Selamat Datang! Welcome to Malaysia!

"Fish lip soup" in answer to my question enquiring what I was eating was not a response I wanted to hear.  My host explained it has replaced shark fin soup as the new delicacy in Chinese dining.  Discretely putting my spoon down I moved on to the next dish, sea snails, also challenging but more appetising as I convinced myself they were just like large cockles.  Perhaps I'm not as ambitious trying new things as I previously thought.  Thankfully the lobster salad and other dishes at the gala dinner I was a guest at were delicious.  I'm currently in Malaysia, a melting pot of cultures but predominantly Malay, Indian and Chinese, all of which are reflected in the diverse range of cuisine.  Instead of asking "How are you" on meeting, Malaysians say "Have you eaten?"  Food is top of everyones' agenda.

I began my trip in Sabah, the eastern state of Malaysia also known as Borneo. The flight to Kota Kinabalu, or KK as it's locally known, took two-and-a-half hours from Kuala Lumpur airport (after a 12.5 hour outward flight from London).  All within easy radius of KK I've seen orangutangs in their natural habitat; been to an award-winning marine conservation centre; travelled on the North Borneo steam railway as a step back to the colonial era; and enjoyed discovering the traditions of the five original tribes in Sabah all centrally demonstrated at the Mari-Mari Cultural Centre.

Staying at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort was fabulous and the perfect place for exploring the area.  For diving enthusiasts, bird-watching; trekking in tropical rainforest; and white-water rafting Sabah is the ideal destination for action and adventure.