As last night was only a stopover en route to Langkawi I thought I had chosen a reasonably modest Premier Inn type residence close to the airport at a Premier Inn type price. It turned out to be a most beautiful resort hotel at a Premier Inn price
complete with 2 swimming pools, sculptured gardens
and an 18 hole golf course.
Malaysia is hardly a third world country with third world prices so I just don’t understand the economics of how this place can be so cheap compared to, say, the slightly upmarket backpackers residence where I stayed in Auckland which cost almost double!!
Maybe New Zealand and Australia are just that much more expensive anyway, something I evidenced whilst waiting for my Sydney to Kuala Lumpur flight. Paperback novels which in the UK cost around £6-£10 were on sale for A$32.99 – almost £20 each at today’s exchange rate. I should have bought more in the second hand book shop in Rotorua!
The BBC World Service news was full of the flooding in Fiji this morning so I was just happy to have ‘escaped’. The poor guy who drove me to the airport yesterday morning (which does seem an awfully long time ago) told me that his house in the delightfully alcoholic sounding town of Rakiraki had been swept away. How he could seem so relaxed about something so utterly devastating is beyond me other than to reflect that when you have nothing or very little, you have nothing or little to lose – in the material sense that is.
Before departing for the airport (courtesy of the brilliant Uber which cost app 50% less than the ‘normal’ taxi fare from the airport to the hotel), I called Malaysian Airlines and was told that my suitcase had arrived and was already on it’s way to Langkawi. It turned out that not only had it arrived before me at Langkawi airport it had been sent to my hotel to await my arrival. The check in receptionist seemed slightly bemused as to how my suitcase could arrive 5 hours before I did!
Nephew Andy was at the airport to meet me and seems his usual charming and laid back self. And also as usual, it was necessary to have a couple of welcoming beers even before unpacking. So, no time for exploring today other than taking in the view from my bedroom window which seems just fine.
And for those who may spot the odd puddle or two, yes, it has been raining but only a short, sharp shower rather than the relentless downpours that I have been used to.
I’m all at sixes and sevens with the 5 hour time difference between Fiji and Malaysia but a few more beers tonight and a good sleep and I should be back to normal and ready for some more adventures tomorrow.
Phileas
thelasthurrahsite 