Fri 01.06 - We had a nightmare journey, from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur (KL). A psycho driver picked us up at 8pm and drove like Michael Schumacher all the way to Hat Yai. There were loads of hairpin bends that he took on 2 wheels at 50mph. I was sh*tting myself, whilst trying to reassure Claire. Claire took Valium!!!! I didnt want to alarm her by me partaking in this drug induced calm!!!!
He then dropped us there in Hat Yai at 4.30 am and told us that we would have to wait until 9am for the other bus to KL. We freaked. He drove us and we went looking for a hotel. We found one where the reception smelt of piss. The room cost 8 quid. We slept for three hours. Claire had bites all over her legs (and it wasn't me!). There were ants all over our rucksacks. The bus eventually arrived at 10.15am and it took us as far as Butterworth in Malaysia arriving at 3pm. We were then told that we would have to wait until 11.30pm to do the last 6 hours off the journey. This was not looked so we found an ATM and went to the bus depot and caught a bus at 4pm. There was a scottish fella, Dave, who had only a few pound left and had no option but to wait. He had no food so we gave him what food we had left and gave him 50 Ringgits (the equivalent of 10 pound).
We thought that was the nightmare over, but oh no!! There was a thunder and lightening storm and water poured from the rack above us and Claires seat got drenched. Being the martyr that I am, I swapped seats and sat on the edge of the chair for 4 hours. I still managed to get a wet ars and now I think I have the symtoms of nappy rash. Still I have the enjoyment of Claire rubbing Sudocream on it to look forward to !!!
We arrived in KL at 10.30pm and got a taxi to the Concorde Hotel which we had booked. It was absolutely fantastic and only cost 30 quid a night. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe and had a well deserved pint, even if it was expensive. We had dinner at 11.15 first meal that didnt consist of Pringles, for 32 hours!! Got serenaded by a band who walk among diners. They sang Elvis - I can't help falling in love with you.
Sat 02.06 - Went to the Petronas towers at 12 noon and found out that you have to pick up tickets at 9.30am each morning. Went to the tourist office. There was a tour leaving so we got it. It went to the the Batu Caves, the worlds largest Pewter factory and old fashioned Batik material printing factory. It also showed how you got rubber from a rubber tree. The Batu Caves is a magnificent Hindu shrines built inside a massive cave. There are 272 steps up to it. (Pictures left) There was an elderly couple from Cobh, Co. Cork on the tour. The man was originally from the Bogside in Derry and a relative of his was killed on Bloody Sunday.
That night it was off to Delaney's Irish Bar , but it was fill of locals, and a band playing distinctly non-irish music. We went back to hotel and I flicked through TV channels and couldnt believe what I found. Star Sports was showing Ireland v Portugal match live with George Hamilton and Jim Beglin doing commentating. Even saw Martin McGuinness in the crowd, singing "One Road". Made us a little homesick , the match not Martin McGuinness. 1-1 scorline, not bad.
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