Over & out!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur (KL, Malaysia) last night, safe and sound unlike the poor lost souls on the Malaysian Airlines flight to China.  So sad!

Our two nights here in KL are in a B&B in a gated suburban community in a large comfortable home.  It is a 20-minute drive from the airport.  Most hotels are in central KL another 20+minutes further on from here.  We chose the B&B for two reasons; one, we don't really like big hotels and two, its close proximity to the airport because we are lugging our 2 metre ski bag around.  It stayed in left luggage at Phuket airport but KL airport doesn't have left luggage due to the threat of terrorism.  I digress, the house is large, airy and comfortable owned by a friendly accommodating young couple (young compared to us maybe early thirties) James & Jo, their children and two cats.

Continuing with one of our favourite touristy things to do 'city bus tour' we thought what a fitting way to finish our time away with a final bus tour.  Jo drove us the 1km to the train station.  The rail system is handy and efficient.  The 'hop on hop off' bus stop was right outside central train station - very easy.   The bus circuit took 2.5 hours.  With limited time it was a great way to see a few of the major attractions KL has to offer.

It has been declared a drought here as it hasn't rained in 9 weeks.  Water restrictions have been in force since last week.  It doesn't worry us though, we are use to drought restrictions coming from such a dry country.  The sky is hazy and there is a smell of smoke in the air - the threat of fire is high in these conditions.

After our bus tour and having a quick look around two shopping plazas we made our way back to the B&B to have a swim.  The day was hot and sweaty.

We had a dinner of fried rice, tandoori chicken and nann bread at a local diner called a Mamak Shop within walking distance from the house. These shops are the centre of life in Malaysian community.  I was asked what I wanted to drink I pointed to the table in front and said that looks nice - can I have one of them.  Turns out it was Milo - strange but true.  Real Milo with lots of ice.  It was good.  I can't remember the last time I had Milo.

It is now time to say goodbye.  This is the last blog I will be writing.  It is so hard to believe it has been 15 months.  It really does only feel like a few months.  Over dinner Jim and I were reminiscing about the trip.  As much as we have seen some amazing places along the way the highlights have been more about events - spending time with each other, family and friends in spectacular scenery with great food, drink and lots of laughs.

What else is there in life than spending time with loved ones.

I wasn't aware Jim took this photo - the young lady was admiring my top
and asked me where I bought it "Kerala, India" I replied

Filming on the streets seen from the bus 

Enjoying the pool at the B&B

This one is for you Dad

Happy anniversary to us!

Yesterday (Wed 5 March) was our 20 year wedding anniversary - thank you for all the well wishes we received.
We celebrated by going on a snorkelling boat trip to Koh Rok.  Koh Rok is a marine national park south from Koh Lanta.  The water was as you can see was crystal clear.  We snorkelled off the boat three times swimming amongst colourful fish and coral.

In the evening we walked up the road to the Greek Taverna for dinner - I know, sounds odd but the Greek couple who run it have been here for years.  It was my idea as I admit I was wanting something without chilli and we had ridden past it a couple of times and it looked popular.  We shared a calamari salad for entree and a seafood platter for a main.  They make their own pita bread & dips which was yummy and good for a change.  I am surprised they can get lamb, fetta etc all things Greek but they do.

We could have been in Greece except we were in Thailand

Today we spent the first part of the morning at a medical clinic so Jim could have his ear(s) irrigated. He says he had been having blocked ears for a while and yesterday he went deaf - I quite enjoyed it for a while - even though I am the talker of the two of us.  Anyway,  all good, he can now hear again. Shaz had to have her ears done last week when we were in Phuket and now Jim.  I admit I had my done while we were in Eze, France.  Something to do with turning 50 maybe????

I went in with Jim as I wanted to watch (just like I did with Shaz)
but Jim wouldn't let me take photos of the wax - ooh yuk!

After the medical emergency we spent most of the day at Klong Nin Beach, a 10-minute ride south from here Klong Khong where our house is.  What a lovely beach, so relaxing with cushions, mats & umbrellas on the beach - all for free - that doesn't happen often and 80's music playing in the background.  For a moment I thought I was backpacking again just like 26 years ago.

Tomorrow, Friday is our last day in paradise.  We are thinking we will go back to Klong Nin for the day and just sit and look at the horizon over the ocean and a have a final beer and mojito.

Koh Lanta Day 3

Woke up this morning and looked out the doors (from our bed) to see mummy cow and her calf eating the hedge that surrounds the pool and then having a drink (out of the pool).  Lucky there are steps up to the pool otherwise they'll be wanting a swim next.




The house sits alone at the end of a street (of sorts) in the middle of a coconut farm.  The beach is a 10 minute walk along a dirt track looking across from the pool.  The beach is Klong Khong and if you walk a further 5 minutes up the beach from our entry point there are many typical Thai beach restaurants and accommodation places.  The beach directly in front of us is not ideal for swimming as it is at the end of Klong Khong but further up near the restaurants it is beautiful and clear and a lovely long beach for walking.

Walking up Klong Khong Beach in the evening

We wandered up the beach last night to pick a restaurant for dinner.  Thailand is blessed with many beautiful spots located on the beach to appreciate the soothing and romantic ambience of overlooking the ocean.

As you can see Jim has arrived safely in Thailand and slotted back into his normal routine of lying on the lounge.  It is nice to have him back lounge lizard and all.  I shouldn't complain he says he didn't miss my habit of needing to find toilets where ever we are - oh well!!!!





We have hired a scooter for the week - so cheap at only 200 Thai Baht a day = $7.35
Koh Lanta is a small rustic island, what you'd expect a Thai island to be a few decades ago.  It is very quiet so Jim feels comfortable tootling along on the country roads and I am more than happy to be a passenger, so much for my car park scooter training in Florence.

Yesterday we drove down the coast from here to the tip ending at the National Park.  Stopping at some scenic spots along the way for morning tea, lunch and a swim (and of course the odd toilet stop).

Driving into a village along the way, the sign read 'slow down to 50' we hadn't driven over 40 by this time and had been riding around for over half an hour so we were safe in not getting a speeding ticket.





Today's plan is to ride north to check out the beaches and neighbourhood.  We might even have a  massage today - I won't tell you how many I've had over the past two months.  Had yummy toasted muesli, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast at one of the cafes on the main road (the only main road of the island) this morning followed by a cafe latte - the best of everything, what more could you ask for.  Winning lotto perhaps to help ease us back into a life of reality which will soon be upon us.

I'll blog again before we leave here on Saturday.  We'll also load our Thailand photos on Flicker this afternoon so don't forget to check later.