Geoff House, Departing Manila and Arriving in Kuala Lumpur

Terminal 3 is the newest terminal of the international airport in Manila. You can see photos of the terminal below. It is the home, appropriately, of the newest carriers in Asia, airline companies such as Cebu Pacific, based in the Philippines, and AirAsia, based in Malaysia.

In the waiting area of the gate for the flight with AirAsia from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia known for its rich diversity, I noted that the passengers comprise primarily ethnic Chinese travelers, ethnic Indian travelers, and ethnic Malay travelers. Malaysia's population of approximately 30 million people comprises approximately 20 percent ethnic Chinese and 10 percent ethnic Indians, who account for the majority of the Southeast Asian nation's economic activity. Ethnic Malays, who comprise approximately 60 percent of the country's population and subscribe to the tenets of Islam, traditionally have felt marginalized by the Chinese and the Indians economically.

In the waiting area, while the members of several large groups of ethnic Chinese travelers sprawl across the seats talking loudly among themselves, various, lone ethnic Indian travelers sit in their midst, dressed in clothes typical of professionals such as engineers or financial consultants and waiting silently yet assuredly for the boarding of the aircraft. To one side, the ethnic Malays, including women who wear attire of Muslim women, keep to themselves, neither interested in nor aware of others. As I waited and observed my surroundings, I met a fellow traveller, Rey Joseph, a retired engineer from Mauritius, who compared ethnic Malays to other inhabitants of the nation. They are more reserved, the engineer said. They keep to themselves, he added.

Travelers Waiting to Board, Terminal 3, Airport, Manila, Philippines

Geoff House, Checking Telephone, Terminal 3, Airport, Manila, Philippines

Geoff House, Watching the Rain, Waiting Area, Terminal 3, Airport, Manila, Philippines

Rey Joseph (left), World Traveler, Posing with New Friend

Geoff House, Arriving in Restaurant for Breakfast, Shangri-La Hotel, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia