Malaysia 29th December 2012 to 9th January 2013

Kuala Lumpur 29th Dec to 2nd January

Dec 29th

arrive in KLCentral at 05:40, we thought we were an hour early but in fact there is a change in time by one hour. Metro not open until 6am. Arrive at Raizzy's guest house about 6.30 rooms not ready as expected so we slept in the reception/chill out area. Woken at 9.30 to say mix up with booking and that they did not have a double room for us as they had double booked. Showed us a hostel down the road that was same price and had a double room, but it was on a corridor and could have the possibility to be noisy, also not clean and a very small room. They then showed us a bunk room again not impressed so we stuck it out and eventually given the room we requested, especially as we had booked in September and double checked when we stayed last time.

Lunch at KLCC centre as I wanted comfort food feeling jaded and missing family. Cinema to watch Breaking Dawn part 4. Bed early to catch up on sleep.

Dec 30th

Wendy up early to queue for Petronas towers tickets. Arrived at 7:15 and there was already a considerable queue in front of me, ticket office doesn't open until 8:30.Got chatting to a couple from Perth, they saved my spot while I went to get a drink etc. At 8am a gentleman came round with ticket numbers I was number 147 and about 100 people behind me was last ticket - they only give out 900 a day, obviously people were buying more than 1 each. At 9:15 I got to the counter and was given 11:00 as my time slot to go up the towers. 45 min tour costs 80RM. No point going back to hotel so walk round the centre and the gardens to kill the time.

Wow Wow Wow. Up to sky-bridge is level 42, walked across the bridge twice, very stable but still a little scary. Amazing views and a spectacular feat of engineering. Then up to Observation desk at level 86 Wow Wow Wow I have accomplished yet another of my lifetime ambitions - tears again.

Film Jack Reacher and more comfort food.

31st January

Burmese embassy to apply for Visa , very easy ask for application from right hand office, complete form - not difficult hand in at left hand office along with passport and two photographs and payment. pick up tomorrow between 4 and 5.

Bus station to book tickets to Pangkor Island - 4 hour journey cost 25RM and then ferry 30 mins cost 10RM return.

Aquarium - good photographs of sharks and Rays.

Dinner at KLCC

6pm Sat in Park waiting for the show to begin 9pm. Talked to Malay man very interesting and informative. Fountain, lights and music from 9pm. Thousands of people glad we got here early as we were right at the front near the fountains and had a good view of all.

New year was different no kissing, hugging or singing Old Angsign. Fireworks were amazing, although not over the towers but the other direction but still impressive and lasted a good 15 minutes and were huge filled the sky between the buildings. 2013 s going to be a great year for Gill/Ellis/Carrington's I can feel it.

Ist January

Slept in. Walk to Central Market were we had lunch, walked to Little India and Majism Square

Back to the towers to take photos as the sun was shining - quite rare in KL as it is usually smoggy.

Afternoon Tea in Harrods - how very posh and typically English.

Pick up Burma Visa - again easy state our name and hand in ticket receive passports all within 5 mins.

Dinner at Chinese Market - meat cooked in foil very tasty.

2nd January

Bus to Lumut leaves at 9am 4 hour journey which takes 4 hours 45 mins. Arrive at Lumut easy 500mt walk across to Ferry port next ferry leaves at 2.30 takes 30 mins to Island - very hot and humid.

We get off at the first ferry stop SPK and walk to our accommodation which is in the heart of the fishing village. Very small room with no natural light and straight off the main high street with motorbike noise and fish smells; Although the lady owner is very helpful. I have a little paddy and cry as I am feeling very jaded and tired of travelling and was looking forward to some seaside, beach and swimming, none of which could be done straight from here without getting a moped and travelling every day. If we were in a different frame of mind it would have been a great adventure to be amongst the locals. We hire a moped and suss out the coastline and other accommodation. Finally finding Sea View Hotel, Which is directly onto a quiet beach and has the added bonus of a pool. The hotel is a little dated and run down but the faculties and beach access make up for that. It is a little more expensive but breakfast is included.

Settle in. Dinner at Hotel food is cook, staff are friendly and as helpful as they can be, language is sometimes a barrier. We fed the Hornbill birds at dinner, fascinating as they come near your table to eat anything left for them or thrown at them. Also the sunset is amazing; there is a private island opposite the hotel and the sunset just to one side of it amazing.

Swim in the pool will save the sea till tomorrow.

3rd January

Good nights sleep. Breakfast is a choice of Omelette, pancakes or rational Malay with plenty of tea/coffee and toast. Hornbills came down to be fed again this time there was two couples and they take turn in feeding each other - very sweet.

We walked along the beach left to the rocks and round the corner. We came across a family of monkeys, they are very timid bit we find some fruit and feed them at a distance. They are not photogenic as soon as the camera came out they off in the trees.

Lunch at a good Chinese round the corner that sells loads of fresh seafood - we will be back to sample that.

Walk along the beach on the opposite direction to suss out trips to islands, snorkelling etc. swim in the pool and the sea - which is warm and very salty great for floating.

Last dinner

4th January

Met a Kiwi family who are travelling for 5 weeks they have 6 kids consisting of 3 teenagers, a ten year old a three year old and a baby of 9 months. They are great kids and great company so we spend quite a bit of time with them over the next few days.

Walked round to beach left beyond rocks as our beach is quite busy with water sports activities, needed some peace and quiet and some alone time. Today is just a chill out day which is badly needed. Both us are missing home.

Watched the horn bills again and the sunset.

Text from Hannah to say they have confirmation of Mortgage so the house can go ahead now - so exciting just what we need to hear as it gives us something to look forward to when we get home.

5th January

Cloudy. huge thunderstorm overnight so the weather today is very grey and cloudy. We grabbed a lift into Pangkor town with the Kiwis. When we say it is a town that consists of about 10 shops a couple of restaurants and the 2nd and biggest ferry port. The heavens open and it chucks it down so we get a taxi back to the hotel. We spend the afternoon catching up with the blog and planning. Swimming in the sea and the pool.

A beautiful sunset tonight, probably the best so far. I took loads of photos from all directions but it never quite captures it how we see it.

6th January

Sunny, clear skies and hot.

We arrange an Island hop and snorkelling trip with the kiwis. First stop is the private Island called Laut to have a look at the resort there, we are not allowed to land but it looks very posh and very expensive. It doesn't have a good beach and they can't see the sunset like us as they face the wrong direction. Villa on stilts with outside bathrooms etc.

Next we see Turtle Bay, Monkey Bay and Coral Beach. We stop at Coral Bay Island to snorkel and swim. The boat leaves us here to be picked up later at 4pm. There is a little café which sells basic cold dirks and some food, we have brought our own. The snorkelling is not the best as visibility is not very good, but we can see some fish and coral and it is good to be in the water and sharing our time with good people. The water is warm and the island has a pristine sandy white coral beach with rocks to climb and trees to shelter under. A very enjoyable day had by all.

Back to the hotel for a swim in the pool.

Dinner altogether at a restaurant round the corner, sometimes we need the company of kids and families and this was the right time for us.

A perfect day.

7th January

Chill day. Catching up with the blog, planning.

Monday 21st January

Our last stay in KL. Visit to Sepang International Circuit. Tour takes 90 minutes. We were the only two people so was very personalised. We were shown round by the man that is in charge of the flags and national anthems on race day. We were taken to the grandstands, winner's podium, the VIP suites and lounges and then behind the scenes to race control and the pits. Lots of photo opps and really exciting. I had forgotten that this is the circuit that Italian Moto GP rider was killed; there is a mural in memory to him.

We were then given a goodie bag which consisted of a t shirt with Sepang race track on etc.

All a good afternoon and money well spent.

Checked into Youniq hotel, which is not far from the airport and Sepang circuit on an industrial estate. It is a boutique style hotel with some funny little quirks. It is very comfy room, but small. Friendly staff.

Meal and bed.

Airport in the morning to Hong Kong.