Reconnecting with my families Past- Malaysia May 22nd, 2012. Now I am back on track so to speak, back to the spot of SE Asia that I originally planned to visit. I believe everything happens for a reason and the detour to Thailand proved just that in Malaysia, as the people met, both travellers and locals made this experience just fantastic.
The background to Malaysia for myself is with regards to my grandfather, James Baillie. When my grandfather was my age now, 25, he was a staff sergeant in the British Army. Post world war two my grandfather was sent out by the british army to some of the farthest corners of what was the mighty british empire. He visited Suez in Egypt, Aden in Yemen, Ceylon, which now called Sri Lanka and onwards to his favourite place of all, Singapore and Malaysia. It has always been crazy to me to think that my grandfather was a soldier for imperial Britain, something most of us today simply relegate to the history books, a era far gone.
I grew up listening to his stories of southern Asia, how crazy all these places sounded and what an experience it must have been for him as a young man at that time, as international travel was far beyond the means of most people at that time. To be honest, having listened to these stories of adventure throughout my life I must give credit to him for helping spark my sense of adventure, in particular with regards to this trip across Asia. And so it runs in my blood it seems and it was only fitting to explore the places of Malaysia most important to my grandfather, to seek out the parallels and differences between the stories of adventure I have grown up with. So in good form I dug out my British Passport and landed to this corner of Asia as a “British Citizen” and not a Canadian as I usually do. I figured it was a fitting way to honour the work my grandfather did here and show a bit of pride in that side of my family. My grandfather always talks about the magic of Singapore, the hot sunny skies, the colonial buildings and the fascinating caldron of people that make up that place. I arrived in Singapore, checked into my hotel and began to explore. The landmarks my grand dad mentioned still hold quite true, especially the famous Raffles hotel, a hot spot of the British army officers and colonial elites at the time of my grand dad. This hotel is where the famous Singapore sling cocktail was invented, and of course in good fashion I had to go and have one in the spirit of my families past. DELICIOUS! Especially in 40 degree heat! I then embarked on the varying neighbourhoods of Singapore, home to Chinese, Malays, Tamil Indians and of course many western business people and expats. It seems that many of the characteristics that my grand dad described to me hold quite true in Singapore.
I could not help by imagine what it must have been like for him and I cannot wait to show my photos and get his opinion on this incredible city state and bastion of the old british empire. The rest of my grandfathers three years of service in Malaysia were spent between Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Tana Rata of the Cameron highlands, the latter being his favourite. He used to tell tales of Chinese bandits attacking british convoys and about the relaxing Cameron highlands, where british troops were given a respite from their civil duties to drink beer, hike, swim and enjoy the cool temperatures of their jungle territory. I decided to embark to the three spots he mentioned, and much like my grandfather embraced and loved the Cameron highlands, sipping their famous highlands tea and indulging in the cool evening breeze was a welcome respite from my journeys in Thailand and elsewhere in Malaysia. I met two Australian girls, Nicky and Cherie in the Cameron highlands and we embarked on a small adventure to some of the fabulous night markets presenting the culinary marvels of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine. And what a time it was, being able to share stories of this incredible country and enjoy these simple pleasures together was a wonderful experience.
Not to mention the two are coming to Canada to work the ski season this winter, ironic coincidence that we met, naw, everything happens for a reason and I cannot wait to show them the best of my own country back home. Rocking down to KL was a blast, seeing this rising tiger of Asia was outstanding and seeing how harmonious the three major ethnic groups are was truly amazing. The British empire has left many terrible legacies around the world, but some how this place is moving in the right direction and the old colonial ties are every present throughout both Singapore and Malaysia. I like my grandfather now have very fond memories of Malaysia. And as I leave SE Asia to embark for the subcontinent I can say I feel very refreshed and excited about what I have seen and look forward to the many great adventures to come on this journey.
Thank you so much to all those that made Malaysia so special and to my grand dad for inspiring me to follow in his foot steps across the world. Sincerely, William Delaney
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