Less said about Satun the better.
Took me a few seconds to figure out why this arrow was on the ceiling of our hotel in Satun. Hint: it points East.
Passing into Malaysia was painless - Taxi from our "harbour town" of Satun, through 9 km of working Malaria Farm (Mangrove swamp) to the open water, a high-speed ferry to pulau Langkawi, Malaysia. Customs and Immigration were a breeze (although the "Death for Drug Trafficers" signs were prominant). About 95% of the ferry passengers were Asian (mostly Thai to my unpracticed eye), and were waved through the bag inspection area into...culture shock...a shopping mall. Lacoste, Nike, Chanel, Versace. After a couple of weeks on secluded beaches and dusty busses, surrounded by incomprehensible squiggles on all signs, it is strange to step over a threshold, and be in the centre of..Metrotown.
Turns out Pulau Langkawi is a free-trade zone within Malaysia, essentially a 500-square kilometre "duty free store". Consequently, it is a major shopping destination for well-to-do (but nonethless bargain-seeking) Thais and Malays. Apparently beer here is half the price of the mainland, and there are beaches. This could be very good news in the war between Pat and his Liver.
We found a nice plce to stay, a few metres walk to the beach an quiet..if only the sun would come out...
Tig's question of the day: Why are Germans like that?
-discuss.
Turns out Pulau Langkawi is a free-trade zone within Malaysia, essentially a 500-square kilometre "duty free store". Consequently, it is a major shopping destination for well-to-do (but nonethless bargain-seeking) Thais and Malays. Apparently beer here is half the price of the mainland, and there are beaches. This could be very good news in the war between Pat and his Liver.
We found a nice plce to stay, a few metres walk to the beach an quiet..if only the sun would come out...
Tig's question of the day: Why are Germans like that?
-discuss.
1 comment:
Lovin' the blog - nice to see the spectacular beaches and amazing scenery while enjoying -27 degrees here in Calgary. We have, however, managed to get in some skiing, snowboarding, ski doo riding and hockey playing...so a good Canadian holiday. Perhaps quiz the Canadian-Americans on that? Glad you guys are having fun. Dry, witty and sharp writing as usual. Beats 90% of the travel journalists I've hosted in resorts over the years...you realize you can get paid for this. Have a great trip.
Eric
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