Malaysia: Ghost Stories of Taman Negara

On January 20, 2014January 14, 2014 By ambertravelingIn Asia3 Comments

I walk in the treetops of the oldest rainforest in the world, balancing on wobbly bridges that sway with every step.

I stare into the trees, looking back in time. If I squint a little and let my imagination take over, I can see majestic dinosaurs stomping under the canopy.

Located next to a winding river, Taman Negara is the the most famous national place of Malaysia, and is home to elephants, sun bears, and millions of red ants.

Tigers still live deep in the forest, although most guides don’t want to see one, even if the tourists do…

To read the whole story, visit http://www.wesaidgotravel.com/malaysia-ghost-stories-of-taman-negara. Thanks to WeSaidGoTravel for publishing my writing.

Oldest rainforest in the world in Taman Tegara, Malaysia

Perhentian Islands

On November 3, 2013January 14, 2014 By ambertravelingIn Asia, Uncategorized3 Comments

We took an overnight bus ride from Langkawi to the Perhentian Islands on the east coast of Malaysia. It was a double decker bus and we were seated directly above the driver (possibly the most dangerous place to sit?) but at least it had the best view.

After a bumpy boat ride we arrived at the island. Its off-season but a few tourists wandered the white sand beaches. It’s pretty relaxed, there’s only a few things to do: eat, sleep, party, snorkel, and scuba.

While I was here I decided to take my PADI, a 3-day scuba diving course. It’s one of the cheapest places in the world to get it!

Scuba diving is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. As long as you remember a few fundamentals you can avoid problems:

Keep breathing, slowly and calmly
Adjust your BCD – Buoyancy Control Device
Stay with your buddy
Keep checking your tank, and make sure you don’t run out of air!
Ascend and descend slowly, and equalize often (clearing your ears)

Its a different world underwater. There’s no verbal communication; sign language is the only way to communicate with your fellow divers. Gliding around the coral in this silent world is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

I saw a moray eel (like Ursula’s sidekick from the Little Mermaid!) and a sea turtle, and lots of beautiful and colorful fish, but sadly no whale sharks! Oh well, next time. I’m also excited to try scuba in California, who wants to go with me?

Beach

Yummy food there

Learning to scuba in Perhentian Islands

Couchsurfing in Langkawi

On November 1, 2013November 5, 2013 By ambertravelingIn Animals, Asia, Backpacking, Couchsurfing, Uncategorized2 Comments

With 8 dogs and 37 cats, Jeff’s house is not your typical couch surfing pad.

We arrived on the island of Langkawi by a nauseating 3-hour boat ride. Jeff met us at a pizza shop and showed us to his house, a quaint two bedroom nestled in a little patch of forest. Wild monkeys greeted us from the trees.

Resting on the hammocks on his porch, one of his cats clambered onto my lap, and Jeff told us his story.

This story was published on WeSaidGoTravel. To read the whole story, click here.