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Because we were a bit tired of buses but didn’t fancy paying the high flight prices we had taken a new option and got the train back to Bangkok from the south. This turned out to be a bit of a disaster, as the windows didn’t shut properly so we awoke covered in a variety of little creatures. The train must have been a hundred years old by the look of it inside and it sounded it too which didn’t much help for sleep and to top it off first thing in the morning the attendant got you out of your bed so he could turn it back in to seats, saving him time when we reached the station! As you may guess we wont take a train in Thailand again.
So nothing new happened in Bangkok it was good as always but once again a transit stop, so on departure day for Alicia we too had arranged to fly so she wasn’t at the airport on her own.
Getting to the airport was easy but that too soon had a turn of events at the check in desk for, we were to fly to Malaysia and before Alicia’s flight so we went to check in first. At the desk they couldn’t find our details on the flight, this went on for some time and the internet wouldn’t let us see our itinerary on our email. Now that is really as much as we will say about what followed as it caused eruptions that would set a volcano off, calling the air blue would in no way be sufficient for an explanation. The end result was us paying more to alter the flight and go that day.
Lis got checked in no problems and we said goodbye for a second time for our trip and went our separate ways to our gates. Now we could do no more, we hope she had enjoyed her time here and seen some stuff she wouldn’t normally have seen and from what she told us she left with a different view on life at home.
After touching down in Malaysia and some backward and forwarding of emails we found our way to a hotel just out of Kuala Lumpur city. Well when we walked in here with our oversized bags and travel clothes on, heads turned from all directions as we stood out from the suited business types like a sore thumb! The hotel had been recommended to us by the guys from first direct’s Global Service Centre Malaysia, so was of a business type.
Settled at our new home for a while we set too arranging our time at work as it was only a day away, we had been coming to Malaysia anyway but thought it a good opportunity to stop in on the first direct team here and see what they do.
Our rest day soon passed and we too were now dressed in our best and not catching an eye as we passed through reception, the taxi stand at the hotel was ridiculous trying to tell us the price to where we wanted to go was not a meter price. (this is where the business dress goes against you) Not accepting that rubbish we found a lone taxi driving around and had him put the meter on before we set off, but once at first direct he too asked for more than was on the meter lying about the toll road prices that we had just seen him pay and were listed in his car, but that list was apparently old!!!!!! Well its safe to say he didn’t get it and when he caused a hold up at the security gate was quickly moved on by the security guards.
Yussof a manager of the fd team met us at reception and signed us through security and gave us the building tour, which was very nice but what surprised us the most was when we entered the first direct floor and felt like we had just walked into Leeds!
We were welcomed by the top boss and introduced to the teams, it was clear that the presence of anyone unusual in the place stirred up interest as everyone was so excited that they had visitors and normally have only around one or two a year. But it made for a very warm welcome.
Over the course of the next two days we split our team between the Credit Services and New Customer Team guys, shadowing what they do but due to it been Ramadan learnt a lot about their culture as well as eating out with them at the break of their fast which is sundown.
Although we could have spent a week or two here helping out and learning more, we had other things to fit in and this wasn’t a business funded trip. So our last meal with the teams ended in photo shoots and off we went to carry on our touristy stuff.
We had intended on spending time doing volunteer work in an elephant sanctuary, but some and we quote from the web site “insensitive selfish North American” had worked there for a while and managed to upset staff, visitors and the local religion and customers, basically ending all volunteer work indefinitely which is unlikely to change! Please think of a word for this person and force that thought at him!
With on less thing on the list this left us with city viewing, which was quite nice in scenery other than china town which was an absolute dump. So much so that we didn’t dare get the camera out to show you! So we didn’t stay there long. It took us two attempts to get tickets to the sky bridge walk between the twin tower Petronas buildings. The view was ok but it was the novelty of walking on the bridge used for the film Entrapment. We did have some fun with the pictures of us between the buildings though.
Now we had originally planned on doing some of the east coast of Malaysia but upon investigation the transport issues we would face getting around, just made this country so complicated it was unbelievable for such an advanced place. Therefore we took a trip to the Thai embassy and a day later had a 90 day tourist visa for Thailand. Which put simply means we are going to have three days in Singapore, then fly to Thailand, park our arses on a beach or two and stay there until we come home. Yep that’s right no more border issues, big moves, weight restrictions or any of that fuss.
We are going on holiday, we have had the big adventure around the countries of the world but are now in much need of a rest, but don’t worry that wont mean we wont find things for the blogs, after all when has anything gone that smooth that we didn’t have something to tell you.
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