Emails from Malasia 1 | 2

From: "Angie Eng" <angie_eng@hotmail.com>
To: mailing list
Subject: Where am I?
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 07:38:22 -0400

Where am I?

Kuching, Sawarak Malaysia (formerly Borneo)...

Kunming (China) meets Penang and runs through South Street Seaport. A green Chinatown topped with Muslim and Hindu delight. Across the street is the state mosque which resembles the Emerald City at sunset. A surprise/disappointment as the LP guidebook describes her as 'the most beautiful town in all of South East Asia'. This comment makes me suspicious that the editors received tips from city officials. Along the waterfront youth and local tourists plow through the sidewalk sipping lai-chi and coconut juice while chomping on chicken satay. The silence of the water broken by pop singers on stage. The local mom and pop's stores are interrupted by an A & W restaurant. 1960's 2 story block buildings rule the winding streets lined with palm trees and manicured bushes. The Hilton Hotel towers above the semi-urban landscape. She's a bit like Bangkok without the pollution and population. Once again another asian town grown too big for her britches with pedestrian traffic left to fend for themselves through an obstacle course. Chinese characters populate street signage and I have yet to learn the names of the food, resorting to using the point method. Sitting along the traffic, I am wondering why I'm sitting on the outskirts of the heart of Borneo, not missing the mosquitoes, but wanting to be in the jungle again.


We made it with our pink gloves climbing Mt. Kinabalu, 15,000 feet. Thanks to Lonely Planet tips on what to bring.

xoxo...angie, running in and out of the trees