Author: Butty

Took a “hop-on hop-off” bus as all good tourists do to get us to some of the spots we wanted to visit. It is a 24 hour ticket so we can use it for some of tomorrow to get to a couple of other places.
Our stop off today was the Botanical Garden area about 45 mins into the tour. It is within a very large area of green belt that the city is very proud of, justifiably so as it is a very pleasant area.

The bus took quite a long time in the nightmare traffic to get back to near our hotel. Needed a nice cooling swim.

Walked to an area called the Portuguese Settlement which is designated to the preservation of decendants of the early Portuguese settlers of Melaka. An area of about 30 acres with a few streets of single storey houses by the shoreline . Not very impressive at all. Apparently the place comes alive about four times a year for festivals. Quite a Long walk back to check out of hotel.

Checked out of hotel about 12.00 for our trip back to KL. Found a “coastal/scenic” route. Quiet road in the main through small towns and villages, palm and latex rubber plantations.

Thought a place called Port Dickson, a beachy holiday place supposedly, might be good for a stop. Horrible, run down place with half finished hotels and apartment blocks. Global crisis perhaps.

A very pleasant drive back to KL

Arrived KL about five. Ate at the Hakka open air, under cover, Chinese restaurant that we ate at two years ago. Very crowded and great atmosphere.

Spent a long tiring day walking the Unesco world Heritage area of Melaka City, a very popular destination for Malaysion tourists. Because of its past history there is a large range of cultures. Portugese, Dutch, British, Indian, Chinese and Malay. The preservation of these cultures has earned its Heritage status.

Flight to KL not until 1.30 so had nice leisurely breakfast. Left for airport at 11.00. Flight half hour late.
The bus schedule and travelling time to Melaka from the airport is not great so we pr-booked a car rental, to be picked up at airport. The terminal that Air Asia arrive at is not the main International Terminal so we had to have a “meet and greet” to pick up car. Got the local phone number to ring all wrong but eventually after a little panicking met the Europecar chap. Sorted out the paperwork on the boot of the car, he taking photos of passport, driving licence etc.
We had no local cash so went to an ATM which having tried to use two different cards would not give me any Ringits. Went to an exchange and changed a few left over US dollars. Whilst trying to phone the guy to get the car had a text from RBS fraud department to ring urgently, Ugh!
As it happens no great problem but had to get it sorted via long phone call to UK or all cards would have been blocked.
Pissing down with rain on the drive to Melaka but arrived OK at about 8.30 pm after hour and half drive.
Explore Melaka tomorrow.

Our last day in Thailand. Glad we had a few days in this lovely hotel

A pictorial Blog is all that is needed to sum up and record the last few days here at Surin Beach, Phuket.

Last day in Phuket tomorrow, might go to the beach !

Lazy day on the beach and around the pool. A bit cloudy but very hot.

Left hotel about 8 am to transfer to Don Mueng Airport which took over an hour because of traffic, still checked-in with plenty time to spare. Arrived Phuket Airport early and got to hotel about 1.30. Took a walk to the beach and back and finished off with the usual beer.

Great thing about our Sydney Airport hotel is the proximity to the Inernational Departure Terminal and the great view over the Airport from bedroom. It took two minutes to walk from the hotel to the Qantas check-in desk. Nice and relaxing.

Left Sydney on time and arrived Bangkok on time after 9 hour flight.

Staying at another hotel near airport as we have another early flight to Phuket in the morning.

Said goodbye to Pitwater this morning and Chris took us to our Sydney Airport hotel to check in ( Have to overnight in Sydney because we could not make our Tuesday morning flight to Bangkok in time from Pitwater)

Went to the Museum of Contemporary Art to see the Yoko Ono “War is Over” exhibition.
Had a wander around the Opera House and Harbour Bridge area before having dinner. Took train back to Airport and hotel.

Had a drive to West Head lookout spot for more stunning views over Pitwater. Tour of the mainland area visiting Akuna Bay and Cottage Point where we shared a fish curry. Great weather today to see this beautiful area.

Caught the ferry across to the “mainland” and Chris gave us a tour of some of the Northern Beaches, Whale Beach, Palm Beach etc. Weather still a bit iffy but improving. Took a walk up to a lighthouse at Barren Joey’s. Great views over Pitwater, Ocean side and lagoon side.
Did a bit of shopping before returning on the 4.30 ferry back.
M and C’s friends John and Sue came for dinner.

As predicted woke up to lousy weather but it did improve for some time during the day which allowed us to take a walk.Lots of birds and wallabies around and great view over Pitwater from lookout point.

Left Brisbane for Sydney arriving at 14.00. Chris picked us up at airport and had a little wander around the city before heading off to Pitwater about an hour away. Caught the 6.15 ferry across the water. Weather starting to close in.

Last couple of days in Brisbane, weather still good unlike what we may expect in Sydney apparently. Made the best of it going on a couple of walks. Took the car to Redcliffe, parked up and walked along the coast to Scarbourgh.
Relies came round for last supper on Wednesday evening.