The Big Tour - Day 4 - Tuesday 31 Jan - KL

Better sleep last night and got sorted and made our way over to Petronas towers just in case we were able to get tickets on the day because they were recorded as sold out online. 

Sure enough, no problem with a 10.30am booking so we went to McDonalds for coffee and I had some breakfast then back 20 mins later. Waited as a group and it was just four of us, a couple from Argentina who were nice enough and chatty. Tash says I have to pretend I support a team so I can engage in banter with people because it’s a few times I’ve been asked. 

We visited the sky bridge walk first and that was good but then went to 88th floor to the observation deck and that was impressive, the views across the city were amazing as we had such a clear day too. Really enjoyed it. 

We could even see the golden Buddha through the telescope which is where planned on going next. So when we were done we went to McDonald’s for the wifi and  go a grab taxi to the Batu Caves. About £4 which as we later found out was direct cheap compared to what the taxis were charging to get back. Ripping off the tourists!! 

There is a golden statue there and Hindu temple within the caves that required walking up 272 steps that have been painted. They’re nicknamed the Instagram steps because of how vivid they are and what a great photo opportunity they offer.  There were also monkeys along the side that were grabbing food that people had and pretty much anything else. I could see my phone being nicked so held onto that very tightly!!

We went up the steps and into the caves that was called the cavern which was huge. High ceilings and pigeons flying around that I first thought were bats. 

Wandered around, not much to see but took it all in and enjoyed the experience of viewing it all. 

Made our way down the steps, carefully, and walked through the market and back to the front gates to get a taxi but too much so went back to the train station and used that instead which was cheap. 

Back on familiar ground we walked back to the hotel and as soon as we got wifi my WhatsApp pinged with the car hire people. It’s a holiday in KL tomorrow and they asked if I could get the car today instead so we both walked round and eventually found the offices and got a decent sized car. They drive on left here so all was fine and I got us back to the hotel!

Did some admin and the got ready to explore an area we’d not done before, and very much benefited from doing so!!

Stopped at a bar for a drink and starter and then carried on and found a strip with bars and food and neon lights that was great. Chose one of them and shared a pizza and got talking to an older couple on the next table and they travel all over so we saw parallels with what we will be like in the future. 

Said our goodbyes and moved on and then came across another strip that was full of restaurants but the ones with plastic chairs and that. “Typical” Asia setting. Walked through and then had to stop for beers and people watch. Great fun. 

Made our way home through the rest of the area which was buzzing with people and noise. Whole row of foot massage shops!

Made it back to hotel no problem, just to prove how good the hotel location is we were only 15-20 mins walk. 

That’s it. The first part, and probably the easiest part of the Big Tour done, we’ve been in a normal city really, quite luxurious compared to our expectations but it’s got us settled in, body clocks and jet lag done, understanding some of the people so we’re in good shape and have started well. 

What will tomorrow bring??

The Big Tour - Day 3 - Monday 30th January - KL

Disjointed nights sleep because of our time difference but ended up with some sleep and woke up around 9.00am. Pottered around whilst planing the day ahead and the set off about 10.30am. 

Stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and I had a donut and felt a bit guilty, but not for long. 

We walked towards China Town as we were aiming for the botanical garden that were a mile the other side of them and had in mind some buildings and landmarks that we wanted to see along the way. 

Went into the oldest mosque in the city and we both had to borrow clothes to cover up and be respectful. Wasn’t too big so weren’t there long, good photo opp though as Tash looked like something out of Harry Potter!

Onwards and we walked towards the Botanical garden which were good, quick drinks break and then back ourselves to the National Monument to the fallen soldiers in the Second World War. Impressive area and imposing statue. Back to walking through the gardens which was peaceful and not at all busy. Gave us a bit of a glimpse of what we can expect in the jungle, just without the city blocks in the background!!

Went to the City museum and looked at a dragon exhibition there and we weren’t very impressed, that was until we walked around the other side and realised we were literally in a side room and the museum itself was massive!! We’re idiots! Didn’t go in and continued up the road to the central mosque that was closed to non-Muslims but that was fine. It was pretty modern and not like the ones in Istanbul it seemed. 

Decided to go to the Hindu temple in the middle of china town and got a bit lost trying to use a shortcut, so went to the Central Market and got some food and after we’d left I realised about 10 mins away I’d left my bag of life at the table. I went sprinting back and crossed the road without a care and back to our place and very luckily the rucksack was still there. That was a shock to the system!!

We started our search for the temple again and found it under restoration and closed, so we carried on and stumbled across a Chinese temple here and went it. It was a very different experience to a Muslim one. They have noise, smoke, incense and even a ritual where they went under a table x3 times before putting their prayer paper into a fire. I need to look up the significance of that particular ritual. 

We were getting tired now so we went back to the hotel and up to the pool area where Tash had a swim and I had a snooze. 

Showered and changed and then out to the bright lights of the City. This area we visited was the richer part, a bit like the City area in London. There is definitely money here. I think it’s called the Golden Triangle. Anyway, we got a taxi to the restaurant I’d found online and it was very lovely. Rooftop dining and looked very exclusive as we were led through to our table, thankfully when we read the menu it was UK prices so we didn’t have to suffer the indignity of leaving…!!

The view as you’d expect from as impressive and it was nice to relax and enjoy good food and the surroundings. 

After the meal we walked around and headed towards the Petronas Towers, we passed various malls and rich like but when we got to the towers themselves they were very impressive and it was enjoyable just looking at them and taking them in. They light them up and the colours change and it’s such a tourist attraction but to be fair it wasn’t manically busy. Lots of people trying to make money off the tourists as you’d expect but we avoided them or politely turned down their advances. 

Got some decent photos. 

We were too far from our hotel now so wandered back and then stopped at an Irish Bar for a couple of beers and use of the internet. Bit expensive when we got the bill, seems that alcohol is a lot more expensive than food. 

Back to the hotel and the end of a very full on day, we’ve done a lot of waking but it’s surprising how quickly you recognise places and where to go. The explore yesterday certainly helped with the first part of todays travels. 

The Big Tour - Day 2 - Sunday 29th Jan - KL

At KL airport we were met by x2 colleagues of Tasha’s who they’d only worked together over Skype so it was lovely that they wanted to help and welcome us when we touched down in KL. 

They drove us the 45 mins to the hotel and it really helped as they gave us various hints and tips especially with respect to driving and the tolls etc. It made such a difference, they even gave us some coffee which means we have to carry it around for the next 6 weeks!! 

Got to the hotel around 3.00pm, they left us to check in, KL looks a busy and large city. It’ll be interesting to see how much we cover. The hotel was nice and it had a rooftop pool and we got our bearings and then set out. 

It was hot (30 plus degrees) but quite overcast, so we weren’t in full sun. Right next to us was the KL tower, a bit like the Toronto Tower, a huge needle-like building which we was an obvious landmark we want to tick off our list. We walked around the gardens there and then continued our walk towards the China Town district. It wasn’t far to go and we were soon in the thick of it. 

The main road here was Petaling Street which was bustling with food stalls and souvenirs. Around this area was loads of quite run down buildings but in the background you have the gleaming sky scrapers which creates quite a contrast. We just walked through and had an idea of landmarks and areas that we wanted to cover. We also had a tourist map so we were able to have a focus of things to go to. 

As it’s only been since 1957 that Britain handed back Malaysia its independence you get a real feel for British colonialism in the buildings etc. they drive on the left side too. 

We saw quite a bit as we walked around and got a decent feel for he area. It was busy but didn’t feel ‘mad’. Loads of scooters and that but loads of cars, no tuk tuks for example. 

We resisted the temptation of a McDonald’s or KFC and went to a vegetarian Indian restaurant and chose what a family were eating there and it was good. The father chatted to us as they left, a family full of pharmacists!!

We paid, very cheap, and walked back to our hotel. We had to walk past the KL Tower and decided tonight was as good a time as any to go up it so went in and the views from it of the lights and city were great. Got a really good view of the Petronas Towers which we will visit another time. 

When up the Tower there were glass boxes that you can have to yourselves for 90 seconds. You’re literally in a glass box extended out over nothing. It’s horrible and makes your legs go to jelly. Pretty decent photos as a result though. When we’d had enough of the heights we went back to our hotel and relaxed in the pool area before it all closed down and we went to bed. 

A good start all told, KL appears to just be a “normal” city really. 

The Big Tour - Day 1 - Saturday 28th Jan

Up early and finished things off. Showed Charlotte and Miles around some of the features of Vinnie as they’ll be using him whilst we’re away. Zoe and Niamh came round as a surprise to see us off which was lovely because Rash was a bit sad that she’d not heard from her. 

Various well wishing messages in the morning that was nice and at 9.00am we were on our way!! Traffic to Gatwick was no problem at all and said our goodbyes and let Miles drive off with Vinnie and we ventured into the terminal for the start of our 6 week adventure!

No problems at all, although I got picked up by the scanner and they said “get used to it” when I said about my metal hip! 

Breakfast and beers and posted on social media what we were doing and of course then got loads of good luck messages which was great. Lots of tears from Tash each time the kids wrote. But at the time of writing this she’s fine (we’re on the plane and 20mins from Doha). 

Flight has been good 6hrs. Food was fine and had a number of beers!! Decent films and music. We’re in Doha for an hour or so waiting for our connecting flight. So just about to land and will update this later. 

A good start so far!!

Arrived in Doha and through checks, VERY busy airport. 3hrs ahead. Leaving at 1.30am local time. Tash taking sleeping tablets! This is a 7hr flight and the flight demo was a brilliant video. V funny. 

Very good flight. Arrival at the KL airport was 1.00pm on day 2 so I will close this diary entry off for today. 

A great start to why we hope will

Be an amazing adventure. 

Sunday

Fry up breakfast and then a walk around the place with the dogs. 

Back to house for food and the. 10 pin bowling. Good fun

Sat around after and then swimming in the dark

Back to ours for pulled pork dinner  

Mum’s 75th Birthday

Mum is 75 today, not sure about her but that makes me feel old thinking she’s that age. Obviously we’re really fortunate in that she doesn’t act or feel old and we consider her a “young” 75. As she’s still fit and able and joins in with things. 

So we sent the usual Birthday wishes and she got a lot of love on Facebook and had a nice day. 

My day was normal, did a training session for a couple of hours in the afternoon which I’ve not done in a while so that was odd. Also I was knackered. 

In the evening we had a meal booked at the Greyhound pub so Charlotte and Miles came to ours and I drove us over. Sue and Simon came too and obviously mum and we had a really nice meal. Food was very good. 

Mum enjoyed it as we gave her presents and cards and the kids were really thoughtful in having things sorted, especially Lewis and Emily with a bag they got her. Emily’s influence we’re pretty sure of!! Same with Jack and Jodie, we think the girlfriends were the organisers of the presents. Which is great. 

Was I’ll in the night and threw up downstairs where no one could hear me. Nothing to do with the food but all the phlegm and coughing in my throat. Horrible. 

I also think the caffeine kept me awake. That’s a fist that I’ve noticed that before. Wide awake at 12.30am. Not ideal!

A nice birthday though. 

Bit of a nothing day

Still struggling with this bloody cough. Hate it. Busy morning working and was focused on getting things done. Managed it. 

Stayed out the house all morning because we had an Airbnb who stayed extra for an interview for a job online. Wasn’t ideal but she was grateful so that was my good deed for the day. 

Made a nice dinner and then took Bess for a walk for an hour. Not fast and she keeps stopping, it irritates the shit out of me and I should go on my own really. Or go when it’s light and walk across the meadow so she’s loose. Anyway, another hour walked, bit stuff in the right hip and hamstring if I’m honest. I really don’t think im going to make this mountain walk. 

Got home and sorted packing for Centre Parcs and other chores. 

Fairly productive day I reckon. Bit worried that Emily is going to drop out of the weekend as Lewis messaged mum saying she’s not feeling well. That would be a shame as all of the boys and girls are going. We will see.