We flew into Kuala Lumpur and suddenly were back in a shiny corporate landscape although as ever, often sat alongside areas of old buildings and poverty.

When we left the UK the plan was to eat only meals from the country we were in and so far we have held out despite the huge array of restaurants offering western meals. There are huge numbers of western food chains (most common seems to be KFC the McDonald’s and the rest) but we wouldn’t choose that at home so why would we here?

Pip tries to eat gluten free so some fried dishes we know are not right if the meat has a coating, but soy sauce is often in dishes. However, given that bread and pastry products seem to be enjoyed everywhere we have been how come there is no evidence of food allergies, especially in the more affluent areas?

Highlights in KL (as the locals call it) include the 118 building where, despite our less than stylish attire, we enjoyed an expensive cocktail at the fancy bar on the 75th floor and took some photos before descending, walking 5 minutes to Chinatown and having a meal for £2.20 each.

Chinatown is an experience. If you want to buy anything they will probably sell it, or at least a version of it, there.

Just walking around KL there are some spectacular views of the major landmarks like the Petronas Towers or the 118 building that appear suddenly as you walk past a junction. Keep your head up while walking is my advice.

We also visited the Batu caves, about 9km outside of KL, known for their 280 multi coloured steps up to the cave and the many monkeys wandering around and occasionally stealing things. Keep your eyes peeled and your hand on your possessions (sunglasses and phones are apparently the most popular). We went fairly early in the morning to avoid the heat but it was still a workout. My pride at completing it, despite sweating out more at the top than I could drink, was diminished somewhat when I saw lots of women climbing up carrying large urns of milk as an offering and still looking cool at the summit.

The botanical gardens are worth exploring in Kuala Lumpur, with loads of monkeys roaming around. Sadly we saw one carrying around an obviously deceased baby, and although we were maintaining a significant distance, one of the other ones did make a charge for Pip causing her to scream and move faster than I have seen in ages.

From KL we headed to Malacca for a couple of nights. A very colourful city down by the river with an array of different influences on the architecture. We were a bit surprised to be nearly run over by a bicycle tuktuk covered in My Little Pony pictures and toys, loads of neon lights and blasting out Superstar by Jamelia. The image in your head is probably still not as and as it looked and yet we nearly git run over by it. How?

While sat overlooking the river chomping down on a selection of Portuguese tarts and an ice cream we spotted 2 Monitor Lizards swimming then sunning themselves and a couple of otters. You just never know what you will spot if you keep your eyes peeled and off your phone.

Malacca is a word I had heard but could not place, even when Pip randomly told me it means “wanker” in Greek. Eventually I worked out it is from the Strait of Malacca which we sailed across on the way to Dumai.

Next country is Indonesia