Replay

When I was in Melacca the first time I discovered a guesthouse which I filed as the place to stay next time here. It is on "Harmony Street" so named because there are an Islamic mosque, a Hindu temple and a Buddhist pagoda within 3 blocks. My hotel is just opposite the mosque and my window is at the exact level of the loudspeakers in the minaret which are used to call the followers of Islam to prayer 5 times a day. This morning I was abruptly awakened by the
muezzin reminding all good Muslims that it was time for morning prayer. Although I kind of
get a thrill each time I hear the exotic sounds, I was less than thrilled at 6 AM. Well, this is a long caption to tell you the above picture is the offending mosque.


I left Bali last week and flew to Kuala Lumpur. I keep thinking that KL is one of my favorite cities in the world. It is clean, beautiful, friendly, English friendly, epicurean. What's not to like?
This is the first leg of my homeward journey; and I feel a bit sad that the time is coming that I leave Asia, but I am looking forward to the comforts of home including my well supplied bathroom, a glass of wine while visiting with friends and family, playing with Max, even sweating in the yard repairing the months of neglect.
I am now in my hotel in Malacca which is about half way between KL and Singapore. I was here before I went to Indonesia and so I am revisiting a few places I enjoyed before and also discovering some new places. Tomorrow I go by bus for the short trip to Singapore. I will stay there for one night and fly on a confirmed ticket to Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. I hope that I will be able to make a trip to Phu Quoc Island which is one of Viet Nam's best beaches. It is likely I will be home early in March, but I always try to keep options open.
If anyone has a bottle of wine and some good cheese in your fridge when I get home, I will be available.