Just before we left for our holiday, we received a care package from our good friends in Kuala Lumpur. J sent me the most beautiful things, like a woven box filled with teas (lemongrass, lychee with rose, ginger, and a special Nanjing tea,) a beautiful Malaysian batik table runner, a hand-painted papier-mâché bracelet, as well as some beautiful silver accessories. She is very thoughtful.

I really miss my friends and hope that we can visit again soon!


[1. c. lynn]

 

We had such an amazing time at the Shangri-la Rasa Ria resort in KK. The wedding went off without a hitch and everything was so beautiful. J and K had their short ceremony on the beach at sunset with all of their friends and family looking on. The celebration that followed was really fun with traditional Malaysian dances, several courses of food, and a yummy ginger cake.

I learned quite a bit about wedding day madness and was able to be J's right hand while she readied herself. I even had the chance to drive her—wedding dress and all—to the altar in a golf cart after we started to run late. You just never know what you'll learn on holiday!

[1. keith marlow]

I know that I already addressed the amazing fruit in Malaysia, but it just keeps getting better. My fiance picked up this juicy mango from a stall in Kota Kinabalu. It had been picked that day and was warm from the equatorial sun. It was absolutely divine. 

[1. c. lynn]

One of the most delicious Malay Chinese street foods in Jalan Alor is chili crab, which is a dish that originated in Singapore. The crab is stir-fried in a chili and tomato-based sauce that is slightly sweet and tangy. It is a messy dish that requires you to throw your table manners out the window. There's finger-licking, shell-cracking, leg-slurping, and lots of happy people. It is a beautiful thing.

[1. yoodz]

J and K took us on a tour of the Butterfly Park and the KL Bird Park here in Kuala Lumpur. It was neat to see so many varieties of bird and insects that we will hopefully get to see in the wild. I managed to take some photographs before the rainstorms came.


[1-3. c. lynn]

I have been darting in and out of taxis all over Kuala Lumpur with J finalizing her wedding arrangements and sitting in on final dress fittings. She's been a busy lady getting all of the details taken care of and her insights have been really helpful. I cannot wait for the wedding!


[1. 'smil]

There are so many new types of fruit to try in KL. Lychee, rambutan, papaya, and mangosteen—I love them all, but I am obsessed with mangosteen. I can eat through bags of them.

The one fruit that I do not have a taste for is durian. This strong smelling fruit smells distinctly of rotten onions, which has led many hotels and transportation stations to prohibit it as many find it distasteful. I pride myself in having an adventurous palate, but after one bite of a durian-filled chocolate cake, I had to reach for several glasses of water to try to flush the taste from my mouth. The aroma and flavor are very persistent, so take caution. 


[1-3. c. lynn]

After meeting K and J at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, we decided to go out for Indonesian food at a popular Malaysian chain called Bumbu Desa. I've really only had Indonesian food once in Amsterdam and was excited to try it again. We ordered a bunch of little plates including a deep-fried whole fish with a tangy and sweet sauce, sticky rice steamed in a banana leaf, spicy marinated beef, a yellow curry chicken leg, and something that tasted like Indonesia nachos. It was very interesting. We washed it all down with watermelon water (without sugar—it's important to specify because here in KL, they like their drinks sweet!).

Although, the restaurant did not serve alcohol (there are strict government regulations concerning alcohol), we were able to order a beer tower at a bar in the Petronas Towers. I'm surprised that these aren't more common in the states. It's like have your own personal tap at your table.

[1. Travelific]

EXPEDITION BORNEO from Eric Huyton on Vimeo.

We are really getting excited about our upcoming trip to Japan, Malaysia, and the rain forests of Borneo. Here's some amazing footage of the wildlife that we'll hopefully encounter. Well, minus the river snakes.


[1. Eric Huyton, 2. google map]

We have big plans coming up to visit our friends in Malaysia for a vow renewal this September. There are a lot of details to iron out, but I'm looking forward to formulating our plan. It looks like we'll be spending some time in Tokyo before swinging over to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu and I couldn't be more excited.

[1. Rasa Ria]