Langkawi

I definitely wasn't ready to leave Penang but I'd already booked flights in order to sort out my visa for Vietnam. Normally I don't like setting any of my plans in stone for more than a couple of days ahead. I do lots of research and planning, but being flexible is important. It's previously allowed me to stay longer than I expected in some of my favourite places, such as Pai and Kampot. Unfortunately Vietnam have a frustratingly archaic visa system unlike all of the other countries I'm visiting. You have to plan ahead, commit to an arrival date and pay a lot of money for the privilege.

Anyway... I caught the 8.30am ferry to Langkawi and was greeted on arrival by my friend Claire from back home, along with her boyfriend Adam. She's the first in what I hope will be many familiar faces I cross paths with on my trip. They kindly picked me up in their rental car and we drove to the Durian waterfall for a quick dip before heading to the beach.

We managed to get a few hours' worth of sunshine before we watched the storms creep towards us across the sea and put an end to our fun.