Well Singapore is long behind us now and we have moved on to better and bigger things. Let's start though by setting the record straight about Ryan's wallet.
After enjoying our gloopy chinese cuisine in a traditonal hawker centre in the centre of Singapore, we left to get the MRT to our next destintation. At this point Ryan noticed his wallet was no longer in his pocket!
After enjoying our gloopy chinese cuisine in a traditonal hawker centre in the centre of Singapore, we left to get the MRT to our next destintation. At this point Ryan noticed his wallet was no longer in his pocket!
Rory cunningly and artisticly caught the moment with some photographic genius as Ryan realised that not only had he lost his money, Credit card and his will to live, but also most importantly the card allowing them entry into the Melbourne Grandprix!!! Oh the shame! Some context now, Singapore is too nice for pick pocketers and Ryan too much of an incompetent fool, so putting 2 and 2 together we knew it was somewhere in the hawker centre although likely to be carried off by some cheap traveller who realises that his lucky find will find him more beers and a comfortable bed for the night. Anyway a speedy canter back to the food hall under the midday sun, and the incomprehensible feeling of self loathing, left Ryan in a thick sticky layer of nervous sweat. Thankfully this was a rescue beacon in the swell of Singaporean business folk for 2 delightful young ladies to chirp "Reeaahhnn" and grab our attention. At that moment the clouds opened and a beam of light surrounded Ryan as he danced on the tables hugging and kissing any unfortunate soul unlucky enough to be within his sweaty grasp. Well i made that bit up but we were very very pleased and relieved. A real answer to prayer.
Anyway now that that's cleared up back to our travels. Follow it on the map below if you like. We crossed the causeway out of Singapore after visiting Changi Chapel & Museum. We almost made a prison visit too before our friendly bus driver told us to "sit down, sit down". From the causeway a bus took us from Johor Bahru up to a small fishing town called Mersing were we met our new BBF Stuart and Phil. A boat whisked us away the following morning to Pulau Tioman, a paradise island with Rocky peaks, white sands, palm lined beaches and beautiful coral reefs. Our accomodation for 2 nights here were simple garden sheds with only enough room to squeeze in a double bed and a leaking toilet. Still the snorkelling and island wildlife of tropical fish and huge lizards kept us out of the sheds except late at night and to be honest they were grand.
3 days there was enough for us all to get nasty sunburn even with all the clouds. It was brilliant and very enjoyable but Kuala Lumpar our next destination was calling.
Slightly disappointing, this huge city offered us not much more than huge buildings and hoardes of hustlers. Highlights included climbing the 4th tallest building in the world for a great view of KL, visiting muslims "heaven on earth" Batu caves, cheering on Steven Chow for a brief second at his latest movie premier of CJ7 and being offered a stolen Rolex in the middle of the streets. Classy stuff i think you'll agree. A rickety but truly chilled out travellers hostel served us well but compared to our latest accomodation now in Melaka, it was like a rotten cardboard box.
Melaka is a huge mix of colonial cultures. With Portugese, Dutch and Britsh all ruling here throughout history, along with the normal mixes of Indian, Malay & Chinese its very interesting and we are looking forward to spending Chinese new year here in the middle of Chinatown. However, we are finding it difficult to leave our accomodation as it really is a home away from home. Called "Emily's" it has only been open a year and as yet not in "the BOOK". However Jay and Malik have made a Nirvana or Valhalla in a small house on some random street. Everyone should go here, especially the Swedish. I won't try to explain it as i will only let it down but simply come here and see it for yourself.
Malaysia so far has been incredibly enjoyable. A week here would not have done it justice and we are more than happy to spend more time here and less in Thailand. With less tourism and dirt cheap prices its an incredible place to visit. Only dont be suckered in to paying huge amounts for a nice meal as we were last night. You could easily have a great meal for US$3. I sound like im working for malaysia tourism board but maybe i should just get a job with the lonely planet.
I'll do you all a favour and shut up now. We're both having a great time and wish we could share it with you more. Don't forget to keep in touch and pass on our love to everybody and anybody.
Si-ah-nara friends,
Yours truly
Rory and Ryan
Anyway now that that's cleared up back to our travels. Follow it on the map below if you like. We crossed the causeway out of Singapore after visiting Changi Chapel & Museum. We almost made a prison visit too before our friendly bus driver told us to "sit down, sit down". From the causeway a bus took us from Johor Bahru up to a small fishing town called Mersing were we met our new BBF Stuart and Phil. A boat whisked us away the following morning to Pulau Tioman, a paradise island with Rocky peaks, white sands, palm lined beaches and beautiful coral reefs. Our accomodation for 2 nights here were simple garden sheds with only enough room to squeeze in a double bed and a leaking toilet. Still the snorkelling and island wildlife of tropical fish and huge lizards kept us out of the sheds except late at night and to be honest they were grand.
3 days there was enough for us all to get nasty sunburn even with all the clouds. It was brilliant and very enjoyable but Kuala Lumpar our next destination was calling.
Slightly disappointing, this huge city offered us not much more than huge buildings and hoardes of hustlers. Highlights included climbing the 4th tallest building in the world for a great view of KL, visiting muslims "heaven on earth" Batu caves, cheering on Steven Chow for a brief second at his latest movie premier of CJ7 and being offered a stolen Rolex in the middle of the streets. Classy stuff i think you'll agree. A rickety but truly chilled out travellers hostel served us well but compared to our latest accomodation now in Melaka, it was like a rotten cardboard box.
Melaka is a huge mix of colonial cultures. With Portugese, Dutch and Britsh all ruling here throughout history, along with the normal mixes of Indian, Malay & Chinese its very interesting and we are looking forward to spending Chinese new year here in the middle of Chinatown. However, we are finding it difficult to leave our accomodation as it really is a home away from home. Called "Emily's" it has only been open a year and as yet not in "the BOOK". However Jay and Malik have made a Nirvana or Valhalla in a small house on some random street. Everyone should go here, especially the Swedish. I won't try to explain it as i will only let it down but simply come here and see it for yourself.
Malaysia so far has been incredibly enjoyable. A week here would not have done it justice and we are more than happy to spend more time here and less in Thailand. With less tourism and dirt cheap prices its an incredible place to visit. Only dont be suckered in to paying huge amounts for a nice meal as we were last night. You could easily have a great meal for US$3. I sound like im working for malaysia tourism board but maybe i should just get a job with the lonely planet.
I'll do you all a favour and shut up now. We're both having a great time and wish we could share it with you more. Don't forget to keep in touch and pass on our love to everybody and anybody.
Si-ah-nara friends,
Yours truly
Rory and Ryan
1 comment:
Best photo ever. The expression on his face bears a striking resemblance to one when I dyed his hair. More disaster stories please. xo
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