Saturday, February 19, 2011

A LITTLE TASTE OF HOME: We (Sandy, Katie, Terry and me) flew from Singapore to Langkawi. The Changi airport in Singapore was a breeze. It also led to another heart-stopping tourism moment. As we wheeled our way through Terminal 2, Sandy spotted a welcome sight--a Dunkin' Donuts. We took the obligatory picture (right). It was about the last thing I expected to see here. I'm not sure why. It's the biggest coffee-selling chain in the world, I think. (Starbucks are omnipresent.) Back to "last things I expect to see." Seeing someone in a Red Sox jersey is the next challenge. Heck, a baseball cap will suffice.
Langkawi (an island on the northwest fringe of Malaysia) is totally new to me. About all I know about Malaysia comes from some Somerset Maugham stories and the descriptions of the Japanese advance down the peninsula in 1941-42 as described in Singapore Burning. Clearly, I need some updated information.

WHAT'S MORE WORRISOME THAN FINDING A (NON-HUMAN) SLUG IN YOUR BED? I guess it's NOT finding the slug. So, I guess it's good news that we found the slug in the bed in Langkawi this morning. A little disturbing. But, we found it. And, pay attention New Yorkers, it wasn't a bed bug. It has gone to a better place. I flushed it down the toilet.

LOBSTER FOR BREAKFAST: Breakfast included this treat, some Lobster Hash. With a poached egg on top. It was absolutely delicious. More specifically, it is called Tanjung Rhu Spiny Lobster Hash. The first two words honor the nearby beach, a two-mile long sandy stretch that is known for its seclusion and its casuarina trees. It's bordered by some uninhabited islands on one side and limestone caves on the other.