Moving on over.... Rockin on over.....

Hello Steve S.

Because electrical equipment is generally cheaper in Malaysia than the US, you are best to purchase locally on your arrival there.

Here we have used 230V @ 50Hz, and the big thing to remember is that while 120VAC can give you a "shakeup", 240VAC is much more likely to be lethal, should you get a shock.

Electrical Plugs and sockets are also going to be different, too.

Telephones, same as US, refer.

Advise further, if you need.

Kind Regards....

It is nice to see you back here again.

Take your common sense and enough to get by for about ten days. You'll know what to do then.

You should not worry so much. Asian countries are more advance than what you think. In the worst circumstance, you still can get everything you want from Singapore or Hong Kong which are just 1~1.5 hours distance by plane.

Don't worry my friend!

GA

Thanks, that was exactly the sort of advice I was looking for.. GA

I am trying to figure out how to best make use of the space in my cargo container (shipping is provided by the company)...

BTW I have traveled throughout Asia, and have visited KL before, so I pretty much know what I am getting into, but visiting is not the same as living there. I have a premove visit coming up, and my wife and I will use that to find a place to live and set up banking and what not..

In an effort to "green" up my life I am going to try to live with public transport, at least initially. But I will probably buy a car eventually...

I had pretty well decided that small electronics need not come, unless like a laptop they run on 240/50. Big appliances need not come either...

All the (good) modern laptops I have seen run on 50 and 60 Hz at any voltage between 90 and 260, or thereabout, or better said, that is what you can usually read off the mains supply.

You may need to get a different mains cable or cut off your US plug and fit a Malaysian one. I do not recommend AC adaptors for the longterm, they are often not really very well made and can cause both shorts and sudden (unnoticed!) loss of mains and if your battery has already been charged to death (take it out when not required so as not to overcharge it!), you might still be thrown out of something important!

All your shots, and a copy of Under the Volcano!!!

Do learn at least enough of the language to say "Please", "Thank you", "Good day" and "Good evening" and also to understand when someone is upset by you....for any reason, so you can clear the air.

Brits and US Citizens are notorious "Non learners" of Foreign languages, do not make this error. You will have far more fun once you speak the language and Malaysian is not that hard, even I picked up a few words on my first visit 44 years ago.....!

Remember the old German saying " You learn better on a pillow!!" That is if you are not married!!!

US Citizens generally talk much too loudly in my experience (are you all deaf?). Mostly the males, but occasionally the females of the species too..... and mark themselves as brash Americans (and for possible terrorist attacks!) when they do. So practice keeping your voice at the same level or lower than the person you are speaking to! I know its not all of you, it appears to only affect the travellers!!!!

In Germany, I have actually gone up to many (a dozen or so over the years I suppose) US Citizens in restaurants here and asked them to tone themselves down as nobody else around can hear themselves think.....and sometimes they are 5 or 6 tables away from me!!!!!

Many locals just complain amongst themselves, but I do not subscribe to this method. You have a piece of green stuff between the teeth, I will tell you about it immediately!!! Loud talking is the same in my book!!!

I have a large booming bass voice... Hard to keep down, even in a low voice it carries like a whale call..

I will try to do better Andy. Not promising....

Practice, practice......!

You have brash attitude magnet on your forehead?

It may make some sense in American, but it made no sense to me. Do you want to explain or just forget your post?

I understand you are confused. Normally this condition can be easily explained away by expressing the objective of your query. But here we are experiencing a known omission of purpose or effect.

You expressed an annoyance of being in the area of influence of brash individuals often, where as most don't notice or share these type events as occurring repeatedly and becoming an annoyance.

You may attract these type situations or bring them upon yourself as if having a magnet for such activity upon your fore head.

Now with a properly thought out explanation from you, the meaning is significantly clearer and just as wrong as ever!

I was just giving good solid advice to the original blogger about living in a foreign country. Of my almost 62 years, I have only actually spent in total about 25 years in Great Britain, so I do feel that I am pretty well educated in the possible problems.....

Maybe I am just unlucky that I have have seen so many "Loud (in foreign waters)Yanks" in my presence over the years in Germany....but what you seem to have overlooked in my original post, I am certainly not one to suffer fools gladly, I go and tell them what they are doing so rudely, most are aghast that they were so blatant and obvious, some of course could not care less.

One was particularly aggressive and got thrown out even before he had a drink when he picked a fight with me, I did not lay a hand on him, just 5 Chinese waiters....!!! But his friends stayed and apologized for him in a very pleasant way, US Army lads, not at all bad!! I was surprised that they let him go off alone though.....

All of the other people in MY presence (mixed countries, but mostly German), complained bitterly at the time of said person(s), did nothing, but therefore in this area give ALL Americans, completely wrongly of course, a bad name!! Which is totally unfair to the other 99% of well mannered Americans at home and abroad.....but that is reality I am afraid.

If the people concerned had understood the comments about them, made often loud enough for them to hear, but of course in a foreign language they did not understand, and the laughter it caused amongst those who had understood, maybe they would have come to their senses quicker.....

I learnt many years ago that I as a much traveling Brit, could, if my manners were bad, give a really bad impression to foreigners about Britons generally. I made sure that they were never unacceptable to my host country(s)!!! It actually has never occurred as far as I am aware, as my upbringing was good enough to know most of the time what was bad and what is good and acceptable manners.....it really is not that difficult, you do not need a University degree to understand that!!!

The RN and the USN for example take things even more seriously and give such "bad Ambassadors" a short sharp lesson in foreign diplomacy.....and rightly so!!

Anyone who is "proud" in any way of showing off the bad side of his manners, is really showing a really bad side of his questionable character and of a completely failed parental upbringing, particularly those who it seems alcohol brings out this type of aggression.... naturally he himself just feels that it is "high spirits" and should be tolerated by all around.....

Sadly, the badly behaved are not just confined to the USA, I have seen badly behaved Brits at (far too) close quarters, French and German, all soccer fans.....it was NOT a pretty sight!

I admit to cowardice (common sense?) when some years ago, 50 or so drunken Celtic fans caroused through downtown Cologne with open bottles of hooch...I just stopped speaking English completely and got out of their way.....I was completely ashamed of my fellow(?) countrymen.....

The RN and the USN for example take things even more seriously and give such "bad Ambassadors" a short sharp lesson in foreign diplomacy.....and rightly so!!

We called it receiving a series of slow rolls when in the USN

I figured you for a gent that would do right but if ya didn't by some unknown reason you would put on a foreign accent so not to sully yer standard.

"Anyone who is "proud" in any way of showing off the bad side of his manners, is really showing a really bad side of his questionable character and of a completely failed parental upbringing, particularly those who it seems alcohol brings out this type of aggression.... naturally he himself just feels that it is "high spirits" and should be tolerated by all around....."

Unfortunate indeed those whom become intoxicated with intent to put on a larger persona but I've seen them down in their cups before the band started.

"I admit to cowardice (common sense?) when some years ago, 50 or so drunken Celtic fans caroused through downtown Cologne with open bottles of hooch...I just stopped speaking English completely and got out of their way.....I was completely ashamed of my fellow(?) countrymen....."

I think I think you've mistaken good sense for cowardice my friend, none other than to pardon one with a snoot full regardless his allegiance.

I was only funnin

Just think how much further along our plans for World dommination would be if George W. Bush was German!!!

The person who was renamed as George H Bush, was actually a German lad, born in that Country.

And, yes, World domination is what it's all about.

Kind Regards....

Andy,

I wholeheartedly agree. Just knowing a few simple words in the local language makes all the difference. I would expand your list with knowing how to order a beer (a personal necessity), "excuse me, where is the toilet", and "hello, I am sorry that I do not speak your language, do you speak English?"

To me, it is a simple sign of respect. Most people will appreciate the fact that you are at least trying to communicate in their language, as opposed to someone arrogant, that expects that the whole world should speak English.

Some years ago, I was traveling in Germany with my company president and the VP of Marketing. We went out to dinner. The waiter approached the table, and said good evening in German. They both looked at him with disgust, and said "don't you speak English?". Of course the waiter did speak excellent English, while my dinner companions had obviously not learned a word of German. I thought it was one of the rudest things I had ever seen.

Tad

Tad, I had to give you a GA for a truly excellent and fully correct post. A man with proper manners and feelings.

There are not enough of us here on CR4 I feel sometimes....

I agree with you that your vice president was a complete idiot and will (hopefully) one day reap the full benefit of his appallingly bad manners.....sadly neither of us will probably be around when it happens.....

Of course the waiter could bring him wrong food and insist that he actually ordered it or something similar, he really ought to be careful! Sheep's eye in an Arabic or Indian country for example!! "Handkäse mit Musik" in Germany is also not everyone's cup of tea!!!

DCaD,

GA. Seems to me that you have great talent in phonetics and languages.

One thing though, I believe you don't find much discriminations in where you are living! Humble people does help guest to feel home! I may be wrong! Am I?

Cheers,

AC Wing.

Seems to me that you have great talent in phonetics and languages.

No sir ... just a link to an on-line translator . I am a moron when it comes to non-Anglo-Germanic/Latin languages. I have not formally studied any other languages, but I find that the languages from which English was derived, and now includes is not so difficult to learn. Asian languages are too foreign (no pun, really) and have no familiarity, and the tonal languages are very difficult to pick up ... our ears just don't hear that way.

Here (embarrassing ), even after 8+ years, my language skills are very poor ... when I meet people they want me to teach English rather than they teach me.

I believe you don't find much discriminations in where you are living! Humble people does help guest to feel home! I may be wrong! Am I?

While I find the Chinese exceptionally open and warm hearted, especially the elderly and children, don't be fooled. This is still Earth, and prejudice and discrimination are everywhere. Just like anywhere else, if you find yourself in an unfriendly place, get out. If you are in a friendly place (truly, not facade), enjoy yourself and make new friends. Best attitude in any new place to have a good level of your own self-confidence, but wear that with a smile and open heart.

The number of ways you said goodbye were amazing! If you are a moron, I don't know what I should call myself.

True that there always are people who are arrogant and discriminating, but there are places you find less and places you find more! The relative abundance is different. Many people might have difficult experience with certain people and found things uncomfortable, if not unacceptable. Andy was actually telling his experience! But, from what you said, I at least find you can feel home, my personally feeling is many Chinese are superstitious to foreign stuffs, including people!

AC Wing.

Another good post. many thanks. You have obviously learnt and profited in a proper manner.

I have never understood those who come to live in a foreign country, but truly never 'live' there. Most speak and act very condescendingly about the locals, making them the butt of their jokes whenever something does not fit their idea of 'normal'.

Strange, South Florida has the same problem. So many people that have come here that speak Spanish better than English that entire areas are almost void of English. It does bother many people that English is not spoken.

Andy,

" You learn better on a pillow!!" is also German? It would be fun to be in Germany! It is a bit late though, I am married!

Ha Ha!

AC Wing.

Yes, that is the translation of a well known German phrase.

My wife could not speak English when I first met her, my German, (not from the school, I learnt only French there and Portuguese in the RN) was rudimentary at best, suddenly got much better in about 3 weeks of making dates and meeting her around town!!

BTW, I speak Spanish (having lived in Mexico), a bit of French, modest German, and I lived in Holland so I picked up enough Dutch to understand traffic reports on the radio.

I also formally studied Greek and Hebrew and can read both, but I am not very skilled at speaking either.. but I am looking forward to learning some new languages, and the fact that Asian languages don't have Greek/Latin roots doesn't scare me much....

Host and guest both try would make the relationship much friendly, it would never be a one way successful relationship! Honestly, when I was in Europe and in the States, I also experienced some good and some bad times!

Hope you find these Asian places friendly to live in!

AC Wing.

hi, Wellcome to Malaysia, Kuala lumpur . If you have time you may like to come to our Rotary Club meeting for fellowship . We meet at the Amoda Building at Jalan IMBI , K.L. at the banker's Club 22flr, every friday 7pm to 8.30pm .[6017-2883288]

GPS here is rather expensive , from RM900 to Rm 2000/. Most only have software for Malaysia and Singapore . I han a friend who brought one from , them download our Malaysia software at a price ...not sure how much . As for computer part go to websitr of pcdepot.com in Kuala lumpur . dont bring electrical stuff ... not worth the conversion or buy step down transformer .Anyway most gagets now accepts dual voltage power

Wish you a pleasent trip.

Eric See

http://www.pcdepot.com.my/pricelist.aspx

Another good answer. Thank you very much Eric, or Terima Kasih Berbanyak-Banyak. (As per Andy, hopefully I got it right and did not just horribly insult Eric).

Selamat datang..Guru.

Almost everything is here in Malaysia, so its not worth to "backpack" all your electric utensils here!

One thing though; most expatriates especially the Japanese cry the whole nite prior to their departure because of the jolly good time they had here !

Anyway once again varuga , varuga ( welcome , welcome in tamil )

Different to the Japanese, he is going to bring along with his wife! Mrs. S is going to smile when Mr. S is leaving!

Guest

That is a place in the tropical region. You'll encounter terrains pretty often (You can buy umbrella there or bring along with one just in case you are so lucky to meet one just when you get off the plane). GPS might help you to move around if you are new to there, but buying one in Singapore or in Hong Kong would be relatively cheap. Mobile phone are pretty common there and if you want to be connected or you want to connect to others when needed, you should have one. They do not use the US 1.9GHz mobile, they use the 1.8GHz or 900Mhz (few years ago), I am not sure if they are using the 3G now as I haven't been there for few years and things really are changing fast.

The most important thing I can see, is you portable notebook/external drive/USB dongo, with your favorites and email addresses loaded. Medicine that you need is also important and you might want your doctor to give you spares in case you need them urgently. People keep tells me that when you move around to different region, bring along with a bottle of water that you have used to, and switch over bit by bit to local water when you arrived at new place, that would help you to adapt to the new diet! The America Anti-terrorist Act might stop you from doing so, then don't bother, you can get distilled water in supermarket anyway! Curry and chilly hot food are common in Malaysia. It is a Muslim country, yet you can still get poultry food from non-Malaysia restaurants.

Oh yes, if you want to drive, then a valid international driving license would be helpful! Your connections and friends over there is also good to bring along with!

My experience in there was, it was hot, humid and under the shade of their tall ceiling building, breeze are relieving. So mind you dresses. Mosquito expellant can be easily obtained in Supermarkets! There are quite a number of Americans as well.

After all, things are pretty cheap in Asia, you can buy most of them out in town or in Singapore, just a couple of hours drive across the border. Or, if you get bored you might fly over to Hong Kong, Japan and other close by places for fun. It takes only a few hour as well.

Have nice time and enjoy yourself! Let me know if I can be of further helps, it is really common that we might cross each other in the global village these days! Who knows?

Cheers,

AC Wing.

You will find this very interesting

Thanks, however I have been to KL several times and never had a problem. The tap water in the center city at least is fine. I have heard that there are areas of town where it is best to drink bottled water, but bottled water is very available.. However that looks like a pretty neat bit of engineering. There are a lot of places around the world that could make good use of it.

What should I definitely leave in the US?

Preconceived ideas about what to expect...? (sorry just trying too hard to be clever ).
Hope you enjoy the change/challenge etc.
Have fun

Del

2 more thing, a pair of sunglasses that fit you and swimming shorts.

AC Wing.

I'd take whatever perscription drugs you use along with a copy of the script. Get a course of antibiotics in case you need them. Take along some asprin and any other OTC meds that you use, sealed in the original packages and preferably with the receipt. And a good proof of medical insurance.

I guess your normal "Texas summer clothes" will suffice but be ready to sweat!

Good luck, enjoy.

He will certainly sweat a lot until acclimatised.

Usually 100% humidity, a dry day is only 95%......you can set your watch by the rainfall each day in the wet season....

If living in air conditioning, reckon with mould on your unused suits each month to 6 weeks, mould on any small scabs or injuries - which means you have to remove the scab, increasing the chances of scarring, will also take far longer to get acclimatised.

When he returns to a temperate climate after 2 years or more, he will freeze his balls off for the next 2 winters.....

which means you have to remove the scab, increasing the chances of scarring,

Frequent liberal use of hydrogen/peroxide eliminates this though and prevent staph if used immediately saving a hospital visit.

Always have peroxide at hand in the tropics...

Actually Andy, the climate in Houston is very much like the climate in KL. 40 C and 95% humidity is a pretty typical day in Houston.

I am already pretty aclimatized... Well as much as any human can be....

There is something about proximity to the equator that changes the gradient though time will tell you best.

Thats pretty damn close!!!

Get a good local map of the area you will be staying. Also, ensure (as previously stated) all your vaccines/shots for that region are current.

I lived two years in Singapore, and I advise you immerse yourself in the local laws and customs in order to ensure you are familar with the local version of "right and wrong". Also, as stated earlier, take only the essentials. Civilization is not far away if you need electronics, etc.

Marty

Be a student.. of anything. The desire to pass on knowledge, is almost as strong as the desire to pass on genes. It's part of what draws us to CR4.

If you show interest in anything, someone will be glad to show you more. If you express curiosity about their culture, they will be beating a path to your door eager to explain. That's what I have found everwhere I have ever gone.

GA

Bring your Hydrogen generator with you, they are more available in the states.

Bring your whit, sense of humor and common sense with you. Expand your musical talents by learning to play a local instrument.

Sell your hurricane supplies.

Load the container with 8 track tapes and tape players. The locals will pay big for these collector items.

Enjoy the move.