Helloooo from approximately one billion miles away! Yes I've made it down under! I know ive not updated this in a little while, but in that time ive been to paradise islands in Malaysia, bartered for bargainous fake designer goods, been to Singapore, missed my flight to Australia, went to the police station and the british embassy, lost my passport, and found a saviour in the form of a Singaporian named Mr Johnny! So heres whats happened. From Kho Tao where I was diving away like a pro, we took the night ferry and coach down to Malaysia. This was amongst the longest (21hrs) but most comical journey we've had so far. The night ferry was basically a boat with matresses all across the floor. The problem was it was a tad stormy outside, and as the rain poured and poured down on to the roof, it then poured and poured down onto me. It was also gushing in through the windows that wouldnt stay closed. Some was landing on my feet and as i sat up to see where it was coming from it soaked my face, i just had to find the funny side really. When we got to our destination, however, it was well worth the ordeal. The Parhentian Islands on the east coast of Malaysia are absolutely beautiful. The government seems to have learnt from Thailands mistakes and protected these islands early. No more accomodation can be built there, and no concrete buildings can be built either. The result is a quiet spot of paradise. Like the postcards that u see but never really find in real life. Beautiful crystal clear waters and soft golden sand with a jungle of palm trees behind. Being as we are PADI certified divers, we also indulged in a spot of diving while we were there, and it was even more spectacular than Thailand because there were a lot more fish and lot less divers. Unfortunately we could only stay there 2 nights as we had to rush down to Singapore to make sure we made our flight to Aus, a fact that would later prove to be rather ironic. From the Islands we went to the country's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, courtesy of the coldest bus ever! Honestly, i dont know what they were thinking. Its like they had frozen food on the coach that needed preserving. The city is similar to many large Asian cities in many ways, apart from the fact that i found so many fake designer goods i wanted! Having had no watch for years i found 2 i liked and bought, a pair of trainers, after shave and a ring. I had to leave before i spent all my money on bargainous items and also our impending flight to australia was drawing closer. If only I'd known! So from KL we travelled south to Singapore, where we enjoyed a brief reunion with Mince and Sam, and were put up for the night by Sam's mums cousin. Or some relation like that. We only had a night though, and early the next morning we packed our bags and headed for the airport, destination Perth. Then disaster struck. As I strolled over to the checkout I opened my bag and delved into the pockets feeling around for my passport.... uh oh. So the flight that I had been scurrying through SE Asia to get to left to Perth at approximately 9.05am on May 1st. I however, wasnt on it. Worse was to follow. I went to the British Embassy the next day and found that aside from paying 91 pounds for a replacement, it would take 10 working days. They were expecting me to stay until may 17th in Singapore, a place i was supposed to stay in less than 24 hrs. Two weeks in this place where I knew no one and didnt want to be was a seriously unattractive prospect. But i had no alternative, so i headed to the police staiton to get the report they requested. Before I went back to the Embassy I embarked on a wild goose chase to the bus company i thought i dropped it on, but to no avail. I even hopped in a cab and did a hollywood style "follow that bus" but it was fruitless, if a little fun. And so I dejectedly returned to the useless British Embassy, armed with a barrage of insults at how long they would take to get me a passport. I didnt need them though, as someone up there was looking out for me. When i got there they said a man by the name of Mr Johnny called, and he has my passport! Result!!! I got very very lucky. I tried to offer Mr Johnny some money as a thanks, but being the most amazing, humble life saver that he is he wouldnt take it. I managed to get a flight that evening to Perth, and beleive me i checked my passport evey 5 secs! So here I am. Down under! It was pretty sad to see the back of SE Asia i must say, I had an unbeleivable time there. But after about 197 hours of coaches, trains, boats, and leaking night ferries, we'd seen a fair bit of the corner of the continent. I've not done a great deal other than drink since I been here, but I'm taking a few days to acclimatise! Things i need to get used to: travelling by myself (Sam has since joined me), cooking my own meals (too expensive to eat out here, and ive not had beans on toast in months!!), sharing my room with randoms in dorms, having to wear a jupmer at night (winters comin!), thinking about the price of things cos i can no longer get a beer for 80p and not having to ask if people speak english. But its all good. I've enjoyed it so far, and theres a lot more to come. Perth is quite a calm chilled city from what little of it ive seen so far, and after a few more days around here I think I'll head towards the heard of Australia to see Ayers rock etc, then head towards the east coast. And thats pretty much it. So as the first major leg of my travels comes to an end, another new and exciting one begins. Stay in touch guys, and keep posting on the board. Take care and ill speak to u soon.