KL

First in country notes from trip so far. It is Sunday now and having traveled from the UK via Dubai to KL I have had a couple of days here to acclimatise. My day in Dubai was long and unproductive other than going up the biggest building in the world. You only get to floor 124 (there are another 96 above that). Crazy building, but striking and impressive nonetheless. Beneath it is a shopping mall from hell though to kill some time I did manage to pop into a cinema there to catch the 3D Toy Story. Kept dozing off in the dark though!

I am leaving KL today after just a couple of days here. I must say that I do like the place and I will look forward to coming back on my return trip back to blighty. The hotel was fine and is situated by the main bus station, which is reputedly big and mad. But it was shut for refurbishment, so was just big and empty.

It is of course a tad warm, but as they say it's the humidity which gets you. The place is cheap apart from the beer which is a nonesense. Lesson #1 always ask how much the pint is before ordering three. Lesson #2 always carry a credit card.

Haven't done too much out of the ordinary. First night was Petaling Street where the mad market is for copies of watches and Mont Blanc pens and the like. Will wait to my return before splashing out. Had a couple of beers in the Reggae Bar. Next day did a wander around Chinatown and over to the park where I went to the KL bird park, which was pretty impressive. I got attacked by a Milky Stork, which are apparently dying out (5500 left in the wild). Get me a gun and I'll finish the job. To be fair the parents were just looking after a rather knackered looking youngster (so they have been doing their bit for the continued success of the Milkys). After that headed out to the Petronas Towers and the KLCC mall beneath. The towers are beautiful, while the mall is a mall. That said the mall was cold, which was welcome.

The food here is lovely, various and is everywhere. Penang is reputedly even better.....

Yesterday I went to the National Museum after picking up my train ticket to Penang (7 hour trip up north for the princely sum of 7 quid). The museum was excellent with some good exhibits and up to date technology too. Then it was back to the mall at the Petronas to buy a sim card for my phone (so I dont get stung on calls like I did in the Balkans) and a charger for my iPod (so I can survive 7 hours on the train!). Hoping that is all my necessities bought now.

Found a restraunt/bar called Albion in the Golden Triangle area. It was new so not in the guide book (take note Tony) and it turned out to be c0-owned by a scouser. Good to see them getting about. Then went to the Ceylon Bar where I got stung for some rather expensive drinks. Talking of drinks, you do have to look around and most places charge a fortune even during happy hours. Most ubiquitous stuff is Carlsberg, though there are some stouts about - as well as Guinness there is Connors (?) and Carlserg Royal Stout, the latter was a nice find and I will keep my eye out for more of the same.

Just booked my hotel in Penang this morning (a Tune Hotel, if you know them - if not worth looking up). Got a bit panicky when I looked on Trip Advisor and only found one hotel with a room tonight (a five star 100 quid + a night). But perseverance paid off.

Anyway time for some food (if I can find any) and to stock up on drinks for the 7 hour trip. Trust all is well with you guys!