Formula 1 in KL

After spending 5 hours sat in Kota Bharu Airport (I had to get the early boat there just to be certain I made the flight), I flew back to Kuala Lumpur for another weekend in the city with Baulchy.  In the evening (6th April) we met up with some of Matt's work mates for a drink at a Thai Bar.  It wasn't originally planned to be a big night, but it turned out that way as we ended up in Beach Club.  The reason for this is because I met up with Ben and Simon, two of the lads I met travelling ages ago.  We ended up getting pretty trashed, and I stupidly gave my Malaysian number to a random Philipino, who then decided to call me non-stop for the next 24hrs - I didn't bother answering!

Me at Sepang

Saturday was pretty much a write-off after such a big night, so all I could get round to doing was swimming in the hotel's roof-top pool.  In the late afternoon Jon Baulch arrived too.  He's come to watch the Grand Prix, then go to some islands, them come back to KL so us 3 can fly to Thailand.  With Jon's arrival we headed out to watch the Yids on TV.  Unfortunately afterwards Matt was roped in to being with his work mates, whilst I headed up to the KL Tower to meet Ben, Simon and their friend Freya at The Official Formula 1 Pre-Race Party.  It was crazy, and move of a rave really BUT with the added features of a Ferrari there, and simulators and stuff.  In fact it was too crazy, with very camp Malaysians dancing as if they were having epileptic fits.  On trying to get out via a fire exit we were stopped by security, who must have some English Bouncer relatives as they were arrogant, rude, and.... to put it bluntly....wankers.  On telling them we needed to get out else one of us would collapse he told us to make sure we collapse in the corner.  Charming!

Not such a good day for Ferrari fans

Thankfully it didn't actually end up being too big a night as we hd to be up early on Saturday to make it up to the Sepang Race Track, which is about 1hr away from the city centre.  Me, Matt, Jon, and 2 of Matt's colleagues headed up in a cab, and got there pretty early.  Our tickets were dirt-cheap and we were baswed on a hill with a pretty good view over some corners.  The only problem was that there was no shade, and it was BLOODY HOT!!!  In the end it was a bit too much so we had to try and get some cover.  The Grand Prix itself was pretty good - the noise the cars make is pretty mad, as is the speed.  And Hamilton put on a bit of a show for the Brits...   The only problem was it was a bit hard to follow the race at times.

Some of the cars..

Anyway, it was a cool experience, and another sporting event under my belt.  Next experience... the Malaysian jungle!!!

The boys on the hill

The main chicane