Abi Moore: Blog/News

 COCHIN, INDIA
There was a marked difference in development between India and Malaysia. The dirtiness, chaos and confusion of this hot, manic place was tempered by an exciting lack of rules, spontaneity and 'laissez faire' attitude. It appealed to my inner rebel.
I walked the narrow, littered streets of Cochin with my new friends from Lincolnshire and we baked in the oppressive air. It wasn't helped that Cochin today was massively overcrowded with people moving in herds, like cattle. Also, the real hard sell was happening now: local people pouncing on us with shawls, crafts and souvenirs. In other countries, they were more chilled out with it, but here, they really wouldn't take no for an answer.
Once we managed to negotiate a path through the salesmen, saleswomen and saleschildren, we entered a little museum that showed us some of the traditions of the area; from ancient armoury to local dress. The small, dark, airless rooms were [...]

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, was a bit like the earlier stops on my trip; there was far too little time to see or do anything more than just have a look around briefly. I caught a taxi from the port with friends and we headed out to see some local villages. We drove along the murky river scattered with rusty boats, fish stalls and cute yellow houses and took photos at a little fishing village. En route, we saw goats slowly grazing and lone men doing a spot of fishing.
Our taxi driver mentioned a Hindu temple that was quite unusual, so we headed there, to be greeted at the gates by a huge cow (through recent research, I reckon it was a Brahma bull, but I can't be sure. My knowledge of cattle is notoriously bad!) It was a magnificent beast with a large hump and slender, curved horns. I once got 99% in my Hinduism project in R.E at school, but I can't tell you why, when the cow is a sacred symbol, that this particular one was chained [...]

My day in Langkawi, Malaysia, started by bumping into a lovely Australian couple. We decided to get a cab together as we all wanted to do the same thing; primarily to head up the mountain on the cable car. The taxi drivers here were friendly and agreed a very reasonable fare that included staying with you for a few hours, dropping you off and picking you up at different places along your way. Langkawi, through a taxi window, seemed fairly similar to Koh Samui in Thailand, with its pretty beaches, warm breezes and lush greenery. I had a smile on my face as the scenery passed me by. I knew today was going to be a good day.

On reaching the cable car, the queue was massive so we spent time getting to know each other and sharing travel stories. I always think that's the best thing about travelling; meeting cool people who always seem to be open-minded, friendly and good company. People I meet randomly abroad always seem to have the same lust for life and learning as I do and [...]

After another capital city, I was ready to experience more "off the beaten track" and Penang didn't disappoint. The island was luscious, warm and breezy and the beautiful coastal vistas visible though the bus windows tempted me every few minutes. But that was for later; my first destination was to a traditional Malay village to see what life is like for the local people.
  
 
Set amidst the palm trees were little wooden houses, shack-like in appearance. Some of them were built on stilts with creaking ladders leading up to the front door. I was shown around by a lovely Chinese man called Raymond who had an expert knowledge of the local flora, and he pointed out each plant, tree and bush as we passed them, sometimes ripping a leaf off to release its aroma. I was introduced to huge jackfruits hanging like giant jagged mangoes from their branches, tapioca plants, lemongrass, cotton and banana trees, yam and pineapple bushes, chilli plants and rubber trees. Raymond carved [...]

Passing through immigration into Malaysia by boat was a far nicer experience than I generally have at airports. On arrival at Port Klang, I was greeted into the country by a group of Malaysian people in traditional dress, playing drums and smiling warmly. 

Malaysia is made up of lots of states, but the more rural trips were to come. I was currently headed for the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, which was a bit of a ride away by bus.


Malaysia has a varied and mixed population of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Arabic people and as part of their country's five-a-day, they are expected to live in harmony with each other. I say five-a-day because their national symbol is a five-leaved hibiscus representing five life codes that they follow, sort of like the Brownie Guide Law! One of them is to respect all the cultures in Malaysia, and with a mix of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, that's a lot of multiculturalism. I didn't realise that Malaysia was mainly Islamic, but a native [...]