Melting in Malaysia

After a very scenic train journey through the jungle we arrived in Melaka, our first stop in Malaysia. A small town, originally a colonial trading port, we were interested by the very red dutch buildings which lined the streets. Beyond these you could see everyday life happening in the open chinatown shophouses. Most importantly, the food in Melaka was quite delightful! The hawker centre treated us to some malaysian favourites-chicken rice, which is as it sounds but somehow tastes infinately better than anything I could dish up. Our favourite place has to be capitol satay, where every table had within it, wait for it, a bubbling vat of satay sause! So we chose our satay skewers and cooked them in it, just like fondue but so much better...because its satay sauce! Our hostel, the travellers lodge, made a good base, and the rooftop terrace would have been a great place to relax were it not for the 40 degrees of heat!

Our next stop in Malaysia was Penang. Another colonial port, we were impressed by the grand colonial buildings interspersed with what used to be very ornately decorated houses which could now do with a little renovation. A project for later life. Again the food in Penang is worth a mention, most especially our dim sum breakfasts! We were intrigued by this concept and thought we would give it a go, I picked what looked like a white puff off a trolley and took a big bite. I was pleasantly suprised by the soft dough and delicicious BBQ pork inside, so much so I had another, and another, and we went back the next day.

Penang hill was another exciting adventure, right at the top of a venacular railway built by the english elite to escape the heat (did i meantion the heat??), it gives you stunning views of the city. If you are lucky like us you can even spot a monkey or two in the jungle on the way up!

Fully exhausted by the heat we were ready for some relaxation and island time...

oh and in Malaysia- (direct quote) 'toilet paper is not included in the price of the room'!!