...and so the journey ends.

Wow was it a journey... after 30 hours I finally arrived in Spain and after having no money for food and water, other than what was free on the plane, I was feeling a little worse for wear! And why did I have absolutely zero money? Well Asia thought it would throw me one more curve ball as a goodbye present. 

So here I was sat happily in McDonalds in Kuala Lumpa airport waiting for my plane to Malaga, when after 2 hours of being there, I realise I'm in the wrong airport! Now you're thinking...idiot. But when both airports have the code (KUL) and do international flights, I think the mistake seems more reasonable! 

In a fluster I jumped into a taxi panicked that I wouldn't get to the correct airport in time. My relief that it was only a 20 minute journey and I got there in plenty of time, was soon tarnished when the taxi man told me I would need to pay him 500 ringit which is £100 (baring in mind it should have been no more than £5). And what was his reasoning? apparently he'd sped through speed cameras to get me there in time, the fact that we were goog no faster than other cars makes me question this...

So what do I do? The best thing to do in this situation...cry...knowing fully well that I don't even have that in my bank. After being escorted to a cash point and arguing that there is no way I can pay £100 I finally get off with paying £30 (still completely ridiculous) after which he decides it's a good time to chat me up. Let's just say, I will never complain about a taxi driver in Europe again. 

Back to Spain...

We stayed in my Aunty and Uncle's apartment in Benehavis (just outside Marbella) and it was like being in luxury! It was so nice to be back with family and to have comforts that felt like home.

We spent a few days chilling at the pool and would go out to dinner in the many pretty nearby towns at night. The food was AMAZING and the fact that I didn't have to pay for it made it even tastier! 

Trip to a hidden water fall

After a week of relaxation and not having to think or feel responsible for myself (ahh paradise) it was time to go home and I couldn't quite believe the 4 months was over! 

Home sweet home 

England welcomed me with open arms...and rain, hail and wind...

It took some getting used to the cold weather again but I quickly settled back in and quite frankly, it felt like the last few months had been a dream and I'd never left!! 

... And having been back for 6 weeks how do I feel? ... I'm so incredibly glad that I did it, it was an experience I'll never ever forget. Not only do I have a billion memories brought to life by a kazzillion pictures, but I really do see changes in myself for the better too. 

People always ask me what my favourite place was but I really can't choose! Each place was special and amazing for a different reason. Yes we came across some issues during or trip and had to deal with liars, thieves and rats (ew), but now they're all just stories that we can laugh about! 

I'm now left poorer than in my oh so distant student days, applying for jobs and pondering about where my next travels can take me... but it was oh so worth it!! 

Take me back!? 

Islands of fun

After hearing so many good things about the Perhentians we were so excited to get there. The beaches were white sand and the sea was as clear as a bath! There were two main beaches on opposite sides of the island which were just a 10 minute walk apart, and other hidden beaches you could walk to or get to via taxi boat which were really pretty! There is no transport on the island at all other than boats and only about 3 shops, it's not built up at all which was a nice change! 

 

We checked into Serenity huts and were shocked to find out we only had one plug (including for our fan!) and electricity from 7pm -10am! Nightmare!! This seemed to be the case for most places on the island. Of course we had no hot water either... well that's just a given! It's when I saw a rat scurry through our bathroom and heard its consistent scratching all night that I realised quite how bad the accomodation was... 

There's no actual bars or clubs on the island, instead they put out lots of little tables on the sand with candles and there's alcohol stalls on the beach where you can buy bottles of silly cheap rum and arrak. It was such a nice atmosphere and much less magaluf esque than other places we'd been. 

I couldn't resist some mid night snacking!  I even ended up getting engaged to the man who made them. You know how to win my heart... 

We spent the days chilling on the beach and the boiling heat apart from one day when we went on a snorkelling trip. We saw so many colourful fish, sting rays and a giant turtle. I even chased a shark through the water!! 

After night three, after finding that some wrapped up biscuits at the end of my bed had been nibbled at by a rat, I reached breaking point and we checked out! It's only then that we heard from almost everyone how dodgy serenity are and the people that own it. So we got away lightly I'd say! 

We found a much nicer place for only £1 more a night each which felt like paradise! When we checked in we met two Canadian girls and spent the rest of our nights together. 

On my last day with Annie and Phoebe, we had my fake birthday and they even got me a banana came made! 

 

That evening it was coincidentally celebraions for Malaysian Independence Day, so there was a massive bonfire and fireworks and the beach was literally full with people. It was the perfect last night! 

The Canadians taught us a drinking game where you fill a plastic bat with beer and down it whilst everyone counts (of course I took the longest) then have to spin around for that amount of time before running to and from a base then batting the beer can. It was so much fun and every time almost ended with someone falling into the sea! 

I loved the Perhentians, it had such a chilled vibe and was literally paradise! I had a sad goodbye to Phoebe and Annie as they went on to Australia whilst Tristan and I journeyed the shorter distance to the Thai islands. 

Now to face a year without my best friend!!! :( ....

After 3 coach journies and a ferry Tristan finally arrived in Phi Phi! On our first night there was the heaviest rainfall I've ever seen and within an hour parts of the island were like this!....

We checked into Jungle Garden and for £6 a night even enjoyed the luxury of a pool! I thought Phi Phi was the best of both worlds. It wasn't very built up with no transport other than bicycles, but there were lots of little holiday shops and plenty of places to eat. There was a really nice beach and also great nightlife.

On my (real)birthday, I opened my cards and token presents that some of my family and Tristan had got me, then spent the morning on the beach whilst Tristan was on a rock climbing trip.

 

Then in the afternoon we went on a trip on a long boat which was so much fun. There were really nice people on the trip with us which made it even better! 

Our first stop was monkey island and I finally got over my fear! 

....kind of.

Pinching my nose! Bully...

We also went cliff jumping and I braved a 12m jump which seemed so high when I was up there! 

The next stop was Maya Bay where they filmed the film 'The Beach'. It was so lush, just a shame there were so many tourists (like me) wandering around. To save money the boat didn't drop us right at the bay so we had to clamber over sharp reef rocks and through little caves to get there. On our way back the water was unexpectedly rough which gave us quite an experience!! When you see that the guides are concerned, you know it's not a good sign...

We then went snorkelling and I was given some bread to feed the fish, they literally came swarming it was amazing and some had quite a bite! 

On the way back, we watched an incredible sunset then when It was dark we jumped into the water with snorkels and played around with then plankton. It was magical like sparkles in the water. 

In the evening we met up with some of the people from our trip and decided to go all out getting our faces painted! 

It was a really good birthday and one I won't forget! 

The next day Tristan and I went to Phuket where Sid was meeting me and the following day Tristan journeyed on to Bangkok whilst Sid and I went back to Phi Phi. 

It was so nice to be back together! Rather than staying in Phi Phi we went to supposedly paradise island Koh Lanta but unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side! 

The following day we came back to Phi Phi and went out in the evening, we went to a bar where anyone could get up and fight in the ring...and boy did people go for it! 

I let him win. 

On our final day (Sid's birthday) all of his friends came to Phi Phi and we had a day playing challenges on the beach. Knowing how competitive boys are, I was kind enough to purposefully come last in most of the challenges to make them feel good...

In the evening we doned neon outfits and had far too many buckets...

Twins! Our tops are different colours honest.. 

It was such a good night and after only a few hours sleep I had to wake up at 8 to get the ferry back to Phuket to start my long journey to.... Spain!! 

Ciao x

A snapshot of Malaysia

Out first stop in Malaysia was Kuala Lumpa. We checked in at Reggae Mansion hostel which we'd heard rave reviews about...and it definitely lived up to it! The nicest hostel of the trip by far... you could almost call it a hotel (minus the rooms)....

We were in a 16 bed dorm and you eah have a little cubby hole with a mirror, cupboard, plug socket and light. Much better than your standard bunk bed! 

On our first day we explored KL and went to the city museum and independence square.

Out hostel was holding a wine tasting evening which we went along to a wine tasting evening(who would say no to free wine) and Tristan got called upon for his opinion of the wine...something about a woody aroma??

Then everyone headed to the rooftop bar where the absolutely crazy owner insisted on pouring free drinks down everyone's throuts before heading to Bukit Bintang we hung out with a Reggae star (yes we you tube'd him). 

The next day we did A LOT of walking trying to sort out our bus to Penang, and went to the Chinese market where of course I indulged in a bit of retail therapy. 

That evening we headed to the prestigious Sky Bar with two friends from the hostel, which had an absolutely amazing view of the Petronus Towers! 

Taken from the windows at Sky Bar.

The next day not quite all viewed out just yet, we decided to go up the tower (I've forgotten what it's called...)thankfully there was a lift, not stairs...

We almost got just as excited with the parrots that we could hold at the bottom!

 

Looking a tiny bit more natural? Maybe birds are my thing...

When we got to the next place, Penang, we checked into the other Reggae Hostel in the chain. 

Here we met an equally crazy manager called Charlie who insisted on calling us Charlie's Angels (minus Tristan) and told us the most elaborate and peculiar story I have ever heard, revolving around Baby George supposedly being the new Jesus...

We found that Malaysia is a great place to go out for girls, because everything is free! Poor Tristan had to pay for drinks and club entrance whilst girls enjoyed freebies the entire night. Can this catch on more in England please!? 

We met a really nice group of people from Kuwait who we spent our evening with, dancing away in one of the few clubs! 

There wasn't much to see in the daytime, just a museum and the sea front (not the prettiest), but there was an amazing food court which we of course all got very excited about!

YUM! Future business idea...

We then got a boat over to Langkawi and found delightful accomodation called Joe Lankawi's Budget Motel, which felt like we were in a run down council estate when walking up the stairs to the Motel. For less than £2.50 a night though and a duvet covet like this, I couldn't complain....(sorry Sid)

In the day we chilled on the beach and Phoebe and I managed to bag ourself a free ride on jet ski's which was so much fun! 

In the evening we met with our friends from Kuwait and headed to Sun Bar, it was really nice to have a group of us as there wasn't that many tourists about. 

The next day we visited a waterfall which was really pretty and we could swim in. 

We also went on the worlds steepest gondola (and my it felt it!).

Then went off road on segways! And this is no Moors Valley Park off-roading, they do it for real here! At one point I came off and the Segway went wild! (Thank goodness for my safety gear...)

Safety first! 

On our last day in Langkawi, Tristan left us to journey on to Taman Negara whilst  we went on a trip around Lankawi. 

We stopped at a fish farm, with the highlight being fishes that would shoot spit at a piece of bread stuck on a post out above the water, to make it fall into the water so that they could eat it! 

We also watched feeding time for the Eagles, it was incredible the number of them! At least 20-30 were there. 

Much to my joy, we visited more monkeys!! There were tonnes of them and I was wrong to think that I was safe on the boat as they'd just hop right across and join us! 

Lastly we visited a bat cave which contained thousands of bats! The best part though was watching a monkey terrorise a little boy outside the cave, mimicking his every move (I know...cruel).

It was now time to journey on to the part of Malaysia we had all really been looking forward to... the Perhentian Islands! 

Ciao x