Blogistan: The Forbidden Fruit

So for the 2-3 of you who actually read this blog, sorry for the sporadic postings over the last few weeks. Once we made it out of Kyrgyzstan OK, we were planning on doing some intense blog sessions before heading off to China, but alas, fate had another plan for us.

For starters, Internet access kind of blows in Almaty. Not that it isn't available, but I guess being the richest 'stan, most people just have it in their home, so access for the poor bums on the street is few and far between.

Second, I (Liz) got face-controlled at the Chinese embassy in Almaty. Having heard tales of how horrific their Almaty embassy is, as soon as I arrived I headed straight for a travel agent to grease the visa wheels, as it were. Alas, no amount of money could overcome the truth in the age old axiom that communists are lazy. JK, Mao Zedong! But seriously - the embassy in Almaty was closed from the 27th of Sept. to the 8th of Oct. for some holidays. Since I had to fly back on the US by the 10th at the latest, China was effectively ruled out. So I did the only thing a girl could do - hopped a plane to Bangkok. Having already been to Thailand a few years back, I decided to head south for Malaysia, where I spent a few days on the old colonial island of Penang before heading for the east coast Perhentian Islands for some great diving. I have some good pics to post, but unfortunately I am unable to upload photos on the Apple IIGS I am working with here in a Malaysian Internet cafe.

As for Brian, I have it on good authority that he has made it safely into China and is rickshaw-ing it all over the eastern provinces. Unfortunately, in addition to being lazy, the communists also hate freedom. (Again, JK MZ!). Apparently Brian is not able to access the blog from China, so you faithful readers will have to wait until he reaches Mongolia, that bastion of free speech, before you can hear about his Chinese exploits...