We've been at the 121 B&B for 8 days now. I feel like we live here. The staff know our names.
Our fantastic plans to fly by the seat of our pants and get from one end of Borneo (Kuching) to the other (Kota Kinabalu) without flying in 12 days are, we found out, unrealistic.
The only flights we could find at such short notice that wouldn't break the bank give us 10 days in Kuching and 2 days in Kota Kinabalu. Not perfect but at least we feel we know Kuching rather well now as we've been tramping it's damp streets every day for over a week.
It is rainy season which puts the mockers on doing all the usual activities tourists do such as seeing the Orang Utans in the rainforest (we went but they didn't come out), going kayaking, trekking in Bako national park...
I'm sure the reception staff here are sick of looking at me on the internet. We're totally up-to-date with our photos (the last was from lunch time today), and when the weather is really bad I am able to keep tabs on you all via Facebook,making hilarious observations and commenting on your photos - that sort of thing.
We actually move to a new place tomorrow, Basaga Holiday Residences. http://www.basaga.com/. Sounds rather good doesn't it. We thought we'd have a bit of posh for a couple of nights what with the money we've saved on not going on these bloomin' excursions.
Hope you're all well. Am loving the trip but missing Blighty a bit too.
Until next time...
xxx
Friday, 19 February 2010
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Year of the Tiger. Grrrr... Pt 2
Thanks to those who offered love, support and advice via Facebook on how to behave at a Chinese New Year open house in Kuching.
We hopped in a teksi from our B&B at 10:30 and following the directions on a napkin from last night were, in a matter of minutes, at the gates of the poshest, hugest, most expensive looking house either of us have ever clapped eyes on in real life (telly doesn't count).
There were guards on the gates and swarms of poshed up people coming and going, wishing each other Happy New Year.
Gripping each other and trying to look utterly normal as we walked up the drive, we saw Chris from the Coffee Bean last night who spotted us immediately. He showed us into a marquee at the side of the house where waiters were dishing out traditional Malaysian food from silver chafing dishes. We sat down to eat our noodles and cream soda magically appeared in front of us.
We were surrounded by hundreds of people. Some of them staring at us - understandably. We seemed to be the only white faces there. All the members of the family that we met last night came over to say hi and each said they would take us on a tour of the house later. I couldn't wait. The last family member we met was uncle Colin, from Scotland.
We chatted with uncle Colin for a while outside until he asked us to follow him into the house to meet his wife, Doris. Doris is Malaysian and the sister of the guy who owns the huge house. We found out Colin's brother-in-law owns the largest steel company in Sarawak. Sarawak covers most of Malaysian Borneo.
Doris was in the bar (a proper bar!) fetching drinks and entertaining so Colin, James and I sat in the bar and drank Tiger Beer at 11:00. So many people came over to meet us and introduce themselves. Everyone went out of their way to help us feel comfortable. We had all sorts of nibbles thrust upon us.
Apparently we missed the lion dance and the Governor of Sarawak who visted earlier that morning, but while in the bar some government officials sat at the next table drinking rather expensive whisky with the Steel Boss Man.
We had another beer with Colin and called our taxi man back to collect us. We never did get a tour of the whole house but I had a good look on my way to the loo. There was an indoor water feature on one wall and the floors looked like marble. It was just posh, that's all. Never been anywhere like it.
We got back to our place a bit gobsmacked. The guy on reception in our B&B was waiting to hear about it. He said he didn't want to tell us at the time he called our taxi but the address would be very well to do and the addressee had been awarded a knighthood, or equivalent, by the state.
Not bad after one day in Kuching. Wonder what we'll be doing tomorrow...
We hopped in a teksi from our B&B at 10:30 and following the directions on a napkin from last night were, in a matter of minutes, at the gates of the poshest, hugest, most expensive looking house either of us have ever clapped eyes on in real life (telly doesn't count).
There were guards on the gates and swarms of poshed up people coming and going, wishing each other Happy New Year.
Gripping each other and trying to look utterly normal as we walked up the drive, we saw Chris from the Coffee Bean last night who spotted us immediately. He showed us into a marquee at the side of the house where waiters were dishing out traditional Malaysian food from silver chafing dishes. We sat down to eat our noodles and cream soda magically appeared in front of us.
We were surrounded by hundreds of people. Some of them staring at us - understandably. We seemed to be the only white faces there. All the members of the family that we met last night came over to say hi and each said they would take us on a tour of the house later. I couldn't wait. The last family member we met was uncle Colin, from Scotland.
We chatted with uncle Colin for a while outside until he asked us to follow him into the house to meet his wife, Doris. Doris is Malaysian and the sister of the guy who owns the huge house. We found out Colin's brother-in-law owns the largest steel company in Sarawak. Sarawak covers most of Malaysian Borneo.
Doris was in the bar (a proper bar!) fetching drinks and entertaining so Colin, James and I sat in the bar and drank Tiger Beer at 11:00. So many people came over to meet us and introduce themselves. Everyone went out of their way to help us feel comfortable. We had all sorts of nibbles thrust upon us.
Apparently we missed the lion dance and the Governor of Sarawak who visted earlier that morning, but while in the bar some government officials sat at the next table drinking rather expensive whisky with the Steel Boss Man.
We had another beer with Colin and called our taxi man back to collect us. We never did get a tour of the whole house but I had a good look on my way to the loo. There was an indoor water feature on one wall and the floors looked like marble. It was just posh, that's all. Never been anywhere like it.
We got back to our place a bit gobsmacked. The guy on reception in our B&B was waiting to hear about it. He said he didn't want to tell us at the time he called our taxi but the address would be very well to do and the addressee had been awarded a knighthood, or equivalent, by the state.
Not bad after one day in Kuching. Wonder what we'll be doing tomorrow...
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Year of the Tiger. Grrrr...
Kuala Lumpur is stupendous!
I thought Bangkok was showy with it's department stores. It has nothing on KL.
We'd booked to stay 2 nights at the Rainforest B&B which is basically in the middle of town, near the financial district. It's a fab place - great room with proper air con and ensuite wet room (very la di da) and a TV. The staff were really friendly too, and everyone speaks perfect English.
We had one full day in KL, Friday 12 Feb, we wandered through shopping malls each more salubrious than the last, ending up at the rather swish Bukit Bintang Mall under the Petronas Towers. They have a Marks & Spencer and a Top Shop!! Both so much more expensive than home. I wanted to buy a trusty packet of M&S knickers. Sadly on our budget it wasn't to be.
We walked out legs off and finally came back to our B&B in time to watch an enormous rain downpour from the balcony.
After Expensive Oz (it shall forthwith be known as) being in Malaysia is such a bloomin relief. Our daily money allowance goes so much further.
This morning (Sat 13 Feb) we hopped on a flight to Kuching, Malaysian Borneo. We've only been here a few hours but I love it already. It's got an old fashioned feel to it. Rather civilised on the banks of the Sarawak River. People here are already more friendly than KL, if that's possible.
It Chinese New Year's Eve and James and I had just had tea by the river. It cost 3 pounds for the both of us so we decided to treat ourselves to a frivolous frapuccino in Coffee Bean. We got talking to a lady at the counter who invited us to her dad's open house tomorrow morning. We have to go. We can't miss it. Apparently there'll be a Scottish man there.
I've just been researching Chinese New Year etiquette and scaring myself silly. Don't mention the number 4 but feel free to drop the number 8 into any conversation; don't drop your chopsticks; wear red; whatever happens on New Year's Day affects the rest of the year. No pressure there then.
The govenor of Sarawak is going to be there at 09:30 so we're going to drop by about 10:30. This woman's dad must do something to do with the government. Can't wait to have a peep at his house. Will report back.
It's past my bedtime.
Ta ra for now
xx
I thought Bangkok was showy with it's department stores. It has nothing on KL.
We'd booked to stay 2 nights at the Rainforest B&B which is basically in the middle of town, near the financial district. It's a fab place - great room with proper air con and ensuite wet room (very la di da) and a TV. The staff were really friendly too, and everyone speaks perfect English.
We had one full day in KL, Friday 12 Feb, we wandered through shopping malls each more salubrious than the last, ending up at the rather swish Bukit Bintang Mall under the Petronas Towers. They have a Marks & Spencer and a Top Shop!! Both so much more expensive than home. I wanted to buy a trusty packet of M&S knickers. Sadly on our budget it wasn't to be.
We walked out legs off and finally came back to our B&B in time to watch an enormous rain downpour from the balcony.
After Expensive Oz (it shall forthwith be known as) being in Malaysia is such a bloomin relief. Our daily money allowance goes so much further.
This morning (Sat 13 Feb) we hopped on a flight to Kuching, Malaysian Borneo. We've only been here a few hours but I love it already. It's got an old fashioned feel to it. Rather civilised on the banks of the Sarawak River. People here are already more friendly than KL, if that's possible.
It Chinese New Year's Eve and James and I had just had tea by the river. It cost 3 pounds for the both of us so we decided to treat ourselves to a frivolous frapuccino in Coffee Bean. We got talking to a lady at the counter who invited us to her dad's open house tomorrow morning. We have to go. We can't miss it. Apparently there'll be a Scottish man there.
I've just been researching Chinese New Year etiquette and scaring myself silly. Don't mention the number 4 but feel free to drop the number 8 into any conversation; don't drop your chopsticks; wear red; whatever happens on New Year's Day affects the rest of the year. No pressure there then.
The govenor of Sarawak is going to be there at 09:30 so we're going to drop by about 10:30. This woman's dad must do something to do with the government. Can't wait to have a peep at his house. Will report back.
It's past my bedtime.
Ta ra for now
xx
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Goodbye Australia
Its been some time since our last post.
We've just spent the last 9 days in Sydney, a great city which I think we both like a lot. Rather than staying in more hostels after our "East Coast Touring Extravaganza" we decided to rent an apartment in the suburbs and live a kind of normalish life for a few days. Plus it was almost as cheap as a hostel anyway once ou added it all up.
Marie had done the organising via the internet and we arrived in Sydney at 1pm on Sunday after our overnight coach down from the Gold Coast. We haded to the office of the company we were renting from to find noone there. A phone call and a text message later and we had the code to let ourselves in a pick up the keys. Apparently we had "just missed" the lady who had been wating for us. Some chance, it was Sunday and I'm sure she just stayed at home and waited for us to call to find out where she was. Unimpressed and very tired we then had to work out how to get to the apartment. Luckily, the guy at the bus info counter at Circular Quay was much more helpful and told us where t ogo and sorted and some bus passes for us as well.
Not long later we were in the apartment, it was really nice and just perect for us for a week or so. So good in fact, we hardly left the place for the first couple of days, only venturing out in search of the supermarket and the nthe nearest beach - Coogee. Once we got there, it rained. a theme which was to recur in Sydeny we would find out. A trip out to Balmain on the Wednesday was the last of the good weather, from Thursday onwards in rained - a lot! We had arranged to meet Dom, a friend of a friend from London on Thursday night and went to a few bars and had a terrific Vietnamese meal. It was almost like being back in London! Then the next day we had another night out in town with my mate Rich nad Nicole who moved to Sydney last year. We had a corkin' evening going to a crazy Chinese Restuarant in Chinatown and aggreed to meet up the following Sunday.
Saturday was a very lazy day after the excess of two whole nights out and we didn't leave the flat. On Sunday, Rich and Nicole picked us up early and we went to theirs for breakfast. Out of their spare room's window you can see across the harbour and the harbour bridge - amazing! As were the crossiants and toast followed by fun at Sydney Aquarium. We the nhad a fresh seafood lunch at the fish market before being dropped back at the flat all tuckered out.
Monday was our final full day and we headed back to Darling Harbour and went to Wildlife World, next door to the aquarium. Saw lots of Australian wildlife, some of which we had seen, some of which we hadn't. It was really good.
On Tuesday we headed to the airport for our flight back up to the Gold Coast for our flight to Malaysia. We gave ourselves one full day in Coolangatta, which is today and we spent it was we usually do, in the cinema - we saw Invictus, it was good.
So this will be the last post from Australia, its 7pm and we're going to get some food before hitting the hay, we fly at 9am tomorrow - its good job the airport is on the other side of the hostel's fence!!
bye for now....
We've just spent the last 9 days in Sydney, a great city which I think we both like a lot. Rather than staying in more hostels after our "East Coast Touring Extravaganza" we decided to rent an apartment in the suburbs and live a kind of normalish life for a few days. Plus it was almost as cheap as a hostel anyway once ou added it all up.
Marie had done the organising via the internet and we arrived in Sydney at 1pm on Sunday after our overnight coach down from the Gold Coast. We haded to the office of the company we were renting from to find noone there. A phone call and a text message later and we had the code to let ourselves in a pick up the keys. Apparently we had "just missed" the lady who had been wating for us. Some chance, it was Sunday and I'm sure she just stayed at home and waited for us to call to find out where she was. Unimpressed and very tired we then had to work out how to get to the apartment. Luckily, the guy at the bus info counter at Circular Quay was much more helpful and told us where t ogo and sorted and some bus passes for us as well.
Not long later we were in the apartment, it was really nice and just perect for us for a week or so. So good in fact, we hardly left the place for the first couple of days, only venturing out in search of the supermarket and the nthe nearest beach - Coogee. Once we got there, it rained. a theme which was to recur in Sydeny we would find out. A trip out to Balmain on the Wednesday was the last of the good weather, from Thursday onwards in rained - a lot! We had arranged to meet Dom, a friend of a friend from London on Thursday night and went to a few bars and had a terrific Vietnamese meal. It was almost like being back in London! Then the next day we had another night out in town with my mate Rich nad Nicole who moved to Sydney last year. We had a corkin' evening going to a crazy Chinese Restuarant in Chinatown and aggreed to meet up the following Sunday.
Saturday was a very lazy day after the excess of two whole nights out and we didn't leave the flat. On Sunday, Rich and Nicole picked us up early and we went to theirs for breakfast. Out of their spare room's window you can see across the harbour and the harbour bridge - amazing! As were the crossiants and toast followed by fun at Sydney Aquarium. We the nhad a fresh seafood lunch at the fish market before being dropped back at the flat all tuckered out.
Monday was our final full day and we headed back to Darling Harbour and went to Wildlife World, next door to the aquarium. Saw lots of Australian wildlife, some of which we had seen, some of which we hadn't. It was really good.
On Tuesday we headed to the airport for our flight back up to the Gold Coast for our flight to Malaysia. We gave ourselves one full day in Coolangatta, which is today and we spent it was we usually do, in the cinema - we saw Invictus, it was good.
So this will be the last post from Australia, its 7pm and we're going to get some food before hitting the hay, we fly at 9am tomorrow - its good job the airport is on the other side of the hostel's fence!!
bye for now....
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Birthday Blog for Mum (Joan)
This is to say happy birthday to Mum for Friday 5 Feb, from sunny Sydney.
We hope you have a great day and get lots of expensive presents. Ha!
Speak soon
Toodle oo
Mree & James
xxxxx
We hope you have a great day and get lots of expensive presents. Ha!
Speak soon
Toodle oo
Mree & James
xxxxx
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