Hey hey. . . . Welcome from Malaysia. . . . More specifically Melaka. . . ! Well, I got out of Singapore on this very comfortable coach for my 5 hour journey to Melaka. I think it took less time than that, but hey, whatever?!

So, after chatting with that Dutch girl the other day about Malaysia, I booked ahead for 2 nights accommodation at Travelers Lodge, however after spending the afternoon there, I don't think I would be needing 2 nights. . . ? I pretty much saw the place that day, as I spent most of the afternoon wondering around. . . . Most of the museums seemed to be shut, but I wasn't too upset about that. . . I did have a look around the historical areas though including a good trek around Chinatown.

On the initial way in from the bus station the taxi driver gave me some good history on the place, so after that and my walk round, I felt I had done the place! Maybe I need to just sit down and chill for another day and read my book or do some more planning and not rush off straight away?!?! Sorry, I think I am thinking out loud and writing it down at the same time?!?! Ramble ramble!

So, anyway, yeah, Malaysia. . . . Everyone seems very friendly, the people who run the hostel were very nice and even people in the street have stopped me to say hello and shake my hand and welcome me to Malaysia, which I thought was great. . . .

When I was walking around Chinatown I heard some banging, so I popped down a side street to investigate and was fascinated to see 2 old Chinese guys making all sorts of pans and stuff with sheet metal. . . . One of the guys was soldering, but the other was hand folding the metal with a lump of steel and a lump of RSJ steel. . . . (RSJ - is H shaped steel girder). His precision was awesome to watch, I suppose you would have to be there to understand what I mean?!!?

Anyway, there seemed to be quite a history about the place, with Portuguese, Dutch and British influence as well as the obvious Asian aspect! I took a few photos, but do feel that that is it for here, so maybe off to KL then over to the Taman Negara (National Park).

That evening after resting for bit after my very strenuous day, hahaha, I headed our for some food. . . . I decided to stay local, so just popped to one of the eatery places down the road. . . The guy was out on the front with his stove and hot pans, etc, and the place always seemed to have a few people coming and going. . . . . So I sat down order a Tiger beer and settled into my Sudoku puzzle book. After I while the smells of food had done their job and I was ready to order, which isn't always the easiest of tasks, but generally good for comedy value, as you never really know if you are going to get what you think you ordered. . . . The food came and most of it was really nice, so I was happy that I did well. . . . !

After the meal I headed back to the hostel and chilled out there for a bit, catching the end of a film some guys were watching. I then popped up to the roof garden at the place just to catch the view at night and chill for a bit in the evening breeze. . . . . There was however a few English guys and girls up there chatting away, I wouldn't mind, but some of the girls accents were annoying and they were loud. . . . gggrrrrr! After a while the lights went out up there as the place closes it down late at night, so they all disappeared. Unfortunately I had to leave as well, but it was right next to my room so I headed to bedafter chatting with one of the guys for a bit. . . .

The hostel itself is pretty cool. . . . . Not a bad standard I don't think. . . It's hard to say at the moment because I don't have much to compare to, however I have a feeling some of the places will be pretty bad. . . So this place is clean and tidy, my room is very basic with a single bed, a chair, a window and a fan! Still, I don't suppose you need much more?!?!? The quirky thing though about the place is that it is like a rabbit warren and some of the stairs are a little bit crazy to say the least. The worst are mine that lead to my room and then to the roof garden terrace, they are less than 2 feet wide and virtually vertical. . . . I couldn't imagine trying them after a few beers?!?! Still as I have said, the place seems pretty good, so for about £3 a night you cannot complain?!?! Yeah £3! Some things over here are really cheap, so I am looking forward to slowing down the decline in my bank balance!

Well. . . . Bye for now. . . Will let ya know what Kuala Lumpur is like. . . !