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Since leaving Singapore we have been on the move quite a bit over the last week or so.We took the overnight train to Kuala Lumpur and stayed there for a couple of days.We quite liked KL- not as clinical as Singapore and it seemed a bit more down to earth.We arrived quite early (about 07:00) so we headed to the hotel for a bit more sleep and then went out for some lunch.The hotel was in a really good location- on the main street of Chinatown in amongst the market stalls and restaurants.It was called 'StayOrange' and looked remarkably like the orange hotels that EasyJet own.However when we asked the girl at reception she didn't have a clue what we were talking about!
The next day we went to the Petronas Towers, hoping to take the lift to the Skybridge that links the two towers, however they only allow a certain amount of people up per day and by the time we got there they had sold all the tickets.So we headed to the KL Tower instead (4th highest telecommunications tower in the world!) and went up to the Observation Deck to admire the view over KL.After a stroll through the city's nature reserve, we went to the Lake Gardens for some lunch and then took a pedalo out on to the lake.
The following day we took the train to Butterworth (north of KL) in order to catch a ferry over to the island of Penang.The train left an hour late- for the record, every single flight and train journey we have taken to far has been delayed (with the exception of one train journey in India which arrived about 30 minutes early!)We have got to the point now where we just expect our plane/train to be delayed- and it comes as nice surprise when it actually runs on time!
By the time we got to Penang it was quite late, so we had a quick late dinner and then straight to bed.Our hotel was over the road from beach; however when we checked it out the next day it was covered in litter and the sea was about as inviting as the English Channel!We caught the bus into town and went to the ticket office to book our ferry tickets to Langkawi Island for a couple of days time.However, the tickets were sold out for the day we wanted to go so we had to cut short our time in Penang and catch the ferry the following day instead.In the end we weren't that bothered- there wasn't much to see/do in Penang anyway.We walked round Georgetown (main town), went to the museum and art gallery, and in the evening we took the funicular train up to the top of Penang Hill.
The following day we took the ferry (well, not really a ferry, more like a jumbo sized speedboat!) to the island of Langkawi.The journey took 2.5 hours and we slept for most of it!We had already booked a hotel for the following three nights, but as we had arrived a day earlier than planned we had to look for somewhere to stay for the first night.We got a taxi to a place recommended in our travel guide, and thankfully they had a room available.It is the high season here at the moment and it's notoriously difficult to turn up and get a room on arrival (hence why we had already pre-booked for the following three nights).
So we have been on Langkawi for three days now- we are taking the ferry to Satun (Thailand) tomorrow and then a bus on to Krabi.Langkawi is nice and relaxed- not too touristy, although there are plenty of large resorts dotted along the main beach.The beaches are quite nice, not white sand and turquoise sea, but clean and well-looked after.The sea is clear but full of various types of jellyfish.We went for a swim on the first day, looking out for jellyfish as we went.However, after a few minutes in the water I could feel my skin stinging, only tiny pin p****stings, but stinging nonetheless.So we got out of the water and I noticed these very small, clear tube-like jellyfish that I hadn't seen before.The next day when we were walking along the beach we saw loads of them washed-up on the shore- we figured that they were probably what had stung us in the water.
Apart from a quick dip in the sea, we have spent the rest of our time here walking round the local markets, going on a couple of bike rides, and basically just chilling out!We are looking forward to getting to Thailand- after spending one night in Krabi we are going to Koh Phi Phi, which is the island where 'The Beach' was filmed.It is said to be one of the most stunning islands in Thailand and the beach we are staying on is meant to be the best for snorkeling.Can't wait!!
Jess xxx
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Nikki SOOOOO when are you coming here?? I have prepared NZ for Jolly's arrival, now all we need is you!!! Cant wait!