Hello from Penang in Malaysia! I arrived here yesterday after a full day of travelling on numerous forms of transport. It took a good 14 hours but it was fun to cross the border between Thailand and Malaysia. Basically, you get stamped out of Thailand and then you are in no mans land for about 5 minutes then you get stamped into Malaysia - bit wierd. Everyone has said that they didn't feel like they were in a different country for a while as we are all so used to flying in. Malaysia is a complete mix of China and India. We all have our legs and shoulders / arms covered to respect the muslims but then the chinese people wear what we normally wear so its odd walking down the street looking at the women who only have their eyes visible to the women who are in little tops and skirts! We were all quite knackered last night so our leader booked us into this great Indian restaurant, where we ate our food off banana leaves! The Indian food was lovely too - much better than what you get in England. I had an early night as I was exhausted. I was so pleased to find a duvet on my bed (i've been missing mine) so with the comfort of the duvet I slept from 10 until 5am which is the longest and best sleep I've had since I left the country. I awoke at 5am to a loud worbelling noise coming from the mosque across the road. An experience and an excellent alarm clock should you want to get up at 5am! Today I went to see the large buddist temple in Malaysia and also a Chinese ancestor worship house. I've learnt quite a lot about religion and don't really get it all, although it is fascinating. I'm still not into it myself but I can understand why other people get into it I suppose. I also visited the fort here on Penang island, built by the British guy who discovered the island. The British owned the island for some time so there is quite a lot of English architecture around mixed in with the Chinese and Indian influences. It was hot today and 5 hours of sightseeing was quite sufficient. So we got a lift to the beach and paid to use this 5* hotels facilities for the afternoon. So lazing by the pool on a lounger with a cocktail was a very deserving reward after climbing numerous steps and walking around in the heat all morning. Tonight we have come to the night markets which sell rip off clothes and cheap food. So I better go and have a look. I'm off to the Cameron highlands tomorrow to see the tea plantations and the strawberry fields. It means a 6.45am start so up at 6am - not looking forward to that I must say and then a ferry ride and 5 hour public bus ride. I just hope I don't have to share my seat with a chicken or a goat - its a possibility though. Our tour leader has rung ahead and made sure that we can watch the football tomorrow night. It kicks off at 11pm here, as I'm now 7 hours ahead of you. Fingers crossed although I am not entirely confident in the boys after the lacking performances in recent games. Well better go, hope you are well and will probably email from KL (Kuala Lumpar) in a few days.........