Hometime

 All Packed...

And ready to go home...

Is it really all over?!

The longest flight out of the lot and I didn't sleep?! What was wrong with me!!

Saturday 30th

Sunbathed for a short time before it started raining so decided this was a good time to get our nails done. They said to come back at 1 so went to walk around Bugis Street market. Which, like the malls, just went on forever. Signs saying more shops and more shops. 

The cost of the nail design I'd wanted was stupid. $10 per colour even though the different colours were minuscule amounts so I got plain fushia pink. Laura's looked really good with detailed lines and glitter. So at the end I said I wanted something 3d so they kinda look like they've been done in singapore. Regretted the diamonti bows but hey. $5 a bow is ridiculous! 

Came back to the roof for a little sun. It's very touch and go here. When the suns out it's burning hot but it's mostly cloud, but were still getting a tan to show. It started to thunder and lightening in the distance and sat and watched until it sound like it was above it. Exciting! 

Got dressed and left the hotel. We don't have much up and go in us which is why most of our time has been up on the roof. Went to Little India train station and headed towards Bay of Gardens for the avatar tree show. Stopped off at The Ritz Calton Hotel to have a look at the artwork. Apparently they've got a lot on show including .. Got an iPod to guide us round but we both fast forwarded too much and it was speaking in another language. So walked around a bit I our own and then left. Got a booklet anyway. Of what I saw I liked Rainer Gross. 

Back on the train to the Bay. Seemed like a big Kew Gardens and probably lovely during the day! But it was getting darker and darker now. Busy though. Everyone settling around the super tree grove. The trees were lit up. The queue to go on the sky walkway was really big so we forgot that and sat on the floor which turned out to be just as good a view. Nice to look up and see them sparkling. The show started at 7:45 for 15mins. There was avatar music whilst the lights danced over the trees, changing colour. The music seemed quite aboriginal towards the end. Enjoyed it, could have sat and watched a lot longer, with a glass of wine!

Next we headed to Clarke Quay which is where the guy the other day had said we should go out. For a more mature scene rather than teenagers haha. There was lots of bars along the waterfront and we sat at one that had a live singer. Drank cocktails - tried the Singapore Sling. Then got coaxed inside by the owner but didn't stay for long, reminded us of innocence. Walked along to the rides and Laura made me go on the expensive swing! Which wasn't that great! Had a few more drinks until we didn't feel great anymore and went home. Such a thin line between enjoying the drink and not enjoying the feeling anymore! 

Day 2 Georgetown

The rain hadn't subsided when we got up so went for breakfast and back to bed, slept til about. Decided to go and have a look around Georgetown the World Heritage Site. Headed to Little India first to be surrounded by another culture. Wanted to get some henna done so sat for a hour or so getting some designs drawn on our hands. Then had some South Indian snacks and I map read us the walk back to the hotel so we walked through a lot of the city. Some amazing architecture even on ordinary buildings, but it all needs looking after a bit more and it would look so pretty. Not only the odd temple/mosque/church to be pristine but all of it. Walked past a little 'car boot sale' where men had plastic sheets laid on the floor with a couple of possessions to sell. 

We got back and had a mare trying to book an affordable hotel with a pool in Singapore. Not only is everything very expensive there but the wifi was terrible and it took hours. I thought we'd be arriving in Singapore the day before our flight having gone somewhere else in Malaysia but we haven't, and have got four nights in Singapore. The forecast looks like rain. It better have a few galleries!

Day 1 Georgetown

26/08/14

Got up early to go get a sunbed by the pool. Sunny and hot! Sunbathed from half 9 til about 12 and then it started to rain. On and off and we kept swapping beds to the sheltered ones. It got really heavy late afternoon but was quite fun to sit and watch it. Went to Plaza Gurney at about half 5. The malls in the part of the world are massive. Not in area but when you look up there's 7 or 8 floors!! Walked around most of them looking in all the clothes shops. I don't understand why none of them allow you to try stuff on! Will it fall apart when you try?! We can't really handle being out late anymore. No more money to spend on shopping and alcohol also seems a waste so we headed back. Once outside the mall it's was tipping it down. Really really really raining. Our air con started leaking and had some men in our room trying to fix it.

Booked a flight from Penang to Singapore for £40. Expensive but only takes an hour and a half rather than 14 on the train.  

Penang

Dragged our bags to the bus station, not far from Chinatown 2. Had bought a new bag each that practically weighed the same as a suitcase. Was so difficult to carry, and so so hot. Bus was at 9:30 and we'd been told to be there at 9. We're met at the door by another normally dressed man with a walkie talkie who offered to take us and my case to the right platform. They should really get uniforms how am I supposed to know this man isn't trying to steal my case! We were waiting for ages and by ten was very worried we'd been put in the wrong place as our bus hadn't arrived. All the men working were very rude waveing us away telling us to just wait. It arrived and we left at 10:20. 

Longest bus journey ever. It took 7 hours not 4/5. Arrived at the bus station on Penang island and got a cab to our hotel in Georgetown. It was still sunny at half 5 which made us happy, thinking we'd got a couple of sunbathing days. Ever so hot.  Went to the pool and sat about for a bit until it disappeared. Went down to the seafront where we had a pizza and sangria. Felt like being on holiday here, resorty. 

Malaka Day Trip

24/08/14

2 and a half hours on a coach to reach Malaka the historic port. Indian tour guide today who was very funny and told so much history about the town as well as jokes. It was a major world port for the spice trade for centuries started by pirates. Indonesians were first in. A few Asian rule changes and finally the Europeans came over about 1700. The Portuguese first building Catholic Churches. Next the Dutch who knocked them down for Protestant churches and possibly changed to catholic later? And then the British who knocked it all down stopped the port, bought Singapore for $30,000 and built ports there instead. Because everyone had to stop at Singapore on the way to anywhere. The name means stopping place. Although Malaysia is a Islamic country, this is not a Islamic state and the majority are Catholic. St Peter's day is their biggest celebration and the whole of Malaysia does Christmas and Easter. Not as big as here but they get to have the public holidays from each religion and they can all celebrate together as Malaysians. Later on During the war Japan took over and then British came back in again. The architecture mainly comes from Indian and Dutch design. He said some buildings have only one window from when the Dutch had window tax. The Portuguese built lots of forts. 

St Peters church built 1710 by the Dutch. Had a figure of Jesus laid out after he was taken from the cross. Freaky looking. 

The largest Chinese graveyard outside of china. They bury from hill to hill. Their graves take up a lot of room because they are circular shaped to represent the womb and two straight bits for the legs. This is to do with the rebirth. Went into a Hindu temple and learnt about the three alters the lucky number 5 the colour red(fire) for prosperity. There was a well here that had been used to poison the Portuguese and Dutch army at some time. 

A stop at the Malaka straights. The piece of water between Malaysia and Sumatra. 60km separating them and a depth of 250m. Down at Singapore the gap is 35km and only 25m deep. This is the major passageway for 1/3 of the worlds oil supply. Shell is a Dutch company, using they're Malaysian ruling well! Then to a Chinese lunch which was surprisingly nice, not greasy or fried.

Through the shopping centre to a ruin of Portuguese fort later the addition of the Dutch badge! Up the hill to a church ruin. The church of our lady of enunciation/St Paul's. 

Never been so hot in my life!! Actually dripping down my back. Embarrassed about my wet t shirt! Last stop was an hour to spend walking through Jonker street, the main Chinatown road. Where we bought Bambi and Mickey Mouse denim shorts!

The best of KL

23/08/14

Our tour guide picked us up and we had VIP treatment being the only two to be shown around. He was a Chinese Malay and accent was hilarious. He first took us to the kings palace. The flag was yellow so the king was at home. Each king only has fives years in the job and then they go home to their hometown palace. 

Next up was the National Mosque! Yes we went in. It was a very open, clean and cool building. With some pretty brick patterns. Got given a purple coverup to wear. A lady said if we have any questions about Islam we can ask anyone. Laura said 'Wheres's the toilet?!'

Drove past the old railway station to the site of Declaration of Independence. A grassy patch near where we went for the I love KL photo. They were setting up for Independence Day which is on the 31st August. Explains the flags that are everywhere. Then to the KL tower to get good views of the city. Hunting rooftop swimming pools through the telescopes! So so so hot and sweaty today! Got us and the driver a donut and felt so sick coz they microwaved them?! Ate these on the drive to Batu Caves. An area populated by Indians. He said that the city is mostly populated by Indians and Chinese whilst the Malays prefer to be in the countryside. We were faced with 272 steps to get into the caves to the Hindu temple. In this heat!!! Never been so hot, felt very wobbly. 

Next was a visit to a pewter factory. Tin used to be the main source of income for the city however today it is petrol, palm oil and rubber. Apparently, today, all the rubber trees are at least 8km out of the city though. The woman in the factory tried to talk us through what they did but we could not understand a word she said. She thought she was speaking English! 

Popped into another batik studio/shop. National dress of Malaysia. Then a place where they tried to sell us green tea powder to cleanse your colon and well being. And also tried collegen. We now know all the Chinese beauty secrets. The reason they have no wrinkles and never age!

Last was a chocolate/coffee place. Worst chocolate ever. Not sure if it was the heat or that they were the worst flavours ever, left feeling really sick! Mr Chow offered that if we were still desperate for a pool at 5:30 after his next tour he'd come and pick us up and take us to his condominium! Enjoyed this guys information! Tiger is national animal that he said we'd be lucky to see in the Genting Hghlands and hibiscus is the national flower. And a lot about how the government look after it's people. Cheap government homes for those who cannot afford and also free health care. Julan means street so this is why all the street names begin with it. We are staying on Julan Petaling/Petaling Street. And julan julan means walk. This all took about 4 1/2 hours. 

Spent the rest of the day buying trainers and dying my hair -dip dye- which didn't work!!! Laura blew up the hairdrier and we borrowed one from reception and then she electocuted herself on that.

KL day one

22/08/14

Our room in Hotel Chinatown 2 is windowless so we found it difficult to get up it being pitch black. But we did and headed out eventually. Not a clue what to wear seen as it's the hottest country yet outside!

I walked us towards the National Textile Museum. Which was interesting. So much different dress in Malaysia. 

Then to Central market where our shopping started getting fun! Absolutely sweating on this walk to the market. Saw a car drive past and take off another cars door! Indian and Chinese stuff all under the same roof. We were here quite a while purchasing stuff! Laura tried on a Chinese dress! 

Full on shopping day was ended by visiting Bukit Bintang shopping malls. Got the free bus there. This place was crazy, I can't say which mall we were in but it's was massive and selling loads and loads of cheap Chinese clothes. The sort you'd see in eBay. Amazing!! And funny. And lots of fakes. I ended up getting a matching Burberry handbag with Laura?!! Who knows. Smart though. Good job we've bought another piece of luggage to keep it all in!  It's not as cheap here as I'd hoped, compared to Bali, its expensive. Went to the food court and had dumplings and then some amazing custard dumpling puddings! - find these at home!

Leaving Gili T

Hot hot hot morning waiting for the boat. We set off 45mins late in the end but one of the first names called out so we got a seat in front of the fan. And then we both slept the entire journey! Wasn't worried about sinking anymore coz that boat had been a three dayer so probably got some late afternoon waves, not lunchtime ones. Don't want to leave the Gilis!

Got in a minibus to Kuta and slept through that journey too. Got chucked out at the centre and walked to the first hotel we could find. 75,000 each for the night. So cheap!! It's really pretty disgusting but I'm not bothered by mould anymore. Hot shower too.

We missed a good sunny day travelling. Wish we'd had a few more days in Bali to spend on Gili Air or Meno for sun and relaxation. Walked down through Kuta looking at shops until somewhere to eat. Then went to have a massage. Full body this time, none of that other rubbish from Sanur. Aromatherapy with frangipani scent. Was very nice and then we said we'd try the Hopi ear candle thing. Which was an odd experience with a burning orange flame coming from your ear. It was to clean out the wax and man there was a hell of a lot come out!!! I feel lighter. £4massage £2candle. Spent the next few hours showering after getting so sweaty and trying to book a room in KL for when we land. 

Bike ride around Gili T

Had banana pancakes delivered to us on our decking by the hostel owner before going to meet the Australian boys for a bike ride. You can ride round the whole island apparently in like an hour or two. Met them having their breakfast and then went for a swim in their hotel 'resort' pool. They had Brendan with them today who had gone to bed last night. Then onto find some bikes. 40,000 for three hours which would be enough for them to get back for their dive at 2. Only rode for 5 minutes and we got to a bar that had treehouses that definitely called for a beer in that! Although it didn't go down well, feeling hungover. Cool treehouse though. 

Back on the bikes. And the path got difficult from now on because it got sandy in places unless you went at it with speed your bike came to sudden halt. Absolutely sweating by the time we stopped next for lunch. They wanted pizza so asked a waiter if they did it and he said yes so parked up, looked at the menu and they didn't! Had a pool to jump in though wich was the main thing!! Needed to be cool so bad. Carried on riding and I fell off after hitting some sand into a fence. A few more wounds to add to the collection! Three nice bruises. Got back up though and struggled through the rest. They really need to clear the way had to walk a lot of it which was double difficult pushing a bike through sand. Beautiful island though. Got back just in time for their dive and while they went we sat by the pool and dosed and swam and sunbathed. Finally caught some sun! 

Ordered a load of pizzas for tea and then went to find the boat office and get out of wet bikinis. Met up again at 8 at a shisha bar. Couple of jugs and they had managed to rack up a bill of 1mill before we got there! Said bye and Bed at half ten. We felt sad saying bye coz they were so nice and we really enjoyed our time here with them. Weird to meet people and spend that much time with them and then say goodbye forever! Finger crossed for the boat in the morning, it's pretty windy out there. 

Ubud tour

First stop today when Yun de our driver picked us up was a dance show called Barong Jambe budaya. Was odd but very traditional, horrible scary monkey and lion masks. Before we went in we got a photo taken with a lady and when we left they had the photo on a plate for us to buy!! Of course had to get that! Also they had toilet pans here. Where there is real toilets you can tell that women still squat coz the toilet seat is up. First noticed it on the plane here!

Next up was a Batik and weaving place. Very tourist orientated but cool to see ladies doing the designs and ikat weaving. The shop was very expensive but amazing fabrics but you couldn't take photos.

Another stop before Ubud is a coffee plantation just outside of Denpasar but already very jungly. Apparently this little place is there specially for tourists because they actually grow the coffee in the lava fuelled land around the volcano but tourists don't get up there so much. So the famous coffee is called luwak and the berries have actually been eaten and then shat out by this animal called a civet and then they roast and crush it! I bought some as presents anyway. I didn't actually try it but we got to test all the other teas and coffees and chocolate they grow. 

We passed a big colourful funeral which was making lots of traffic. After someone dies they leave them to rot? On the land for 4 years and then have this cremation for their bones. Can this be real?! If they are wealthy then they only leave the bodies for 4 days. 

Onto Ubud, the driver was going to take us to a few hotels until we chose one. Stuck at the first, £10 a night including breakfast. Pretty nasty in the rooms but this must be the standard of a good room. The hotels are very outside, not confined to one building. Very pretty though. The architecture is so ornate and grand although also run down. After we checked in and said goodbye to Yun de, who's picking us up again in the morning, we went to the monkey forest. Wow! 30,000 rupiahs to be surrounded by monkeys. They were hilarious, having sex and fighting and jumping on people trying to get it their bags. I thought they were funny although if they came near me maybe I'd be the same as Laura - terrified! People were buying bananas to feed them. 

Now we went to Ubud market. Shopping chance, although I didn't do great. There's a lot of tat at the markets the shops look better. Bought a hold all that might not last too long but help with all this extra luggage. You could barter then down to like half of what they asked. Laura got good at it but as soon as I looked at something and they came over it just put me off. I don't want it!!! My eyes just looked at it! We're talking a couple of quid for most things. Had an Indonesian meal for £3 and I also got some cigarettes that turned out to be clove and menthol ones. So strange but sweet!! And crackly. Like a sparkler. Money goes a long way out here, I love it!