped lake but at tbe same time blessing the water in it for all infertile or childless women. Our next stop is Tuba island which is said to be inhabited by over 2000 people but I find that hard to believe when I arrive but maybe covid has had some impact on this as well. Nori's house is just a 5 minute walk from the jetty and when we arrive im amazed. Nilo and her husband built the place from scratch it a huge open plan building made entirely from wood. The inside is adorned with red accents and lfc memorabilia and she's even baked me a cake. We drink proper tea out of China cups and eat our cake with silver cutlery finished with mother of pearl . I feel like I'm in the Buckingham Palace of Malaysia. We spend the day and evening exchanging stories and literally don't stop talking. We've agreed we'll get an early night as Liverpool play at 3am and we both want to see the game.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Ladies that lunch
May 18, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Nilo and me wake at 3am and watch the Liverpool game. I'll be glad when the season finishes so I haven't got to set my alarm. It's a tense game and I'm glad her neighbours are so far away as my language leaves a lot to be desired. I get back into bed just after 5am and manage to grab a few hours kip before getting back up. Nilo is originally from Ipoh and makes us white coffee from there before catching the ferry back to Langkawi. We pick the car up and and drive all the way to the waterfall cafe for coffee only to find its closed. Its really funny here because businesses just choose randomly when they will shut. We're desperate for a coffee so drive down to the marina. It's really sad when we get there as every business is closed apart from the one coffee shop. Nilo has arranged to meet two other ladies Yvonne and Halina at Rockafellas bar and we enjoy a few no alcohol drinks but I'm impressed for the set up here and with multiple screens I pencil it in for watching the game on Super Sunday. We stay a few hours and brain storm about Yvonne's hotel. Its a top end hotel and we discuss about who her target audience should be. I advise that noone from the uk will come as the flights to Malaysia are £1200 where as the flights to Thailand are £600 which Is crazy really as they are so close but you could pay for your flight and accommodation for the same price as a flight to here. We bid our goodbyes and its been so nice spending time with intelligent and kind local women. I check back in to my little home from home and the boys invite me out to our local haunts. I enjoy a couple of beers tonight as I havent had a drink for a few days and Andrew kindly drops me off.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Lazy day
May 19, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
I wake this morning feeling quite rough. I didn't sleep well then woke at 7am and couldn't get back to sleep. I go for an early coffee then head back to grab my beach stuff. Its like a ghost town here today but and many places are closed after an hour on the beach I feel really dehydrated but when I walk along the front the only place I find open is Starbucks and opt for a frappucino bur to be honest it makes me feel even sicker than I already did. I have another dip in the sea before making my way back to the room. The night Market is on tonight and I grab a few bits to eat from there before making my way back to my room for an evening of netflix.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Rock lobster
May 21, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
I wake this morning and feel rough again but after my early morning coffee at Raos I do feel a little better. Its quite funny because I don't even have to order anymore they just know what I like. I speak with the owner and he gives me little samples of some of the food dishes, a pumpkin dish and a curry, although im not into curry for breakfast I enjoy it. Uncle Johnny appears and as we're sitting there a guy comes in who obviously has some issues. They explain that he's homeless and although you don't have to be homeless here they feed him and give him a drink. I stroll back to my chalet and chat with my two new neighbours and we all make our way out for something to eat. After lunch we walk to the shopping mall just to abuse the air conditioning and in here are massage chairs. We all take a seat and for 2 rm 40p enjoy 6 minutes of pummelling and manipulation from our legs to our backsides. The boys grab a bear but I've opted for an alcohol free day today as I want to save myself for tomorrow. We sit on the beach for half an hour but its so hot today we make our way back towards base. We stop off in Cinnamon and I enjoy a cold coke but as I go outside for a cigarette capture some activity out of the corner of my eye. A closer inspection shows a fisherman dropping off his catch of lobster of the day delivered in a box of sawdust I watch in awe as he fishes these snappy little fellas out of the box to sell to the restaurant. He puts his hand in and it's like a magic trick where these bright red lobsters keep coming out of this small box. I make my Way back and a little later in the evening Peter and Joe invite me to dinner. Instead of taking a left we take a right and end up in a Syrian restaurant. I enjoy a lamb kebab followed by Turkish tea and head home for another alcohol free night.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Super Sunday
May 22, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
So today is the big day. I don't know what I'm going to write about once the football season is over but at least I'll be able to sleep through the night. I feel very anxious so have booked a boat trip to while away a few hours this afternoon as the game doesn't start till 11pm. I head down the beach first for a few hours as I've woken up nice and early after a good night's sleep . Just as I set up my towel the biggest black clouds come overhead bit I decide to stick it out and with how windy it is today they are gone as soon as they arrived. When I take a dip in the sea its really choppy and I wonder whether the boat will go out as there aren't any jetskis out today which is unusual for the weekend. After a bite of lunch I head back for a shower and to grab my gopro then sit and wait for the bus to pick me up. At 215 Eddie comes around the corner and when I say the bus hasn't arrived he admits he's forgotten to book it. I walk the seafront for an hour its so much busier here at weekends and as i pass pizza hut decide to indulge in a bit of western food for a change. Because its very Muslim orientated here you cant get your typical pizzas but i order the chicken and pineapple and its delicious. When i leave the restaurant i have a little chuckle because they have a police parking area outside and the hatchback is open and 2 police officers are sat inside at a table and chairs eating their dinner. In the evening the original plan was to go to Rockafellas but we start the evening in Flo's. Its a bar on the top of one of the seafront hotels and it's really nice. Air conditioning and a big screen and reasonable prices. Pretty much the whole group from Rainbow joins us and we watch as both games unfold . Its quite crazy as we see the liverpool supporters getting the news of Villa scoring before we do. The game goes to the wire and sadly we don't get the results we want but we've given it our everything and that's all that counts. YNWA JFT97Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Boat trip
May 23, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
I wake this morning a little downhearted but rebook my boat trip so at least I have something to look forward to. I wander out for breakfast and come across the homeless guy who I have seen so much of over these past few weeks in various establishments, but wherever he goes they always feed him and give him a drink. This to me speaks volumes about the Malay people as in other places I've been he'd be chased away as a nuisance. I prepare myself ready for the boat and get picked up promptly at 2pm we are taken to the local pier where quite a few people are waiting but I'm relieved when they put us on separate boats. As we sail between the islands the Captain points out the Pregnant maiden island to the left. Its strange how these limestone mountains take on the shape of familiar things and after stopping briefly we continue our journey onto the island. The lake is over 255 million years old and was formed by yearsof dissolution and eventually the collapse of an underground cave network filling with rain water. The myth here being that drinking the water will bring fertility. There are a few ways to see the lake, one with a canoe and the other with a sea dart- an electric floating device that pulls you along through and under the water. I opt for the seadart and after 15minutes out on the far side of the lake it loses power and just stops. I wave and shout to try and get attention but it's only when someone else that's hired one comes close that I manage to get there attention and they go for help. It could only happen to me. He manages to get it going again but I feel a little nervous and just return to shore. Nevermind pregnant maiden more like damsel in distress. Back to the boat and we are taken to Eagle Island where we watch as white bellied sea eagles swoop down to feed the bread tossed to them by our boats. They really are majestic animals and I'm surprised by how big they are. There are also Brahminy Kites which are the brown birds that replicate the eagle at Kuah and the reason Langkawi has its name. Helang means eagle and kawi is the reddish-brown colour. We then take a pitstop at pulau beras basah and idyllic little island with the most beautiful beach. Whilst on the beach I'm joined by five young boys who invite me out but want me to pay for the beer. I politely decline and board back onto my boat. Safely back on shore I grab a quick bite to eat and get an early night.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Local day
May 24, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
I sit this morning eating breakfast in a different cafe as raos is closed and when the guy asks me my name they say there is a Malaysian song called Fiona. I don't believe them till they play it on the wireless speaker. Think this is going to have to be my Malaysian song. A few minutes later a German guy called Julius comes by and remembers me from Phi Phi back at the beginning of April. He is leaving the island today but is heading in the same direction so no doubt we will bump into each other along the way. A little squirrel comes to join us for breakfast and is one of the timidest I've seen but maybe that's the size of the mango he has to eat. I bid my farewells to julius and head to a shop to try and get my go pro fixed. The charging port has broken and I could really do with fixing it but they can't do it on the island so it will have to wait till Kl. I spend the day planning the rest of my trip there is so much I want to do but now I feel like time is running out and I have started to put certain time restrictions in with wanting to do the Rainforest festival I need to plan my journey to coincide. A little later in the afternoon I head to the beach for a few hours its so hot today and there's no cloud coverage. Its kind of crazy but as much as I want to move on I have definitely fallen in love with this island and its people. There is not one person here who hasn't been kind to me so far in my journey here and as much as I loved Thailand I've definitely fallen in love with Malaysia a little bit more. In the evening I head down to Yellow cafe for a cold beer and to watch the sunset. I'm spoilt tonight because it's one of the best sunsets I've seen here and I am on my own with some time to process my thoughts. Its been a little while since my homesickness has kicked in but the past few days with not feeling well and not a lot of contact makes me want to just book a flight back. I compose myself and decide another early night and good sleep is the best remedy.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Last day
May 25, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
So im officially out of here . I have booked my ferry and dropped my washing off and head for breakfadt to Raos. I meet the usual crowd and say goodbye to a few of the wonderful people ive met. I spend quite a lot of time here this morning taking hints and tips for my forthcoming trip. Uncle Johnny is such a legend on the island and at 83 has a vast knowledge of travelling Malaysia. I make my way back to do a bit of packing before going down the beach for an hour. Im suffering with massive homesickness these past few days and i think its a mixture of not feeling well and lack of communication. The 7 hour time difference makes it really hard to get times to coincide with people not working and me not being in bed. I have to make a payment through Western Union and after returning to get my passport and back to the western union i have to go through a registration and then when i come to make the payment they advise me that you can't make payments to a business account in Malaysia only to private accounts. I admit defeat and head down the beach to try and clear my head and have space with my thoughts I find the waves crashing against the shore give me an element of peace but this is short lived as I watch the dark clouds roll over the islands in front of me. I can physically see it raining and literally pack my things up and walk back to my room with the rain following behind me. I can physically see the mist that it makes and within minutes of getting back it pours down and continues to do so all afternoon. Its quite a relief as it also brings a cooler breeze. In the evening the guys from rainbow take me for my last supper. . We go to the steamboat which im really excited about as in all my time here I've never experienced it because generally you need quite a few people to experience it. There is a huge bowl over a gas burner which is split in two. Half Tom yam stock and half chicken stock. The other half is a barbecue. It's eat as much as you like and they have every thing from crab to whole fish, prawns lamb chicken and every vegetable under the sun . You fill your platter with what you want then place either in the stocks or the barbecue for cooking. At the end you are left with soup/stock from heaven which you then cook noodles in to absorb the flavour or just drink as a soup. Its absolutely delicious and an experience I will definitely be repeating. We head back and as im sailing in the morning opt not to go for drinks and get an early night as my alarm is set for 7amRead more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Change of plan
May 26, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
I wake this morning and have doubts about moving on. I'm supposed to be heading to the East Coast on the 1130 ferry which will get me into kuala perlis at around 1pm then an overnight bus at 8pm which means hanging around in the port for 7 hrs . The bus will arrive in at 430 am and I then have to wait for another ferry- all for a couple of days snorkeling on a remote island . After a good deal of thought I've decided to stick it out here and catch a direct flight to Sabah on the 30th at least I will get to watch the champions league final. On tge 1st and 2nd is a festival in Sabah and this will be an experience that I've never had compared to the snorkeling which I've done lots of. Yesterday I met a lovely lady called Lucky and when I go to Raos today she invites me to go kayaking for the sunset tonight which makes me really glad I stayed. Over the past few weeks ive seen rambuttans growing on one of the trees opposite Raos and when i mention it one of the guys goes and gives the tree a shake and comes back with an armful of them. I head to the beach for an hour and as i sit there i spot a submarine in the water. I shocked later when i show the guys the picture and they tell me its actually called submarine rock and has been there longer than me and i just haven't seen it before .The weather turns again and im always shocked at how quickly the clouds roll in and how it changes the look of the beach. I spend a few hours booking flights and looking at accommodation for my onwards travel. Where I'm staying they have been building a bar - rainbow bar which is near to completion and the great news is they are having a pre party the night of the champions league which means I can get to watch the game at 3am on a large screen. I'm pretty excited for this. The rain comes in later in the afternoon and Lucky messages me to ask if we can change to tomorrow for the kayaking as the weather isn't right and as much as I don't mind getting wet I certainly don't want to be out at sea in a storm in a kayak. I take myself back for an hours siesta and then head out for a bite to eat and a few drinks with uncle Johnny at the wunderbar Ken and Tom are her and quite shocked to see me. As I sit down i go to talk to the young guy next tto me to introduce myself and im also shocked when i realise its a mannequin We have an indepth chat about situations around the world before I head home for an early nightRead more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Here we are again
May 27, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
For the first time in a long time Uncle Johnny beats me to breakfast at Raos. I love this little place as so many locals eat here and I've met a lot of lovely people. Today is no exception as I meet good friends of uncle Johnny called Michael and Eunice. Its crazy as my Grandma was named Eunice and I called one if my chickens the same, but it's not a name you come across often anymore. I love to sit and chat to local people and for those that know me I can talk the rear end off a donkey. I also get chatting to another lady who makes tit bits which are little savoury snack made of butter ghee and spices and tells me that it's wonderful doing a job she loves. In the afternoon I lay in my hammock finishing my book and I think a leaf has fallen on me but when I look down a ghekko is perched on my leg. I remember a time when I would of jumped up and screamed, but I just lay here enjoying watching him. I do some more research and book my accommodation. I've opted for a dorm again as I'm hoping that i might find someone who's doing the trek that I can join up with. I also search for somewhere to get my nails painted, but when I enquire it's going to cost more than £50 so I decide to leave that idea and maybe try again I Saba. I have a good catch up with a few people at home and finish the evening with a bite to eat and a couple of beers in Wundabar. There are a few different people here but everyone knows uncle Johnny. A young guy called Daniel comes in and tells me his grandfather used to play with uncle Johnny but is a guy called Alfonso Soliano one of Malaysias greatest musicians and the score writer of the National anthem. Its crazy how connected people are here and I can really see why Langkawi is such a big draw for them. I just have a few beers and make my excuses before walking home.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Champions league
May 28, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Breakfast in Raos my usual place consists of a Tose which is a pancake/thin omelette accompanied by a coconut chutney and Dahl with a brew coffee. I'm not a big eater in the mornings and curry for breakfast is definitely not the norm, but after a few months I'm kind of used to it and actually really enjoy it. I need to eat as much as possible today because there will be quite a few beers being sunk later and I need to absorb the alcohol. One of the locals has invited me and Uncle Johnny to his home to take advantage of his pool and I'm glad to say its a lot clearer than Uncle Johnny's and the views are spectacular. Its up in the hills and overlooks the mountains and paddy fields below. The rice grown here is grown on flat land unlike terraces in other parts of Asia. The crazy part is most of this rice is actually exported and the Malaysian people eat mainly white rice. We enjoy a few beers and I really enjoy the tranquility of this hillside location. I've arranged to join Andrew and Nathan at Flos but have to get a grab as it's pouring down. When I arrive the rain and wind is so torrential its pouring through the slatted windows and soaking the carpet and the doors are having to be held closed. We head to cinnamon for a farewell drink and Amy gives me a little present to say goodbye. It's also the pre opening of the bar that's been under construction opposite my room. The rainbow bar is also showing the game tonight on a big projector screen. At about 2am I stupidly think I'll get a quick hour shut eye , only to be woken at 440am to shouting and realise I've missed most of the game. I jump up and walk into the bar to find Real Madrid are 1 0 up and the shouting was being done by Man United supporters. I stay for the end of the game and although dissapointed I'm proud of the team. Thank God I literally only have to roll into bed.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Last full day
May 29, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 29 °C
I wake this morning but am sad as I know this is definitely my last full day. Nathan my fellow liverpool supporters is there and Uncle Johnny joins us a little while later. The chef has cooked a new dish called lala cockles they're a certain kind of cockle with the prettiest shell. I've been bitten again and I don't know what by but I think I was when we were at the steamboat the other night as its all at the backs of my legs and I think its probably something that was in the wooden benches. Nathan gives me some cream to put on it and it does ease the pain. I manage a good half hour phone call with Amber filling me in on the scenes back in my home city of Liverpool. Im sad to have missed the festivities but am also proud in the support the team has around the world. The weather today is crazy and the wind is like a mini hurricane. I've been invited to Eddie's birthday party tonight and grab a quick beer in flos to get a view of the sea. The waves are the biggest I've seen since travelling and I'm glad I'm indoors as sheets of corrugated roofing are getting lifted off the beachfront buildings. The guys offer me a lift to the supper club and I'm really glad to have gone here as its a great opportunity to say goodbye or Jumpa lagi (see you soon). I stay a few hours the head to Rainbow bar as Uncle Johnny is playing tonight and I gave him my word that I would go. Michael and Eunice are here and I really enjoy my evening spending time listening to music throughout the time I have 2 songs dedicated to me. I'm leaving on a jet plane and the Malaysian song Fiona. My heart is heavy as I say goodbye to these wonderful people who have made my time on Langkawi so special but it's 1am and my alarm is set for 730am so I bid my goodbye s with a little rendition of "time to say goodbye ".Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Leaving on a jet plane.
May 30, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
I finish my packing and take myself for my last brew coffee in Raos. All the staff give me a hug and once again I have a lump in my throat. I bid the boys at Rainbow goodbye and Eddy has kindly offered to drop me to the Airport. As we arrive the weather is terrible and we joke that the flight will be cancelled and I'll be calling him in an hour to pick me up. We have to check in at a machine and everytime I scan my barcode it prints a luggage tag but no boarding pass. I proceed to the check-in desk and I'm always glad to take the weight of the rucksack off my back. The flight to Kuala Lumpur is just an hour but I have a 3 hour layover here. The airport is huge and after eventually finding an exit I grab a cigarette and burger king before making my way to my gate to board my next flight to Sabah. The flights here are really cheap but once you have a hold bag the price more than doubles you literally pay more for your bag than you do for yourself. On board I sit next to a couple with a little girl about 2 yrs old and after a little bit of trepidation we get chatting. The lady's name is Nora( my late aunts name) and the little girl is Zara she is from Sabah and gives me some hints and tips about the area and other places in Sarawak. As I get of the plane and arrive at customs I interrogated for nearly 20 minutes about how long I'll spend here what am I doing here and if I've got a flight booked out. I explain I'm here to climb Mount kinabalu and she asks me again if I have anything booked I explain I haven't and after a little bit of smiling and many thank yous she stamps my passport. Outside I get asked if I want a taxi and he says 30 rm but when I look on Grab its 9rm so I book the Grab and ten minutes arrive at the hostel. I've booked in a dorm so I can meet few people but I've literally for the dorm to myself but I suppose that has its benefits. I head round the corner to get a bite to eat and when I walk in they all laugh with each other. I guess they haven't seen a western person for a while and are having a joke about who's going to take my order. I order butter chicken and they say they haven't got it but a few minutes later and the boss man having a word I get my butter chicken and an added bonus they have three layer tea. I was going for a beer but after the reception in here I think I'll head back for a hot shower and my air conditioning.Read more
0 likes
Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure Fifi flipflop
Harvest festival
May 31, 2022 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
I wake this morning and having booked into a dorm expected to meet up with people but as it goes noone else was in there. I go to the toilet and after finishing turn on what I think is the bum gun but end up getting a cold shower fully clothed- didn't see the other tap. I find a local Starbucks and after a coffee take a grab to the Kdca cultural Village. I worry that I will arrive too early but when I get there its in full swing. The Village represents a living museum to preserve the multi-ethnic Kadazandusun culture. It aims to share the knowledge, history, and cultural heritage of the multi-ethnic Kadazandusun community and over these 2 days they celebrate the harvest festival where clans come from they're respective communities and sing and dance together. There are over 40 indigenous tribes in Sabah all having they're own traditional dress and also they're own way of dancing. I love to get involved and when they call me to get involved I join in. Each tribe has they're own house within the village each house being separated into 5 compartments, the loft, the kitchen , the bedroom, the veranda and the passage way. The houses are made from a round timber wood with rattan used to tie them and then planks of wood for the ceiling and floors. As I leave one of the houses a young Malaysian girl called Nirwana asks if she can interview me for her school project so we find a quiet place to sit and setup the recording. Its just a short interview asking where I'm from why I'm here and the difference between my country and Malaysia. They have travelled over 2 hours to be here so after the interview we say goodbye. I continue walking around the village and dancing in various houses.Also having a try of the Borneo trampoline and jumping between lengths of bamboo (like a Borneo hopscotch. As I'm stood watching outside one of the tribes preparing to dance I'm made aware that the president and first lady of one of the villages is due to arrive and I have front row viewing. I feel a bit guilty as this is obviously something special to them but it would probably cause more of a commotion for me to leave. Once they have passed by I make my way to the exit and bump into a young lady called Eloise who's from Birmingham. We have a quick chat and she tells me she's meeting other people from the hostel she's staying at so I ask if I can join her. We meet up with the crew and enjoy savouring the delicious endless food stalls and sharing a few drinks in the beer village. I share a grab home and at 1am fall into bed exhausted.Read more
0 likes