Saying a fond farewell to the last day of the year.
Bring on 2010! See you all on the other side.
Sometimes they chin:
Getting home was a 24-hour affair. We were exhausted to begin with, and then with ridiculous layovers and delays, by the time we got home we were pretty much zombies. Click through to see the bigger versions of any of the photos.
KLIA is a gorgeous airport, even through tired eyes.
Even the fast food restaurants are fashionable.
At the end of November, there were beautiful decorations everywhere.
Then life becomes a blur of airports for a while.
Such a wonderful sight.
Delays, delays, and more delays.
There is nothing in the world like a Turkish sunset.
Thus ends an exhilarating and eventful thirteen days.
Closeted laundry is the worst:
Day eleven was our big day out in Kuala Lumpur. We were in KL primarily to chill with friends rather than for sightseeing; nonetheless we did want to have one day where we went around and looked at things. We certainly were not disappointed.
As usual, click through to see the bigger versions of any of the photos.
First stop: beef noodles for brunch.
Second stop: Central Market.
Not really sure what makes a square scarf “Turkish,” but the scarves were pretty anyway.
Red patent leather corset.
Packing into the old-fashioned elevator at the Central Market Annexe.
A mind-blowing exhibition by Chang Yoong Chia.
As in Turkey, dilapidation and opulence in Kuala Lumpur are neighbours.
A female photographer always attracts attention, but two? Look out.
I love the mix of cultures in KL.
Ah, there’s the money shot.
We made a last-minute detour to the Batu Caves.
272 steps in all.
Those who climb the steps are rewarded with beauty.
Late dinner at Fat One Steamboat was beyond excellent.
Vegetarians need not apply.
Final episode tomorrow!
From the self-esteem section of the baby store:
Days eight, nine, and ten were a bit slower than our previous pace— we were already exhausted, and preparing for the shift from Thailand to Malaysia. We decided to take it easy for a while.
The last day in Chiang Mai pretty much came to a standstill, thanks to food poisoning (Emirhan) and exhaustion (me). I didn’t manage to make it out of the room until evening, and Emirhan didn’t go out at all.
See you later, Chiang Mai. You were good to us.
Hello Kuala Lumpur!
Right from the beginning, we could see that things were different here. The architecture was gorgeous.
Our view on the way to the suburbs. Ace.
Our good friend Adrianna Tan generously offered us her home as accommodation. It’s a wonderful place, full of nice touches.
We spent the day just hanging out.
She was definitely one of the highlights of the day. So friendly and full of personality.
And of course, as soon as she was in she wanted to go out again. Typical.
Hey, why have you let me out? I want to come back in again. I promise this is the last time.
Tomorrow: big day out in Kuala Lumpur!
Black beans of doom:
Day seven was epic— more temples and a trip up the mountain to Doi Suthep, followed by the Chiang Mai night bazaar. Click through on any of the photos for larger versions.
The homeless issue in Thailand is at a crisis point.
Wat Pahn Ohn is Chiang Mai’s best kept secret. Even the gardens demonstrate amazing attention to detail.
Bells at Doi Suthep.
View of Chiang Mai from Doi Suthep.
Thai cats are incredibly friendly, but I left this one alone since he seemed to be so comfortable.
Night bazaar.
Next, we say goodbye to Thailand and hello to Malaysia.
D, as in…
