Picture the scene: You’re sitting in a busy ferry terminal waiting for a trip down the Mekong River towards the South China Sea. It’s a route made famous by Vietnam War films and has become as regular for one Welshpool man as most of us drive to Shrewsbury.

The only people in your eye-line sport the sun-baked leathery skin representative of a local population that makes its living off these waters when, suddenly, from a couple of seats along comes a familiar accent saying: “Alright monner, what brings you here?”

The setting couldn’t be further from the town both men call home but it was a chance meeting that really does go to show that it is a small world!

“I couldn’t believe it when I turned to see one of my best mates since childhood sitting there with a beaming smile,” said Mark Harvey of his Dr Livingstone-like encounter with fellow Welshpool lad Pete Bowyer (both pictured).

Mark, 41, has been based in neighbouring Malaysia for the last two years and while Pete was merely visiting the region on this occasion, he too is an expat based in Florida.

In the latest of our localsabroad series, mywelshpool caught up with Mark who has been living overseas, along with his wife Sioned and two children, Wil and Cadi, for more than 10 years.

How did you end up in Malaysia?

We came to Kuala Lumpur in 2008 via Dubai, stopping off there for over eight years! I work as a project manager in the Oil & Gas sector and KL is one of the main hubs in South East Asia.

What made you decided to move abroad?

I was working in London and we were living in a small town in Essex. The daily commute, waiting for late trains, the rain, bomb threats, five-hour drives home to Wales for the weekend and then somebody offered me a job in Dubai on double money and no tax. No brainer!

What have been the benefits of living abroad?

For the family (left) it has been a great experience. They have been exposed to many different cultures from an early age. From a work perspective it has also been a great experience with exposure to many different projects, something that would have been very unlikely if I had remained in the UK.

Has it been difficult for the family? How have the kids taken to it?

The initial decision to move abroad was of course a difficult one. The biggest downside of living overseas is the reduced contact with family and friends. Now we are in KL it feels like Dubai was on the doorstep of the UK (only a seven hour flight from Manchester). The children really don’t know any different, they are quite content with living abroad although both are proud of their Welsh roots.

How does it compare working in Asia with the UK?

As an expat working in a Malaysian company you are a minority. It is important to remember significant cultural differences. That aside, it is not significantly different. Having said that I’m sure I would struggle a bit working in the UK now, many things have changed over 10 years.

What is day-to-day life like in KL?

KL is a bustling modern city with a population around four million. The traffic can be shocking, especially when it is raining. We live pretty central to the city, my office being about four miles from our house. One Friday night following heavy rain it took two hours for me to drive home! You quickly learn when to stay off the roads.

What is your house like?

We live in a gated community of about 70 houses. There is a central club house with a swimming pool, tennis court and gym (which we never use!). The house is a semi-detached with four bedrooms. It’s quite spacious compared to houses in the UK.

What's an ideal weekend away like?

KL is in a great location for short breaks. Thailand, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong even Western Australia all within striking distance. Malaysia also has some of its own great places with the island of Penang a 5 hour drive and Langkawi a 45-minute flight. The eastern part of Malaysia is part of the island of Borneo if you like rain forests and mountains!

 Are you planning on returning to the UK to live?

We would very much like a spell back in the UK. Wil and Cadi are now 14 and 12, it would be nice for them to spend some time back in the UK. It all comes down to finding the right job. Most of the jobs in my line are in London or Aberdeen. We have just bought a house back in Welshpool, so longer term I’m sure we will be back.

Any interesting stories to share?

I am currently working on a project for Vietnam. I have to travel there quite a bit. The Vietnamese offshore operates from a southern city called Vung Tau. To get there from Malaysia I fly to Ho Chi Minh city then we take an old Russian hydrofoil ferry down the Mekong river to the South China Sea. One Monday morning I was making the journey to Vung Tau, having taken a taxi from the airport to the ferry terminal I had taken my seat. Next I heard the unmistakable tones of a mid Wales accent. I looked to my right and sitting two seats away was Peter Bowyer who said: “Alright mon; what brings you here?”

What advice would you give to someone thinking of moving to a country like KL?

Living abroad is a great opportunity. It provides a chance to broaden your mind; experience different cultures and geography. Professionally it is also a fast track to experience. Given the chance you should take it.