Lomkbok - Malaysia

After much thought we decided a bottle of wine, a rarity on Lombok, and some Swiss chocolate would make a suitable gift for all the hospitality we have been shown and turned up at Sukini’s with a card and the gifts which I think went down well. Sukini was really upset that she hadn’t managed to find good fish that day but what she had prepared was lovely, a vegetable dish, mie goring (noodles and vegetables) and a shrimp chilli dish. To make up for the disappointment we were invited back next day for fish! Turns out the funeral last week was for Sukini’s Grandmother who was – wait for it – 124!!! So, another fantastic meal, grilled fish, fish in sauce and a vegetable and tofu dish. It was a really great evening and then Sukini surprised us with gifts, a beautiful hand-woven sari with matching scarf for me and a batak for Brian, a piece of lovely material in greens and gold – whatever we did to deserve such generosity I don’t know. An emotional farewell with promises to keep in touch and to return for Yeni and Agus’ wedding later in the year.

Whoever invented early morning flights wants shooting. Up at 4 to go to the airport, Agus loved showing off and driving really fast as there was very little traffic and Brian trying not to show his white knuckles. Two flights and a coach journey later we arrive in Melaka to be met by Johari, the owner of the flat we are renting. The flat is spacious and reasonably clean with a lovely big swimming pool but I’m glad now we couldn’t book it for a month as it seems to be quite a way out of central Melaka with a two bus journey to take us there. However, only one bus ride away is a giant …….  TESCO – can’t quite believe my eyes! Too tired to go out and eat we go to bed at nine and sleeeeeep.

We had arranged for Johari, the owner of the apartment to pick us up at 11 and show us around a bit. The bus station is quite amazing but it is good to learn that we can get a bus to the Genting Highlands, 4 hours away for £8 each! We also find out which bus will take us back to the apartment at Cheng Heights and then Johari drops us off in the heart of Melaka for an explore. Plenty to see and do so we wander for a few hours then bus back to Tesco, do some shopping and catch the bus back to the apartment. Too tired to go out we have cheese rolls and beer!

We seem to spend most of our time waiting for buses – they are very random and we have waited nearly an hour on more than one occasion! We’ve also had one drive straight past and one express coach pick us up and give us a free ride, oh and twice given up altogether and got a taxi. That’s the worst thing about the apartment, it’s way too far out of the city, we’ve remedied that now though and booked a hotel in the heart of Melaka for a couple of weeks, we should be able to explore a lot more from there. We’ll also have more choice of food. There is an outdoor restaurant (like most in Malaysia) opposite the apartment block and we ate there for just under £2 including two bottles of water and a Chinese, twice as expensive and not as good (also gave Brian a bad stomach!) but nothing else. Looking forward to a bit of variety.

We also spotted an HSBC bank from the bus so decided it was worth another try to get a card. Thanks to the buses we arrived at 4.10 to discover it shut at 4! Try again next week. 

China Town

Melaka River

Melaka River

Melaka centre

Brian's new friends

Potato twist - yummy!

Trishaws in Melaka