Walked along the beach after breakfast and wished I hadn’t had that pastry. It’s very hot and humid. A day by the pool is planned.
A couple of birds round the pool and the monitor lizard which decided to take a dip!
Music in the lobby by musicians playing traditional Malayan instruments
Tonight’s entertainment
Another lovely sunset
Walk along to the mall for a coffee this morning before my short transfer for three days of relaxation.
Looking over to Gleneagles golf course!
Some of the malls are really smart
Checked into the Shangri La Rasa Ria for three nights before coming home. Lots to do around the resort. Watched the sunset although a little cloudy and everywhere lit up
Today we took a speedboat to Manukan island which is part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
It was a little bit of heaven with coral reefs, many different fish, monitor lizards, birds, chameleon and even a Paradise tree snake.
I had a dip in the South China Sea and the water was so warm.
We travel to Kota Kinabula today, the capital of the Sabah region on the north West coast.
Most of the historic buildings were destroyed in World War II and the town had to be completely rebuilt, only three structures remain of the old town.
Last but one hotel! Checked into the Meridien, Kota Kinabula
Another rooftop bar, another cocktail.
Kota Kinabula is famous for its sunsets, and we certainly enjoyed tonights.
Early start this morning for the short drive to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a rehabilitation centre for various animals and birds especially the semi wild orangutans. Unfortunately all we got to see were some big trees, some butterflies, birds and plants, although we experienced the noises of the jungle.
Some of the orangutan nests
Back after lunch to see if we are any luckier!
Back to Semenggoh and my first find was a chameleon
Then patience paid off and we saw orangutans, firstly mother and baby and then a male. Very exciting
A quick cocktail in the Sky Bar at our hotel enjoying the sunset over Kuching
Short plane journey from Singapore to the island state of Sarawak and its capital Kuching.
It has modern high rise buildings and historic colonial ones. as well as lots of restaurants selling different types of cuisine.
The town is built around the Sarawak river and the waterfront is a lovely place to walk during the day and at night.
Took a short tour around the town
Astana, which means palace. was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke as a gift to his bride. Set among lovely gardens, the Palace consists of three bungalows with shingle roofs.
Charles Brooke was the nephew of the British explorer James Brooke who was responsible for developing Sarawak and commissioning most of the towns colonial buildings.
Visited Tua Pek Kong, the oldest Taoist temple in Kuching
Kuching means cat in Malay and there are several statues throughout the city
The unique Darul Hana Bridge, is an S shaped pedestrian bridge which twists and turns across the river.
Some pictures taken around the town
The Parliament building
Some shots as the sun was going down and my delicious butter chicken for dinner.
After dinner a walk along the waterfront to see the light show in front of the parliament building.
Singapore
From a small fishing village Sir Stamford Raffles saw its potential as a trading post between the east and the west. He drew up a town plan producing the layout of the modern city.
We travelled along Orchard Road, the busiest shopping street in the world with every designer shop you could imagine.
Our first stop today was the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a peaceful sanctuary since 1859. The garden’s orchid breeding programme began in 1928 and has produced more than 2000 hybrids. I didn’t get pictures of them all, but nearly, and I make no apologies for adding so many below.
We even saw a monitor lizard
Drove through Little India to Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck to enjoy the views of Singapore’s cityscape.
Then onto Merlion Park to see the fountain synonymous with Singapore
A few pictures from around the town
Then onto the buzz of Chinatown with a teeming market, hawker centres and street food.
Ate chicken noodles in a Michelin starred restaurant!
Our final stop of the afternoon was to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.
In the evening went to a favourite place. Clarke Quay, named after the second governor of Singapore, Sir Andrew Clarke. On the banks of the Singapore River with lots of shops, bars and restaurants
Arrived in Singapore around lunchtime.
Wonderful afternoon with Jenny and Jess at the Gardens by the Bay. The plants, flowers, sculptures were amazing.
We took the MRT (like the London tube) five stops, it was very efficient, clean, air conditioned (not like the London tube)
Then in the evening we had an amazing light show with songs from the musicals
Leaving KL today for Malacca. Another World Heritage site, situated on the southern peninsula coast. It was named by a Sumatran Prince after the melaka tree. It is now a thriving city known for its historical buildings, antique shops and night market.
Full day in Malacca, the first stop being the Chinese cemetery and Poh San Teng Temple which was the final resting place for many Chinese who braved the seas to seek their fortune in Malacca.
Then into Malacca town and onto Millionaires Row and to Baba Nyonya Heritage museum, one of the finest houses on the street and has been owned by the same family for generations.
The inside was ornately decorated and filled with family pictures and treasures. The house dates from 1886 when three older houses were combined to create a grand home.
Then a walk through the town to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, with a powerful smell of joss sticks throughout.
Taoism, Confucianisn and Chinese Buddhism are given equal status here.
Through the town
After a Chinese banquet lunch we took a ride down the Sungai Melaka river. Lovely colourful houses, shops and restaurants.
A short drive to Red Square and the 18th century Christ Church, built by the Dutch in 1753 to mark the centenary of their rule over the city.
The aptly named Red Square
Bit of a climb from Red Square to St Paul’s Hill and the Church of St Paul. Great views from the top including a view of our hotel for the night.
On the way down we spotted a young monitor lizard
At the bottom of the hill was Porta de Santiago, saved from complete demolition by Sir Stamford Raffles. It was one of the four main gateways into the fortress. Built in 1512 by the Portuguese viceroy.
Finally to our hotel and a very welcome dip in the pool.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, evolved from a humble town in the 1850’s to become the modern, vibrant city it is today.
Busy day of sightseeing in KL and started off at the King’s Palace.
The King left whilst we were there together with his motorcade.
Then we watched the changing of the horses
Our next visit was to the National Monument, a beautiful remembrance for those lost during the wars
Then onto Masjid Negara Mosque, a modern building built in 1965 which accommodates 15,000 people.
Some interesting buildings around
Next stop Independence Square or Merdeka Square, which is a large field which once hosted cricket matches. On one side is the mock tudor Royal Selangor Club. The Square is the venue for many national events and is where the union flag was finally lowered on 31 August 1957 when Malaysia gained its independence.
A visit to Chinatown was next which was a busy maze of narrow streets where you can pick up a “genuine” Chanel handbag for £10!!!
In case we hadn’t done enough shopping our next stop was the Central Market housed in an Art Deco building built in the 1930’s which was formerly the main fresh produce market but now houses all sorts of handicraft shops and food. It was rescued from dereliction and reopened in 1980.
It was also possible to get an ice cream in the shape of the Petronas towers!
Just round the corner from the market was, Masjid Jamek, the oldest Islamic place of worship in KL. It sits on the confluence of two rivers where we saw some otters and a monitor lizard.
Last stop of the day was to the Petronas Towers. 1483 ft high with 88 storeys, an international symbol of KL and modern Malaysia. Designed by Cesar Pelli, the same architect as Canary Wharf, completed in 1998. Quite a sight.
Evening with the girls in a restaurant close to the hotel and a couple of pictures on the way back
