KK

Well I've been pissed off today! I've been trying to sort out accommodation and or transport to get to my lady. The Rasa Ria wanted over 500Rm a night to put me in a room of my own or to put a bed in Sonia & Janet's room. So given the choice I'd rather have my own room. But that kind of money could keep me travelling for some time and so I'm reluctant to stay at that luxury resort. Maybe when i see it, I'll see it different!!
So I've managed to sort out a car with a little help from a local guy called Charles Lai. He runs a Chinese restaurant called Kedai Kopi Kinabalu on Gaya Street behind the RSB bank. He's a great guy. I was there last night eating and got chatting to him. He initiated the conversation and said his friend could do me a car cheaper than other places. He was right. Abdul @ the Beach street hostel has beaten all the quotes I got from elsewhere today, I pick the little car up tomorrow at 10am. Woo hoo, I have wheels and can get around Sabah. The public transport system here is not like it was in Peninsular Malaysia. It is present but timetables are not in existence and if they were, they certainly wouldn't be adhered to. I was the only whitey on both buses I took yesterday. The locals are not as friendly as they are on the peninsular either, that's not to say they want to do you harm, but they are not as liable to approach you as they are on the peninsular. English is not as widely spoken here either which probably explains the lack of communication. Hence navigating your way around on local transport is difficult.
Anyway, back to Mr Charles Lai. I was sitting chatting to him last night when a deaf girl rocked up selling toys. You know how they do in the UK, they present a card explaining that they are deaf and asking if you can purchase something to help with their fundraising. Well, Mr Lai gets the girl to sit down and explains to me what she's doing & that he has purchased several toys from her. His children who all work in the restaurant justified his claims. He then proceeds to get his kitchen staff to feed & water her before she goes on her way with no charge. A little while later she reappears with two deaf companions who are doing the same as her. He feeds & waters them both also for no charge. They are great kids and make no mistake, they were kids. Now, they will be off to Thailand at the end of the month doing the same thing which makes me wonder who's exploiting them. Somebody appears to be, although if that's the way that these kids keep their bellies full and a water tight roof over their heads, is it really exploitation?
However you see it the fact remains that Mr Charles Lai appears to be a good guy. He done what most in the western world wouldn't. Charity before profit. That makes him a good guy in my book, he deserves good things, so if you're in KK visit his restaurant. Eat well and bear in mind that whatever you spend, it's not all profit, some of it will find it's way to a needy cause because that man has a good heart. I took some friends & their friends there for food tonight and he gave us free fruit for dessert, two plates full of chopped apples & oranges. As I said before, he's a good 'un. Pay the man a visit & just ask if you need help with anything. I'm sure he'll do his best to put you on the right path.
So tomorrow all being well I get to see my girl who I've not seen for over three months. And her wonderful mum who is a star.
Well that's it for now. Peace, love & unity to all. 10 - 4 good buddy, over & out!