Lima 2015 Two planes crash during Lima aerobatics

We witnessed today  first hand the crash of the two Indonesian Aircrafts in preparation to the Lima 2015, held on Langkawi. They were going to fly past each other when for some reason or other they grazed the wings. Next thing we saw was a fireball and two parachutes emerging seconds later.

One of the planes crashed near the motorway where you can see lots of onlookers, firebrigades and ambulances.

The second plane, or parts of it crashed into a house where five people were aparently getting ready for an afternoon nap after lunch..they were very shaken but no one was hurt we were told by some locals. So far we understand all the pilots are save.

Borneo, where to stay

Where to stay in Borneo is the first part about our trip to Borneo, the next part will be what to do in and around Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo.

Udo

Fiona

We decided to take a cheap (70€) return flight for 2 people with Air Asia for 10 days to Kuching in Borneo. We had not yet visited the Eastern part of Malaysia and we did not know much about it. Being our usual selves we waited until 2 days before leaving Langkawi to find an accommodation, but Fiona found this place which sounded very unusual on Trip Advisor. An organic working farm called "The Kebung" about 40 mins. from the City.

This is an exert from their Homepage:
The Kebun was first started 14 years ago as a long term plan for a retirement home starting from virgin jungle near Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysian Borneo. Adrian’s Bungalow located by the river was the first structure put up after being disassembled from the movie set of The Sleeping Dictionary. Olivia’s Bungalow was only put up only two years later when it was taken out of storage which was also disassembled from the same movie set. The Longhouse’s were initially 4 goat houses which were converted into the main 5 room Longhouse, the Headman’s Longhouse, the Dining House and an attached Jetty finally completed in 2011.

We liked the idea of a rustic room, shared outside bathroom and veranda, airport transfer, free car and full board. The price seemed a little high at first, but when you think of a car and the food included it worked out OK for us. We booked 4 nights and thought of moving to a cheap place in Kuching after, but eventually decided to extend to the full period of our trip.

When we arrived at our chosen accommodation we were well impressed with the place. It had a lot of charm and it felt very homely right from the beginning. The staff was nice and the room definitely a surprise. The place is filled with antiques,old pictures and house hold goods used by the natives. Carry on to see more pictures.

Our House, our Garden and some of the animals

Many of our visitors are asking where we live now, especially people who would like to live in Malaysia, or Langkawi. To tell the truth, it was not easy to find somewhere, as a lot of places for rent are just completely overpriced. Well, after a lot of problems and a lot of hard work to improve our current home we are quite happy.

Our Place in Bukit Lembu

Moo

We are living very much in the countryside, a place called Bukit Lembu (Cow Hill) and the name suits the place to the ground.....Cows everywhere...on the fields, on the roads, up the hills, just everywhere you look.
Living in the country gives you other visitors too, some you have to get used to and some which are nice to just observe.

A Con Man, 11 Flights in 3 Weeks and a trip to Bali

Svend Olav Dunick Larsen came to Langkawi and a lot of people got very disappointed. I cannot  tell you all the details of what he did, but you are free to read about this man`s past here and something he did on Langkawi here. If you come across this guy, just be careful as he appears to be friendly and honest....

Bali

Could this be the footprint of the last Balinese Tiger?? ;)

Well, we haven`t updated our blog for a long time which was due to circumstances we could have done without. The evening we decided to move into our new house (more about that in the next post) we found out we had to get back to England in a hurry, which meant booking a flight ASAP and what we got was no fun. Flight from Langkawi to KL on to Singapore, then Paris and change for Manchester, a week later Manchester to Amsterdam, then KL and finally Langkawi....what a pain these flights were. But not enough with this, because we had already pre booked Bali three days after that, so unpack, get the new house in order and again from Langkawi to KL and on to Denpasar.

Trip to Singapore and Melakka

Trip details:

Langkawi to Kuala Perlis ~ Ferry / Kuala Perlis to Kangar ~ Taxi / Kangar to Butterworth ~ Bus / Butterwort to Georgetown (Penang) ~ Ferry / Penang to Johor Bahru ~ Plane /
Johor Bahru to Singapore ~ Bus / Singapore to Johor Bahru ~ MRT / Johor Bahru to Melaka ~Bus / Melaka back to Johor ~ Bus / Johor back to Penang ~ Plane and eventually back to Langkawi the same way we came.

Singapore Skyline 

We set off around 6:30am to catch the 7:30 ferry from Langkawi, but when we arrived in Kuala Perlis we were told; "No bus from here, have to go to Kangar" This came as a complete surprise as normally all buses from Butterworth stop at this ferry terminal. So we jumped in a taxi, which cost us 15RM and arrived just 3 minutes before the bus was leaving to Butterworth. The buses we experienced in Malaysia are very comfortable and cheap and we like travelling with them, lots of leg room. Just always have a jumper with you, as some of the buses are absolutely freezing.
 We arrived safely in Butterworth  took the ferry across to Georgetown and went on from there with the bus to Penang airport. We had booked our flights well in advance with Air Asia, when they had an offer on so it was cheap to go by plane to Johor. Once we got from the airport to the bus station in Johor Bahru we knew, our hotel was only about 600m away but there was a problem, called a 6 lane motorway. No way could we get across by foot and when we asked a girl at the bus station how we could get to our hotel she warned us not to walk, it would be too dangerous, too many bags get snatched, especially from tourists. Ok, so we looked out for a taxi, but how come there is never one around when you need one. Eventually a guy offered to take us for 15RM and we were glad for the lift. (We later found out this trip by taxi would cost no more but 6RM) oh well, you win some and you lose some and we were just glad to be in our hotel, the Golden Court.  We were pleased with the place, nice rooms friendly staff and a complimentary breakfast (Malay style)

Entrance hall to the border

After a good night`s sleep we went by taxi to the border to Singapore where we caught a bus on the Malay side taking us to the nearest MRT station in Singapore. The bus stops at the border, you have to walk across and catch the bus on the other side, all I can say: "Well organised chaos" but you find that at every bus station in Malaysia.
We made our way with the MRT to Geylang where our hotel the Orchid81 is situated and even though we knew it was in the red light district in Singapore, we did not expect prostitutes right outside of the hotel, together with their pimp who kept driving around on a little moped collecting the money from the girls. When we sat outside one evening having a cigarette, all of a sudden all the girls around the hotel (about 8 of them) started running and disappeared within seconds, but no wonder, a police car came around the corner. Once they had gone, all the girls came back and took their positions as before, but the pimps were busy on their phones ringing others up, we guessed to warn the of police presence. It was better than TV :) We would not recommend this place to anyone though. The rooms are small, the manager unfriendly, but at least it was cheap and easy to find.
In Singapore we went to see the famous Marina Sands Bay Hotel an absolute must when you are there. The architecture is well amazing and when you go to the top and see the skyline and pool (free tours available, check when you pay the entry fee) you are quite breathless.

Marina Sands Bay Casino, Hotel Theatres etc.. 

The pool at the top

Girls posing at the top

Short Trip to Penang Island

Beautiful Penang

Even though we live on a tropical island, you sometimes need a break from Paradise! Penang is the total opposite from Langkawi, lots of traffic, lots of shops (even 3 Tescos)  never ending amount of street hawkers with the most beautiful and cheap dishes on offer and a permanent hustle and bustle of people from all cultural backgrounds and nationalities.

Penang Sky Line

Sunrise on the 7:30am Ferry to Kuala Perlis

We decided to go to Kuala Perlis with the ferry from Langkawi, then by bus to Butterworth and again by ferry to Penang. Not only does this work out about half price compared with the normal 3 hour direct ferry from Kuah to Penang. but you get to see more and get a chance to meet people (which is what happened to us)

View from our "surprise apartment"

We were just about to leave the boat when a young looking Chinese man approached us and asked where we were going and once we replied "to Penang" he offered to share his car with us for 10RM each. We gratefully accepted and as it turned out he was the Operation Manager of Menzan Guest House in Penang. They have 21 apartments for rent of all different standards and prices. We had to haggle a bit but eventually he agreed on 60RM per night and we accepted, not knowing what we would get, but were positively surprised (photos of the apartment can be seen here) We all have our skeletons in the cupboard though, so it did not come as a surprise to find one in our apartment too......(see picture below)

Mummified Gecko in the cupboard :)) 

Christopher of  Menzan Guest House with Fiona

more photos of the apartment can be seen here

The pool at the apartment

After attending some business on Penang we decided to take the bus (last stop after Batu Ferriggi) and go for a walk to monkey beach, a 2hr walk along the coast right through the national park jungle. Not a good idea to just wear flip flops though, as it is quite steep and rough in parts. You come across some breathtaking scenery