My flight to Malaysia was nearly perfect, apart from a bit of a bumpy landing.

First impressions of Malaysia were nothing like I gad been led to believe. I had just left the 'land of smiles ' in Thailand... land of smiles providing that you are giving money to whoever it is who's smiling, that is!

The first thing I noticed, as soon as I landed and before I left the airport, is that the place is cleaner, more organised and genuinely friendly than Thailand.

Even the guy at immigration control stopped to chat and pass the time of day. he spoke fluent and perfect English. He issued a 3 months visa, for no charge.. without any problem or paperwork whatsoever.

I walked downstairs to catch my ( free) bus into the town. The airport staff got the driver to wait for me, The driver, again spoke perfect English, the bus was spotlessly clean and he drove it smoothly.. Jesus ! a decent driver.. I haven't seen ONE in Thailand !

He asked me where I was going and offered to tell me when we arrived, which he did. ( never would this happen in Thailand )

Along the journey , I noticed that the whole place is much cleaner, and people drove normally. None of the pointless racing around, to go nowhere as I am used to in Patong. No corners taken so fast that wheels screech, no motorcycles cutting everyone up .. although there are plenty of motorcycles here.

I met an Indian woman , on the bus, again she spoke English. In fact she spoke Malay, Tamil, Italian English and French ! She got off the bus with me and showed me the area where to stay on a budget.

I went into the first half reasonable place I could find.. The reggae bar. Everyone , well nearly everyone, spoke English. |The room was cheap and clean but had no windows or air con. It cost less than £5 for the night.. and would be OK for one night. It resembled the room Martin sheen stayed in in 'Apocalypse Now !' movie .. only worse. Shared bathroom which was clean enough, and no air con, just a fan.

I went out immediately after a shower, and visited many of the small bars and restaurants in China town and little India .. good cheap food, VERY expensive beer ! but it was ok..

I managed 12 hours there and moved this morning to a much better place, and for the same price .

and so another day begins.. Its Chinese new year soon and Im told that this is one of the best places to experience it in Asia, because of the large Chinese community..lets see what the day brings ..