After visiting Bangladesh and India I made a quick escape to Thailand and Malaysia for a little over a month. I promised to visit an Indian friend at his home in Kerala state in the middle of February but didn’t want to remain in India until then so flew to Bangkok to spend some time lounging in an a far calmer and more organized environment.
The Indian subcontinent presents an endless menu of colour, interest and adventure but it’s an intense and imperfect place. Fleeing to the quiet, calm, order and cleanliness of Thailand and Malaysia was just what the doctor ordered.
I’ve been to both countries before, several times. Thailand is for the independent traveler a dream. It’s by and large clean and tidy, calm and organized. The food is outstanding and available in unlimited quantities nearly everywhere. People are courteous and polite but not overly warm or overbearing. Transportation is plentiful and efficient and hotels and guest houses offer terrific value.
Malaysia is also efficient and tidy and has a slightly different flavor, due mainly to the diversity of its people. Chinese, Malay and Indians live side by side throughout the country, mostly in harmony from what I can tell.
If I had to choose I’d say I prefer Thailand, but they’re both interesting and worthwhile places to visit. Both countries are easy going, and independent travel is straightforward, rewarding and trouble free.
Here’s a quick collection of some of the photos from Thailand and Malaysia. To see these shots and more, check out my photos on SmugMug, here.
Coffee, Thai style. 
Fisherman at the docks, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. 
Afternoon in Tao Poon, Bangkok. 
Beach at Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. 
Street scene, Yaowarat Road, Bangkok. 
Locals relaxing over a beer in Surat Thani, Thailand. 
Buddhist temple, Petchaburi, Thailand. 
Chinese temple, Songkhla, Thailand 
Surat Thani street food. Yum! 
Taiping Lake Gardens, Taiping, Malaysia. 
Restaurant district, Ipoh, Malaysia. 
A collection of street art from Ipoh, Malaysia. 
Preparing for the lunch crowd, Alor Setar, Malaysia. 
Block H, Housing Complex, Alor Setar, Malaysia. 
Kuala Lumpur shopping, Malaysia. 
Chinese cultural center, Ipoh, Malaysia.
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Nice blog Andrew. I’m really looking forward to south East Asia come September. I’m currently at 12,000 feet altitude on my way down to Kathmandu after 28 days exhausting trekking in the Everest region. I’ve 6 days to go! I really need a shower… And many beers to celebrate. Will write a blog when I get back to Kathmandu in a week or so. The beauty of these massive mountains is unbelievable. Cheers Simon
On Sun, 17 Mar 2019, 23:30 Andrew Wilson – Resting With Old Man, wrote:
> arjwilson posted: ” After visiting Bangladesh and India I made a quick > escape to Thailand and Malaysia for a little over a month. I promised to > visit an Indian friend at his home in Kerala state in the middle of > February but didn’t want to remain in India until then so flew” >
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Always love the world through your eyes. Never stop travelling ❤
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Nice photos !
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