Young Malay girls are pretty shy with Westerners, but if you make a joke and enjoy the food you'll soon have them laughing and enjoying the show, if from a safe distance. Malaysians are more reserved than the Singaporeans and the Thais, for example, but no less curious and friendly.

The food is typical Malay fare. Meat curry, rice and fish, washed down with cordial. The girls are eating in the traditional way; with the hands. The food in Malaysia is simply fantastic.