Tour 2003 - Things are looking up (note to Stuart)

Late February, 2003 

Dear Stuart,            

As you know, I seldom drink wine while travelling in the tropics.  It just doesn't have much appeal when it's hot and muggy.  Besides, the service can be a bit dodgy at the street side food stalls I frequent.  But today while browsing some stalls at a nearby plaza here in Bangkok, I had a chance to taste a Thai produced wine.  From the handout given me, the wine is made from 'Black Finger-root', a rhizome, which I believe makes it a relative of ginger. 

Anyway, the lady offering samples pressed a small plastic cup on me to try it.  She in turn placed her hand on my heart, stomach, bum and legs, telling me it was excellent for renewing all those areas.  Then, with a furtive glance at my nether region, she whispered "good for sex, make boom boom".  "Good for boom boom.  Boom boom all night", she repeated several times, always in a whisper.  I take it this is still a closely guarded secret.  And it apparently works equally well for men or women.  This stuff sounds unbeatable. 

The wine itself is a pale red, bright, and on the nose...  Oh hell, let's just say it's a hard wine.  I don't have to be hit on the head to recognize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I think this is just the wine the Commanderie needs to raise it to new levels.  We'll be up for anything.  And for women, even if they are split over this, I am sure they will be thrilled with it, nothing will be too hard for them.  And to hell with a certain pharmaceutical company called Pfizer who shall remain nameless!

Knowing you would approve, I have ordered a pallet of 64 cases of this fabulous wine (it's called Golden Krachaidam by the way) for our group.  This is just the beginning of course; I have pretty much sewn up rights to this elixir on our behalf.  We're on our way up, Boy!  Best regards. 

Boom boom, toujours Boom boom. 

Merv.

Tour 2003 - A Burma Shave

Dear Family and Friends,

The details of my old age are quite inconsequential.  Winters in Rangoon, sailing on the Irriwaddy, hiking up Mandalay Hill....  Pretty standard stuff.  (With apologies to Austin).

My plans for this trip were quite hastily and casually made.  Not having visited before, I booked a short trip to Myanmar.  I have now spent one furious week there, trying to see in seven days a country that deserves at least one month. 

Tour 2003 - A little of this, a little of that (Malaysia & Thailand)

Hello Everyone,

I have become a slob.  I'm sure many of you will find that hard to believe, knowing the sense of style I display on Savary.  But the heat, the humidity, the humping of heavy bags on and off public transportation, all cause one to sweat like Phil Esposito by the end of a tough game.  Each day I set out with new fresh clothes and literally within minutes, no matter how I try to keep cool, my clothes are sopping, stuck to me, and I'm standing in a puddle of sweat.  It's simply true; we travellers generally look a disgrace.  The locals, on the other hand, all look crisp and cool.  Personal appearance is very important to people in these countries.  Judging from the clothing choices tourists and travellers make, an entirely different value system is at play.  

Anyway, I have nothing of real excitement with which to follow up my Borneo adventure.  But to bring you somewhat up to date, on leaving Sarawak I flew to Kuala Lumpur, a leap into a hot, crowded, noisy, busy big city.  (Flying with Malaysian Air as I am, Kuala Lumpur is an obligatory stop, but it otherwise holds little interest.)  While there I, of course, visited the twin Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings at 1,452 feet (even when the World Trade Center was standing).  Both towers are 88 stories high but visitors can only go to the 41st floor where a sky-bridge joins the two towers.  Clad in polished aluminium, they are striking on the skyline, particularly with the sun reflecting off them.  As you can deduce from their name, they are owned by a large Malaysian oil company.