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