The Misadventures of Joey Tafuro

While I sit here in Bangkok escaping the insane heat (97F with a UV index of +10 bringing the feels like temperature to 116F) I ponder the length of my trip. I have made it halfway. 90 days and counting. At times it feels like 3 more months is a long time and other times it feels like it will fly by. Times haven’t all been good but they haven’t all been bad either. Maybe it is time to look back. This is my blog’s version of a clip show. Enjoy…

FAVORITE MOMENTS:

The first long distance trip in Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar where I got to see the countryside and felt like I had a true African experience.

Hanging out with the Australian guys in Bahir Dar and Gondar, Ethiopia.

Daisy and I missing our stop in Ruhengeri and having to hitch a ride on the back of a kids bicycle to get back into town.

Trekking through the jungle in Rwanda search of the mountain gorillas.

Hanging out in Ruhengeri and Gisenyi, Rwanda with Daisy drinking Mutzigs.

The day trip into Goma, DR Congo and getting to see UN, UNICEF and other aid organizations.

Smiling kids in DR Congo pointing and yelling MZUNGU!!!

Going to the drum and bass club in Singapore with Shawn.

Going to the top of KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur and seeing the view of the city with the Petronas Towers.

Wondering Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur.

Hanging out at Red Dragon Hostel in Kuala Lumpur watching movies and drinking cheap beer with other travelers.

Playing pool with Nadia in Georgetown, Penang.

Feeling the anticipation of the full moon party on the ferry from the mainland to Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand.

Meeting Apple in Chiang Mai.

Getting to experience a traditional northern Thai wedding.

WORST MOMENTS:

Realizing I didn’t have enough money to see all the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela and get back to Addis Ababa.

Getting sick in Lalibela.

Bus ride from Lalibela to Dessie, Ethiopia.

The realization that ATMs are not widespread in Rwanda.

The plane ride from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam.

Shawn busting his toe in Singapore and having to go to the hospital the next day.

Getting sick the day of the Beastie Boys concert in Singapore.

Hungover in Kuala Lumpur too many times.

The “accident” in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand.

The after effects of the “accident” being felt for a full month after. Including infection, hygene and the inability to be in the sun.

Food poisoning in Chiang Mai.

SOME COOL PEOPLE THAT I HAVE MET:

Mick and Craig, the Aussies in Ethiopia.

Kid in Bahir Dar that gave me a free smoothie from his family’s shop plus his Ethiopian wristband.

Kid on the bus ride from Lalibela to Dessie and his friends who shared their food with me.

Dutch guys in Zanzibar.

The group of Canadians in Kuala Lumpur.

Apple in Chiang Mai.

Marisa’s family and friends at the wedding in Chiang Mai.

BEST SCENERY:

Seeing Ethiopians walking on the side of the street, hearding livestock, cooking out of their huts and waving to people driving by.

The mountains just south of Dessie in Ethiopia en route to Addis Ababa.

Just about every sight in Rwanda. The volcano national park and the drive from Gisenyi back to Kigali.

Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo outside of Goma.

Pongwe Beach Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Kuala Lumpur skyline with the Petronas Towers and the green throughout the city.

The drive from Penang, Malaysia north to the Thai border.

The drive from the Thai border to Hat Yai, Thailand.

Hong Kong’s cityscape.

CURRENT LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I think I have found the city that will try and crack my top 2 favorites in the world. New York City and New Orleans. I had pretty high expectations for this city and so far a full day into my stay here and I those expections have been reached. I am a sucker for tall buildings and impressive skylines. While the skyline itself doesn’t touch New York City its Petronas Towers and KL Tower give it a unique experience. From 1997 to 2003 they were the world’s tallest towers. Today they are still ranked in the top 3.

Ok enough of the history lesson. I can now check off another one of my ‘things to do before I die’. I was like a little kid on the bus ride into the city. I had the entire back row to myself and I kept jumping from left window to the right window in order to catch my first glimpse of the towers. The first thing I did after I dropped my bags off in my room was head out in search of KL Tower (4th highest communications tower in the world). I walked about 3 blocks up the road and the street was coned off and there was security standing around with a crowd of onlookers. I wasn’t sure what it was at first and usually large crowds and security could mean some sort of political gathering and that isn’t something I wanted to get involved in. I asked around and was briefed on the situation. I was standing in the location of the final lap of Tour de Langkawi. I’ve never heard of it either but it is a pretty big international cycling race. Within in minutes the sirens sounded and police motorcycle escorts turned the corner and the pack of racers came.

After the spectacle ended I headed towards KL Tower. I didn’t really ask around for what was the best approach to getting there and I had a map so I figured I would give it a go. I ended up on the back end of Bukit Nanas Hill, which is the hill that KL Tower sits on. I went through the back of a restaurant where a jungle trail started and headed up the steps. It took me about 20 minutes to reach the base of the tower. The entire time I was wondering why I was the only one here. I soon found out that there was another route up by free shuttle on the other side of the hill that was actually closer to where I started. Oh well, the trail was nice.

The great thing about Kuala Lumpur is how green it is. There are several forest reserves within the city limits itself so amongst all the tall skyscrapers and bustling city you have lush green forest and pretty sizable ones at that. The hill itself is home to several monkey species although I didn’t see any myself.

Once inside the tower and after paying $5 I was whisked to the top and armed with an mp4 player that gave a great presentation of each view that you get from the top. KL Tower is THE place to go for a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur. Petronas Towers are impressive but they only allow you to go up 41 floors to the sky bridge that connects the 2 towers and you are only allowed 10 minutes. Sitting on top of the hill and at 282 meters, the observation deck of KL Tower lets you actually look slightly down on Petronas Towers since you are technically above them. The view was so good. I’ll let the pictures to the describing on this one.

(Petronas Towers taken from KL Tower)

(Menara Telekom in the distance. God approving of Kuala Lumpur)

After getting my fill of downtown KL it was time to head back to China Town. I wanted to find a better room. The place I got last night was close to the bus station and conveinent for walking purposes but it was loud and polluted. I found a place called Red Dragon Hostel and told them I would be arriving this morning. I then hit up the Chinese Central Market and for the 4th straight day I shopped. I didn’t think I would be doing this much shopping and so far it has all been practicle items like t-shirts, sun glasses etc. Last nights purchase was a new Diesel Bag. Sorry mom, I had to ditch the Adidas. I wanted something that was more of a street bag so that I had a place for my guide book, journal and camera and didn’t have to walk around with a big shoulder bag. This is more urban and more casual. The best part is that it only cost me $9. Malaysia has been very nice on my budget. I have been able to spend $30-35 per day here while shopping at the same time. Food is cheap as long as I stick to food stalls and night markets, however, I can still splurge on items here and there. As well as a couple of tall bottles of Tiger beer.

Speaking of which, at the bus station in Melaka before heading to KL there was an A&W fast food restaurant. I had promised no more fast food for awhile but with rootbeer out of a frosty mug sitting there waiting to be had by me, I couldn’t resist. I had been craving rootbeer for awhile and this was my chance so I took it. I think my next fast food will be a Long John Silvers I saw in Singapore. I’ll be good until then and stick with mostly local food. I have noticed that I feel better eating safer in the afternoon and then ordering randomly in the evening. I figure if something is going to hit my stomach right away I’d rather be back at the hotel and not walking around the city. I have been pretty good with the spicey stuff so far and I think I am beginning to aquire a taste. It may take a few more weeks to really settle in and be comfortable with the food. By that time I will probably be heading into Thailand to start the process all over again.

(Fried noodles, chicken, veggies and some spicey stuff)

I wandered around China Town a bit more after dinne and found myself at another streetside restaurant. I ordered a few beers and wrote in my journal. I enjoyed sitting back and taking in the location. I really like it here and it has only been one full day. I can’t really explain it and I’m not sure if it just the dreamer in me talking but I expected to like Kuala Lumpur long before arriving here. Years before arriving here and quite possibly a decade before arriving here.

To cap off an excellent day while eating beef and chicken skewers 3 local musicians came up on the street and performed. They played From Me To You by the Beattles. 2 acoustic guitars (one with a harmonica) and then a tamborine player who sang with them. It was great. I have no problem tipping for good performances so in went my 5 rinngit ($1.5 US). I pulled one of the singers over and asked him if they had a website or if they performed anywere else. He said they show up every night around the same time at this restaurant. I asked where I could catch some live music and he invited me along with them on Friday night to a club. If I am still here on Friday I will definitely be joining them.

I am now sitting at the Red Dragon Hostel in China Town. I want to give a quick plug because this place is excellent. Clean rooms and extremely helpful staff and all the rooms are tucked in the back away from the street which is a rarity while traveling to get that kind of quiet accommodation.

I uploaded A LOT of photos to my FLICKR account yesterday so check them out!

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