Have now crossed the border into Malaysia. The border crossing was pretty straightforward, the bus comfortable and the roads suprisingly good. The public bus from the bus station into town tho was a different ballgame. We were in a completely run-down, cramped, rattly bus with air-con of a different kind - no windows and the door wide open. The fascinated locals looked on with a smile. We held on tight whilst the driver crunched the gears all the way to the centre.

We really liked Melaka, and everything is back to ridiculously cheap here in Malaysia! The streets are small and quaint filled with cute little shops, houses, markets and places to eat. The local people are so incredibly friendly. We found ourselves once again weaving through chaotic traffic and mopeds. Crossing the roads is a nightmare. We've developed the 'stick with a local' technique. The heat is extraordinary and air-con has become our best friend.

We were woken every morning at 5.45am by the muslim call to prayer megaphone, located facing directly?into our bedroom window - we were opposite the temple. Nightmare. Most of the markets here are at night - I guess because of the heat. And thats when the town really comes to life. And they are obsessed with karaoke. There was a stage overlooking the market, dedicated to karaoke, where Malaysian wannabees belted out their favorite random British covers to anyone within a 5 mile radius! Hillarious.