Hello from Melaka! We have spent the last couple of days exploring this World Heritage town. Like Georgetown, Melaka has a lot of history linked to its colonial past and its status as a major trading port. Melaka has a pretty riverfront and characterful shops and restaurants. We are unable to load any of our photos at present because of our laptop problems, so bear with us. Speak soon!

Quick update as our laptop has given up the will to live! Flew back from Kuching to our favourite KL, stayed over night in Brickfields and headed out during a very busy Aidilfitri / Hari Raya (end of Ramadan) to Melaka. Try and update you when we can.

This is our Kuching 'wrap-up' blog and covers our final 3 days - on Friday we spent some time in the Reservoir Park near to us with a lovely lake and restful plants and gardens. Kept beautifully and empty of people! We walked to see the Bishop's lodge (built 1849) which was a lovely hilltop building and possibly the oldest building in Kuching. We also did the local markets - but they were so busy - we got some fresh fruit. On Saturday we went to visit Bako Rainfo...

Since third year geography I had always been fascinated by the equatorial rainforest of Borneo and its indigenous tribes living in longhouses, now was my chance to actually visit one. After all that is reported about the destruction of the rainforest I was curious to see just what might be left. We chose a tour which was a 5 hour (250km) drive into the interior, every year the tours go deeper and deeper into the jungle as each longhouse becomes more accessible by...

Had day of relaxation around Kuching, walking and exploring - we visited the local market too! Next it was off to the Irrawaddy Dolphin cruise in the evening to Santubong peninsular. We were collected by minivan from the hotel and then off on a 50 min ride to Santubong (north coast from Kuching). We joined a local boat at the Santubong River along with 25 or so others all eager to see some wildlife. We set off at 5pm with the blue sky above and the warmth of the ...