ear Travel Diary, 26.08.15 11:00

Hello again, I'm coming home. Yes I know, only my third entry for this 5 week SEA spree; but all are concise and informative reference points for me and future travellers so all is good.

To summarise then where did this summer take me: Bangkok; Koh Tao; Koh Samui; Koh Phangan; Kuala Lumpur; Cameron Highlands; Penang, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur; Kota Kinabalu; Sandakan; Sepilok; Semporna; Mabul Island; Kota Kinabailu; SINGAPORE; Bangkok.

Favourite spots: Diving Mabul Island (Malaysia) & Sail Rock (Koh Phangnan), tackling the worlds steepest cable car in Langkawi, buying a poor boy a meal and can of coke in Semporna.

Fairly long list right? I guess it is! What the key points to mention here are:
1. I did not rush and allowed time to see all the areas I had hoped for and even better...
2. I completed this discovery with Izzie, my gf who happens to be one of my best friends. So my advice for you readers is, find the time to enjoy the places you want to travel; do not squeeze them in! Plus, if you travel with a friend be prepared to sacrifice a degree of social life in that, you feel less inclined to spontaneously meet people because you are too considerate of your 'Travel Buddy'. Equally, mutual understanding is key because who doesn't want to meet people while travelling?

My travels this year have been enlightening as always and yes, there was a lesson I learnt; I must remain in a career that allows me to travel and if possible travel & work. This stemmed from meeting many people from Australia, New Zealand and Canada who spoke highly of opportunities available in their countries for keen & open minded individuals like me, great news! Yet Still, there is a grinding issue inside my head; is money is vital?! It allows you to enjoy SOME things in life and even open opportunistic life experiences like this travel spree. With no money, how could I have completed this relatively short travel trip. It would have been much more difficult, let me say that and even so, I would assume not as 'Enjoyable'.

Therefore,I think a balance of the money and enjoyment is probably the best answer. This is why my grandads advice will always stays with me, "it's not about how much money you have got, it is about what you do with it"!

Finally, the Semporian boy I bought a chicken and rice & a coke for can only aspire to the opportunities we can have so, why not travel and give something back to the unfortunate as I did. This was one of the most uplifting experiences I have ever had and would do it infinite times over if I could.

Thank you all and travel on.
Jak