The road goes on forever, the story never ends, I love that phrase (thank you Robert Earl Keen Jr.). I am back in Sitiawan after a few weeks cycling in Laos and Thailand. And boy, it was again quite an adventure. Not everything went as smooth as I hoped when I left. For those who are interested to read and see some photos, please have a look at:

http://bicycle-adventures.blogspot.com/

Back in Malaysia I spend my Deepavali and Hari Raya with friends, like most Malaysians do. And after both holy days, holidays too, Malaysia too is slowly warming up for Christmas. Boards and signs which have to do with Deepavali and Hari Raya are removed and in a few shops I have already seen the first signs of the Christmas weeks coming. And it's only November!

Now being back in Sitiawan, I am slowly picking up my life here. And the Pulau Pangkor Newsletter is part of that. Let's see what  has to offer:

• Make Your Site Sell
• Deepavali and Hari Raya
• Learning Bahasa Malaysia online
• Take the bus to Lumut
• Rainy season
• 123 Greetings.com
• Malaysian food: free e-book

Or, socialize it with:

Automatic Social Bookmarking

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Make you Site Sell

People sometimes accuse me I am repeating myself. This is very true. I DO repeat myself when it comes how to build websites that sell. Two years ago I bought a book called Make Your Site Sell (MYSS). The book brought me freedom. Freedom? Yes it did. I was able to realise a dream I had when I was on the road with my best friend Jim (you don't know Jim?, Read more about Jim here )

During my journey I was thinking about making money with an internet website. But how to do that? Writing a website in Frontpage was not very difficult as I found out soon. But that website was never to be found and I didn't understand why. That is, until I bought the MYSS. I read the book and started working according to what Mr. Ken Evoy explained.

I am not going to push you in buying this book. I am giving it to you for free. Let it be your first step to freedom. As I usually say to people, do NOT believe what I tell you but think about it. And in this case, read and decide for yourself. It brought me freedom and independence. It can do the same to you!

http://myss.sitesell.com/webselling64290.html

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Deepavali and Hari Raya

After my journey to Laos and Thailand I came back in Malaysia to celebrate Deepavali and Hari Raya with friends as most Malaysians do. Both festivals are important in Malaysia. The Festival of Lights, which is Deepavali is a typical Indian festival while Hari Raya celebrates the end of the Ramadan. A more detailed report on Deepavali and Hari Raya I wrote last year for the newsletter:

http://www.pulau-pangkor.com/Pulaupangkor_newsletter-newsletter-special-3.html

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Learning Bahasa Malaysia online

Although many people in Malaysia speak English, it is useful to have some Bahasa Malaysia, the national language of Malaysia in your pocket when you arrive. After all, the people here in Malaysia enjoy it when you speak a few words Malay. Wan from Bahasa-malaysia-simple-fun.com has set up a very useful website to master some of the basics and more sophisticated knowledge of Bahasa Malaysia. It's a good start on your journey to learn some Bahasa Malaysia:

http://www.bahasa-malaysia-simple-fun.com/

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Take the bus to Lumut

Messages arrive here at my desk in Sitiawan the touts in Kuala Lumpur Punduraya bus station are back in business. Here's the warning. There are plenty of busses to Lumut and they do direct. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours. There is no reason to first to Ipoh (the journey Ipoh to Lumut can take you another 3 hours) so do not trust anyone who tells you different.

Scams you find everywhere and Malaysia is no exception. Beware of the touts who try to talk you into anything you don't want. The best and most regular bus services are by Transnasional and Sri Maju. If Lumut (Pangkor) is your destination when you are in Kuala Lumpur, go direct and do not let you be fooled by those touts claiming the bus to Ipoh will also bring you quick to Lumut, it's not! Traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and continuing to Lumut will cost you at least 6 hours, if not more.

The same story goes for Butterworth though the touts are not that aggressive there. Ignore them and search for the counters of the company you want to use. Do never buy from touts.

I know, it sounds bad. However, learning my own past (believe me, because of touts I lost hundreds of dollars in the past because of my own ignorance and impatience, it's one other reason why I started cycling). I think it's good to know these people, these touts can be very persuasive, especially for single travelers (women in particular).

At bus stations keep always an eye on your luggage and do not trust people who tell you they are from this or that company. Repeating myself here, buy from counters. Do not let your holiday be destroyed by the greed of a few people.

For the bus services, check this page and print it out to bring with you:

http://www.pulau-pangkor.com/bus-to-Pangkor.html

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Rainy Season, to come or not?

I love the rain, well, sometimes at least. Rain refreshes the air and cools things down a bit. This morning I woke up with some heavy monsoon rains. The rainy season for the Malaysian west coast has arrived. What does it mean for visitors to Pangkor Island? Let's start with the bad news.

The bad news is that when it rains, it usually rains very heavy, sometimes completed with thunderstorms. The rain, again in general, takes seldom more then an hour or so. The good news is that especially here around Pangkor it seems to rain less then in other parts of the State of Perak. The last two years it seemed to rain more in Penang or Taiping then here in Pangkor. However, it does rain from time to time. Last year there were times in the rainy season when for two weeks there was no rain, except a little at night.

Does it mean you can't come to Pangkor right now? On the contrary! This time of the year is probably the best time of the year to visit Pulau Pangkor. It's quiet, apart of the Christmas week, beaches are nice, water is calm though November is usually a bit more busy with jellyfish in the waters. So, when swimming, be careful, the tentacles of the jellyfish can be many meters long.

More about the weather:

http://www.pulau-pangkor.com/pangkor-weather.html

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123Greetings.com

123greetings.com is your no.1 choice for sending online ecards.

Or, if you want a weekly dose of fun and joy, you simply subscribe to the online email newsletters at 123Greetings.com ! This free weekly newsletter service is your one-stop fill for interesting updates on coming events, free ecards and exciting offers from our partners and sponsors. Just go get it and make your loved ones smile.

http://www.123greetings.com/newsletter/

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Malaysian food: Free e-book

The Pulau Pangkor Newsletter had last year in every issue some recipes of dishes you can find in and around Pangkor and in other areas in Malaysia. I have collected those recipes and put them together in a free e-book which, until now, was only available for the readers of the Pulau Pangkor Newsletter You may have missed the e-book last year. Here's your new chance. Have fun with the preparation of the recipes and enjoy your Malaysian meal.

http://www.pulau-pangkor.com/ebookrecipes

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