Thank you, beloved Starpoints, thank you

Yesterday we left Langkawi, to my loud and violent protestations. Unfortunately changing our itinerary to extend our stay would have meant canceling too many reservations. and would have incurred ridiculous change fees. But don't think we didn't try.

Arrival into KL was uneventful last night, and involved another McD's meal. Since a few posts earlier I promised not to make fun of that chain anymore, I will refrain from doing so. However, I did see two Americans trying to figure out the healthiest option on the menu, and asking the girl working the counter if she had a chart showing the calorie count for each meal. Those of us in the restaurant who understood English couldn't help but exchange glances of incredulity.

Our last day in Malaysia, and incidentally, our last day of our whirlwind Asia trek, entailed visits to Menara KL (the fourth tallest radio tower in the world), souvenir stores, and an authentic roadside dining experience at a place that I can only describe as a local version of KFC (but with far better food.)

Malaysia has proven to be a hidden jewel that should be on anyone's Southeast Asian itinerary. The person who wrote Frommer's guide to Malaysia should be fired, and the book rewritten, because we didn't have a single unpleasant experience while here. Malaysia holds its own with great infrastructure and a family friendly environment. Its people are hospitable, and unusually fond of records - they will proudly lay claim to having the second largest clay pot in the world, or the world's seventh longest cross-walk. Which makes for an interesting itinerary as you try to visit these sites, as any good tourist should do.

With the conclusion of this first part of the Asia trek, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Starpoint gods, and lament my depleted point balance. Without Starpoints, this trip would not have been possible. For all you budding consultants out there, take note. Traveling on assignment sucks, and there is no worse punishment in the world than having to eat airport food on a weekly basis. However, your blood and sweat does gain dividends - in the form of mileage points as you take those mind-numbing flights to get to your ridiculously remote client-site, and in the form of hotel points as you spend yet another day in a new room trying to figure out how the shower head and alarm clock work.

Over my seven years of consulting with first PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then IBM, I have accrued enough membership rewards points to plan a relatively expense free honeymoon to Australia, buy a big screen TV, purchase furniture (I bought the Westin Heavenly Bed), and plan this trip. But now, alas, my points balance lies depleted, and is barely enough to order a $25 gift certificate to the GAP. There are few things in life that are more humiliating than losing status on your rewards cards, and unfortunately I too shall now join the masses, and have to say goodbye to my momentary flirtation with exclusivity.

But the memories will persist. And this tour has provided plenty - of standing on the Great Wall, dining on the Shanghai waterfront, watching life rush by in Tokyo, retracing the footsteps of samurai and geisha in Kyoto, and experiencing the slice of heaven that is Langkawi.

Hong Kong is up next - a good two months where I'll be learning about Asian business and how to deal with a part of the world that will dominate financial headlines for decades to come. Buckle your seatbelts boys and girls, because this rollercoaster ride is approaching its next thrilling bend...