It's not a destination I'd usually choose - there's so many other places I'd prefer to go - but I had a reason and considering how much travel I'd already done around the world I decided it was time to make this trip instead of prioritising somewhere else as usual.
The trip was a few years ago and I'm sad to say I had a totally shit camera and my photography skills were even worse than they are now so my photos are not great; besides, so many photos have me or my partner in them so I'll not show them here, but here's a few.
My reason for going was that my father was born in Malaysia - his parents had immigrated there after my grandfather was transferred there to head up the British Postal Service prior to the Second World War.
I've not been brought up in the least bit with any of my father's culture because since he immigrated to Australia and became a citizen in 1965 he thought of himself as Australian and nothing else. He met my mum, a white 4th generation Australian, and got married and that was that - he was an Aussie and turned his back on his past to focus on his present and future. I respect his decision and I don't regret not being brought up with his culture at all because I'm as Australian as fuck and that suits me fine.
Anyway, I wanted to go there and see what it's all about and managed to go to some places that held family history like the village in which he was born, his school, where my grandfather worked and the town where my father lived the early part of his life (Malacca) and other such places. It was fucken awesome.
Taken out the window of my hotel, the Westin Kuala Lumpur.
One of the streets we explored...we ate some amazing street-food and enjoyed the exploration.
We ate at a really cool (and rustic) place beside the Selangor River.
This little bugger was quite chilled but his compatriots were mental! This was at Malawati Hill.
The well known Petronas Towers.
I'm glad to have been born in Australia, one of the best countries in the world (although it has its challenges as well). My dad was destined for one of three places being England, Canada or Australia. Interestingly, back in the 1960's he and his two brothers (my uncles) each ended up in one of those places for various reasons and all made comfortable and successful lives for themselves.
I recall my dad saying many times that he had had an amazing life and was content with it. He loved being an Australian, being married to a "blond, blue eyed white girl" and he especially felt pride in his kids...I think that's a nice thing - to be content with life - and now he's gone I feel happy that he felt that way.
Sorry about my fucken shit photos but it is what it is, so fucken get over it ok?
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Image(s) in this post are my own