After a long flight and a 3.5 hour wait in Amsterdam for the onward flight we collected our luggage for the final time and 10 min later we were home.
Tired and weary but with some lasting memories of the trip, we got ready for the start of a working week.
Today we went to the top of the Petronas towers which gave us a brilliant view of the city. It was 86 floors up.
We were disappointed that the sky bridge was closed for maintenance but the trip up the tower was worth it.
We took a taxi from there to Putrajaya, about half an hour from KL. This city (which we'd seen on TV on the world's strongest man competition) has been built since 1996 and is the Malaysian administrative capital, housing all the government buildings.
As the city is built around a man made lake (formerly a palm oil plantation) we had a tour by boat, which ended up being a private tour as no one else booked onto it! 45 min later we had seen the main sights and went back to KL for lunch and some air conditioning, in the malls.
We experienced or first rain of the trip as we left the mall. A torrential downpour and thunderstorm for over half an hour made the humidity drop and we took shelter in the park until we collected the luggage from our apartment and caught the transfer to the airport for the long journey home, which began on a 3 week old KLM plane!!
Fri 15th April
Today was a lot about food. It was also a little cooler (only 31c this morning) and less humid as it was overcast.
We started with roti in Little India, then, after an unexpected 20min in the bank to report the ATM not issuing the money it was supposed to have dispensed, we ate a delicious lunch at a hawker market in Chinatown. We spent some time browsing the market and then had snacks in the KLCC food court after the boys cooled off in the water park near the Petronas towers. Jonathan tried to cool off but was summoned out by the aggressive whistling of the security woman!
So we could all cool off we spent an hour or so at the apartment rooftop pool before going back to Jalan Alor for dinner. The boys were keen to eat with chopsticks and Toby got a round of applause from the family eating at the next table when he mastered it.
Returning home via the fountains at KLCC park we managed to fit in an ice cream from the pavilion shopping mall.
All packed up and ready to check out tomorrow for the return trip. But not before venturing up the Petronas towers. Sadly the sky bridge at floor 41) is shut for maintenance so we will only be going to the observation deck at floor 88!
Still no rain, which is unusual for Kuala Lumpur where it usually rains heavily sometime between 6 and 7pm every day.
Thursday 14 April
As we all woke up early we went out to the Batu caves which are north of Kuala Lumpur. A Hindu shrine with 272 steps to the top cave, we had to avoid the Macaque monkeys who wait on the handrails to take food and drink from passers by.
In the top cave we were mobbed for photos by an Indian family who were keen to talk to an English family.
In the Dark cave, halfway down the steps, we had a 45 minute educational tour, and could hear the 200 000 bats as the guide explained the history of the cave and showed us the rock formations and creatures in the cave.
Back at the bottom of the steps it was time for refreshment (fresh coconut) and lunch. Again we were mobbed for photos, this time by some Chinese people. They seem fascinated by folk with white skin, especially children. The boys found out interesting to start with but we were all soon fed up if not being left alone!
Back into the city by taxi we were dropped off at the botanical gardens to see the orchids. Too hot to go much further outside (it was 33c) we headed to the Berjaya Times Square mall to make the most of air conditioning.
After an hour or so we all felt much better and walked home for a rest and a cool down swim in the roof pool, which is lovely and has an amazing view of the Petronas towers.
Re energised and ready for food we walked offer to Jalan Alor (Alor Street) to eat dinner. We didn't realise we would be so hassled by every restaurant owner and we opted for a mixture of Chinese and Malay food, listening to a talented busker singing 60s cover songs.
The final stop off the day was KLCC park at the foot of the Petronas Towers, where we relaxed to the music and colourful fountains which rival those at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
This action packed day means it's another late night all round so we might well lie in tomorrow.
Things we learned about Malaysia today:
Malaysians don't use toilet roll, which explains why there is a hose in every toilet.
The number 4 is unlucky for Chinese people. In our building there is no level 4, 14 etc, there is 3A and 13A instead. We're on floor 23.
Wed 13 April
Today we left the Price family in Penang and flew down to Kuala Lumpur to explore the city before travelling home. It was sad to say goodbye but we've got some great memories of fun times here to take home with us.
As our flight was in the afternoon we still had time to go to the wet market with James and William for food supplies and a roti. Interesting sights included the coconut stall, where fresh coconut is grated, and the many different types of fruit.
After a swim and final packing up we enjoyed a delicious curry with rice and chapatis and set off to the airport.
The journey was not without delay as the airport systems had a problem. Check in desks were working manually and the luggage conveyors were not all working. Once we found a working auto check in kiosk we had the right paperwork and had to queue for 45 min to get to the desk, but it was nothing a 2 RM (Ringitt) ice cream couldn't make more bearable.
The flight was also delayed by about 45 min but we were pleased to see our luggage quickly and our hotel transfer driver waiting. As the airport is 75 km from the centre of Kuala Lumpur it was an hour journey. By the time we arrived it was 8.30 so we had a snack and the boys went to bed.
The apartment is really central so we're looking forward to exploring KL tomorrow.
Today was our last full day in Penang.
We went with the Price family to Georgetown, a British settlement in colonial times which is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
The sights to see are the old colonial style buildings, the jettys where the Chinese settled in the 1800s and the street art which is really fascinating as the huge murals on the walls of shops and other buildings are way to miss if you don't pay attention.
After an hour or so of wandering we were all far too hot so we stopped for a snack (roti) then the Price family and Simpson boys went home in the car leaving Joanne and Jonathan to explore for longer.
The best way to see the street art is by trishaw. Like a rickshaw but with the cyclist behind and the seats between the 2 front wheels. We paid for a 20 min cycle tour and had a cycle driver who took us to the street art and showed us the interesting sites.
Having had our fill of culture we indulged in the black kettle, a tea room with delicious cakes, before browsing the mall and making some purchases.
Taxi home to the boys (1 asleep, 2 awake), a swim, a rest, and then out along the coast to Batu Ferringhi, a more tourist area than Tanjung Bungah where James and Jo live. We walked along the beach before eating in a hawker market with a great choice of food from satay to pancakes. This is fun but confusing as you can order from any of the stalls, giving your table number, and you pay the vendor when they bring the food to your table. With 9 of us ordering we used about 7 different stalls and the drinks waiter so food kept arriving and needing paying for in quick succession.
The reason for the visit to Batu Ferringhi was for the night market, where we all bought a few souvenirs. Peter did a good job of bartering with the football shirt seller for a Man City away shirt to add to the Penang shirt he already invested in this holiday!
All in all a busy last day in Penang. Packing and getting ready to say goodbye to James, Jo, William and Bethan who have been lovely hosts and made our stay so interesting and fun.
We'll be sad to go but we're also looking forward to exploring Kuala Lumpur.
Sat 9 April 2016
Today we had a lazy day at the hotel, which is called Frangipani and has lots of these trees with their delicate blossom.
After a morning by the pool and a swim in the sea, we cooled down in our air conditioned room and enjoyed the pool in the shade for a bit longer. We spotted the cruise ship Queen Mary passing by too.
In the evening we went out for dinner, which was Indian food. Peter declared it the best meal he's eaten here, which is probably because it was like a curry we might get in Leeds.
Early to bed in prep for heading to the airport first thing tomorrow. Back to Penang and the Price's house.
Today we explored a different part of the island, travelling over the rainforest by cable car. (The steepest in the world)
There were some stunning views from the top and on the skybridge. Toby was unsure about the whole thing but conquered his fear and made it up to the top and onto the skybridge.
Whilst we were waiting for our time to go on the cable car we went on a 3d dinosaur experience and browsed the souvenir shops.
Once we were back on ground level it was time for lunch (noodles from one of the many food courts) and set off back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon by the pool.
We are nearby a large resort called Pantai Cenang with loads of choices for dinner so tonight was Thai green curry with rice and spring rolls. Seemingly expensive at 90 RM (Malaysian ringgit) but that's less than £20!
More souvenir shopping after dinner, the shops are open until 10pm, and home for bed. We're all looking forward to a lie in tomorrow.
Things we have learned about Malaysia:
It's far cooler up high in the mountains
In general no one uses knives, only forks and spoons (if they're not using their right hand or chopsticks)
