Hi Everyone,

I'm beginning to think this blog idea isn't such a good one--for piccies and the like,at least.I'm in Kota Kinabalu,Sabah (Borneo),using Tracy's computer,with a reasonable connection for this area (apparently)--tried to upload some videos but as estimated upload time was about 4 hours,gave that up as a bad job.So,I picked out a few piccies,and it started fine,but then came to a grinding halt with some computerese gobbledegook.So--outcome---still no photos---sorry!!

Hari Raya(end of Ramadan ) nearly put pay to my travels for a while,at least.Rumour had it that all ferries from Tioman to mainland Mersing were fully booked--but fortunately,I managed to squeeze on----just!!!

In Mersing,there was a rush into town by the other travellers,desparate for a bus,but fortunately,I stopped for breakfast,and as I walked into town,I was met by a sea of downcast faces,al saying that all buses were fully booked.I had one last hope---a local lady who ran a backpackers place that I had stayed in a couple of times---if anyone would know someone who could maybe work some magic,it would be her.So off I tramp,in seering heat,with my backpack---albeit only 13 kilos,in 36/37 degree heat,it is still a bit of an ordeal.

I tramped the streets for a while,but just couldn't remember where her place was (or maybe she had moved?)--when suddenly a lady parked her car,and asked if I needed help---I explained the problem,and she told me about a local bus which would get me part way,then I'd have to get another,for the rest of the journey.We had breakfast,and then she took me to the bus station--where she negotiated with the ticket person,and managed to get me a direct ticket---but at 4.30pm (it was about 11am!!).Anyway,she took more pity on me,and took me to her beach house(Willa's Guest House---if anyone wants a quiet getaway just outside Mersing--run by the kindly Mrs.Siddique).

I spent a pleasant afternoon in front of a fan on her verandah,and had a terrific walk along the completely deserted beach nearby,finding stranded horseshoe crabs,and watching hermit and fiddler crabs scurry about their business.

If Mrs.Siddique ever gets to read this---my eternal thanks for turning a potentially disasterous day into quite a high point of the trip.

It's about a 3 hour ride and the weather turned from blistering sunshine to torrential rain,and flooding!! But,I got to the bus station,where I was touted for a taxi ride----still,it was about a 45 ride and cost 40 ringitt--erm?--6 pound 50 ?? and he dropped me at a budget hotel---not very posh,but hot shower and aircon for 40 ringitt--can't argue,can you?

And so,early this morning,it was another cab to the airport,and off to Kota Kinabalu,to be met by my friends Terry and Tracy---and here I sit in their very nice flat,waiting for them to return from a run (in this heat---mad,quite mad!)--and later, food and maybe a beer or two.

Next is to arrange my trip to Sipadan--and as I have a bit of an ear infection,I'll probably miss diving here(nobody seems very enthusiastic about the dives here,unfortunately)

So---hopefully Next Time--a photo or two---or maybe I'm doomed to never illustrate this blog--who knows?