Guoman Hotel Port Dickson

... to us Westerners. He has met many backpackers too. I have been listening intently and making notes, and I now am wise beyond my experience here, which I pass to you, loyal reader.
Back to the story: Over this banquet (and lime drinks...perfect for hot weather) we chatted for some time, chilled (or baked) in the sun, and enjoyed the humourous cross-overs that often occur between two people of very different cultures ("Really? We also do sh*ts in my country ...

... Oct) was an early rise to catch the bus back to Kota Kinabalu. The journey was fine until an hour from the bus terminal when the woman next to me produce3d a plastic bag and proceeded to be sick. The guy across the aisle from me had a bad dose of flatulence - just my luck!. Arrived back in KK around 5pm and back to the Summer Lodge - the scene of the crime! but everything was OK for the night. Today was and epic journey - a bit like the film "Planes ...

... especially the Suria complex underneath the towers. There's also a McDonalds & KFC on every block! There was even a Nandos not far from my hostel.............I thought of you dad!! There's a great market in Chinatown too which was great for buying some jeans for the colder weather in Melbourne coming up. Didn't really meet anyone though but it was nice just wandering around. I'm getting the bus down to Singapore this afternoon which I'm looking forward to.

... We went out to the night market where I bumped in to the French guy Leo that I'd shared a dormitory with in KL. The food was spicy - the local dish Laksa is what I went for. The Malaysian guy in front was quick to warn me that it was a bit spicy for Westerners which only encouraged me! We had a fair few beers and watched the night market entertainment including a semi-serious Karaoke contest at one end of the Chinese "Jonker" Street.

... and so we arrived late at night in Melaka. Fortunately for us we were able to get a ride into town from Yen of the Eastern Heritage guesthouse, a peculiar hundred year old ramshackle house. We checked out the next day due to being squeezed into a single room but it was all they had available. We checked in to Tony's the next day and our stay since has been a veritable ...

... This was quite a fun experience (for both the hosts and us) as we sometimes had no clue what to do. Some locals come over and graciously helped us! Although there was a bit of a language barrier, we managed quite well, and everyone laughed together when we dipped our sticks into the Satay before the spice was added! We also checked out the fascinating museum of international self-mutilation (more attractively called ...

... I quickly tucked my pants into my socks to avoid having to cut one off of myself later. The trail meandered around giant buttressed trees and down along streams filled with tetra fish. The high humidity caused me to become drenched with sweat within nanoseconds and I would occasionally have to stop to wring out my wicking T-shirt. The jungle always keeping its mystery would only reveal itself shyly only after persistent and careful attention. Colorful poisonous snakes began ...

Sunday 1/10/2006 Spent the whole day in this amazing resort, in front of my laptop, preparing for our presentation. Eventually finished at about 1AM and decided to go for a swim before sleeping. On the way back to the chalet from the pool I walked past this huge fruit bat crawling around at about eye level on the tennis court fence - nearly soiled my swimming shorts! Well, the bat looked huge, I think it was about ...

... had just arrived. Wei Loon and the auntie wanted to say at a hotel, so we changed clothes then went to Mui Beach. Even those two (lousy with money) decided the hotel was too extravagant (M$130 single/night). We had lunch at the hotel -- puny rations at M$75 for 7 people. Bought food for a planned barbeque. Returned to the villa. No water. I spent the afternoon ...

... songs. Went to beach with Fiona and Nelp to help chaperon look for Lost Little Lambs. Talked over cokes until midnight. All to dorms because of last night's business. Fiona and I had a long, long talk about everything until 1:30am or so. We find it very easy to open up to each other. Don't know why she finds me so sympatica but I'm glad she does.