To make matters worse, I had also succumbed to the ministrations of the belly-demons that are given to visit upon those whose appetite for the local fare is allowed to run unfettered. In that time, however, it appears that Gemma has inherited the Gut of Steel and thus has had no trouble with stuffing it full of food with names she has yet to learn to pronounce.
Tummy troubles notwithstanding, we found Bangkok to be the embodiment of its cuisine in its hot, sweet, sticky and hygeinically suspect glory. As usual, we found ourselves in the moist sweaty pits of the local markets with its vast array of handicrafts, sweet treats and exotic food.
This kept us intrigued until a sudden downpour sent everyone scurrying for shelter.
Except for Gem, who decided that, sweat or rain, she was in for a soaking anyway.
We were told that no one goes to Bangkok without paying a visit to the Grand Palace, so dutifully, we went to bask in its big old shiny monumentiness.
Walking amidst the splendour of such opulence and standing below the enormity of the statues, one couldn't help but think of the one thing that really makes this place special...
....the excellent foot massages.
And of course, we had to take advantage of Bangkok's famous instalment-plan bespoke tailors who assured me that my sleeves should arrive in the mail in six weeks' time.
Most of all, we enjoyed the overwhelming hospitality and generosity of our family: Uncles Ken & Yeap, Aunties Nancy and Pat, cousins Keith and Angie, and Mom.
All of whom we will blame for our vastly expanded waistlines.
Then, it was a short flight to Penang where we enjoyed a spot of fun on the beach and sun on our backs (which we're still peeling from a week later).
Soon, we were joined by Grandma and Uncle Peter and our gastronomic adventuring quickly resumed at the very best Penang's hawkers had to offer.
To give an idea of how well Gem's Gut of Steel was holding up, she had no need for the services of this little establishment:
Not even after a peek at the kitchen:
One of Penang's attractions is its Botanical gardens, famed for its many acres of exotic foliage. Having enjoyed the love and warmth of our families far and wide, we thought it only fair that George should spend some time with his kin.
He seemed to be having a swinging time and while the family reunion seemed like a good idea at first, it soon became quite obvious that George, after all his travels, had less in common with his distant cousins than we'd thought.
In fact, he was quite distressed by the unorthodox welcome treatment he received and it took some coaxing to bring him back down from hiding.
Our next stop was Mom's hometown Kroh in the top end of the Malaysian Peninsula, where Grandma, Uncles Peter, Phock and families live.
For the next few days, we helped look after Grandma's store, selling ice creams and lollies, but for the most part, helping ourselves to same.
While we were here, we took the opportunity to get married*.
We were treated to a magnficent feast and partied into the small hours with cake, party poppers, the works.
In fact, we had so much fun, we just might do it all over again when we get home.
But for now, we're back in the big smokiness of Kuala Lumpur where we, well, you know...
Only a week left before we're back home now. If the blogging doesn't quite resume normal service from here on in, it may be that you'll either hear about it from us in your face, or you'll have to wait until we're done hugging the life out of Perth.
But before then, there's still Singapore.
Be seein ya.
*No, we didn't really get married - we're just playing tricks with Gem's Mum's heart rate.
