Good morning!

As I sit eating breakfast looking out to sea the heavens have opened, the skies are grey and the sea is as rough as I have seen it. Oh no!

It's 8:27am and my flight from Tekek is due to leave at 10am! It's going to be a tough day I think!

Thankfully as I look to the horizon the sky is brighter and is improving every minute. Hopefully there is enough time between now and when I fly for it to pass! I don't want to be stranded here in this weather! We will see.... Tom x

Hello!

I have made it to Tioman Airport, just! As my boat arrived to pick me up the rain stopped but the waves crashed! The boat was literally changing height by at least 3/4m against the pier as I tried to get on. With my big rucksack on my back and my small one on the front I climbed, holding on for dear life, onto the boat. That was the easy part. As we sailed across to Tekek the sea was rough. Very rough! I held on to the side of the little boat as the old guy tried his best to steer us through the waves. Every time the boat went down the splash came flying back at us! This went on for the next 15 minutes and when we reached the other side every part of me was drenched! I decided to take the spray directly in my face to try and shield my rucksack as much as I could, it seemed to work and all in all it was another experience overcome and that's what it's all about!

I arrived at the airport after crossing the road and it was every little bit shut as I imagined. I opened the gate, walked in and sat down! I decided I would get changed so got some fresh clothes out and got changed in the toilets. I then returned to the outside departure hall, hung my wet clothes on the rail to dry and turned the lights on!

As I sit on the steps the staff seem to be arriving now and aren't they lucky to be welcomed by me today!

Luckily the weather is clearing and it looks as though I might be getting off this island soon... We shall see! Bye for now :) x

Hello!! 11:07am... I am sat in the departure area next to the runway, plane 9M-MKZ has just landed and is currently being unloaded. It is around 25m away from me! It has 1 big propeller at the front, the wings are across the top and had 8 windows down each side! This is going to be amazing and as the sun now shines in the sky excitement and adrenaline is running through my body!!!! See you soon!! X

11:29am...

I'm on the plane... I am less than 1m from the pilot and co pilot, I can see all the controls and this is incredible!!! They have just closed the door and we're ready to go!!!!

HERE WE GO!!!!!

So as we taxi down the run way... I'm s***ting it! There is jungle on either side and the sea at the end! As we turn around the captain is talking and they are pressing lots of buttons....

We're ready!!! I'm typing as this happens, they are doing the final checks! Engines get louder..... It's very loud!! 3,2,1 go!!!!!!

Wow! That was incredible! I am so glad I decided to fly out, if nothing else it worth it to fly in this plane! As we climb and climb I can see on the dials that we are at 8900ft... It is actually one of the smoothest flights I have been on and the view is incredible. As we leave Tioman behind myself and the 5 other passengers are enjoying looking out the window! I can now see mainland Malaysia and I am so thankful I am not having to do the 2 hour boat ride! As we level to our cruise height of 10,000ft I notice a little fly in here! I bet he didn't pay 100 Ringgit for having extra weight! I'm going to sit back and enjoy the views of the mainland and think of all the other tourists on the 6 hour bus to KL! I'll be there in about 1 hour 15 mins! Bye for now :) X

Touch down 1:00pm - Awesome!

Good evening!

I am currently at the top of the KL Tower and it is 6:56pm.

The sun is setting over the city and the skyline is coming to life.

After landing at the airport I had to get a taxi into the city. This was about 30 mins and only cost £8! A 70 year old Malaysian man called Mohamed was my driver and he was lovely. He told me all about the history of KL and how it had changed in his life time. I arrived at my hostel, Reggee Mansion, after a little tour that Mohamed wanted to take me on.

I checked in and freshened up before heading out for my afternoon in KL. To be honest I am glad I only have one afternoon as I'm already looking forward to getting out. There is nothing wrong with KL and I'm glad I have been but at the end of the day a city is a city. As usual there is a China Town, a street market and a whole load of s*** all over the floor! Bring back Dubai and Singapore. I can't stand dirty places!

First I went to confirm my booking for my 3 day tour starting tomorrow. I then went for a walk to the main square where I found the National Museum. This had been recommended so I decided to have a look around and it was really good. Not too long and I found out some good info. I then stumbled across 'Mud', a musical on every night all about the Kuala Lumpur's history. I bought a ticket and will head there for 8:30pm tonight.

From there I jumped into a taxi up to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and they were as impressive as I had hoped! I took the compulsory tourist pictures and then got a jumping picture even I am proud of!

Next I got the metro to Kampung Baru, a place I had read about in Lonely Planet. Being one stop from the twin towers you might expect it to be a similar kind of area. However the contrast couldn't have been greater. This traditional Malay area is as it was back in the day and is still home for many locals. The modern buildings dwarf this little settlement and part of me did wonder what the hell I was doing walking around. However, it was safe and I thought it was necessary to visit to get a feeling of the 'other side' of KL.

I again jumped in a taxi here and was dropped off by another old man and his wife at the KL Tower where I am now.

I have just been on the top floor observation deck and now sit one floor below. As the city lights come on I am going to go and take some more pictures before heading back to my hostel for the free dinner! Yes, free dinner! Then it will be time to head to the theatre. Hopefully tonight I can FaceTime Tara, 6 weeks to go!

Bye for now!

X

Good evening...

As I lie in my 'pod' in the Reggee Mansion it is truly living up to its name. The roof top bar is blaring music out and it's party time. However, I'm not in the mood and need to leave at 7am so I'm in bed. I have just been up there for a beer and had a chat to some girls from London so I have been a little bit sociable!

Tonight I went to 'Mud' The Musical! It was absolutely fantastic! The local people performed in a small theatre a whole hour long production all about how Kualar Lumpur has developed. It told a story of 3 guys who moved here for work in the Tin mines, building a town as a result. However, this then burnt down in the 1800's and almost as soon as it was rebuilt there was a huge flood. Many people then moved away but the ones who stayed were joined by the British who built some of the buildings we see today. In the 1900's KL became independent and has developed into what we know today! It was a fascinating show and I loved it even more when I was dragged out the audience to play a part on stage. I had to bang a tin tray to a specific beat and dance at the same time! I was loving it and as I was doing it I thought of my Grandad Dennis who frequently used to bang a tin tray on his head!! Haha!

Anyway, dancing over I sat down again and enjoyed the rest of the show.

When I got back to the hostel I made my way to the roof bar and joined the only other English, two sisters from London for a drink. One of them was a Maths teachers so I spent most of the time talking about Dubai!

Anyway, that was Kuala Lumpur and I'm ready to move on again tomorrow. 3 days in the Teman Negara jungle await....

Night all,

Tom x