Well hello again from Melaka or Melacca as the locals call it,

I did try uploading my pics last night as we have moved hostels and after two hours it told me it had failed. I was annoyed to say the least.

Anyway since my lasy update we went to see the Batu caves which were amazing you have to walk up 272 steps to get to them and there are monkeys walking about on the way up which i thought was pretty cool. The caves were amazing and the best thing i enjoyed about KL so far. After returning from there we had a wonder to find some decent food and i kid you not i dont know what we are doiing wrong, we have eaten in markets, side street cafes and restaurants, food courts in shopping centres but have stilll been un-impressed so get this.............. went to Nandos! I felt so ashamed eating Nandos in Malaysia i couldnt tell you but it was enjoyed at least. Anyway we spent that night drinking rum in the hostel with some of the other travels and got to know a few people and places we must see.

Anyway next day we got the bus to melaka - Admittedly neither of us knew much about it just fancied a change. Coudln't believe it when we stepped off the bus how beautiful it is. We are staying in china town and its amazing. Full of culture good cuisine and pretty buildings. We arrived at the river view guest house and were greeted by Raymond the hostel owner - what a lovely guy. He instantly sat us down offered us homemade chocolate cake and was referring to us by our names, and get this he had made a map of all the food places we must try while we are here and the best times to go. Me and Rob could not have been happier after our disappointing food in KL. Anyway after dumping our bags we headed straight to this malaysian rest he reccomeded and got this noodle dish with tuna prawns and lots of fresh ingrediants, it blew our heads off it was hot but best thing we have eaten by far, so we then treid the crushed ice desert he recommended, it had sweetcorn, kidney beans, nuts and some green stuff (neither of us knew what that was) and was topped with ice and syrup (the locals cant seem to get enough of it) we thought it was nice but couldnt get our heads round kidney beans in a desert! LOL

So after that headed for drinks and came back to be woken up by the loudest thunder and rainfall i have ever heard in my life! the rain meant we saw the sun for the first time since we have been here though today, even though its red hot it just has been moggy all the time. So after having an indian breakfast from another place ray recommended this morning (banana pancakes with spicy sauce and mango lassi) we have been for a mooch about. Went to some ship, a mutilated beauty museum and the big eye of malaysia which was rubbish you couldnt see anything.

We do like it here though and there is a real relaxed atmosphere and the ppl are so friendly. We are going for Chicken balls with rice this afternoon and then making our own satay in hot peanut oil they put on your table - cant wait. O and a boat trip maybe later as we are on the river.

Ill keep you updated - thanks for all the lovely messages and hopefully when i get to Aus in a few days ill be able to put my pics on!

Peace out

Rachio