Getting a dodgy bus from a dodgy bus station in Singapore we do our first land border crossing and almost don't make it! We don't have any evidence of out onward travel plans to prove we aren't staying in Malaysia.... hmm one the guidebook neglected to suggest. Luckily, they let us through and we continue on to Melaka in our shoddy bus with broken air conditioning....
Melaka has been recommended to us by the tourist board in Singapore as an architecturally fascinating city due to all the different countries that have been in charge their at some point... There is probably a more historical way to put that...so we are looking forward to a day exploring. Well, after about 2 hours spent getting lost, me getting grumpy, the map not matching the road signs, walking on the road up a four-lane road in heavy traffic and finding the outskirts of town we finally see 2 white people and follow them back to the centre of town. An excellent plan, had they not been going back to their hotel. Oh well, jump across several traffic lights with no pedestrian light system, risk getting killed and finally we arrive beneath a grotty sign in a carpark welcoming us to Melaka.
The town is supposed to be very dutch, well it is kinda red and there is a windmill but I think Europe may offer a better Holland. We do however find a delicious restaurant and a shopping mall selling loads of cheap shoes! And stumble across China Town and a gorgeous temple but we're not so sure of the protocol so just wander around outside.
Off to Kuala Lumpur on another bus. We're not very good at this bus thing yet and I just agree to the first bus going to Kuala Lumpur so we end up at a bus stop outside of town and get shafted by a taxi driver who gets to about £30 then drops us off a walk away from our hostel as he has no idea where it is!
For the first few days we stay in the china town area which we both love. There is an indoor market which sells all kinds of crap I want to buy and has an awesome antiquey restaurant with happy hour to keep Duncan busy too! They also served these yummy Thai Hats which are rice baskets with shredded vegetables and sweet chilli sauce - YUM YUM YUM! So good we ordered it twice. We also managed to catch one of the New Year's Dragon dances where the dragons dance into the shopping mall bringing good luck in with them. The music is loud and banging and really fascinating although our ears were ringing at the end! Every building in the China Town area does this every day of the New Year period. I love that the Chinese are very into their traditions and cultures and once again I feel sad for the lack of English pride our country has sometimes.
Later that evening we had a wander around China Town which is all decorated and bustling 'cause of Chinese New Year. The market stalls here are more along the fake designer goods and general market trash but it is fabulous for sitting in a bustling bar on the street, ordering large beers and just watching the mayhem caused by shouting market stall owners, slow walking tourists and locals laden down with stuff getting excited by a handbag stall selling everything at £4 - well that is good value!
After a few days in the area we move to the Muslim part of town. hmmm. Not so much fun. The shops here employ a method of playing ridiculously loud music and shouting over the top of that about their deals. The area is much dirtier, the food is less delicious and unless I want to buy a head scarf shopping here is limited. We are in an awesome hotel though with the COMFIEST pillows and duvet ever!
And finally we need to go see the Petronus Towers! After navigating the frankly AWFUL train system (you can't change train in the same area like on the London Underground - you get out walk over the road and buy a new ticket from the CORRECT ticket window only before continuing on your journey) anyway.... the area around the Petronus Towers, once you navigate your way out of the underground station and mall, is lovely. All spangly and new and clean! The towers are impressive and Duncan takes about a thousand photos and we even get asked to be in photos with some Chinese girls. The apparently love seeing white people or something, I think we are just so good-looking they couldn't miss the opportunity. There is a massive lake just outside the towers and a little are of it is designated paddling pool area for children and it is rammed! Mind you, it is so damn hot I consider running in in my pants too, although I am already attracting enough attention so I think I'll stay fully clothed for now. We stick around for the sun to set and see the towers all lit up which is lovely and tomorrow we leave for the beaches of Thailand.
Bye Bye Malaysia, it's been meh.
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