18/6/11
We had really rather enjoyed diving and despite blowing the budget opted for one last dive. We assembled our gear and headed off for the 20 minute boat ride to the dive sight with a ship wreck. Not liking to be cold and concerned about the wind (yes I know I sound like Hilary) I took along my coat to keep warm. Everyone laughed but I was happy dry and warm.
We entered the water with a backward roll from the boat and then set off into the deep blue sea. With a small current and medium visibility we descended to 18meteres and began to explore the wreck. It was soooooo cool. You could see lots of old masts, rigging boat bits and pieces and the occasional odd think like a dot matrix printer that had escaped from the wreck over time. There were loads of fish including barracudas, angel fish parrot fish, pipe fish, devil fish (rather poisonous) sting rays and assorted others that are nameless to me. It short it was truly spectacular.
19/6/11
The time had come to leave the dive island. Ceecee said we should stay and when we explained we had train tickets and were meeting my mum in a weeks’ time she came back with the typically Ceecee response of “yeh well that’s great but in comparison to staying hear and diving that’s shit so you better stay.” Despite such a kind offer combined with Ceecees newly adopted squirrel that had fallen out of a tree the night before we decided that we had better leave.
Learning from our previous mistakes regarding seating location on the boat to the main land we opted for a spot at the back next to the boat man. This combined with the fact that the driver knew how do decelerate when it got bumpy meant a much more pleasant journey even enjoyable. Upon returning to the mainland we were approached by the usual hoard of taxi drivers but there pressure tactics pale into insignificance when compared to those within big cites allowing us to breeze past relatively unencumbered. We made our way to the bus stand and worked out that the bus was either in two hours or at 2pm and settled in for a wait. Taxi drivers came by periodically touting for business but once it was clear we would wait for the public bus the price came down to the locals price and a group of four of us climbed aboard a taxi for the trip back to the main bus station.
After a few hours of internet time updating the blog, looking at emails, booking more hostels and surfing we headed to the train station for the overnight train. Before boarding we collected some takeaway dinner. Not being able to read the signs I asked the staff to server my dinner into a box not realising it was self-service. Despite the looks, chattering and shaking of their heads I succeeded in getting provisions for the journey along with some tandoori jelly fish sticks. They tasted nicer that they sound.
The train arrived and James found he almost fit on the sleeper bunk a small miracle in Asia. That said he still could have done with another 60cm or so and as he said “I am officially a giant, it’s a disability you know they should make previsions for me…”
20/6/11
We arrived in Kuala Lumpa about an hour late around 8.45 am. As you know James is not exactly a morning person but he was in relatively good spirits for about 2 minutes until he nearly knocked himself out forgetting that he had to duck to get through the train doors. I suggested that he wear a cap that special needs children have but I am not sure this was quite the right thing to say or particularly sympathetic???
Arriving at the hostel we checked in, filled up on the complimentary breakfast and then headed off to explore. We arrived at the iconic twin towers which once claimed once to be the tallest in the world with the addition of some masts on the top. The US tall buildings commission (yes there is one amazingly) ruled that the masts did not count. That said the buildings are impressive and the view from the top stunning. Unfortunately the viewing platform was closed on a Monday so we will have to buy a post card instead.
We decided that we would indulge in some consumerism so headed off to one of the many huge shopping centres. Even if we did not buy anything more than a coffee at least there would be air conditioning. On the way we stopped at a chocolate shop where the sales assistants engaged in high pressure chocolate selling. We were greeted by an assistant, whizzed round the store given a few samples and then encouraged to buy lots. I asked for a basket but she kindly followed me round so she could carry my purchases and upsell on quantity. Here commission will be somewhat lacking- our purchases… a single bar but top marks for trying.
Upon arriving at the shopping centre proper we entered another church to consumerism. 10 floors of shopping including 3 cinemas and in in house theme park complete with roller coasters. Amazingly it was not too overbearing and was quite pleasant inside. Not like the Trafford centre in any way. Then something strange happened… I was not drunk, under the influence of drugs, hypnotised or mentally impaired in any way but shortly I found myself shopping for not one but two netbooks (very small laptops). We spent an hour comparing prices and specs before negotiation a little and then handing over cash for these sexy sleek lightweight devices one in red and one white. I am not quite sure what happened!
21/6/11
After gobbling down some more free breakfast we headed off for a free walking tour (spending money the day before still ringing in my ears you see). We saw all sorts of interesting old buildings the highlight being a mosque. Upon entering we were handed a jalber or smock . We were used to such garments being handed out to our female friends and relatives but where somewhat taken aback to be told we needed to ware one two. The headscarf was not a requirement for men though. Walking round in already hot conditions we looked a treat in the oversized smock which was supposed to cover our legs and arms. Predictably it was 20cm too short for James so his nicely turned ankle and wrists were on display.
Later we arrived at a Chinese temple where the guide explained how to ask the deities for advice. Following her explanation she asked if anyone wanted to do this. There was a general mummer of interest but none stepped forward. So with a little shove from James I found myself kneeling in front of the deities shaking a big pot of numbered sticks until one fell out whilst saying my name, country, date of birth and asking my question. Not quite having the technique down to a fine art the sticks looked like they would never fall out but eventually number 27 did. The next step was to throw two rocks on the floor and if they fell in a certain way this indicated that the correct stick had fallen out. The stones fell in the appropriate way so we set off to the counter to get the answer to my question which was ‘will I find a good job in New Zealand?’ Next we had to find someone to interpret the inscription. The temple guru explained what it said to a Malaysian man who was on the tour. He then turned to me and said “ you can take this literally or like a movie.” Sensing something odd I agreed that I would not be too distraught by the predication so he told me that I was like a fish out of water and that I needed the rains to come in order to survive. Not the most positive predication but being an optimist I interpreted this as meaning that whilst I was traveling for the next few months I would not find a job but upon arrival in New Zealand all would be ok either that or I would be a kept man as James has a good job lined up!
That afternoon was spent engaging in our usual big city activity- visiting a chiropractor. Armed with an address we set off to find a taxi. Kuala lumpa has no shortage of such vehicles but it only the tenth taxi agreed to turn its meter on and charge us properly. The rest wanted 20-30 ringets for a journey that we had been told should cost 13. Eventually we found a taxi and in response to our asking if he had a meter and would use hit he said ‘of course it’s illegal not to and those who don’t will go to hell.’ Slightly odd yes but as he was going to use the meter we jumped in. For the 15 minute journey he did not stop talking which coming from me says something. We now know he used to have a manufacturing business had retired from that and now drives taxies to keep busy, works with orphaned street children, lives his life in a godly fashion and believes that what goes around comes around.
Once deposited at the chiropractors James was manipulated and cracked to his satisfaction and following a trip to but Newsweek (very exciting- not had an English western magazine for nearly 3 months) and a coffee we hailed another cab and again entered into the third dimension. This driver was Malaysian and his family from Iran. He thought the UK was a wonderful place and wanted to visit but could not get a visa and asked if we could help him if he paid us. He told us that he was a Muslim and this meant getting a visa was hard but we were not to worry as he was a good Muslim and a family man and just wanted to visit the UK. Despite being an entrepeurial sort we decided that this money making scheme was not for us and explained that we could not help as the authorises made such endeavoured very difficult. Oh well.
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