Malaysia

Reports

Crocodiles and Cowboys in Melaka, The Brave New World in Shanghai

My last week in Malaysia is a zoo, which explains the gibbon, python, lions, tigers, and how I came to grab a saltwater crocodile by its tail. By the time the Colours of Malaysia parade explodes into fireworks, the world press is suitably corrupted, cowboys lose their cool, and I’m signing autographs. Magnetically levitating into China, I discover the sordid history, steamy present ,and explosive future of Shanghai.

read report

Goodbye India, Hello Malaysia

There’s one more challenge to face before leaving India, and that doesn’t include a night in jail with cockroaches as dinner companions. My adventure to the Taj Mahal sums up India, with all its scams, characters, follies and beauty. Off to Kuala Lumpur, shocked by a modern city with no trash, no horns, and buildings straight out of Bladerunner. Further north in Penang, I visit Willy Wonka’s Fruit Farm, the largest Buddhist temple in SE Asia, and come face to face with monster bugs.

read report

Kota Bharu to Terengganu

Rain almost delays play in Kota Bharu, where the monsoon season and Ramadan create a “right place, wrong time” atmosphere. Fortunately, zipping by speedboat through SE Asia’s biggest lake in Terengganu produces just the thrill, along with spooky caves, natural jacuzzis, local markets, friendly guides and the sensational Malay cuisine. I ponder Bird flu, English soccer, guano, Islam and jungle parties in a lake forest, this week of wandering and wondering.

read report

Monkeying Around in Borneo

First I have to pack the emotional baggage of Vancouver, overcome post-travel depression and put plans afoot to get back in the worldeness. Then it’s off to North Borneo, where the jet lag helps with the World Cup, and I can turn my attention to climbing Southeast Asia’s tallest peak, rescuing sea turtles on a beautiful tropical island, and search for my Clyde at an orangutan sanctuary. It’s hot and wet, but unlike the soccer, nothing to kill yourself over.

read report

A Catch-22 in the Urban Jungle

Deep in the Borneon jungle, I float on a boat in search of infamously horny monkeys, dodging batshit in priceless caves before arriving in Kuala Lumpur to live beyond my station. Soon enough, I’m petting scorpions and iguanas, dancing next to shark tanks, dodging creepy Saudis in the spa, while dreaming of flight in tights. I ponder beauty, buffets, bastards and firebugs, all the way to the historical Malaysian town of Malacca.

read report

Eat, Sleep, Play

Malaysia stands apart in Modern Gonzo for a couple of reasons. read more

Finish the Sentence

read all in Malaysia

Gonzo Gallery in Malaysia

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

view full gallery

Tweet