"What is your best price?"

So far, Asia has been a world away from Australia. From dead dogs (sadly frozen to death in the Cameron Highlands) to pig carcasses on the back of mopeds, we’ve seen the lot. 

Arriving late on at Singapore’s rather luxurious airport from Perth we decided to hop in a taxi to our hostel in Clarke’s Quay.

A Swanky Singapore Street Sweeper

The next day we went for a rather lengthy walk to

Orchard Road

before jumping onto a bus which gave a tour of the city. Having stopped in China Town for a bite to eat we were offered to try fish head soup by a couple of locals which we reluctantly accepted and it wasn’t too bad (although we only actually had the tofu part). Afterwards we fell into a trap and purchased our first goods – a new camera lens for $185 rather than $495 he had originally started at. The rest of the day was spent visiting the botanic gardens before heading on a river cruise both in the day and at night (following Chicken bhuriyani and naan for dinner, £7.50 between us).

Singapore Night Scene

Since our bus ticket lasted two days and included transport to Sentosa, a beach Island on the South of the Peninsula, we headed there for the day the next day. A visit to Waterworld followed by a trip around Fort Siloso – Singapore’s only remaining war camp from the Second World War.

Soph Having Been Splashed by a Sting Ray

Finding out our hostel was fully booked for our final night in Singapore, we moved next door where even though the day before we were promised a room, they had no space. Following much persuasion as well as them trying to transfer us to the Red Light District instead, a room miraculously came available…Having wasted a couple of hours at the hostel we set off for Chinatown for a walk around the various stalls before the heavens opened and thus were ‘forced’ to stop for a beer. In the evening we set off to Singapore’s Night Safari which successfully attempts to recreate natural living conditions for the animals including a pack of lions as well as tigers and elephants amongst others.

Soph's Malaysian Hair Cut

Waking up early in order to get to the airport in time for our flight to Kuala Lumpur we boarded the underground during rush hour with our huge bags where following a couple of changeovers we eventually arrived. That afternoon the heavens mightily opened and we were forced to seek refuge in our hostel before heading out into the infamous Chinatown markets in search of a new backpack as mine had split during the flight. The remainder of the evening was spent pampering as we both treated ourselves to £5 and £7 hair cuts which lasted for at least 75 minutes and included a head massage, followed by foot reflexology which cost £5 for 40 minutes – talk about value for money!

Our Foot Reflexology

Our hostel, by the way, was in the Chinatown district of KL, and since we had booked a 12 bed dorm, we really didn’t know what to expect. On arrival earlier in the day it didn’t take long to realise that infact the 12 bed dorm had been transformed into a 16 bed. It was not until the next day however we noticed them moving a bed from another room, and yes, it was being moved into ours – much to the annoyance of one lad, whose single bed was transformed into a bunk bed, thus turning it into a 17 bed dorm.

The Petronas Towers at Night

The remainder of our time in KL was spent looking at a number of sights including the Petronas towers as well as the Skytower before heading to the Cameron Highlands the following day.

Arriving in the Cameron Highlands following a 5 hour VIP bus journey (a business class type coach for an extra £1) and we felt that we had arrived in the real Malaysia – away from the hustle and bustle of the city atmosphere. That night was spent in the main town trying some of the local delicacies including some glorious Chicken Satays.

Satays Being Cooked in the Street

Having booked a tour on arrival the previous night we headed out to see the infamous ‘Boh’ Tea plantations – and admittedly the scenery was fascinating. With tea fields stretching for miles across the hills we went on to the factory where we got to see how it was made and try it – yum, tea always a favourite of mine…not!

'Boh' Tea Fields

At this point I mention that I say we booked a tour, however there were only 4 of us, of which the other two – mother and son were only doing a half day, thus it was us and our guide Bobby for the remainder of the day as we went to numerous different stops along the way, including a Mossy Forest, a Strawberry Farm and a Chinese Temple. A whole days entertainment for just £16 each; it’s staggering when we think back to what such a trip like that would have cost in Aus or NZ.   

The Mossy Forest

Heading to Penang the next day on another 5 hour bus journey, we arrived around lunchtime. Not forgetting that on our departure from the Cameron Highlands we sadly saw a dog which had literally frozen to death as since it was 6,000 metres above sea level, temperatures would plummet to below freezing at night.

Once in Penang we spent most of our time wandering the tiny streets, as well as sampling some of the infamous local cuisine as Soph had sting-ray. As we only had a couple of days before we were off to Singapore we didn’t have chance to see or do a lot however on the second day we did go to Batu Ferringhi – more of a Spain type area with big hotels along the beach etc. That evening we roamed the markets where I bought myself an Emporio Armani wallet – real of course, whilst Soph bought a few little bits of pieces along the way – these are the points at which we were constantly asked, “What is your best price?” At which time we both threw any number way below the asking price.

Me and Soph

Leaving Penang and arriving in Singapore just over an hour later, we headed back to the hostel we had previously stayed at before heading to the zoo in the afternoon. On arrival we were forced by the over-exuberant staff to make various poses for photos they wanted us to buy – “now thumbs up…now huggies, you two have huggies.” Although the night safari had been impressive, the day zoo offered a lot more; our personal favourites being the incredible white tigers. Aside from the animals themselves, there were also a number of animal shows, which to be honest, were not as good as they dragged on…and on…and on. Eventually we headed to Little India where we recreated our first night in Singapore with a Buriyani and Naan bread, of course cheap as chips!

The next morning was another one of those mornings, 5.30am wake up in preparation for our 8.30 flight. Once at the airport, I opted for a Burger King, and not the breakfast choice (a fully fledged burger and fries – instant regret), whilst Soph went for the healthier banana bread and an iced latté – how blasé! Aside from Soph nearly forgetting our passports we arrived in Borneo a couple of hours later!