Manila

Well its been a while... just haven't had a reliable internet connection to upload stuff. So I'm way behind.

After Malaysia, I went to the Philippines. Not many backpackers seem to go there, maybe because accommodation is more expensive than other places. But it is a really beautiful place (with many beautiful women, heh). I really enjoyed my time there, and look forward to going back soon so see all my friends there.

Malate Cathedral. In front is a Jeepney the icon of the Philippines

Palau Tioman

Tioman Island is a nice little place off the coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. It has a nice little beach and some good scuba diving and snorkeling locations.

First day my and a mate went to check out Salang, which is the village to the north of Air Batang where we were staying. We figured we'd do it on the cheap and just walk it and save the 25 ringits it would cost for a water taxi. We figured it would be a nice paved walkway like it was between Air Batang and Tekek. It ended up being a 3 hour mission through thick jungle on a path that was barely visible. At one point we couldn't even see the path and went wandering through some bog. The only thing that got us on track was to follow some power lines.

Then when we were finally on the home stretch to Salang I heard a monkey jumping around in a tree. So I stopped... and the monkey jumped down onto a branch maybe 3 meters away. "Cool a monkey"... So I get out the camera to snap a few photos. Now usually the monkeys are pretty timid, but this one wasn't afraid of me at all... just sitting there yawning (this should have been a clue). So I take a picture. The flash gets him pretty annoyed. Actually maybe a bit angry. "aw well monkeys are cool... I'll take another photo." That monkey came from one the other end of the branch right at me... baring its teeth...

I remember hearing once that you're supposed to stand your ground with monkeys. Show to them you aren't afraid and they just leave you alone. Whoever said that must've never had a crazed monkey running straight for them... piss on that, we ran like hell.

In the end we conquered the jungles of Tioman. But we took the boat back to Air Batang. Got back just in time for Happy Hour.

There weren't many bars on Tioman, Malaysia being a Muslim country and all. But there was a cool little place called Sunset Corner. 5pm to 7pm are Happy Hours... three beers for 10 Ringit. Of course it would always be the same crew there. 4:30pm all sitting at the bar waiting. "All you guys here everyday just waiting for Happy Hour!" Anita the owner.

Did a couple of dives. Saw a Moray Eel, which I've never seen before, so it was pretty good.

Went to a birthday party for one of the locals. He insisted on bringing us some food. "Don't worry about it, its your birthday... sit down and relax." "No I'll get you some food... its the least I can do, you've come from so far..."

Wish it didn't rain so much... but had a good time anyway.

Evil Monkey!!!


Giant Lizards everywhere

Fisheys!

Fish Highway

Cool looking stingray

A friendly turtle



Moray Eel

Colourful Coral

Nemo!


A rare moment of sounshine

Anita

Getting some fish from the boat

Happy hour crew

Taman Negara

Visited Taman Negara. "Taman Negara" is Malay for "National Park". Not a very original name is it?

This is a nice jungle where we did a canopy walk, some hiking and shooting the rapids.

The rapids weren't really all that rough, but we all got soaked... not from the rapids, but from splashing and being splashed by the people in the other boats.

Also did a night walk and saw all the creepy bugs that come out at night in the jungle.

Canopy walk


View from the canopy



Tarzan!!!


Weird looking root


View from the lookout


Shooting the rapids


Water fights


This spider actually eats birds... Jumps on them and poisons them.

Kuala Lumpur

My first stop on this tour of Asia is Kuala Lumpur. This is a multicultural city of Malay, Chinese and Indians.

There are many skyscrapers here, but the tallest of these is the Petronas towers. Malaysians are very proud of these massive twin towers. They are the second tallest building in the world, only Taipei 101 is taller. The CN Tower is taller... but its classed as a Tower not a building.

Which brings us to the second most famous building in KL: The KL Tower. Its the fourth tallest tower in the world, but it has the highest observation deck... even higher than the observation deck of the CN Tower.

Went to Chinatown. Petaling Street somewhat reminded me of Khao San Road in Bangkok only less crazy. Plus there was a roof overhead, which was nice when it was pouring down rain.

Petronas Towers

View from KL Tower



Some Hindu thing?


Petaling Street

on the skywalk between the towers


KL Tower in the fog.


Monorail!!!



Petronas at night



The National Mosque


Funky looking building

Sydney

Its been raining everywhere I go! It was pouring down in Byron so I only really went to the beach once while there. And now I get to Sydney... more rain! They say Australia is in the worst drought in like 100 years, but I've seen nothing but rain for the last month. So I don't have any good photos from the last week or so.

Anyway just going to add some photos from my last trip to Sydney... just so people know I'm still alive.

Now I have to say goodbye to Australia. I'm sad to leave Australia, but I am happy to be going back to Asia. And I'm sure I'll be back in Australia someday...

I think I've seen pictures of this building before...

The bridge...

Tasmania

Went down to Tassie. The weather wasn't the best... it rained every day except the last day. But it was a really nice place and the beaches were beautiful even with it being overcast.

Went to Port Arthur, where the worst convicts in Australia were sent to do hard labour.

And yeah, saw some Tasmanian Devils. They fed them two Wallabies which they completely ripped apart. Tasmanian Devils eat every part of the animal, cracking bones as they rip them apart. They have the second most powerful jaws of any animal, only the salt water croc has more powerful jaws.

Maple Tree!

These trees were too big so they made cravings as a memorial the trees were planted in memory of




Columba Falls

A blowhole

Wineglass Bay



Bridge made from trees

A tree that fell down because of the storm overnight

Remarkable Cave



They finally cought me!

Turret at Port Arthur

Isle of the Dead... 1100 convicts are buried on this island




Canadian Cottage... built in Canada and transported to Port Arthur for some reason


statue of a mastiff... they were used to keep the convicts from escaping from Port Arthur and getting to the mainland.

Tasmanian Devils

Standing up

A really big Eagle

Skirmishing

Check out the teeth

A pretty bird


Me and my pals

Tassie devil sleeping after a big feed.