20 May 2025

Back home to chilly UK. Another adventure with lots of exciting things to see and do.

What I won’t miss will be my glasses steaming up every time I set foot outside and not understanding why my photos look blurred when it’s the lens that has steamed up. And tofu what’s that all about?

Highlights would have to be the orangutans, especially those at Semenggoh who live in their jungle and can’t always be tempted out.  The town of Kuching in Sarawak was lovely with wonderful sunsets over the river.

Singapore always a highlight, wonderfully easy to get around on the MRT. Great visits to the orchid garden,  Gardens by the Bay and Clarke Quay- shame about the hotel!

The Petronus twin towers in Kuala Lumpur very memorable and for different reasons the beautiful and moving War Memorial.

Some funny moments too – I was admiring a Malaysian traditional costume in the market, when the local guide came up to me and said, “that would suit you, big sizes in the back”. Let me think to tip or not to tip?

Just a small group Ken and Linda, Norma, Gina, Tasha and Jenny and Jess who led me astray (or maybe it was the other way round). Not forgetting our wonderful guide Cynthia who could spot a lizard in the dark!

A fairly gruelling journey back but got here in the end and the sun is shining.

17 May 2025 – Kota Kinabula

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!

A zebra dove

An Asian Glossy Starling

Music in the lobby by musicians playing traditional Malayan instruments

Tonight’s entertainment

Another lovely sunset

16 May 2025 – Kota Kinabula

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

14 May 2025 – Kuching to Kota Kinabula

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.

13 May 2025 – Kuching

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

A pepper tree

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

12 May 2025 – Singapore to 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

The Courthouse Complex

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.

11 May 2025 – Singapore

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.

Raffles Hotel

Singapore Grand Prix Race Track

Louis Vuitton shop

Then onto Merlion Park to see the fountain synonymous with Singapore

A few pictures from around the town

Sir Stamford Raffles

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