After a good nights rest and a delicious breakfast cooked by Sue Anne's mum we set off to look around the local area I had decided that the next morning i would go hiking and just as we were discussing who i could go with we bumped in to two other couch surfers Sue Anne knew and that solved the problem and I had my hiking trip organised. We continued in to town and whilst Sue Anne had some important bridesmaid dress shopping to do, I went for a look around China Town and Central Market:
I also got to meet up with my friend Ash from university who took me to try the famous Chicken rice before taking me to KLCC:
I got an early night ready for my morning hike before sunrise. In the morning I set off with three other couch surfers to conquer Bukit Tabur. We set off in the dark and as we climbed so did the sun to give us some amazing views:
Some bits were trickier than others and involved rock climbing:
so when we reached the top we were all pretty pleased:
After a sweaty and energetic morning i went back to Sue Anne's for a well earned shower and relaxed until she got back from voting in the elections. In the afternoon we set out to go to the Batu caves but when we tried to increase the tyre pressure at the petrol station we ended up with a flat tyre instead so after having difficulties changing the tyre even with a help from a number of people, Sue Anne's parents took me to my friend Emily's house. One of the other ski instructors, Tom, was also visiting so it was good to catch up with them for a couple of days although not much sightseeing was done. So I decided to book my bus out of KL and head to Taman Negara National Park.
I stayed in Jerantut at Sri Emas Hotel, it was very cheap!
I took a trip to the national park and met a Swiss couple on the way. Once we arrived we took the water ferry across the river:
...and when we reached the other side we were in Taman Negara:
We took a walk through the jungle past some pretty big trees:
to arrive at the canopy walkway suspended on rope bridges high up in the trees:
On our way back we even passed wild boar roaming around:
So after sneaking past them we made our way back to the river to take a boat trip all the way back to Jerantut:
My next stop was Cameron Highland so after another night in Jerantut I took a 'memorable' minivan ride to Tanah Rata to stay at the Cameronian Inn, Guess Why???
It was a lovely little spot to stay and the afternoon I arrived I went for a wonder around the local area:
The river reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
In the morning I tried out the homemade scones and local tea for breakfast before going on my Countryside Tour. The temperature in the Highlands was much more bearable and meant they could grow all sorts of plants they can't in other areas.
First we stopped at the rose valley:
...then a bee farm:
...and on to the main attraction; BOH tea plantation:
The tea plants looked like a green carpet over the landscape and I got to enjoy a cup of BOH tea while looking at the view.
After the tea Plantation we also visited a butterfly farm:
...a strawberry farm:
...and finally a local temple:
From the lush Cameron Highlands I went north to Penanag. I stayed with my host John and on the first evening we went running to the Botanical Gardens and the bottom of Penang Hill. It was way too hot for running but I made it...just! We had a quick water break before starting the climb up the hill. We made it about three quaters of the way but had to take the other route down towards John's house because it was getting too dark. But we did get a good night view:
We freshened up before going to eat and meet some other couch surfers including Emma, a maths teacher from Wales working in the city:
In the morning we went for a traditional breakfast, went to church, then enjoyed some fresh coconuts:
We took a drive around Penang and enjoyed some time at the beach:
The next day I went to Kek Lok Si temple with its famous pagoda:
...and 30.2m Kuan Yin statue:
Later I met up with my next host Ang at the Hainan temple:
The Hainan temple association owned an old building in one of Penangs jungle areas so Ang took me to stay there for two nights. When we arrived it was dark so the walk to the house was a bit of a challenge but when we got there I set up camp under my mosquito net and had a good nights sleep:
During the day Ang took me to the local fishing village, and introduced me to Yoga and meditation:
It was nice to relax at the jungle house even with no electricity or running water and the view wasn't bad either:
After my second night at the jungle house I ventured back in to the city to say goodbye to Malaysia and take a minivan in to Thailand.
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