3 Ginger Snaps

Very fun and full day on a whirlwind tour of the Cameron Highlands. This area of Malaysia is very tourist oriented and more developed then we expected.  Started the day with by visiting Buddha. Helped set the tone.  Encountered some awesome critters at a butterfly farm.  Came face to face with a few exotics.  Samples…… Continue reading Highlands Steamboat

Kuala Lumpur is a massive thriving tangled city of over 7million people. In such a city, you would expect to find an enormous bus station and you’d be right. We stood in front of this board and watched it cycle through 4 different screens before we found out where we could catch our bus today. …… Continue reading Street strawberries 

I am up at 5:25am to start this morning’s beach patrol. There is crazy lightning out at sea. I have been a fan of storms since childhood and I suppose it would be hard to do any better than the Pacific Ocean in this department. I take my time walking the beach and marvel at…… Continue reading Juara Turtle Project, Day 6: The wait is over

I love cheesecake! I’ve been wanting to try this Japanese cheesecake (apparently you have to line up in Toronto to get it) but we found it in the food court of the Pavilion mall in KL. Don’t let the faces fool you, they didn’t like it. To quote Ruby, “I ate it all, but I…… Continue reading Hanjuku Cheesecake by Hil

This is Izzati, pictured here after returning from a morning boat run to check local beaches for nest sites.  She is the 29 year old Malaysian who is responsible for day to day operations of the project. She was born, raised, and educated in Perlis Province in North Western Malaysia, a 14 hour bus ride…… Continue reading Juara Turtle Project – Day 5: Izzati

From rescuing sea turtle eggs to the air conditioned blasting movie theatre…what a contrast. Beauty and the Beast got 3 thumbs up from the Gingersnaps. And if you are wondering, yes, popcorn (in a box) is just as expensive as at home. Or you could opt for the “fishball and coke” combo. Drew pulled our…… Continue reading Let’s go to the movies….by Hil

On the morning of day 3, after our chores were finished, we set out on a hike to a local waterfall. You know you are in for a fun hike when this is what your feet look like after the first 300m! Arden is proving to be a real trail enthusiast and is incredibly adept…… Continue reading Juara Turtle Project – Day 3 – The Water Fall

We’ve just about shaken all the sand out of our hair from our week on the beach on Tioman Island.  Today we soaked up the A/C at the movies. Beauty and the Beast. Followed by Boss Baby. Popcorn, peanut M&Ms, fuzzy peaches, Root Beer. Gut Rot…  It was pretty awesome. 

After a bus ride that took us past kilometre after kilometre after kilometre of palm plantations And left me wondering how monoculture on land affects sea turtles in the ocean (can’t be good…) we have arrived in Kuala Lumpur! Holy bright lights, big city! We are staying close to the iconic Petronas Towers where they…… Continue reading KL

Up at 6am to patrol the beach for fresh nests with char. No turtles nested last night.  We feel right at home here. The place is a camp. Right down to the bunk beds and the leaky toilets. Managed to fix the toilet quickly.  One of the best things about these volunteer projects is the…… Continue reading Turtle camp, days 1 & 2: rain, no turtles yet