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Published: April 15th 2006
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Hello and welcome to my final blog of my Asian adventures. I left last time as I arrived into the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. So again, as Craig David once said, "Ill fill you in"!
Kuala Lumpor is a fantastic city. Ill say that for starters cus lots of people believe it is a shit hole. I would disagree, as I spent 3 days there enjoying the cultural delights of a wicked place, that had a great vibe. Although stinking of sweat and smog, you can really feel that the city is growing, and wants to become the next Singapore.
Whilst there I enjoyed the delights of the KL tower, which is just a mahusive communications tower smack in the middle of a wood. Here I went to the top and saw some fanstasic views across the whole of the city, including the famous Petronas Towers. These were the highest buildings in the world, until recently, and are all the more impressive for being joined by a bridge about half way up (41st and 42nd floors). They look very futuristic and modern. I went up there the following day but to be honest it was a bit of an
anti climax as its better looking at them than from them!! I also enjoyed the delights of the Kuala Lumpun night club-even with the worst neck pains ever from carrying my rucksack. Nevertheless, I was able to strut my stuff, bouncing along to some proper hardcare dance tunes. Mike and Bully, though, ring "too-cool-for-school-rockers" felt it necessary to sit there and twiddle their thumbs instead!! Smith is getting a bit of a reputation for this I might add!!
Me and Mike decided we had enough of the smog and went to Malaka to Wednesday. This city was the old capital, and used as a major trading place in the 16th and 17th centuries, for all sea-trade across Asia. This is a proper cultural place of Malaysia- we tried out the main musuem (one of 28) which told us how the portuguese, dutch, british and japanese all held control of the city, until Malaysian independence in 1957. However, we were so hungover from the night before, our alert levels were not at their peak!! Indeed, me and Mike had a great night in Melaka- being the only Westerners in the place, the locals all wanted to chat to us. Multiple
beers were had before we entered a nightclub. After a short session of boggeying, however, it appeared that we had to buy a drink (I vaguely recollect!) but as we were already razzled and dazzled, we thought it better to just boogie. Naturally, this prompted an escort from the building! I cant believe we had just been chucked out of a Malaysian nightclub. With hindsight, it might have been because of my erratic dancing, or Smiths lairyness!!
Anyhow, the final stop of our Asian adventures was the great city of Singapore. We had heard it was very expensive, so only planned on one night. Luckily we found the cheapest hostel around (only $S11 dollars each a night/ just under 4quid) and that included brekkie- Sweet!! Here me and Mike have real sightseeed around in a short space of time. After finsihing at the hospital (cus Mikes got another skin condition from sleeping in too many filth infested travellors beds!!) we headed to an underground museum, which told us the history of how Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942, cus us Brits surrended- what wussies! It was absolutely brilliant though- the guide was amazing and he was in
Rough night Mike?!
Yes thats right you got chucked out of a Malaysian nightclub cus u dance like a muppet!! Singapore when the Japanese attacked- he said that the surrended from the British saved his life so I dont feel too guilty. He also said he met Lord Mountbatten at a meeting- which for any of you history geeks- is a pretty famous general from the British army (I think?!). From there we headed to a night safari- I didnt even know about it but Mike was adamant it was gonna be good- and it bloody well was!!! Only a short tube and bus journey away, we arrived at a safari park. We wandered the paths seeing giraffes, lions, tigers, leopards, zebras, monkeys, bats, alligators, bears, even otters. But no elephants (they had them there but in a special area). Overall was absolutely brilliant and at times breathtaking. I tried to take photos but your not allowed to use flash cameras and mine all didnt turn out very well. All in all, absolutely wicked!!!
So all in all Singapore is a fantastic city. Its so clean and organised and it seems there is no trouble at all. However, it is strict. You can get fined for eating or drinking on the tube and even Jay walking. Everywhere has logos
Me in Singapore
Really fitting into the attire- surprised I wasnt arrested! like "respect each other" and everybody seems so happy. Its a great city which I think I would like to live and work in. Its like London, but better!
So we fly to Oz later tonight after 9 1/2 weeks in Asia. Its been a fantastic time and one which Ill look back on with a smile. My favourite country from all the ones Ive been in is probably Laos because it is so picturesque and beautiful. The people there are so laidback and friendly also, but they seem friendly and not wanting something from you too- unlike Thailand. Ive tried so many new foods also, including all types of seafood, including shark! I am a bit of a fish fiend now!! The best meal I had was probably sweet and sour prawns in Ayutthaya, Thaialand, as we sat by the river chilling out with a beer after a days cycing. Ive read loads too- 3 books- a record for me!!! And overall, I think Im becoming more streetwise- I know now when Im getting ripped off, and Ill tell the person who is ripping me off that I think they are ripping me off too- feel the fulll force of the jonny tongue mr ripoff taxi-man!!!!
Hope you have enjoyed my first leg in my trip. One down, 2 to go. Seeya in Cairns......!
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Em
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I wanted to prove that I do read your blog. It's making me well jealous, sitting in my office bored out of my brain. I'll email my new address and I'll be waiting for my postcard / parcel?! Good luck in continent number two. Take care of yourself! Emxx