Turn to Series I ! Turn to Series II & III Series IV. Cleanliness and Sanitation -- In my eyes, Malaysia was cleaner. Why? Because I came from the Philippines! But when I happened to spend some time here in Europe, I have realized it's not that clean after all. I have seen a big rat as big as a cat crossing the street down Jalan Pudu one rainy day. And just a few blocks from Pudu Raya bus station, there was a pile of stinking garbage let out in the open beside the street. When it comes to rivers, I have seen one near Jalan India and it was the same brown river I have seen in the Philippines. In short, not very clean. One thing I appreciate though: the rest rooms. Even though there was a RM0.20 fee to use the restroom, the restrooms have abundant supply of water and handwash inside those toilets. There is also at least one maintenance person inside each ceratin resroom who mops and cleans it. Ohhh.. and if you don't have any tissue/toilet paper with you, it's another RM0.20 or 0.30 for you to shell out.

Series V. The Tropics and the Petroleum Beaches -- Was it bad luck? Or was it a spell? I cannot think of any better explanation why the only beaches we were able to visit and the beaches that were supposed to be enjoying at in Malaysia are all having oil refineries in the vicinity. First, at the Straightview Lodge in Melaka that if we go at the shore, the Petronas refinery smiled and said hello to us! Another is in Port Dickson where the supposed to be white/cream colored sand that the Sunshine beach has, has oil residues in it making the sand instead grayish.

Bronze silky skin is your dream? I find it perfect to take it from Malaysian sun. I find the sun rays in the place perfect for those who want to get tanned. Yes, because my partner has still his forehead brown after six months! You can say it's incredible but I agree with you... the sun burned his forehead! What I mean is, if you plan to get tanned, it is best in Malaysia but with proper uniform exposure to the body. Don't let it burn only your nose or your forehead. This usually happens even without direct sun contact if one is outdoors and the temperature is high.

I too have my own fair share of having sun burns and tanned left body side. The right side remained fair when we walked our way to Port Dickson center and the sun was shining on the left side. I got my left shoulder burned and my left face and my left outer leg was also more brown than the other side.
Turn to Series I ! Turn to Series II & III

| Turn to Series II & III, On Directions and Food Choices | Turn to Series IV and Series IV, On Cleanliness and Beaches|--This series, I used to author it and submitted this review to a certain travel site. Since I posted it more than a year ago, I deem it is fair enough to post it here in y travel blog as well. This series is divided into 8 parts and one part is posted every two days from the first day of posting. Watch out and be guided when you plan to travel n Malaysia. Don't forget to enjoy as well.... Series I. Security and Freedom in this Truly Asian Country ... "Malaysia, truly Asia." Does this phrase sound familiar to you? If your answer is yes, maybe you might have seen the tourism advertisement in some international TV channels as promoted and spoken by Michelle Yeoh. And if you have not heard of the phrase I was referring to, it's all right. At least now you know. When I was still in my home country, the Philippines, these advertisements on the television never really mattered to me, not until I came to see Malaysia. At first, when I arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Terminal Airport, it seems to be all normal for me. People who looks like me, with my color, with my nose and with almost all like myself. It is because I am a Filipina and we are of the same Malay race. What really caught my attention is the freedom I witnessed. There are no security guards around with long and heavy guns and we could simply slip in and out of the door. The scenario was totally different from Philippine establishments full or door guards with large guns, not only in airports and banks but also to small establishments earning 20 euros a day!. Despite this situation, the place(the KL terminal) was so tranquil and safe, visible with the fact that passengers simply lye down anywhere in the terminal and take their nap while waiting for either threir flights or buses.

The Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur. I have been in this tower at least thrice to try my luck of enlisting myself to be one among those who could cross the twin towers' bridge but always with no luck!

Others who are not comfortable just sitting or lying around spend their time at the Asian Kitchen. Others at McDonalds and those who loves coffee go to Coffe Bean.

In the cities, I never saw anyone with a gun, even the policemen. One time, when we were at Kota Raya mall, a group of police officers were checking identification cards from a suspicious looking malaysian group of youngsters, but they never had a gun! I was really surprised because the presence of guns in the Philippines is pretty normal.

| Turn to Series II & III, On Directions and Food Choices | Turn to Series IV and Series IV, On Cleanliness and Beaches|

I have big regrets! I was not able to take my camera with me before going to Puerto Galera. No pictures, no images, no videos, nothing. I had a lovers' quarrel before going there and the preparation was not so good. But it was worth it, we still went there together. The only bad thing is, we don't have evidence that we did aside from few phone videos and images that I do not remember where are now.

Looking back, that was last year. The planned weekend stay lasted till Tuesday and I had to call my office back that I had an extended weekend. Anyway,that was cool. I have to share my experience here.

The Good Before the Bad
1. The place is of course relaxing. I was really able to wind up after having so heavy work from the office as we had a big engagement to monetarily assess the business our client wanted to acquire that time. In fact, the supposed trip should have been earlier if the work was lighter but it was not.

2. The people are friendly but since I was with a Caucasian, we just watched out for so many tricks to solicit money or to overcharge in any way possible.

3. The beach was of course amazing, although I have to say it goes down deep so quickly (no wide area for not so deep portion). I am talking about WhiteBeach. Or maybe it was only my imagination coz I just stand five feet tall?

4. The food? As for me, I have no complains. For him, he loves San Miguel Beer but for the food, he's too choosy and could not stand Filipino food. He has his own distinct food choice being born son of restaurant owner parents.

5. It was a great trip for a couple like us. But I have to say I am someone who likes to assess things fairly and after presenting to you a very good "good portion", now I move on to many things I disapprove.


The Bad After the Good
1. It was 5 cents away from heaven if travelled by road. It was windy and he could not stand taking the motor boat from batangas and so we took the fast (not so fast) ferry to Calapan, took a tricycle to Puerto Galera jeepney terminal and took a jeepney from there to Whitebeach. The roads were appalling, wet, muddy and you can only imagine. That was NO NO for he governemnt who expects tourism in the place!

2. No regulation in local fares. Tricycle drivers are so abusive. They charge as high as they want. We even saw two Korean ladies paying one whole Php1,000 bill and got a change of Php 200 for a trip from the town to whitebeach when in fact, the regular fair could be around 10-15 only. In fact we were also a victim of this when we hired a tricycle (motorcycle with a sidecoach) because initial bid was 300 per person to go to another beach but snce we are both accountans, we were able to manage to contract 150 for two of us and that was even more than okay for the cost of living there.

3. No possibility of privacy! We tried to go anywhere along the shoreline to be alone at times. But everytime, people really do not understand. Still, kids, old ladies, young men, anyone flocked to us to sell beads, pearls, old coins, massage, tour, anything! It was a very annoying portion of the gateaway! We were just there, could not be alone and take some quiet moments while we were there. Anyway, I was able to get some pearl sets and a massage, and a this and a that... Or should I say, I bought that "anything"? I was not that Accountant at times! Sigh.....


In total, the trip was not that bad. The bad road was just part of the adventure. The exploitation is part of tourism industry as well as forced sale of stuffs is a marketing tactic, right? So better be patient at times. People have needs and wants, that is why. Hmmm.. should I go back there? I think for now I better explore other places if I go back in Philippines. I want to set my feet in 7 continents, hopefully, before I die. And to the Philippine Government, still a lot more to do to reach progress.

When I was in Malaysia for at least two weeks, I have observed that there was a difficulty in finding a restaurant with a complete set of drinks like liquors and wines. The same is so with beer.

Beers and other vices products are very relatively expensive with other goods, especially when compared with food. It is because Malaysia is an Islamic country and even their promotional brochures tells that the general Muslim public do not drink liquors or wines or beers. Cigarettes are also relatively expensive.



A good piece of advice to those who lan to visit Malaysia is to ask first at restaurants if they have beers or liquors. Generally, only Chinese restaurants have these drinks. Islamic and Hindu restaurants do not have.