Leaving home...

Malaysia has now been our home for about 9 months on and off and tomorrow (1/12) we'll farewell our friends and set sail for the Philippines.

We've learnt the language, made countless friends, enjoyed the culture, food and wonderful family and community environment. We've even forgotten the English for some words! We know our way around government departments, can spot a local driver and are comfortable in being a tourist attraction ourselves. I can eat Rotti with just my right hand (only by sitting on my left!), order a slap up meal and buy any kind of grocery with ease.

We point with our thumb, touch our heart after shaking hands, shake our hand in a maybe sign when we really mean no, give a big smile to everyone showing all our pearly whites and are comfortable welcoming locals into our home.

We like to think we've lost some of our western obsession with rules and indignation at non conformists and instead gained some Malaysian acceptance, patience and "whatever", laughing at life and often ourselves!

There is so much we'll miss about Malaysia and we hope we will be back next year to see all our friends. The anchorage is emptying out and the northerlies are coming in... it's time to be off.

Farewell Malaysia and Philippines here we come...