Well, if you had bet me last Friday at 6.20am, when I was stranded in a pick up truck in three feet of water, that I wouldn't get off Kho Samui I would probably not have taken you on but.......one tow, two buses, two taxis, two ferries and fifteen hours later I made it into Georgetown harbour. Another surprising place for me with its mixture of Chinese, Indian and Malay but the first thing that struck me was the cleanliness of the streets. The following morning I had my own view of that. Having been walking for couple of hours in the high temperatures I realised the wadded up tissue in my hand was saturated and chose to put into an open drain by the roadside. Within seconds a large SUV pulled up alongside and a voice said "you just threw trash in the street". When I tried to explain that I thought it was an open drain and that it would be okay, I was asked where I came from and when I explained was told "you would get nailed for that in London". Before I could say anything more the driver took off. I don't know if I was more annoyed 'cause he was partially right, I was partially wrong or because he was an American.......the world's number one polluters. Actually I was probably most upset that I couldn't get my smart response in place before he drove off. So there you have it.......nice clean place full of fascist residents. And just in case you think I am over-reacting remember this is the 'democratic' country that has just put in place a law that everyone with a mobile phone must register its ownership with the government!! (David Blunkett eat your heart out) Still, the place is clean and everyone, from the taxi driver who welcomed me to his country and his town and gave me a ten minute history of the island on the way to the hotel, down to the little lady at the bus stop, speaks virtually flawless English. Been walking around for days now visiting, Buddhist Wats, Muslim MOsques, Christian Churches, Hindu and Chinese temples and have been struck by how tolerant they seem of each other. As ever, was taken by the pragmatic approach of the Buddhists who managed to have a 'cash paying' wheel of fortune next to a 60 foot long reclining Buddha......within the temple itself. Also in the garden was a mobile unit which invited visitors to pitch coins into a variety of revolving bowls offering a range of delights from good fortune to a happy marriage! Thought on the Chinese. Physics seems to have missed them by as they are unaware that, if six people get out of an elevator it will be easier for two to get in. Their take on the situation seems to be that if two people push into a lift then six will be pushed out! Amusing signs seen on travel so far: Social evils prohibited - On a beach in Vietnam forbidding prostitution Don't put tortoises in the fish pond - in the Buddhist temple Soon Fatt Hung - Birds Nest Restaurant (Had to visit and try the Shark Fin soup but last time I looked there was no visible improvement in body). Most redundant sign. Jumping over this fence is forbidden. (This on the surround of a promontory over a 500 foot drop) Have been recommended by a travel guy from KL not to bother visiting the capital city as it is "just another big place with nothing much to see" so will bypass and move on to Maleka instead after the Cameron HIghlands and another visit to the coast. Best to all. G