Different

Things that are different to home, things I’ve noticed, things I want to remember.

Along with my ‘highlights of the trip so far‘, these things make traveling wonderful. But… it’s not all great. Written about that here.

Transport
In Indonesia I got asked constantly ‘Transport?’, in Vietnam it was ‘Taxi?’ or
‘Motorbike?’, and in Thailand it’s ‘Tuk-tuk?’. Malaysia I don’t think it was anything except occasional taxi. The effect these questions have on me: I usually end up walking everywhere. I don’t like being pushed, and I also never know what a good fair amount is for where I’m going, unless I’ve checked with someone.

Toilets
Generally, I’ve used western toilets, but at times those need to be flushed with a container of water, and often there isn’t toilet paper(except Vietnam, and Thailand so far). Sometimes there isn’t an normal toilet, just a squat one, which I don’t have many issues with, unlike my former preteen self while on a stopover between Europe and Australia back in the day (there was crying). Sometimes you can’t throw toilet paper in the toilet because the plumbing can’t handle it, so there’s a bin for that. Or use water and your left hand.

Eating
Eating with your left hand is rude in all the countries I’ve visited, for reason mentioned above.
In Malaysia I managed to eat entire curry with rice meals with just my right hand. In most places however I have used cutlery, generally a spoon and fork, occasionally chopsticks. And sometimes there’s just a knife and fork but that’s usually more upmarket western places.
Putting a fork in your mouth is like putting a knife in your mouth for us (well, I do that anyway…but I’m so uncultured). So need to remember to eat with the spoon and use the fork to push things on it.

Things I said I wouldn’t do
Leave my laptop unattended/not locked away, even for just a few minutes
Not backup my laptop everyday and keep the portable harddrive in a separate bag to the laptop
Ride a scooter
Brush my teeth with the tapwater
Eat/drink ice
Eat salads

Yeah, done it all…

Dogs and cats
In Indonesia and Malaysia there were a lot of mutts, in Vietnam there were mutts but also lot a of smaller dogs like chihuahuas and terriers. In Thailand (well, Chiang Mai), there’s all sorts, but mainly lots of bigger ones like labradors and I even saw a rotweiler!
I saw plenty of cats in Indonesia and Malaysia, but less in Vietnam and Thailand so far.

Oh, I’ve also seen the odd rat. Some were cute. At night, coming out of a drain, not so cute.

Sleeping
In Indonesia I slept in homestays or guesthouses in mainly double rooms with my own bathroom, usually cold water. In Malaysia it was mainly dorms (with bunkbeds or single beds) except on Pulau Perhintian where there was only double cottages) with a shared bathroom. A bathroom around here is always a small room where the shower is right next to, or even above, the toilet. Often no wash basin, at least not in the ‘bathroom’.
Vietnam I stayed in cheap hotels where I had a double bed, aircon, tv, and a bathroom with hot water for the same price I payed for other type of rooms elsewhere. Except in Hanoi where some Aussies have set up a backpacker place with dorms. Though it was very nice and each 8 bed dorm had an ensuite bathroom.
In Thailand I know it’s more guesthouses, but in Chiang Mai I’ve chosen for a guesthouse that also has dorms.
The benefits of dorms are that it’s cheaper, and it’s easier to meet people.

Until Thailand I’ve found beds and pillows similar to home and I haven’t missed my own at all! But now in this guesthouse in Chiang Mai…the mattress is sooo hard! It’s similar to sleeping on the chairs at Bangkok Airport. At least the pillow is good though. I asked a girl if all beds in Thailand were like this and she said yes. Occasionally you get a spring mattress but then the springs are often broken. Let’s hope I get used to this! I guess if I’m tired enough it’s not an issue, and I don’t mind the odd bruise!

People
The largest amount of people I’ve met are from Britain, Germany, France, Holland. Slightly less but still plenty from Australia, US, Canada, Italy.
And throw into the mix the odd Scandinavian, Greek, Russian, Spanish, Brazilian and New Zealander.

Sewerage/drains/footpaths
In all the countries I’ve been, the drains are obvious along sides of roads. Sometimes they’re underneath the footpath, but sometimes the footpath is broken and you need to be really careful you don’t fall into sewerage.
Other times it’s a more narrow thing between the road and the footpath, covered by lots of big concrete pavers, but sometimes they’re all joined, sometimes more loose and sometimes broken.
Oh, when I say footpath, often this is space for roadside restaurants and scooter parking. You often end up walking on the road. In some places there aren’t footpaths (sidewalks) at all, like in Georgetown, Malaysia. You just walk on the road with the other traffic.

The Yellow Bible
i.e., the Lonely Planet South East Asia book.
Love it and hate it. A Lonely Planet is unmissable to get general info about a country, the places you want to visit, and the maps. But the version I had is 2years old and all the prices are wrong and often restaurants have closed down. For accommodation and restaurants, it’s much better to go by other people’s recommendations or just find something on the street.
Also this book is too thick to lug around.
So in Malaysia I threw mine in the bin, not before ripping a few pages out. A new version has just come out, so noone wanted it.
In Vietnam, Emily had a two year old Vietnam LP book so I used that a bit. Now in Thailand I have found an old (at least 3 years) version of the Thailand book on the roof (garden). I considered buying a new one, but I only want it for the general idea anyway.

Luggage
I’m proud to say my total luggage weight is only around 12kg, and this includes my macbook! It’s a bit too heavy for airline hand luggage requirements, but it’s still within size limits and they never check the weight. If I had to I could probably get it down to 10kg by removing toiletries, a book and the odd clothing item I don’t really wear.
Things I’ve lost:

* one small travel towel (disappeared in laundry service in Hanoi)
* one white cotton shirt (overlooked on verandah on Pulau Perhintian Kecil, or it was stolen)

I arrived in Indonesia with no shorts or skirts, just cargo pants and a sarong. I bought two pairs of cotton shorts, but have since replaces them with one pair of (knee length) jeans shorts and a long pair of fisherman’s pants. The two quick drying long sleeved travel shirts I bought I’ve hardly worn. I was wearing my black singlet a lot so in Malaysia I acquired two more singlets. But for in the evenings and in more rural areas I have two cotton shirts with sleeves. When I say evenings, it’s not to stay warm, but be less vulnerable out in dark alleyways alone. A singlet usually means you’re available (for harassment or prostitution).

Crossing the road
There aren’t many traffic lights, and not many zebra paths. Zebra paths are always ignored anyway, and traffic lights are still regularly ignored. To cross the road, just start walking, slowly. Making eye contact with drivers helps, to know that they have seen you and will go around. Generally stopping isn’t a good idea either as the drivers have figured out your pace and if they’ll pass in front or behind you.