The first thing I learned in Malaysia was don't stand in the toilet and squat.
I'm on the Island of Langkawi. It's on the Northwest side of Malaysia and just south of Thailand so it's a common entry point to Malaysia from Thailand for backpackers like myself. This giant statue of a bald eagle greets you at the port upon arrival. Langkawi is much more developed than most every place I saw in Thailand, except for Ao Nang. Case in point, I'm sitting in a Starbucks outside of a mall. In my view is a KFC, a gourmet burger and beer restaurant, and a McDonald's dessert Kiosk. The island is like a 70/30 mix of modern westernization, and non-western, rundown buildings. It's a good place to visit for people who like well kept sidewalks, shrubbery, and don't want to feel too disconnected from America. The island is known for it's white sand beaches, clear waters, and comfort. It's raining today so I haven't been to the beach.
The picture of the warning to not stand in the toilet and squat was in the bathroom of the ferry station. I was quite disappointed that standing in the toilet was not allowed.
Last night I overspent my budget at a high rise hotel. I justified it by telling myself a breakfast buffet was included. There was also an iron and ironing board in my room, so I was able to wash my jeans in the sink and iron them dry before putting them back in my bag.
I bought my first SIM card today. You go into a Seven Eleven, and if you're a total ignormamus about it, like myself, they lead you through it and set up your phone. It cost me 15 ringgit for seven days. Each additional week would have been 9 more ringgit. 15 Ringgit is $3.56.
I bought the card so that I could order an Uber to my hostel, The Crowded House. Yes, they have Uber here. It's the only way to get around other than a taxi.
Here's a pic of my Hostel and a water buffalo in the meadow in front of it. The bird on his back is his little buddy. The more I travel, the more I want a great camera with a zoom lens...
You might find it funny for the sign for the toilet... Well, that had to put it because SOME PEOPLE DOES THAT, THEY SQUAT on the toilet bowl. Some said it's easier to get your big business (geddit, "big" business?) done, some said they're used to squat toilets only. :/
You know, I realized that when I encountered my first squat toilet. Still hard to believe. Somehow it makes it even funnier to me. You have to be quite agile.