I left Panang on Tuesday morning after spending 4 nights there. Some great food to be had there. Went to the museum, Penang Hill (although not much of a view as it was very wet) then went to the unversity on the last day an looked suitably lost enough to be met by a local student and shown around the place. Had lunch with some U.S Australian and Candian students who were also studying there, and got a chance to ask them about what it's like. All are enjoying it so far. Got confirmation from home that I have been accepted to study at Penang, and a confirmation of the scholarship in Singapore. Met some friends there who were teaching on a gap year in India, until it all kicked off, when they left to travel for a while before going home to start university. Travelled with them to the Cameron Highlands, and enjoyed 2 nights of cool mountain air and a very noisy dormatory (not me making any of the noise!) Some good walks to do up there. Will probably go back later in the year.

Currently in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Very hot and polluted, in a 16 bed dormatory, so another noisey night, but only 2 pounds a night, so I'd prefer to save my money, I'll have a twin room once I get to Singapore. Really looking forward to going now. Probably heading for Malaka after 2 nights here, but I may stay 4 nights here and leave Malaka until later in the year. See how it goes tomorrow I think.

Exam results came through and looking good, I'm just averaging a first, so I'll have to work hard when in my first year to keep that. Also going to have to work har at not getting fat whilst I'm over here, the food is so good and so cheap, cheapest in Sout East Asia so far. When I get some holiday I'm hoping to go to indonesia, and to northern Laos, not on the same holiday though. Not sure when. it's hot, humid, but good. john