sudden impromptu vacation in dalian and penang

FYI - all pictures on this post taken with a note 3 cellphone camera - forgot to bring a camera with me but then again, i found it liberating to travel without anything in either hand 

 building and fountain town square show remnants of soviet influences in the planning of this city

 a police officer confronts the driver of an illegally parked three-wheeled vehicle in this downtown walking street

at the largest square in the world

 skateboarding perhaps the largest ramp in the world

 the safety standards are somewhat lax in this part of the world - i would guess that at least one kid must get seriously injured here everyday

 a proud monument to an impressive nation

 got caught in a sudden downpour during a stopover in Guangzhou - the effect of a weather pattern that delayed my connection by over two hours

 the bar alley is emptying out in the early morning hours

 the architecture and construction is notably dated in this south asian island destination

 old buildings rapidly get overtaken by nature and effects of the tropical weather

 a random mural on a wall along a row of low-income houses

 clouds form over this small hill on the mainland every day of the year

 a very tasty beef rendang is served with papadam and tangy pickles

 a quiet beach makes a serene setting for a relaxing lunch

 miles of empty beach - not sure why there are not more tourists here during this time of year

 a romantic dinner for one atop a revolving restaurant with city and ocean views

 a wooden jetty stretches out into the quiet sea

 rows and rows of houses on wooden stilts built out into the sea

 some have now been converted into tourist shop alleys but the vast majority of them still house families - often belonging to certain clans

 another building in disrepair - reverting back to nature

 and another one

 a ridiculous gathering of pigeons atop this snack store along a beach in dalian

hmmmmm beer