You have probably all seen the perception versus reality posts on Facebook. It is SO true... As we travel, we do read reviews on all sorts of platforms. It's not just for accommodation or restaurants. Most beaches, for example, also have reviews. We have discovered that there are a lot of people with vastly different standards. It's hard enough sometimes to agree on where to go and what to do, but relying on reviews is often the only way to make the final decision. Even photos don't always give you the best picture of a place (pardon the pun).
I posted some photos on a previous blog of an apartment in Chelsea (barely). It looked alright on the photos in the advert, but it had deteriorated terribly. It wasn't filling us with a good impression of accommodation in London when we entered the second flat in London. One thing you can't take a photo of is a smell. Well, it was a stench really... the feeling of filth can also not truly be documented. The couch reeked of sweat, the carpet felt like it had never been vacuumed and the walls had oily marks all over it. When we hit Chester for a racing even, we were holding out breath and hoping it was what we were paying for. Chelsea was like the pictures show, and better. We were starting to breathe easier.
We did a bit of sight seeing in London. It was fun to play tourist again. When you look at these places online, you don't look into all aspects of it, we didn't at least. Things just get added to the bucket list. In reality, most places, while spectacular, are overcrowded and expensive. Once you pay for entry, it doesn't often end well. You can't get any 'hero' shots with your camera as there are always people in the way. A side note, this is why my photos are often a little hurried as I try to get an impression to jog my memory later. I do not profess to be a great photographer! I hope you will forgive that...
Fast forward to February to July this year and we find ourselves in Asia for 6 months. You know what I said about reviews? Well, Asia is not exempt from dud reviews. Rawai was promoted to us as a beautiful, fun place to go. We sailed past one day on a friends yacht and from a distance it looked like heaven on earth. Nope. It was full of a particular type of tourist we're not fans of (won't say anymore as I don't want to offend) and the beach was nice to look at in high tide, but certainly not a swimming beach.
We went to Malaysia as well. Initially for two months but we cut that short. The people were all amazing. The food wonderful and the climate, well, it wasn't cold! I can honestly say I have never sweated like that before....even my calves were sweating. Anyway, we left because we felt that it was disappointing from a natural beauty point of view. Langkawi (at least 30 years ago) was on many peoples' bucket list. We arrived to see filthy beaches, mounds of concrete and if you wanted to go out for lunch, not a lot was available. Pot noodles were though. More on that later.
I admit we arrived at the start of Ramadan. Rookie mistake. Tourists were sort of an inconvenience for most places during that time. However; the street food market in the evening was super cheap, tasty and made by cheerful, friendly people. Also the places we frequented had some of the most amazing people and they made us feel most welcome and even (still) feel like family.
Above: Left to right, from the top. The Band and crew from Little Bird, Sanur. At Chenang Beach, Langkawi we met this delightful AC (that's his name) by accident - we were looking for a different guy, but he knew him, so we made a new friend. This is my husband, 'step Dad' and his mate. We had many hilarious nights out with these two firecrackers. Next is Evan, who looked after me at the beach in Phuket. You'd never guess he was University educated, but he was happy working on the beach 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. Couldn't find a more chill guy. Next is one of the bands we hung out with in Bali followed by Jude and his (many) band member... he was in several bands and we followed him around KL and Langkawi, because he was just that good! In Chinatown, KL we even made friends with some Vietnamese people there on a holiday. The same night we met some equally crazy and fun Singaporeans. Everyone was awesome. This is the crew from Kalut, Chenang Beach. The guy in the hat (Tam) has become our adopted son and the last shot is Ah Chong Bar. Probably the coolest beach bar and the people are delightful.
Back to perception versus reality. The photos for Langkawi should show the spectacular people, not careful photos of a beach that is just 'nice'. That's not their selling point.
Above: Langkawi, Chenang Beach main road. It's a concrete jungle, hot as hell and lacking in any kind of love and care. Probably the most in hospitable of the many tropical places I have been to.
Another place that has the same spectacular photos of beaches, and doesn't mention the people is Bali. Sanur in particular. Ordinary beaches are sold as wonderful but I'd rather sit by the pool. The people make that place as well. Sadly for us, it took a while to wind down to Sanur time. My gorgeous Step Dad was there and that's why we went. The most delightful man... We initially felt Sanur was like an RSL Club, or a cruise ship. Older crowd, sitting in places looking for something to happen. Well, it is, but in some places it really happens! Go to Little Bird and see what I mean! Another place where we were treated like family. You can't go wrong in Asia with regard to hospitality.
Preconceived ideas, as opposed to reviews, can be equally challenged. Last Christmas and new year, we decided it might be fun to go to Aberdeen early. We were heading to the Shetland Islands to see an old friend of my husband and go to one of the many Fire Festivals. Add that to your bucket list! Anyway, after hearing about how fun the Scottish are and how they love a good party, we felt it would be a fun way to see out the year. Erm, nope. I personally believe Aberdeen is Gallic for 'grey shit hole'. Apologies to anyone I may offend, but that city has great potential. Sadly no churches were open to peruse, museums were minimal ad to go anywhere of not, you had to go a fair way out of the city.
No open house anywhere for Hogmanay, so we ended up at a Turkish restaurant! Probably one of the most fun times there, other than a very amusing night of karaoke in one of the local pubs. I have never been a fan, but this is one thing they did very well - supporting those that need it, the crowd would join in, and when people could sing, they listened. Nice.
I did say I would fill you in on the pot noodles thing.... If you go into any mini market in Langkawi, there are walls of pot noodles. Firstly, we presume, is that they are cheap. Secondly, you can add stuff to make them more appealing. At first, we turned our noses up at them, but had to give in eventually as there was nowhere to go for lunch some days. Well, even after going to Sweden and now to Greece, we still have some pot noodles in the cupboard for the times when we don't want to go out! We are no longer noodle snobs.
Now I know this is all a little doom and gloom, and I apologise. All I want to say is, don't believe everything you hear or see (photos). There may initially be a reason you want to go somewhere, but it may not be the reason you might consider going back there. We would not rush back to Malaysia necessarily, except for the people we met. We wouldn't go back to Sanur for the beaches, but again, for the people and the relaxed atmosphere.
Equally, we wouldn't stay in Airbnb in London, but in a fancy hotel, and we might go to Edinburgh instead of Aberdeen... What I am saying is, if going to a new place, be open to changing your mind about it. I wasn't keen to go to
Above: No matter where you are, you can Thailand, but my husband wanted to go. I always get a spectacular Sunrise, or sunset. admit it was a fun place - hectic - but fun, so I will go back. Just don't put too much hope into believing the reviews!
As for our search for Utopia, let's just say that we couldn't live in Asia full time, but based on the places we have been, we would certainly spend a few months of the year there. For us, the most likely place is Thailand. There's an even mix of good people, food and climate. There isn't a lot of culture and the buildings aren't spectacular (with some exceptions), but it's free and wasy.
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