Right have to keep this one short as am currently in the Perenthian Islands and internet costs a fortune here, but thought i'd better let people know that i am fine (as had several concerned e-mails)...thankyou for thinking of me but please don't worry i've just been unable to get in contact. It is difficult here in malaysia to find internet and phone calls are expensive too. But here i am in the 'showpiece' island of Kecil, 21Km off the east coast of malaysia with David, Stephen and Zoe. Its pretty nice - far too hot to do anything other than swim and sleep!!! Getting here has been quite an ordeal...started in the 130 year old rainforest jungle of Taman Negara. The bus journey from Melaka to the jetty was long and tiring after an early start, little did we know that was just the beginning....the boat journey from the jetty up the Tembling river to our very basic accommodation was an experience itself...3 hours of blistering heat, grounded the boat several times and we nearly capsized with all our bags ..twice! We managed to get to our room and then found a floating restaurant for dinner. Day two we headed into the jungle for what was meant to be a relaxing walk but turned into an adrenaline activity....the canopy walkway was comprised of ladders suspended in nets 25m above the ground! I have not been that scared for a long time - my body could not make any more adrenaline if it tried!!! Then we walked to a lookout point - have never sweated sooo much in my entire life! The following day we decided to head to the water hole - which was basically a section of river that wasn't flowing quite as fast as the rest of it - not quite our idea of a nice swim hole. We all got eaten alive by mossies and when David had to yank a leech off his leg, and Zoe a sting out of her back we decided enough was enough. The meal that evening was even more shocking..TIP anyone travelling to Taman Negara do not eat at the LBK Floating Restaurant. Stephen ordered chicken curry and although we are now used to it being served on the bone we are not accustomed to it still dripping in blood! I know there was no power (the storm saw to that) but that is no excuse! So we hit the local shop afterwards to stock up on choc biscuits and pringles!!! Had a long day yesterday getting from Taman Negara to here. Early start to board the bus, to stop somewhere for lunch and arrive at our jetty in time to get the last boat accross to the island. However, turns out we were at an illegal harbour...the boat ride itself was shocking too!!! Not only was it throwing it down with rain so all our bags got soaked but there was not enough room to fit us all in - turned out to be a very intimate ride. We hurteld along the ocean and then stopped half way as one of thier other boats had run out of petrol!!! Am definately going to have to see a chiropractor very soon!! Checked into our hostel - what an absolute dump!!! Another TIP for any future travellers...don't stay at Moonlight on long beach, there is a reason it is cheap. Have moved again this morning. Me and Zoe have done really well as have a nice room with mossie nets, a fan and wait for it...the ultimate...a flushing toilet!!! haven't seen one of those in ages!!! Bliss! So gonna go and chill out on the beach now..maybe go snorkelling later...definately gonna get some food. Hope all is well back in the UK, keep the e-mails coming xx