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G'Day Gobbers from down under...
So, here we are we finally made it to Australia.
After bidding an emotional and heart-felt farewell to the magical land of South East Asia we crossed into the southern hemisphere and entered the land which prides itself on Neighbours, Home and Away, Kangeroo's and Fosters (although ironically they don't even drink it here)
So, what have been up to since we last wrote to you all? Well after our little episode with the taxi drivers in KL, we decided to cut our stay short and spent just 24 hours in the dirtiest city ever. After waking up at about 4pm the afternoon after we arrived, we decided to wipe the slate clean and put the taxi driver commotion down to a bit of bad luck. Well, we went for a walk, and it rained, and rained and rained, and completely dampened our high spirits (excuse the pun). That evening we met up with Nathan, a lad we met in Phi Phi and travelled to Koh Samui and the full moon party with. He brought with him a scouse couple and another couple called Natalie and Gareth. Nathan had been in KL for the past two nights (god knows why?) and recommended a place to eat. It was a curry house that looked more like a derelict building site. We were all starving and gave in to the shoddy exterior and tried ordering seven chicken curries. It was a struggle as my Malaysian isn't the best and he was also incredibly stupid.
Our curries eventually arrived, albeit, accompanied with a side of ... rats. They were everywhere the dirty b******s. By our feet, crawling under the drinks machine, in the holes in the ceiling, but they all seemed to vanish. Lauren, with her fear of rats, let out a scream, and she was quickly mimicked by Gareth, who apparently shares the same phobia. The waiter seemed to find it funny (maybe because we all abused him when he took our orders), however, we stupidly continued eating our food, albeit very quickly. We were stupid really eating the food, but f*** it we were hungry. Leaving in a hurry and with another negative against KL's already damaged reputation, we walked to find somewhere to have a few drinks. We walked past the Patronas Towers and also the KL Tower - the two buildings that the city prides itself on (well you can't pride yourself on rats and dodgy taxi drivers can you?) and they were actually beautiful, especially at night.
We found a bar with sharks swimming in a tank above it which was beaut, however, it was seven pound for a bottle of beer and so we quickly left (we are on a budget remember). We were so keen to get out of KL asap and we were overjoyed to hear that Nathan, Natalie and Gareth were heading two hours south of KL the next day, to a town called Melaka. We joined them and were so glad that we did. It was a lovely place which reminded me of Hoi An in Vietnam. It was a cultural town with a big Dutch influence, which meant canals, cobbled streets and historic architecture. We booked two nights in a hostel owned by this crazy ex-Malaysian cop called Howard. After watching some old police videos of him beating citizens up we went for a walk and got dinner. We then headed to a club recommended by Howard. It turned out to be an amazing night. We were the only Westerners in there, and got chatting to some locals who brought us whiskey and beers all night. We barely spent anything at all and had a wicked time.
The next morning was not fun and getting out of bed was a struggle for all five of us, however, we managed it by 12 and went on a river cruise of Melaka, which was nice, although an hour of a high-pitched Malaysian woman giving a running commentary of the buildings did all of our fragile head's in. We went shopping after to a really nice mall and were ecstatic to find they had a Nando's. After a game of bowling, we went for some much needed Peri-Peri to soak up the rest of the alcahol.
So, after two nights in Melaka, our next destination was Singapore. We got a 6 hour bus straight there, crossing the border and gaining yet another stamp in our passport. It was our fifth country so far and it was 'our cup of tea.' Clean, modern, friendly however, ludicrously expensive. That aside we all fell in love with it from the minute we arrived. We had to use their MRT (tube) to get to the hostel we were staying in, and it pisses all over London's. Air-con on the tube, so much space (even at rush hour), really cheap tickets with a refund of a dollar once you return your old ticket and signal underground on wi-fi. Our hostel was nice and another crazy owner named Andrew. They love an English name out here, the two most un-English blokes from the past two hostels called Howard and Andrew.
We arrived late and it was Natalie's birthday so we went out for a dinner and then ventured into Raffles hotel for a Singapore Sling. The bar was quite surreal, peanuts all over the floor and a really bad live band playing in the corner. The slinger was lovely, and after one I wanted another one, however, when the bill came over we were gob-smacked. It was 15 quid for a cocktail...and it was small.
We headed over to Sentosa the next day, a small island south of Singapore. It was a short ride on the MRT. The island was amazing, it was kind of like Disneyland, very touristy but a lot of fun. We went on a chair lift up a massive hill and then go-karted down it and just messed about on the attractions making us feel like young kids again. There was a Universal Studios on the island and all five of us went there to get photos, however, none of us could afford the 33 pound entrance fee. However, Lauren and I spotted an opportunity and whilst the only woman on the entrance barrier wasn't looking we snuck in unnoticed and got away with it! The other three were standing there jealous that they didn't take the chance, however, we got to spend the afternoon riding the rides, watching the shows and having photos with the characters - all free! It was an amazing day, one of the best so far and we felt well-deserved after a s***ty time in KL.
The next day our flight was booked for 8pm in the eve. Nathan flew to Perth that morning, so we spent the day sight-seeing with Natalie and Gareth. We took loads of photos of the buildings and skyscrapers which were amazing. I really wanted more time in Singapore, however, I will need to save up a fortune. There is a reason why it is labeled a millionaires playground i suppose.
So, that was our last day in South East Asia, and on reflection we had an absolutely amazing time, experiencing lots of firsts and seeing lots of famous places.
Here is our list of awards for each place for anyone thinking of travelling:
DIRTIEST PLACE: Kuala Lumpur closely followed by Phuket Town
CLEANEST PLACE: Singapore
WORST SMELLING PLACE: Bangkok
FAVOURITE PLACE: Cambodia
FRIENDLIEST PLACE: Cambodia (closely followed by Singapore)
CHEAPEST PLACE: Cambodia
BEST BEER: Anchor (Cambodia)
BEST NIGHLIFE: Patong!!! (in Thailand)
So we have loved S.E.A but now we start our next journey, having arrived in Australia. We flew in yesterday morning (02/03/11), so today is our first full day.
We had an introduction day today from our hostel and they have sorted us out bank account, job website membership, a free healthcare card and tonight, we have a free BBQ, where Kangeroo meat is on the menu.
But now the job hunt begins, however, tonight we will be skulling some goon bags! (in English - downing wine from a bag haha)
We miss you all and hope you are well. As always send us messages with any news .....
Love you and Miss you all from Down Under
C+L xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- comments
charlie finally in oz! so jealous! have fun :) xx
Jane and Lissa Love to catch up on your travels... it would be a good guide for anyone following in your footsteps! The hostel set up in Oz sounds brilliant. We hope you can both find work and replenish your funds! Lissa is off to Chicken Shed to help out at Tales this morning... Fred is coming to us for lunch. I won't be telling Grandad about the rats!!!!! Lots of love and a big hugxxx
Gem Stevens Hey guys! You sound like you are having the most amazing time! In fact I am sooooooo jealous of you right now, however, you both deserve to have fun! Keep safe, miss you both and love you loads! xxx