Last Post

Hi everyone,
Well this is our last post from Borneo. Tomorrow is our final day and we fly out of Kinabalu at 5.35pm for Kuala Lumpar and connect for a flight to Sydney at 10.10pm which arrives 8.05am on Tuesday morning.

It will be hard returning from this hot weather to the cold that you have been experiencing whilst we have been away.

Yesterday we visited Rasa Ria Resort about an hour north of the town, pure luxury with a huge pool area that we took advantage of. We then went to 1 Borneo the largest Hypermall in Eastern Malaysia, after tagging along for sometime the others left me to my devices and I continued to shop for another 4 hours and then caught the shuttle home. Wendy was panicking as I was so long, she still doesn't realise WHAT A SHOPPER I AM!!

This morning we realised that the Sunday Markets were in the street outside the hotel we are staying at and went for about 3 blocks. I collected my new glasses so can now see better as well.
Later this afternoon we had a body massage which cost a whole 35MYR= $14 and then had a foot scrub and pedicure.

Tonight we have had a beaut dinner at the hotel Italian Restaurant, don't want to see another Curry or any noodles or rice for a few months and can't wait to tuck into some vegetables.

After we arrive and get through immigration we are catching the train from the airport and straight home to "Newy", so will catch up will all of you very soon, until then take care and love to everyone.

No this is not Wendy and I in need of a wax the oranga tan is at Sepilok and the Silver Tail monkeys are at Labuk Bay

Lesley and Wendy see you soon

Back from Sandakan

Hi everyone,
We arrived back from Sandakan at lunchtime after a good but busy few days. Yesterday we visited Labuk Bay where the Proboscis monkeys are located. There were  plenty of them to view and had quite a close distance to them as they fed from the platforms.
We then had lunch at the resort within this area and back again for some more viewing from a different location. It was as if someone had rung the school bell for lunch where they all assembled ate in harmony and when the food was gone they moved away to relax in the trees. Got some good shots and movies of this.
We then visited the War Memorial at Sandakan which was very moving and I didn't realise the atrocities that occurred on these death marches, 1400 left Sandakan to march to Kuching and only 6 arrived alive!!

We then visited Agnes Keith's house, she was a writer and wife of the Conservationist, this was a magnificent house overlooking Sandakan town and bay. After this our guide returned us to the hotel to shower and then picked us up to return to Agnes Keith House for dinner. This was magnificent overlooking the bay with the light of the city. What a way to end our trip to Sandakan.

We met up with Dale and Edna for lunch (Hash friends) and then Clare, Garry, Wayne & Janelle for drinks prior to visiting the handicraft markets - which are full of pearls and other types of jewellery, baskets etc. No we didn't buy any. We then went back to one of the other shopping centres.
Off to the Rasa Ria tomorrow which is a resort an hour from here.

Pygmie elephants and Parrots at Lakawi Nature Reserve at Kota Kinabalu

Bye until next time and take care.

Kuching & Kota Kinabalu

The runs in Kuching were very difficult - The ball breaker run took an average of 6 hours. The medium run took 3 1/2 hrs.

We are now in Kota Kinabalu, it is a very modern city with lots of shopping centres, set around a jetty with parks and gardens a plenty. Tomorrow we are going to an animal park and then back to the town for more site seeing. We fly to Sandakan on Wednesday morning and returning on Friday afternoon.

More updates later, I have had the internet guy amused here as had a problem with the airlines and had to have the call on loudspeaker to understand the operator. He was in fits of laughter.

We are staying at Jesselton Hotel in KK and at the Nak at Sandakan.

Bye for now Wendy and Lesley

No 3

Hi today was the Red dress run in Kuching and it was a downpur of rain about 10 minutes before the start. We were all drenched but at least we were cool. Another update tomorrow as limited time on the computer at the hotel.

Red dress run - Clare and I after the run very wet and tired

Post No2 from Kuala Lumpar

Hi everyone,
Here we are at the end of our stay in KL, what a city. The traffic is horrific, it took us 20 mins to travel 30 meters where the driver had to do a U turn to get to our hotel.
5Million people in the city so no wonder the traffic is so hectic.

We are staying across the road from Times Square which is a shopping centre. There are 3 areas, East, Central and West sections and each has 10 floors, on Monday we only saw the East wing and were there from 10am - 4pm.

The monorail is also just outside our hotel and takes you all over the CBD. Today I went shopping with 3 other friends to the KLCC which is situated in the Twin Towers of the city. Multi level and wings but not as big as Times Square.

Tomorrow morning we are flying to Kuching for the Interhash, as the flight is 11.25am we need to leave the city at 7.30am to beat the traffic jams, it is an hours drive to the airport.
Would like to come back here again, not buy any clothes at home for a whole season and the money that is saved would pay for the airfares and still be able to buy a whole wardrobe of clothes. There are fantastic items for sale and the prices are amazing.

Can't upload photos this time as I am in the foyer and can't attach the USB from the camera so will catch up with this when we get to Kuching.
Having a great time but missing everyone from home. Until the next update take care.
Lesley

Green thing like my PINK thing - just swivel your head!!!

Drinks at Resort

Finger food in Little India

Just another temple!!

Post no 1.

Hi everyone,
At last we are on our holiday. Although we got off to a rocky start when I overslept the alarm and was finally awakened by a panic stricken Allrounder just 11 minutes before we were due at the rail station for our initial trip to Sydney we headed off to Penang safely.

This was a long day with a 7am start and finally arriving at the Royal Penang Hotel at 1.30am (Penang time which is 2 hrs time delay so 3.30am Aust. time).
When we arrived and unpacked for an early start Allrounder found that her clothes were all wet, obviously her case had been left in the rain at some stage on one of the may tarmacs during the trip.

On Thursday we had a bus trip through the city and up into the mountains of Penang , visiting a resort and then a fruit farm prior to the return in the afternoon. We then had a beautiful lunch at one of the open stall areas in the town. In the night time we had dinner at the night markets - no not clothing and jewellery night markets FOOD markets. Again food to enjoy and hard to choose which food to eat it was all so appealing. Many beers and much food later we journeyed home.

On Friday we went to Baba Nanya - the Green House which is an historic mansion in the city. This has been restored to the original glory of its day. I was gobsmacked when I walked into the foyer to see a GREEN  decorative item identical to my PINK THING - the epergne which is a family heirloom that has been handed down from my paternal grandfather. When we finally reached the 1st floor I was even more excited to find that there was WHOLE ROOM of these and similar items. When I told the guide that I had one of these he told me I must never sell it and that it was worth 70,000 RM which is equivalent to Approx  $30,000.
This mansion was exquisite and  was a great visit that we all enjoyed. We then went to Little India to see the shops and also for lunch. We had a traditional Indian meal and which was served on banana leaves and I ate in the traditional manner with the fingers, the only one in our group to do so. Unfortunately my french manicure suffered as the tumeric in the rice stained my nails yellow so had one hand white and one yellow.

After this Allrounder and I hit the shops and gathered some presents.
In the night time we attended the opening of the Harriettes 2000th run which was a well organised event, lots of great food, plenty of drink, music, cultural show and a MALE BELLY DANCER.

Saturday we ventured to a shopping centre and then late today to the 1st of the 2 days of running for the Harriettes. Another great night of food and drink. Tomorrow - Sunday we are going out to a beach for the run and then the closing ceremony of this Pre-Lube event.

On Monday morning we fly to Kuala Lumpar for another 2 1/2 days. I will update from Kuala Lumpar in the meantime we will continue to have a good time but also be thinking of all of our family and friends at home. Until I report again, take care and look out for one another and know that we love you all.
Lesley & Wendy (aka Streaker & Allrounder)

Wendy - aka Allrounder & Lesley aka Streaker NH3 1800th Run

It's off to Borneo we go!!

Hi everyone,
We will be setting off on our holiday on 23 June 2010. Firstly we travel to Penang via Kuala Lumpar where we stay for 4 days after arriving late on the Wednesday night. When we are here we will be participating in the Penang Harrietts 2000 Run.

On Monday 28 June we fly back to Kuala Lumpar for 2 days prior to setting off to Kuching in Sarawak where we participate in the 2010 Interhash. We stay here for 5 days and then fly up to Kota Kinabalu where we will be for another 8 days. During this 8 days we are travelling across to Sandakan for 2 days to see the orangatangs and the turtles in their natural habitat, we will also visit the Sandakan Memorial.  We return to KK for 3 days to relax after our hectic holiday to rest before heading home to Australia where we arrive on 13 July.