Taj Mahal - the perfect end to a great adventure

Soon it was time to leave Madurai and begin the long journey home and I knew that no trip would be complete without a trip to the Taj Mahal. Since I was flying out of New Delhi, I planned a turbo charged 3 days in India's capital city.

It is easy to see why the Taj Mahal is one of the Great Wonders of the World.

It was built by the grief stricken Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 as a monument/shrine to remember his third wife that had died in the birth of the 14^th child.   This romantic story compels you to go and visit but the amazing carving and Islamic architecture makes it so visually stunning that you want to stay a while and look around.

Visiting the Taj involved leaving the hotel at 5.30 and catching a train for 3 hours journey. It was great to see some of the Indian countryside and since I had flown in late the night before from Madurai via Chennai also catch up on sleep.

Just before Agra, it was interesting to see dozens of locals taking part in their “morning constitutional” in direct view of the passing trains and without embarrassment or shame.

Chaos greeted the train from Delhi but luckily I had joined an organised tour which was probably a good thing since by that stage I wasn’t really in the mood for bartering with taxi drivers, finding my way etc.   

It was nice to visit other sites in the immediate area. We visited several forts and while they weren’t as famous as the Taj, they were equally as exquisite. The emperor that had built these buildings had 3 wives and had different suites (with different styles or architecture) made for each of his beloveds.

Soon enough it was time to make the trip back to Delhi and after finally getting home at 11 pm, I soon fell into a deep sleep and dreamt of magnificent buildings and having a prince charming build a wonderful monument in my memory.

But soon it was time to get up again and check out more of Delhi. First was a walking tour of Old Delhi where we explored some of the tiny back streets of this bustling city. We saw many vendors trying to peddle their wedding invitation services as well as a Mosque and Hindu Temple. As usual, I was stared at by many locals as if they had never seen a short white girl with a limp before but by that stage I had got used to it.  

Since I had a midnight flight, I managed to squeeze in an evening cooking class before heading home. By this stage I was tired and my brain was bursting at the seams with impressions and memories of what would soon become a far away and exotic place. But it was still great to be invited into a local’s home to see how they prepare their evening meal.

But as the time to leave soon arrived and I had to make a mad dash across Delhi to the airport and start the long journey home. During this really tedious process I often hoped that one day I could return to this interesting country and get to know it even better.

But until then India, thank you and see you later!!!   

Visiting the Great Wall of China early one Sunday morning

Going to Great Wall of China required getting up early. At first I thought the tour that I had booked was a group one but since it was the middle of winter and Beijing had been experiencing lots of smog that reduced visibility, I was the only one. The day started early with a long drive from Beijing to the Great Wall with the temperature dropping to -5 but thankfully the car was warm and so it didn’t feel too bad.

When the guide asked me if I wanted to climbed the 400 steps or take the ski lift up I eagerly chose the steps but the ski lift option soon became more attractive but by that time it was too late. The only benefit to climb up to the wall was that it was a great way to keep warm.

After the little exercise session we got to the top and the effort to climb all those steps was so worth it. Since it was early on a Sunday morning, the wall seemed deserted. It was also so quiet, except for the clucking of several chickens and later someone singing Italian opera.

It was great to learn more about the history of the wall and that it was built to keep the Mongolians out and the Chinese in rather than to keep the rabbits out. It was also built as a mode of getting soldiers from one part of the country to another.

After a few hours of enjoying the amazing view it was ready for lunch which was the usual rice and a few local dishes which was really nice and so much nicer than traditional English food which is so bland.

On the way home we stopped for a massage which was a perfect way to sooth sore feet and legs after vaulting up (and down) 400 steps.

Luckily, Monday’s little adventure around Beijing didn’t involve getting up super early but it did involve visiting the Forbidden City, Temple of Haven and Tiananmen Square, all of which were very interesting and Tiananmen Square was especially moving. We didn’t really talk about the square much; I guess the Chinese Government don’t want it discussed that much.

 Tiananmen Square

The trip back was equally much of an adventure. Trying to get a correct ticket was a nightmare but it was great to travel back to Shanghai with the super fast train that goes up to 30o km per hour and links two of Asia's biggest train stations. 

I got home at 1 am, totally exhausted but happy that it was such a great final weekend in China.  

Journey ends via Singapore

It feels strange when such an amazing experience comes to an end; I was expecting to get serious re-entry culture shock but since I had some work lined up with a Member of Parliament the transition was little smoother.

Singapore was a great place to finish up as it was so clean and calm. People often say that it is like Perth but I can't see the similarities other than they are both clean but Singapore has an elegance and panash that Perth lacks. It was also the last time to get some decent food before going back to a western diet.

I've been back 3 weeks now and it has been nice to see the folks and friends as well as to finally have access to good coffee but as I reminisce about my time in Malaysia, I begin to plan my next adventure. I just can't help it!

The benefits of interning in Malaysia

Malaysia truly Asia

As Malaysia is one of Australia’s closest neighbours and trading partners, an understanding of its culture and contacts will stand you in good stead for your future career. With its standard of living being lower than Australia’s makes being an intern or student here more affordable.

Kuala Lumpur's geographic location and its home to Air Asia makes it an excellent base to explore other parts of Asia during your time off or at the end of your internship.

Accommodation was a big problem. There are several options including websites with people looking for flatmates. Depending on the location of your placement, staying in university accommodation could be an option but make sure you give your self plenty time because those spots fill fast. There are also plenty of serviced apartments and while they are more expensive (some are cheaper than the Australia equivalent they are a good place to stay if you are really stuck. While finding somewhere to stay may seem a little daunting, the process defiantly adds to the satisfaction of knowing that you can make it overseas.  

But whatever happens, you will have an amazing time is this interesting part of the world!!

Pearls of the Orient: Discovering Asia's Pearl Necklace I

Many places in Asia seem to refer to themselves as "pearls of the orient" and at first I thought that there had to be only one but after second thoughts there is no reason why there couldn't be a string of one pearls to make up a necklace

An unexpected beak in my internship programme was a great opportunity for a spontaneous trip to Hong Kong. Luckily, there were tickets available for the following day's flight and soon enough I was flying out to Hong Kong and very excited to explore this great metropolis.

A quick and hassle free transit was a pleasant change from the usual KL dramas filled ones and set a positive tone for the next 5 days.

The day began with a quick coffee at the local coffee which actually wasn't bad considering it wasn't Australia. The following few hours were spent hopelessly lost exploring Sheung Wan with its meandering streets and with shops selling Chinese herbs and medicines while giving out a very potent smell.

Next stop was The Peak which was a great way to appreciate the sprawling sky line and defiantly lived up to its name.

Hong Kong Museum and Art Gallery truly transported you back in time and took you on a journey through history was also done. A beer from Belgium in a German Beer Cafe with Balinese Decor and French Cafe music on Hanoi Street was a good way to finish off a day sightseeing.

With so little time in this fabulous city, every minute was accounted far. A trip to Kowloon was planned for day II and the local park was explored with its Tai Chi practicing locals and amazing horticulture.

Soon it was the start of another day and there more parks to visit and places to explore. The Tea Museum was great and it was good to be reminded that the Chinese had a handle on tea long before the British

The next adventure was a trip to Macau. You only seem to hear about Macau's casinos but there is so much more to do and see than gamble. With its Portuguese history, it could really be any part of Europe with it winding streets and old buildings but the Chinese writing and lanterns defiantly remind you that you're in China. On a few occasions you would see things written in English, Portuguese and Chinese which was challenge to my previously held opinion that it was only the Swiss that had 3 dominant languages.

Dinner at an Irish Pub with friends from Perth and the light show that lights up the sky line was the perfect way to end a trip to a pearls of the orient.

Soon it was time to go back to Kuala Lumpur and leave this cosmopolitan city. Being a city girl through and through seeing the skyline through and through brought a tear to my eye but I will be back.

Pearls of the Orient: discovering Asia's pearl necklace II

Soon enough the Mum arrival day dawned and she was picked up and almost instantly whisked away to Penang where there a whole town waiting to be explored.

While KL doesn't try to pretend it is any kind of jewel , Georgetown does pride itself on being as such even though its a little decrepit. Its old colonial building gave the place a little grandeur even though the British had long gone as well as making it well worth the visit. Like Macau, it was interesting to see the Dutch, Portuguese, British, Chinese and local Malay influenced this Malaysian town and the role that it had in the spice trade.

Two days later we took the coach back down south for a whistle stop visit to Malacca. Although not appointed a pearl, like both Georgetown and Hong Kong had also been strongly influenced by the Dutch and British.

But what really struck me about about all of these places was that their charm really stems from international trade and colonization. While these topics are seen as the source of the world's problems and equalities, their impact on cultures and societies, is what makes Hong Kong, Georgetown and Malacca such pearls. I can't really pick a favorite pearl so I prefer to regard them a a string of pearls.