HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

New Years was absolutely amazing. So after being on the island of Langkawi for far longer than we expected, we eventually started talking about Indonesia and got itchy feet. We decided to leave on the 28th on a ferry to Penang in hopes to catch a ferry the next day to Medan on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Like we have learned, it's never a good idea to get stuck on plans while travelling about.

We got to the ferry terminal in Langkawi and found that all the ferries to Penang were sold out for the next two days. We though quickly and decided to catch a ferry to Kedai which is mainland Malaysia, then catch a bus from the nearest bus station to Penang. We got to Kedai, took a taxi with some English people we met to the bus station and made it to Penang at around 7pm. The ferry to Medan from Penang only runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and since we had already spent a week on Penang we really didn't want to be there for more than one night. As soon as we started checking into getting to Medan we were told that the next day (Mon.) was a national holiday and no ferries would be running.

We weighed out our options and made a huge change in plans. We decided instead to catch a bus the next day to the capitol city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It was probably the best choice ever. After hustling around Sunday evening into the night in Penang trying to find a bus to Kuala Lumpur that wasn't sold out, we finally found a travel agency that actually decided to run an extra bus the next morning at 9:30. We were set. And very relieved as well.

Kuala Lumpur is incredible. It is the cleanest huge city I have ever seen. The parks there are gorgeous and the people are way nicer than those in most big cities. Being on Langkawi, we met a lot of people from Kuala Lumpur including our friend Pitt who currently lives in Penang and works at a bar called The Social in Bukit Bintang which is sort of a times square type of place. We got to K.L. and got in touch with him after finding a cheap room in Chinatown at a hostel called The Wheelers, which is run by a lady boy. After getting directions to his work, we made our way there and decided during the walk that his bar was probably going to be way to fancy for us. Which it was. But shortly after we got there, Pitt started pouring the beer and let us know that it was on the house. After this went on for a bit, his co-workers started talking with us, playing cards and what not, then his co-workers started pouring us beer too. People in Malaysia are too kind. And I am being completely honest when I say that. Three or four hours later we asked Pitt if we could PLEASE tip him and he just laughed at us and said "no".

We spent the next day walking around the city. In parks, Chinatown, Little India, the busiest parts and the prettiest parts. We realized that Malaysia is a wonderful country and we are completely confused as to why nobody seems to come here when they travel Southeast Asia. I mean really, I had not heard hardly anything about the country other than it was a Muslim country. Which is maybe why a lot of Americans don't feel necessarily safe to travel here. Anyways, it's baffling.

We went up the Petronas Towers the morning of New Years Eve...mind blowing those towers are. A sight to see for sure. They get up to somewhere around 900 meters high. And they are an amazing piece of architecture. And...if you get in line at about 8am (mind you that B and I have been sleeping until around 1 or 2pm for about six weeks now) you get to go up for free.

And now comes New Years Eve. I don't know where to begin since words cannot (at least none that come to my mind) describe. We began at Merdeka Square where there was a giant stage set up. On this stage the first thing that we saw was a symphony doing a medley of "classic rock". With a drum set, bass, keys, and guitar as well in the line-up. They kicked off with Enter Sandman. By the way, if that is classic rock I am turning into an old man quicker than I thought. It was so righteous. Then there was traditional Malay and Hindu dancing, more music, a couple rad Malay hip-hop acts, and about 3000 people gathered around dancing and celebrating. We hung out there until about 10:30pm when we decided to head to The Golden Triangle (which is pretty much the heart of K.L.) to catch the party at the Petronas Towers. There were people as far as the eye could see. Literally an ocean of people gathered. All people. Everyone from the age of 1-100. Every culture and walk of life. There was a beautiful music, light, and water show. And then it happened. The countdown. The fireworks. The people screaming and laughing and jumping for joy. Absolutely, hands down, the best celebration I have ever seen.

After the towers we headed to Bukit Bingtan and that was just crazy. Silly string, closed off streets, and thousands upon thousands of people walking and singing and dancing. We ended the night at about three in the morning dancing in front of a 24 hour convenient store with about twenty other sweaty people. Getting sprayed with silly string and doused with beer. It was the perfect way to start 2009.

The next day we caught a bus to Malaka at 1pm. Which after the walk home and passing out somewhere around four or five in the morning, felt very early. Malaka is my favorite city we've been to so far. That's the thing about Malaysia...it just keeps getting better and better. Malaka is the most charming, adorable, and inviting place...EVER!!!! Chinatown is the most authentic I have seen yet and the guesthouse we are staying in is by far the most righteous as well. It's a place called Tony's right next to the river and it is full of art and awesome people. It has a funky vibe and if we didn't have a flight booked for Jakarta next Thursday I think we would stay here longer. We found this place by trusting what a person with a Rough Guide to Malaysia that we don't know wrote down. Which was nothing but a map written in ink pointing to this place that we followed on foot from the bus station. We were not at all disappointed though.

Melaka is like a Disneyland that you don't have to pay for. I feel like every morning when we wake up the whole city is going to be joined together in the street signing the same song and doing the same dance moves. Seriously. It's a place anyone would love. And the night life is good as well. It's everything that anyone would want in a city. And I am going to come back here at some point. And I am going to come back to Kuala Lumpur as well. And I am going to go back to Langkawi too. I guess that what I am saying is that Malaysia is positively a place that one who is travelling should not skip over. No matter what!

On a more important than anything else I have mentioned side note. My little sister Jessica gave birth to her first baby boy on Monday, December 29th at 10pm. Ian Michael Lee Wright. 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and healthy. My wishes to be there are so strong but I know that my nephew and I will meet soon. And when we do, I am going to teach him the pull my finger trick, how to burp, how to rock out some air guitar, and who knows whatever else my obnoxious childlike side will bring out. All I know is that my heart is with him, my sister, and the rest of my family and friends constantly.

Happy New Year!!!
nate