Malaysia
Trip Start
Feb 20, 2007
1
23
28
Trip End
Aug 11, 2007
KL, Malaysia
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
I know everyone who comes here has told me how cheap Asia is but it doesn't really sink in until you get here. Its amazing at what the prices are. You can live like a king for 15 pounds a day its crazy!!
Right well the few days we had in Singapore were pretty nice. We mainly just spent abit of time walking around the shopping malls and streets of the city, eating at the local food halls and just taking it easy as it was soo hot it took alittle while to acclimatise. The highlight were the two evening we had there. the first was spent at the Night Safari where we got to get up close to quite a few animals on train ride that went through the park. I even held a snake!! the second night we spent on a little island by the name of Santosa, where we had a few walks and saw the sites. The best bit was the ride over to the island which we did on a cable car of about 3/4 of a km long and about 70 metres above the sea!
Once we left Singapore we headed into Malaysia and for our first proper land border crossing which was different. Firstly stop was Melaka which is an old town with quiet abit of European history. It was a part of the Portuguese, Dutch and finally English empire over the last few hundred years. time was spent looking at the local architecture, museums and stuff. Next we hooped onto the bus and made our way to KL which is Malaysia's capital city. Again we spent a couple of days looking at the sites such as two big towers, some gardens, walking through many day and night markets etc. We spent one morning at Buta caves which is a system of old limestone caves which have been converted into temples. There were 300 steps to the top and a monkey on just about everyone ready to nick your bag if you took your hand off it!! We stayed in China town in an OK hostel which had a few nice people in which made it. one was a local tribesman from Borneo Malaysia and he gave a very interesting history lesson over a few beers., the people here are really nice and very welcoming.
As i write this section I am at about 1800m above sea level (which makes a welcome relief as the temp is quite abit less up here) in an old English tea plantation in an area called the Cameron highlands. Its lovely up here, we are surrounded by large peaks and tea plantations that go on for ever it seems in every direction. We went to a factory the other day to see how the tea was made, and sat down to a fresh batch straight form the fields! We are now about to set off on a 8 hour bus journey through to a set of islands on Malaysia's east coast where we hope to spend a few days snorkeling.
right guys best be off,
take care,
Jason
x
