Saturday, November 05, 2005

cK Goes To Malaysia! Part 1 of 4

Clubbing, sun, beach and lost luggage!!

Yes... they lost my luggage... but more on that later ---

So the trip begins. I drove from Toronto to Buffalo where I was catching a 1:20pm flight to Los Angeles on Delta. I arrived at the airport at 11:00am. I had plenty of time. I checked in, and boarded the plane. The plane didn't go anywhere. Apparently there was some leakage on an oil line which was delaying the plane from moving anywhere until it was checked out.

By 2pm, I'm still sitting there, hoping that they fix it so we can make my 6pm arrival time in Los Angeles.

3pm now rolls around and they just ground the plane. Delta puts me on the next flight to Los Angeles leaving at 5:30pm with a connection through Cincinnatti, Ohio. Now, I am scheduled to arrive in LA by 10:20pm. That is not good, my Singapore Airlines flight to Malaysia leaves LA at 11:30pm. There is still a slight chance I might make it, but its going to cut close.

On my way, I get a super front row seat -- I mean SEAT 1A.. it wasn't first class because it was on a small commuting plane. Beside me, I sit next to James Turk. A executive trainer who was in the Buffalo area doing executive training stuff to the Casino Niagara --on the US side. Anyways, during the connection in Cincinnati, we have a bite to eat at Outback Steakhouse.

As I was getting on the next flight.. I swore that I saw my luggage still on the tarmac. As my plane took off, I was hoping that I was wrong. I arrived into Los Angeles late, thanks to poor weather on the way. I enter the arrivals terminal and all of my best buds in Los Angeles are there to greet me to my surprise. Daniel, Alex, Arjun, Oscar, Raymond --- I couldn't believe it! They were there to see that my luggage didn't arrive, and without that, I would not be able to check into my Singapore Airlines flight in time.

So I ended up chilling out at my old place in LA and hang out with everyone. We drank beers and watched my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles DVD --- it was so cool to watch the old episodes!! I slept there and the guys took me to the airport in the morning. I checked into Singapore Airlines while Delta located my luggage and was sending it directly to Malaysia for me.

This was my first ever flight with the reknowned Singapore Airlines --- and while on the 12 hour flight to Japan, they made me realize I never actually "flew" before. The service was optimal --- I can't even express how first class they make you feel. Before takeoff, they give you a hot towel to um.... do whatever you do with a hot towel. The flight has unlimited beer and wine and the food is fantastic. Yes.. I said it!! Each seat has a pillow and blanket along with your own personal tv screen to either play a hundred games, watch over a hundred movies on demand.. it is just endless entertainment.

I first stop in Tokyo. While there during the one hour stopover, I meet another person on my flight -- who was from Canada! Her name was Ashley, from Calgary, Alberta. A makeup artist on her way to Australia to work for a year. Like myself, she has never been on a trip this long.

Well, the flight takes me from Japan to Singapore. I spent 8 hours in Singapore until my flight left at 8:30am. I arrived in Penang, Malaysia 2 hours earlier than expected.

Once I get there, I hang out until my friends, Sherita, Anoushka and Justin get me. Well, they do, and they take me for a little tour. Then they take me to have something to eat. I can't remember the exact spelling, but I had something called "Char Keow Tay".... it was really good.

I get back to my hotel, and rest up. I slept all the way until 10pm where I decide to go out and see some of the nightlife. The girls didn't come out with me because they were preparing for the wedding the next day. So I went solo.

I ended up going to a place called, CLUB SOHO in Georgetown. Entry was a 25 Ringgit charge that included one drink. Thats about maybe 5 or 6 bucks US...

Anyways, I had a great time. I met 2 German businessmen by the names of Guenter and Oliver. They were buying me drinks because they were getting hammered. The vibe of the place picked up around 12am. People were dancing all over the place. My 2 German buddies warned me that this particular club had a lot of "GIRLEY MEN" around.... and it took me a while to figure it out. Some I identified after, but I didn't care, they were funny. Everyone drank and danced. See if you can pick out the "GIRLY MEN" in the following pics at Club Soho.


TEKSI's in Georgetown, Penang	Club Soho	Club Soho around 11pm

Club Soho upper level	DJ JOEL with CK!	Bartenders on top level

12pm -- party's jumpin!	cK with GERMANS! Guenter and Oliver	Guenter and Oli

Ummm... She's a HE	yep.. and SHE's a HE too!	Cheers anyways

This guy was cool	Chillin -- posing	look at those shoulders!

Yep, those are guys	Yes...ALL of them!	Cigarette Girl!

Cigars with the Germans	Real GIRLS!! Thats Sasha (right) and a cute friend	The group and Jenny!

Jenny (yes, she's a girl) and cK in a TEKSI	view from my hotel	view from my hotel

another hotel view	beach shots	another beach shot

That's me!	seashells!	more seashells!

seashells litter the beach	view of Georgetown	distant view of Georgetown