Melaka

The bus to Melaka only took 2 hours which was a nice short trip! We got to the area we wanted to stay and, we must have looked lost as a policeman decided to show us a few different places we could stay! We chose one (I checked, the policeman didn't get commission), the people were very friendly, especially as they had taken over the hostel the day before!!! The first place we got to on our wonder round was a mall and in that mall was a quiksilver shop that had a really good sale! An hour later and we made it out with just the one (very) large shopping bag! Oooops

Headed for Chinatown for food and a drink, but it was pretty quiet as it apparently kicks off on the weekend.

Next day we went up the observatory tower which spins round once you reach the top. It was good but not much to look at! It was just quite funny listening to the amazed reactions of the locals.

We headed to a place recommended in lonely planet called 'capital satay'. The LP has been a bit hit and miss with it's recommendations but this was definitely a hit! Luckily we turned up at 5, when it was due to open, and there was already a queue of people (there was a huge queue of people waiting to be seated the whole time we were there)! We got in and sat at a table with a massive pot of heated satay sauce. You then help yourselves to meat/veg on a stick (15pence) and cook it in the satay pot! It was so good, one of the best meals we've had!

Went to Chinatown in the evening and as it was Friday there was a large night market. We watched and listened in a bar as a few Chinese guys did renditions of some of the worst karaoke love songs ever made! It was the cringy 'close your eyes whilst you sing' sort of karaoke. After yet another Cliff Richard song (the guy later told us he met Sir Cliff when he was young, i think it was a key moment in his life??!!) we decided to goto the cinema which was a nice change! The film was OK but the Chinese laughing at truly awful jokes was funny!

We headed to a few museums the next, the only good one was about beauty around the world - neck rings, strange piercings, tattoos etc. We then just updated the blog, ate, and walked around the local markets. In the evening we were trying to find Portuguese square and en route we found a Toni and Guy academy. Hovering outside someone came out and I decided to have my hair cut, it was only £5! It's not quite right but never mind! The Tuk Tuk's here are decorated like no other transport! Technically push bikes with side cars, they had added loud sound systems, loads of flowers and flashing fairy lights!

We both really liked Malaysia! The people are so nice, and always want to talk to us (even when we're running for a bus). We wish we had time to see more of it, but you can't do everything! We're heading to our final Asia destination now and it's fair to say we've absolutely loved it!!!!

As there are quite a few Christians in Melaka its quite Christmassy. The malls have decorations and play christmas music but it still doesn't feel quite right!! Where's the horizontal rain?!