And so we begin!

Hello Everyone!


I have never done this blogging thingy stuff before so please bare with me. a) if I type too much, which will happen b) if it bores you and c) if you think I moan too much, I'm just describing things - NOT necessarily moaning :)


So, after months of thinking that myself and Caroline were flying on the 3rd November, we actually delay until the 6th... and thank god as to say I was disorganised is an understatement. The reason being for the delay was the floods in Bangkok - even the hostel we had booked advised us to stay away so we changed out flights to Kuala Lumpur (and might I say, it couldn't have worked out better).


After an emotional (yes, I do cry) departure from the parentals, me and Caroline set off through the gates and the trip had officially begun! Eeeek.


The 7 hour flight to Dubai was easy enough and we both took advantage of the spare seat in the middle, even if I did take up most of it sleeping for half the flight :) Our 3 hour wait in Dubai was boring to say the least, especially if you don't have loads of money for all the good duty free's! My oh my, do they love their Gold?! Going through the security gates and scanners, after only at least 10 hours of use, my lovely £9 Primark bag.. broke on me. And breathe. The last 7 hour flight straight through to Kuala Lumpur wasn't as enjoyable as by this point, tiredness was kicking in but we made it and the first stamp was inked on our passports.


The test now started as I actually had to pick up my 18kg bag for the first time since leaving home. Where was my wheely bag from Oz when I needed it?
Getting a taxi was easy enough and we both liked the fact that we paid first - this ensured that we weren't going to get ripped off. We only paid 75RM which is only £15. The taxi took around an hour and a half (half an hour getting lost) to take us to our hostel, Reggae Mansion and we were so glad to get there and just get in bed!


We opened the hostel door to be greeted by a 2m x 2m space and what can only be described as pod beds. To be honest, they were awesome. For those who haven't seen the photo's the bunks were directly on top of each other like little cabins with curtains, a double mattress and a little private light. For hostels.. this is what you want. We rock paper scissored for top bunk and fortunately for me and not so for Caroline, she got top. Moving around in the room however, was a procedure of 'you go that way, I'l go this way'.


We woke up at 2pm after a mammoth 13 hour sleep and we both got up, got ready and went to inspect Kuala Lumpur. The heat was ridiculous, but so refreshing for not having to wrap up like we were in the Arctic. Shorts, flip flops and vests were well and truly out. Hello tan!!!
After 30 minutes of walking around to try and find food.. we gave up and went back to the hostel. There was no where obvious for us to eat and at this stage, we couldn't be bothered to wonder that far as we still hadn't gained our bearings. The streets smelt like bins and we were the only white people walking around. Odd one out doesn't describe it. Especially as I'm short, brown haired and pale, whilst Caroline is tall, blonde and also pale.
Back at the hostel we instantly greet Ben - who will appear alot in this blog as we are pretty much travelling as a 3. Ben is someone I know from Melbourne back in 2008. Our mutual friend (Hello shovel face) mentioned to Ben that I was travelling S.E Asia around the same time he was and he got in touch. It just so happens that Ben was going to be in KL the same time we were and he hasn't left us since, have you Benny Boo?


That evening is spent sharing stories from Oz, as we all did our working visa's and getting to know each other a little more. We come across a fellow englishman, Jack, who we now name, weird Jack.. and go for dinner. Our first real meal in KL, is a vegetarian curry for about £3.. bargain. We decide to get up early in the morning to sort out our body clocks out and go on the Reggae Mansion city tour which is 38RM approx £9 and lasts from 10-4pm.


To say I woke up early... is a joke. Hello 5am. As I know we have a busy day ahead, I try and get back to sleep but oh no.. I'm wide awake. I lay there until around 6am which is when I gave in and got up to go on the computers to be greeted by a few other 'non sleepers'. We chat for around an hour (whilst getting told off for being too loud by a grumpy German, we weren't even being loud) and I make second in line for breakfast. Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit and a side of Calamari anyone?
I try and get some more sleep but it just isn't happening so I get up, get myself a £1 Redbull and await for 10am for the tour to then be told, there was no tour guide!!! We did it anyway.
6 people had put their names down for the tour, myself, Caroline and Ben (who to make life easier, I will just refer to as the '3 of us') 2 aussie's and another english guy who had literally, just landed so I think he beat me on tiredness. He was also called Jack but we refer to him as 'Good Jack'. Poor Jack gets stuck in the middle of the 2 aussies's and dare I say, they were annoying. The elder lady literally talked about herself the entire day and generally asked really random questions. She was therefore named 'crazy lady' but we think her real name was Charlotte. The other aussie girl mentioned that she was woken up at 6am by people at the computers talking... Safe to say, I didn't admit I was a culprit.


I've just realised how much I have typed for only 2 days so I shall try and keep this minimal!


We had a lovely day getting to see KL and can't say we would have seen all these things has we left it to the 3 of us. Over the day we visited:
National Palace
Heon Thean Temple
National Mosque (where we had to wear full Muslim dress, in a nice purple shade)
National Monument 
Batu Caves.
As we arrived back at the hostel I caved and had a glorious afternoon nap which then saw me see the evening through until 2am drinking £2 beers overlooking the KL tower and the Petronas Towers from the rooftop bar!


Our last full day in KL started rather well! Ben came to wake us up and told me that Frankie had been taken off the X Factor, still sad that I cared but jeez, I was happy! We spent the day, walking, and walking, and then maybe some more walking in pretty much the wrong direction when all we need to do was go straight, and not in one massive circle! In about 5 hours of walking, we achieved food, and a visit to the KL tower which had amazing views of the city. Feethurt.com.
Another must in KL is the Petronas Towers which in the day, are worth a look, but at night, are much more worth the visit. We spent some time trying to take arty farty photo's and pretty much gave up after we achieved the basics.
To end our time in KL, we spent it on the rooftop bar with Good Jack (who then deserted us with crazy lady... painful 30 minutes) playing shithead and pretty much just getting drunk. Travelling is hard work!!!