Left Singapore on Monday morning to catch the bus across to Malaysia. It was a short bus journey to the old port town of Melaka. Lots of history and narrow streets. The streets of Chinatown were lined with Peranakan (Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. We went on a river cruise and then visited the old Fort (well what is left of it!) and a Chinese Temple on the Trishaw bicycles. Dinner was in the Rice Ball and 1 quid for dinner and a beer, you can't really go wrong! The next morning caught the bus to Kuala Lumpur. Stayed in chinatown and again like singapore, loads of shops! The first evening caught a taxi with Jon and Katie to KL Menara to get a view over the city. Very high telecoms tower and so good view of the Petronas Towers. Headed back to the chinatown for dinner and then a night out on the town at a bar called Beaches. Very interesting evening! Not only for the clients but as one local was please to tell me the local haunt for lady selling their wears .. and I had no idea!! Got a lot to learn before Bangkok me thinks! The next day a bit of a late start and nursing our heads. We caught a taxi to the massive shopping malls of Low Yat and BB Plaza. I have to say I was completely overwelmed by how many shops there were, it was all to much for me!! About late afternoon we visited the Batu Caves about 12km north of town. The are Hindu caves and lots of steps! We then headed to Little India to try some curry. It was not quite like curries back home but came on banana leaves and had to eat with your hands! After dinner had a quick stop in the Chinatown night market and bargain hunting amongst the stalls. Caught the subway to KLCC to see the Petronas Towers lit but at night. Amazing site and above another massive shopping mall! In the end decided to go to the 11:30pm showing of War of the Worlds. Scary film but enjoyable! The next day travelled by bus to the small town north called Kuala Kangsar. Took a small boat to a remote island to spend 2 days relaxing with a local Muslim family. The hosts, Asiah and Aziz, offered a fascinating insight into Malaysian life. Spent the days relaxing, swimming and canoeing. Even saw some water buffalos and monkeys. To near my wooden hut to relax to much! Next morning onto Penang via Kuala Kangsar where we stopped to visit the local mosque and markets ... the trip to the island of Penang involved 2 boats, a bus and a taxi! We arrived mid afternoon and just happened to be the day of the Lions final match against the All Blacks. Therefore we all hot footed down to the local english pub to try and find somewhere to watch the game. Enjoyed a few cool beers to make up for the score and then in the evening caught a taxi to the waterfront to go and try out the local cuisine from the hawker stalls. Very good chinese food and got to feed my new addiction of lime juice! The next morning had an early start and the prospect of enjoying a whole day on the bus to cross the border into Thailand!