Ubud: A Hindu purification ceremony that left me feeling happy, cold, and clean

Indonesia is a strongly religious country with Muslims prominent in the northern island of Jakarta, and Hindus in the more southern island of Bali.  All over Bali, within a hundred feet or so, temples line the streets.  At any  given time in the day, you can see men or women bringing offerings, called canang sari and leaving it before the temple.  This means that all along the city, canang saris are found on the street.  It is a small flat bowl made out of palm leaf.  Inside, they hold flowers, other plants, and even money.

Bali, Indonesia: Waterbom, and surfing on Kuta beach

Bali was just straight up fun.

Kadek accepted my CS host request but the morning of my flight she sent me an email saying it was too dangerous to stay at her house due to strong winds.  She said I could stay by a friend of hers for the first couple of nights and that she would meet me at his house.  I told her I couldn't stay with a guy so I would find a hostel for the first couple of nights.  She really kindly offered to come by my hostel the next day.

Singapore: National Museum, high tea and the Singapore sling

The next morning, Carine's mom made me a turkey lettuce wrap for breakfast.  We also had one of the pomegranate my friends in KL got me.  Neither Carine's mom or I had eaten one before (though I've had the juice) and we tried to figure out how to eat it given it is full of seeds.  But I was really amazed at how readily her mom was willing to try something new, without hesitation or skepticism.  It also felt great to share something I had just learned with her.  I know my KL friends would be proud!

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore: conversations about race and Eastern toilets

The next day in Kuala Lumpur, I had a flight to Singapore.  I really should have taken the bus as it is slightly cheaper but a lot more convenient.  Nicole's parents took me for breakfast as an Indian restaurant.  I wanted to order roti but her dad said to get Nasi.  I can't argue with paying parents!

Kuala Lumpur: a trip made special by photos, Lydia and Ika, and roti

Kuala Lumpur has the reputation of being a city with "not much to see".  In fact, its listed in my guide book as the 3rd most recommend place to visit in Malaysia.  I however had a fantastic time in KL.  I felt like I got to experience China, India, and Malaysia all on the same trip.

Nicole, my CS host, is Malay-Chinese.  Her ancestors from 3 generations ago came to Malaysia to escape internal conflict in China.  She is 33 years old and teaches private Mandarin lessons, mostly to expatriates, for a living.

I met Nicole in front of the Starbucks at Kuala Lumpur City Center or KLCC, famed for its twin towers which are the tallest in the world.

Vientiane to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia: a couchsurfing experience gone wrong

I took a 3 hour flight from Vientiane to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.  My couchsurfing host in KL (I'll call her K) told me she could pick me up in the city center at 5:30pm.  So I took the skybus to Sentral Station, got there around 3:30pm, and spent 2 hours walking around and checking email until 5:30.

Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place.  I waited for 30 min, and then at 6pm I skyped called K.  She said went to mynews.com where she told me to wait for her and didn't see me.  I thought she came during the brief moment I left to skype her so I went back.  When I still didn't see her I skyped her again.  She said she was there but since I didn't see her, I realized I was at the wrong station.

Vientiane: Market tour, Cooking class, and Herbal Sauna

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, but it attracts fewer travelers than Luang Prabang.  I decided the spend the day doing a cooking course.

I met the teacher, Nook, at Full Moon Cafe.  Nook is originally from Luang Prabang, and moved down to Vientiane.  Her cooking has become famous due to a Vietnamese chef, Nguyen, who featured her recipes on an Australian cooking show.