Well we finally made it after 14 hours flying time interspersed with a 60 minute hike up and down Dubai airport during the transfer time, and a rather tasty pizza and chicken wrap in the Fig and Olive food emporium. During the 14 hours John managed to get through 5 films including Bravo (aka Brave to those in the know), Dark Shadows, Prometheus, and a couple of others) I settled for Driving Miss Daisy in the end and an odd game of elephant memory. We were in the double decker plane for the second leg (A380 i think for those plane nerds amongst you). As most of the flight was through the night (GMT time) i struggled to keep awake long enough to try any more films, and nodded off with Hayley's selection of music on the MP3 rattling round the old brain cells. I have however made mental bookmarks to watch We Need to talk about Kevin on the way home , and maybe rewatch the Marigold Hotel for some Indian holiday nostalgia.

When we arrived in Kuala Lumpur we had the unenviable task of negotiating the airport system which must involve the longest and most convoluted route from plane to baggage. We did however find time en route for a brief wander through the rainforest bit in the centre before getting on the transit train to the baggage reclaim. We arrived at the hotel somewhat hot and sweaty – having had to carry our backpacks for the first time.

The hotel – The Winsin -Jalan Petalang is pretty much as before – they gave us a twin room as the reception guy reckoned they had forgotten to save our room but promising a double for the rest of the stay. We have now got a room like the one we had last year with a double and a twin. It’s much better than the first one they gave us as it has more room in the ensuite and bedroom. The plug sockets all work in here too which is a definite bonus as i was beginning to panic about how to keep the various electronics charged up. The only spooky thing in here is that the shower keeps deciding to spit out the occasional flurry of water- so that could be fun if it does it during the night. John’s worried it’s going to leap into action when he’s contemplating on the loo. I’m quite looking forward to that – you can imagine the language- i don’t think he’ll be jolly John if that happens. J

John braved the Chinese market to have Clay pot rice with prawns in the food court there - in think the Carlsberg lager might have helped.. he even started trying to figure out the Chinese script on the food posters. I was so shocked i had to go and soak my feet in a piranha pond. Well i say piranha pond- technically it was a fish spa – although the fish seemed huge compared to the ones back home. They are certainly capable of removing a big toe if you weren’t watching. Best 5 ringitt (£1) i spent all day. Both feet are now baby soft- maybe not such a good idea with all the walking ahead. I can feel every bit of the orthotic supports in my Birkenstocks now- so today had to resort to the good old fit flops. Note to self must invest in a pair of good orthotic hot weather friendly coolmax trainers for the big trip.