Melaka.

So I've finally decided to step up to the mark and write my first blog entry. Before I get started can I apologise for the following you are about to read. I expect it will be a little boring. Sentences will be short and to the point. Descriptions and explanations will be nonexistent.

Hmmm, where to begin? Leaving Singapore, yep that'll do.....

After the busiest week we've had so far, and probably the best I might add, we were back on the move. Next stop was to be Melaka, or Malacca depending on which book, website etc etc you read.

The rough plan we had managed to come up with over the previously crazy week was to just head to the bus station mentioned in the guide book that we carry with us, and hop on a bus. Easy you may think, or why didn't you think of getting a ticket first? Just a few of the many questions probably popping into your head at this moment.

Well this is how the rough plan played out.....

After waking to the emergency "you must get up now alarm" at 10.30 we rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen area for a coffee. The lady who ran the hostel had promised a special birthday breakfast for Hayley. A late birthday treat for Hayley and also a little farewell meal. Any ideas what it was? A big English fry up? Croissants? No, none of those. It was a chicken curry. Oh yes what better way to start the day then with a curry!!

Once the coffee kicked in we were off, on our way towards the bus station. Firstly a little walk to the underground, a little hot, slightly sweaty but no problems it wasn't even midday.
However as we stood waiting for the train to arrive, it did seem to be slightly busier then normal. So the train arrived, the doors opened, passengers scrambled on and off. Hayley stepped into the train. As I took a step to follow the doors bounced off my head, I stepped back and the train pulled away. Hayley on board. While I'm stood rubbing my head on the platform I catch Hayley mouth the words "I'll get off at the next stop".
The next train arrived 5 minutes later, a few minutes more the train pulled into the next station to where Hayley was waiting. The doors opened and on she jumped.

Emerging from the air conditioned underground station the midday heat hit us as we started a hopefully not too long walk to the bus station. 15-20 minutes later, absolutely drenched in sweat we arrived at a large car park full of maybe 5 or 6 buses. Hmmm we looked at each other, drank some water and sat down. We opened up the ever increasingly inaccurate book to have a double check. Yep, pick up buses to Melaka from lavender street car park. After a quick chat to a bus driver, we were in the right place but buses don't leave from here. With instructions on where to go from the driver (another long sweaty walk) we contemplated our options. Luckily at that moment a taxi entered the car park! In we climbed and off we set to our next destination. As the taxi pulled into the traffic we started to talk to the driver. To cut a long story short, the bus drivers instructions were rubbish too. The taxi driver had a better idea. From where he dropped us we bought a ticket for a bus leaving in half an hour. Success and it was only 1pm!

The bus arrived and we were soon at the Singapore border. Hayley went first to the immigration officer. He told her she didn't look anything like her picture, to which she replied ....."well I do have a tan now!"
Next was the Malaysian boarder, where I was asked to open my bag. Probably because I had a bottle of vodka in there. Luckily she didn't find it!

The bus continued on its way. Three hours later we arrived in Melaka.

Melaka, UNESCO world heritage site, popular family holiday destination and popular weekend haunt for young male Singaporeans with some spare cash!!

Our arrival marked the beginning of the extensive over exaggerations that the travel books and Internet would make towards places to visit in Malaysia.
They all described the many interesting and varied place to visit, along with the delights of the local cuisine.

We had three nights in Melaka. A couple to many but it was a good first stop into Malaysia.
The hostel we stayed in clean and fairly quiet. The guy looking after the place seemed a little strange. But that's to be expected. What we didn't expect was that as we sat down for breakfast each morning we would find him already hitting the beer. Maybe he had spent to much time with travellers?
I think the most interesting thing was walking along the river and seeing what first appeared to be a crocodile swimming along the bank. It wasn't , but It did however turn out to be a large monitor lizard (see pictures)
We wondered through china town on the night of there mid autumn festival. But we resisted the temptations of the moon cakes. (traditionally consisting primarily of lotus bean paste)

We left Melaka slightly disappointed. As we boarded the next bus we had high expectations that the Cameron Highlands would be a huge improvement.