Erm, so yep you guessed it, it is time for a little update (prompted by Lucy!) Our last stop in South East Asia was to Singapore. After our other adventures to cities we both were a little dubious as we were not loving them, but with open minds we stepped off our bus into Little India (cheap cheap!) We ended up having to stay in a different hostel to Emma and Lorna as they were too darn organised and booked ahead - unlike us. But once settled we soon met up to sit in our bar and watch the rain pour down for a good couple of hours. The afternoon was whiled away drinking lemonade and eating silly amounts of chocolate! Emma finally motivated us to actually go and explore, so with our rain macs on we ventured out.
We got the train through to Clarke Quay where we all got silly excited at the pretty coloured buildings and rainbow bridges. We spent our time wandering up and down trying to take good photos in the dark and rain! We then mosied along to see the Christmas lights and ooed and ahhed for a while. It was an early night for us as the travelling had taken it out of us! So we headed back to our giant dorm for a much needed sleep.
The next day Lou and I decided to go on a ducktours thingy to see the city in a different way, so after a stop to Hooters to buy t-shirts we headed to the dock. We boarded our boat to take us to the meeting point for the tour, where we sat back and soaked up the sun whilst listening to a commentary about the buildings perched on the harbour. It wasn't until lou pointed out that we were heading back to the same dock that we realised we got on the wrong boat! Eventually we managed to get the boat to the right place, but we had missed our slot for the tour - luckily they booked us on to a later one phew! Whilst waiting we went on the Singapore flyer (just like the London eye but a tad taller) We listened to the commentary about the feng shui of the buildings and took in the breath taking views. By the time we finished on the flyer we realised that yet again we had missed our time slot for our tour oops! Again the very kind guy booked us on the next one. To be sure we didn't miss it again we ended up sitting in the duck tours shop for a good half hour!
The tour was fun, but by this time we had seen a lot of the city already and it had started to rain. We did enjoy going from the land to water and screamed suitably at this point. Oh also in the harbour there were loads of white floating beach balls with messages on ready for NYE, both Lou and I wrote our own wishes for the coming year and added ours to the hundred already floating ready for the light show. So if you see Singapore bringing in the new year keep your eyes peeled for our messages...
That evening we headed out again to Clark Quay as it was our final night with Emma and Lorna before we parted ways for the last time. Also I was trying to arrange with Andy and his friends (who were over to do the marathon!) to met up for a drink or two - this was some what hard as we didn't have a phone and it wasn't looking hopeful. After a few drinks in some random themed bars we ended up bumping into Andy and the other Brunei lads and ending up going clubbing till the wee hours - pretty impressive for guys who were meant to be running the marathon that weekend! It was a fun farewell and a great greeting that topped our time in Singapore of nicely!
The following day I went back into town to say bye to Andy, who just happened to be staying in the swishest hotel in town (the one with the boat on!) and then Lou and I prepared for our 8hour flight to Oz. We also gained our first cringy 'dorm sex story' with a couple on the bottom bunk not much caring for the other 8 people sleeping in the room! Again not really a story to be told on here, but a funny one that I'm sure will continue to make us girls giggle!
We hugged Emma and Lorna goodbye for about the millionth time and headed to the airport in plenty of time ready to start the oz adventure. We both loved Singapore and were pleased to end our South East Asia section on a high! It has been a crazy couple of months filled with experiences that we never even dreamt of, and hope that we continue the journey in the same way (minus the stolen phone, Lou hurting her back and tag along urchin)
Lots of love to you all, especially to Lora and Matt on their special day and Katie and Rob celebrating a year of marital bliss!!
Steph and Lou x x x
Sunday 19 December 2010
Monday 6 December 2010
Malaysia, the sequel
So picking up from yesterday... the slump that was Penang was soon dug out of by an amazing couple of days in Cameron Highlands. We took another long(ish) bus journey inland and upwards to the highlands and arrived early evening. After sorting out our accomodation we realised that we were sharing a squat loo, (please bare in mind I have only used one of these toilets once the whole time out here) In the end it wasn't actually that bad and I wondered why I had been making a fuss for so long! Lou was right at home as nothing could be worse than THAT toilet at some border... That night we stayed in and watched movies at the hostel. I finally managed to see eclipse, though we were mocked from the start the tv room soon filled up and a debate of team edward/jacob begun. On a side note, just because I have seen it does not mean you get out of watching the movies with me Sean!
Anyways, the next day we signed up for a tour. We were a bit miffed that we were the only ones on our tour, but soon realised this was a good thing as we had our own private tour guide! We started of by visiting the 'BOH' tea plantations which were crazy as they had to pick the leaves whilst standing on hillsides. We went around the factory (slight yawn) and then had some tea. I fell in love with a lemon & lime iced tea whilst Lou had gold blend mmmmm yummy. We then went to the highest point of the highlands and climbed this metal tower - I was slightly wary at this point mainly due to Lou being clumsy, but we both managed to climb up and down without injury (although lou did fall out of the jeep at one point)
We then went for a trek in the jungly/forest which was amazing! Climbing over trees, down mud slide paths and along muddy tracks with sheer drops. At one point I was hanging on to two trees but my trousers got caught so I couldn't move, the guide was too far down to help so Lou had to scrabble down to free me. My height for once was a good thing in Asia as I found the giant steps we had to take a little easier than poor Lou. At one point me and the guide were a bit ahead and Lou was stuck up this moundy thing. Our guide had to hold onto both her hands, whilst I was encouraging her to jump down (I didn't have to jump so it was easy for me to say!) I think our guide liked this as he from then on kept on holding his hand out for us both. We finally realised that sliding about on our bottoms was an easier if some what unorthodox trekking method. Our guide found this funny and took great delight in taking a photo of our muddy bottoms muttering 'best photo ever' as he took it!
We then went to a butterfly farm and Lou enjoyed butterflies landing on her and taking photos to make Lorna and Emma jealous! I on the other hand didn't really enjoy it and was a little scared of them. We saw lots of creepy crawlies and to my delight and Lous dismay they were all safely locked away. After the butterfly farm we went to an aborigonal village to try blow pipe hunting. Basically you blow into a bamboo pipe at a stuffed teddy!! We both managed to get the target first time...and then missed every other one afterwards. The final part of our day was spent at a waterfalls - again this meant us being led through the jungle over rocks and streams, but by this time we were pros (meaning we knew to hold our guides hand!!) and took in the breathtaking waterfall. An amazing day that we still are grinning about now weeks later.
After Cameron Highlands we headed downwards to KL, here we stayed in chinatown and had a pretty chilled out day of wandering the streets taking it all in. The evening we went for a couple of drinks and cheap food! The next day we spent exploring the city further, I spotted on the map a craft fair where you could see artists at work which Lou was intereasted in. So after walking around in the rain (me limping because of my foot!!) we finally arrived at the 'craft fair' It was very bizzare as there was no one around and there was no fair or artists. I slight disapointment you may say. That evening we went to the twin towers as we wanted to see them at night, they looked amazing lit up and we tried our hand at taking some different photos there. Oh we also rode the monorail alot - with me singing 'monorail' from the simpsons and Lou exclaiming 'this is amazing' everytime we went on it - Proper Tourists!
Our next destination was to the sleepy town of Melakka which comes alive at the weekend. Unfortuatly we were there mid week so didn't get to experince the night markets. We met up with Jenny and Hannah (who we met in langkawi) and then with Lorna and Emma the following night for a few quiet drinks. During the day we saw parts of the town, but this was by default as we ambled alonged to be pampered at the spa. It was so cheap so we decided to treat ourselves before Oz and the big expense that is. So we basically spent the whole day be looked after and de-grotty-fied for less than a tenner :) So Malakka was our last stop in Malaysia. We both had mixed feelings about the country as we had equal amount of amazing memories and places we would rather forget! But yet again, now reflecting back on it we were both glad we went to the places we went to - even if we only take away the thought of knowing we would never return! Plus we are both proud that we survived the rest of malaysia injury free (and more importantly less of a worry for our parents!)
Love and Kisses (annie how many days till xmas??)
Steph and Lou x x x
Anyways, the next day we signed up for a tour. We were a bit miffed that we were the only ones on our tour, but soon realised this was a good thing as we had our own private tour guide! We started of by visiting the 'BOH' tea plantations which were crazy as they had to pick the leaves whilst standing on hillsides. We went around the factory (slight yawn) and then had some tea. I fell in love with a lemon & lime iced tea whilst Lou had gold blend mmmmm yummy. We then went to the highest point of the highlands and climbed this metal tower - I was slightly wary at this point mainly due to Lou being clumsy, but we both managed to climb up and down without injury (although lou did fall out of the jeep at one point)
We then went for a trek in the jungly/forest which was amazing! Climbing over trees, down mud slide paths and along muddy tracks with sheer drops. At one point I was hanging on to two trees but my trousers got caught so I couldn't move, the guide was too far down to help so Lou had to scrabble down to free me. My height for once was a good thing in Asia as I found the giant steps we had to take a little easier than poor Lou. At one point me and the guide were a bit ahead and Lou was stuck up this moundy thing. Our guide had to hold onto both her hands, whilst I was encouraging her to jump down (I didn't have to jump so it was easy for me to say!) I think our guide liked this as he from then on kept on holding his hand out for us both. We finally realised that sliding about on our bottoms was an easier if some what unorthodox trekking method. Our guide found this funny and took great delight in taking a photo of our muddy bottoms muttering 'best photo ever' as he took it!
We then went to a butterfly farm and Lou enjoyed butterflies landing on her and taking photos to make Lorna and Emma jealous! I on the other hand didn't really enjoy it and was a little scared of them. We saw lots of creepy crawlies and to my delight and Lous dismay they were all safely locked away. After the butterfly farm we went to an aborigonal village to try blow pipe hunting. Basically you blow into a bamboo pipe at a stuffed teddy!! We both managed to get the target first time...and then missed every other one afterwards. The final part of our day was spent at a waterfalls - again this meant us being led through the jungle over rocks and streams, but by this time we were pros (meaning we knew to hold our guides hand!!) and took in the breathtaking waterfall. An amazing day that we still are grinning about now weeks later.
After Cameron Highlands we headed downwards to KL, here we stayed in chinatown and had a pretty chilled out day of wandering the streets taking it all in. The evening we went for a couple of drinks and cheap food! The next day we spent exploring the city further, I spotted on the map a craft fair where you could see artists at work which Lou was intereasted in. So after walking around in the rain (me limping because of my foot!!) we finally arrived at the 'craft fair' It was very bizzare as there was no one around and there was no fair or artists. I slight disapointment you may say. That evening we went to the twin towers as we wanted to see them at night, they looked amazing lit up and we tried our hand at taking some different photos there. Oh we also rode the monorail alot - with me singing 'monorail' from the simpsons and Lou exclaiming 'this is amazing' everytime we went on it - Proper Tourists!
Our next destination was to the sleepy town of Melakka which comes alive at the weekend. Unfortuatly we were there mid week so didn't get to experince the night markets. We met up with Jenny and Hannah (who we met in langkawi) and then with Lorna and Emma the following night for a few quiet drinks. During the day we saw parts of the town, but this was by default as we ambled alonged to be pampered at the spa. It was so cheap so we decided to treat ourselves before Oz and the big expense that is. So we basically spent the whole day be looked after and de-grotty-fied for less than a tenner :) So Malakka was our last stop in Malaysia. We both had mixed feelings about the country as we had equal amount of amazing memories and places we would rather forget! But yet again, now reflecting back on it we were both glad we went to the places we went to - even if we only take away the thought of knowing we would never return! Plus we are both proud that we survived the rest of malaysia injury free (and more importantly less of a worry for our parents!)
Love and Kisses (annie how many days till xmas??)
Steph and Lou x x x
Malaysia Part 1
Yes I know it has been a while but we have been busy bees and now have a few days of nothingness so I thought I would update y'all on our Malaysian part of the journey. So we arrived safely over the border onto an island called Langkawi where for the first night we stayed in the worst accommodation to date - it was dingy, dirty and smelly (couldn't think of another d word!) and the door didn't lock properly. Having already paid a deposit we couldn't leave but did insist on changing to a room which we could actually lock!
After our first night terror (I had weird dreams about girls screaming...) we moved on to a nicer guesthouse. Though this was only a little step up as we had some cockroaches visit us. I tried to be all brave and capture on that was squirming around on its back, but when I looked up I saw a massive one on the wall. Screaming I informed Lou that actually I couldn't make the bathroom cockroach free! Our solution was to leave the door open so we could run out if one tried to attack us (yeah I know a tad dramatic!)
So the next couple of days we appreciated the white sand beaches and cooling off in the clear(ish) water, unaware of the jellyfish bobbing alongside us. We found this chilled out reggae bar called Babylon on the beach that played live music and spent many a night sipping a chang and chatting to other backpackers. We met two guys who told us about this amazing Indian restaurant that was open 24hours, so after one particular night out partying to the wee hours we tried some of the food and fell in love with the place, visiting it for cheap curries at 4 in the morning!
One of the days we decided to do an island tour, we saw the hill(mountain?) that looked like a pregnant lady had fallen over, went to a national park that was over run with monkeys which tried to attack us! We also stopped at a fresh water lake which we could swim in, which was pretty amazing. On the way back to Langkawi we stopped at an island called Beras Basah - a postcard beach! We had an amazing time in Langkawi with the locals and other backpackers being really friendly and welcoming but decided to head back to Thailand for a few days to an island recommended by Emma's boyfriend.
Hopping back over to Thailand to Koh Lipe was an adventure in itself - we managed to get the front seats of the open top ferry and could not believe our eyes as the water and sky looked the same colour, it was kinda magical! To say we were a tad excited when we 'landed' in Koh Lipe is an understatment, the water was so clear and the white sand beach was littered with wooded beach huts. That night we watched a lighting and thunderstorm from our balcony which I loved (lou was a little bit scared!) We spent the next couple of days soaking up the sun and generally chilling out in paradise.
On the third day we decided to go another beach on the island called Sunset beach, surprisingly named as you could watch the sunset there. So after a 30min walk around the unmarked dirt tracks we stumbled onto our new beach, which only had 4 other people on! Laying in the sun for about 10mins I spotted some rocks in the middle of the sea/lagoon thingy and decided to go for a swim out to them. Leaving lou on the beach and her warning of 'be safe' ringing in my ears I started to swim out. Having just read the book the beach the thought of sharks did cross my mind, but I soon relaxed and enjoyed the swim. I climbed up onto the rocks and waved to Lou wondering if she could see me and more importantly of course take a photo - not seeing if she had I stood there for a while. I decided to get down and swim back and that is when my foot slipped in between two rocks. I felt a sharp pain in my foot and fell forward into the water, looking at my foot I had loads of spikes sticking out of it! I started to panic as I was unsure of what I had stepped on and started to swim back to the beach. My foot felt numb, but now I think I was just in shock a little, and found it quite hard to swim back. Yet again I'm grateful for all those years swimming!! When I got nearer the beach I started to shout at Lou, which of course panicked her - I shouted to get help but she didn't want to leave me alone swimming back.
Eventually I got back onto the beach where a local boat man was, he quickly told me I had stepped on a sea urchin and that it wasn't poisonous phewww. Lou went on a hunt for some tweezers to try and get them out but couldn't find any. A very kind German couple tried to get some of the spikes out with a pen knife (at this point we didn't know not to do this!) but eventually we decided to go to the medical center which was on another part of the island, so a boat trip was in order. Once at the medical center and I had calmed down a little the doctor cleaned my foot and said I had protein in my foot and they have to work their own way out. We were instructed to keep the foot clean and wait it out. Now I don't want to be too girly and gushy here but part of the reason why I wanted to do this part of the blog was to say how much I appreciated Lou's help. She held my hand, sat on the floor of a wooden motorbike thingy, cleaned my foot for me as I was too much of a woss and looked after me when I wanted my mum the most! Yes looking back it is not that bad and loads of people get urchin spikes stuck in them, but at the time it was scary and painful and she really looked after me - so thank you!
We spent another couple of days in Koh Lipe before getting the ferry back to Langkawi where we met up with Emma and Lorna again. We had a few days with them on the beach and partying at Babylon and Samba, where one particular night we managed to stay out till sunrise! From Langkawi we then travelled over to another island called Penang. We went with a guy called Kristopher who we met at our hostel. We spent the first night in a hostel called Love Lane Inn and shared a 3 bed room with him, this was our first time sharing with someone else and did feel a little odd - but it was something we had to get use to. Up till now we have been kinda spoilt as it has been just as cheap for us to have our own room rather than a dorm! We moved the next night to a nicer hostel with a larger dorm.
During the day we were a little stuck on what to do as we didn't really want to walk around Georgetown, so we ended up shopping a little and going to the cinema twice (saw Unstoppable and HP7!) We went to Red Garden for food as Penang is meant to have the most amazing food, both me and Lou couldn't really see the major fuss but I suppose we all have a different definition of 'amazing food.' Again we met up with Lorna and Emma and bid a farewell to Kristopher who was heading to Thailand. From Georgetown we decided to go the beach at Batu Feringgi by this time we were both feeling a little sorry for ourselves as Penang wasn't really what we thought it was - so we ended up going to the Hard Rock Cafe that night! We did feel a little guilty spending 10 pound on food rather than only 1, but we needed something to smile about!! We spent the next couple of days avoiding the horses on the beach and generally just lazying around. Our next stop was inland to Cameron Highlands... we both hoped that we would enjoy it more than Penang!
Well that is part one of the two parter...stay tuned for Malaysia the sequel, coming very soon to a computer near you.
Love to you all
Steph and Lou x x x
After our first night terror (I had weird dreams about girls screaming...) we moved on to a nicer guesthouse. Though this was only a little step up as we had some cockroaches visit us. I tried to be all brave and capture on that was squirming around on its back, but when I looked up I saw a massive one on the wall. Screaming I informed Lou that actually I couldn't make the bathroom cockroach free! Our solution was to leave the door open so we could run out if one tried to attack us (yeah I know a tad dramatic!)
So the next couple of days we appreciated the white sand beaches and cooling off in the clear(ish) water, unaware of the jellyfish bobbing alongside us. We found this chilled out reggae bar called Babylon on the beach that played live music and spent many a night sipping a chang and chatting to other backpackers. We met two guys who told us about this amazing Indian restaurant that was open 24hours, so after one particular night out partying to the wee hours we tried some of the food and fell in love with the place, visiting it for cheap curries at 4 in the morning!
One of the days we decided to do an island tour, we saw the hill(mountain?) that looked like a pregnant lady had fallen over, went to a national park that was over run with monkeys which tried to attack us! We also stopped at a fresh water lake which we could swim in, which was pretty amazing. On the way back to Langkawi we stopped at an island called Beras Basah - a postcard beach! We had an amazing time in Langkawi with the locals and other backpackers being really friendly and welcoming but decided to head back to Thailand for a few days to an island recommended by Emma's boyfriend.
Hopping back over to Thailand to Koh Lipe was an adventure in itself - we managed to get the front seats of the open top ferry and could not believe our eyes as the water and sky looked the same colour, it was kinda magical! To say we were a tad excited when we 'landed' in Koh Lipe is an understatment, the water was so clear and the white sand beach was littered with wooded beach huts. That night we watched a lighting and thunderstorm from our balcony which I loved (lou was a little bit scared!) We spent the next couple of days soaking up the sun and generally chilling out in paradise.
On the third day we decided to go another beach on the island called Sunset beach, surprisingly named as you could watch the sunset there. So after a 30min walk around the unmarked dirt tracks we stumbled onto our new beach, which only had 4 other people on! Laying in the sun for about 10mins I spotted some rocks in the middle of the sea/lagoon thingy and decided to go for a swim out to them. Leaving lou on the beach and her warning of 'be safe' ringing in my ears I started to swim out. Having just read the book the beach the thought of sharks did cross my mind, but I soon relaxed and enjoyed the swim. I climbed up onto the rocks and waved to Lou wondering if she could see me and more importantly of course take a photo - not seeing if she had I stood there for a while. I decided to get down and swim back and that is when my foot slipped in between two rocks. I felt a sharp pain in my foot and fell forward into the water, looking at my foot I had loads of spikes sticking out of it! I started to panic as I was unsure of what I had stepped on and started to swim back to the beach. My foot felt numb, but now I think I was just in shock a little, and found it quite hard to swim back. Yet again I'm grateful for all those years swimming!! When I got nearer the beach I started to shout at Lou, which of course panicked her - I shouted to get help but she didn't want to leave me alone swimming back.
Eventually I got back onto the beach where a local boat man was, he quickly told me I had stepped on a sea urchin and that it wasn't poisonous phewww. Lou went on a hunt for some tweezers to try and get them out but couldn't find any. A very kind German couple tried to get some of the spikes out with a pen knife (at this point we didn't know not to do this!) but eventually we decided to go to the medical center which was on another part of the island, so a boat trip was in order. Once at the medical center and I had calmed down a little the doctor cleaned my foot and said I had protein in my foot and they have to work their own way out. We were instructed to keep the foot clean and wait it out. Now I don't want to be too girly and gushy here but part of the reason why I wanted to do this part of the blog was to say how much I appreciated Lou's help. She held my hand, sat on the floor of a wooden motorbike thingy, cleaned my foot for me as I was too much of a woss and looked after me when I wanted my mum the most! Yes looking back it is not that bad and loads of people get urchin spikes stuck in them, but at the time it was scary and painful and she really looked after me - so thank you!
We spent another couple of days in Koh Lipe before getting the ferry back to Langkawi where we met up with Emma and Lorna again. We had a few days with them on the beach and partying at Babylon and Samba, where one particular night we managed to stay out till sunrise! From Langkawi we then travelled over to another island called Penang. We went with a guy called Kristopher who we met at our hostel. We spent the first night in a hostel called Love Lane Inn and shared a 3 bed room with him, this was our first time sharing with someone else and did feel a little odd - but it was something we had to get use to. Up till now we have been kinda spoilt as it has been just as cheap for us to have our own room rather than a dorm! We moved the next night to a nicer hostel with a larger dorm.
During the day we were a little stuck on what to do as we didn't really want to walk around Georgetown, so we ended up shopping a little and going to the cinema twice (saw Unstoppable and HP7!) We went to Red Garden for food as Penang is meant to have the most amazing food, both me and Lou couldn't really see the major fuss but I suppose we all have a different definition of 'amazing food.' Again we met up with Lorna and Emma and bid a farewell to Kristopher who was heading to Thailand. From Georgetown we decided to go the beach at Batu Feringgi by this time we were both feeling a little sorry for ourselves as Penang wasn't really what we thought it was - so we ended up going to the Hard Rock Cafe that night! We did feel a little guilty spending 10 pound on food rather than only 1, but we needed something to smile about!! We spent the next couple of days avoiding the horses on the beach and generally just lazying around. Our next stop was inland to Cameron Highlands... we both hoped that we would enjoy it more than Penang!
Well that is part one of the two parter...stay tuned for Malaysia the sequel, coming very soon to a computer near you.
Love to you all
Steph and Lou x x x
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